Snippets of an interview conducted with Shikha Gupta & Kristel Sequeira.
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Prescription to Success
The desire for recognition, autonomy and independence was one of the motivators for me to follow the
direction where I have the most amount of experience but choosing interior and architecture as my
playground is purely out of my passion for the design industry.
What Inspired You to Become an Entrepreneur?
Can you give some success stories and some failures?
How Did You Build and Nurture Your Professional Network?
Our first clubhouse project was a big success, receiving accolades and being featured in national and
international publications. This led to a long-term relationship with the client, resulting in several more
projects over the past seven years. However, we have also faced challenges with corporate commercial
work, including projects falling through due to site loss or lack of client interest.
What Was Your Approach to Overcoming Failure and Setbacks?
Every setback presents an opportunity for learning and growth. Taking the time to reflect on what went
wrong and what we could have done differently helped us strategize and approach the next projects with a
renewed awareness of the pitfalls. Being flexible, and willing to adapt our approach and technicalities basis
the constraints available, led us to new possibilities to try our hands on. It's essential to stay determined and
resilient in the face of adversity.
What Resources and Tools Have Been Invaluable to Your Success?
Ultimately, the ideal place to work depends on your aspirations, interests, and skillset. By exploring diverse
opportunities and gaining multifaceted experiences, you'll be better equipped to navigate the challenges and
seize the opportunities inherent in the world of entrepreneurship. So, set sail with determination, embrace
the unknown, and chart a course towards entrepreneurial greatness. The voyage awaits, and the
possibilities are limitless.
We were starting this venture in a completely new city with barely any connections. The only projects in
hand were in collaboration with our past design studio. We knew from the very beginning it wasn’t going to
be easy without any safety net so we kept networking, attending events, reaching out to other established
designers to collaborate on design or simply meet peers and understand their journeys.
To name a couple of resources,
We would start with family support. Having a support system offered ample headspace for me to
invest my thoughts and energy in building this design studio.
Finding the right partner that aligns with the vision and values and building the team to delegate helps
in cohesive growth both of the studio and the individuals together.
How Do You Stay Informed About Industry Trends and Market Changes?
Staying connected to the peers and mentors in the industry helps in exchange of thoughts,
learning’s,technicalities etc. Finding info on Social media and publications both online and offline offer a
great deal of industry exposure. With such a fast-changing world and ever-shifting contexts, it is important
to make constant learning a priority - you can never have enough knowledge.
StoryStudio is a design firm in Bangalore, established in 2017 by Shikha
Gupta and Kristel Sequeira. They have over 15 years of experience in
hospitality, F&B, and retail design. They take on challenging projects to
innovate and collaborate with contractors and craftsmen. StoryStudio
tells stories that reflect the context and character of their projects