Meghna Jogi Kaul, MJK Design Studio, believes that tenacity and the courage to take risks will take you far
By Andrea CostaBir
It takes grit and passion to get where you are today. But looking back, what ignited the spark that set you off on this journey? And what is it that keeps you going?
It was probably destiny, it all happened quite spontaneously. Growing up in a family of doctors and engineers, it was unlikely that I would pursue interior design. However, I was always fascinated by the architecture and interiors of Indian royal heritage, and it gave me a deep sense of appreciation and triumph to design such things.
“Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up” – Pablo Picasso
I am fortunate to live my passion by sculpting people’s dreams into reality; I enjoy a sense of serenity with the opportunity to deliver an attractive, civilised and purposeful environment to people. This makes a difference in their day-to-day lives and keeps me motivated.
I would like to express my gratitude to
Mr Sandeep Maheshwari, Chief Operating Officer, Raymond Realty, for his constant support and guidance. His mentorship has been a pivotal part of my journey. Thank you for being such an excellent mentor and for all the guidance and advice you have provided.
Can you share a lesson you’ve learnt from a mistake or failure in your career? How has that helped you move forward?
Rome wasn’t built in a day — and, being totally honest, neither was anyone’s designing skillset. While some people are blessed with a natural eye for design, creating a well-appointed place requires plenty of experience with trial and error, and yes, some lessons learnt along the way. Interior designing is a creative field with no budget capping and during my initial years of practicing, it was quite difficult to convey possible cost escalations to clients, leading to awkward circumstances during project execution.
I believe in setting realistic expectations by always encouraging a client to provide the design brief with a tentative budget that we can stick to. I really try to work around what is most important to them and shape the budget as per their desires, ensuring the outcome is as anticipated. For any future deviations in design as per the client’s request, the budget revisions are concurred before proceeding.
What is that one quality you believe defines you as a leader or influencer?
I am an ‘empathetic influencer’ – juggling responsibilities can be difficult and distracting, but demonstrating empathy allows me to increase attentiveness and remain calm irrespective of the situation.
My ability to perceive and relate to the thoughts, emotions or experiences of others and respond with compassion makes me a dependable and trustworthy person, which is a must for my field of work.
What advice would you give a young woman who wants to follow a similar path?
Be tenacious and persistent. Nothing beats that. Be confident, don’t doubt yourself, and go for it! You will likely hear “no” many times before you make any breakthrough, just accept that as a fact. But by refusing to accept that “no,” you’ll separate yourself from the rest.
It is easy to get distracted by everyone around you and lose focus. People who are persistent, tenacious and driven by passion have a clearly defined goal of what they want to achieve. Most importantly, do not be afraid to take risks – sometimes the most beautiful design comes from the most unexpected blend.
