Women in recent times have remarkably stepped into market power and social position. While several women are increasingly gaining influence in the corporate world, every woman has a story. And one such story is of an Indian woman leader in Dubai, Komal Chhatwani, Founder of BoxVox. She founded BoxVox in 2019 with a simple goal in mind to make meaningful gifting easy. 

The Dubai-based boutique-gifting studio specializes in curated and custom gift boxes that tell a story through carefully selected products and wrapping details. BoxVox is featured in Vogue Arabia, Khaleej Times, and the campaign Middle East.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience and what motivated you to start a Business? 

I always was attracted to the creative fields and was very keen on studying events and in the creative space. I did my graduation in PR and advertising. After my graduation, I did my diploma in Event Management and then completed my Master's Degree in the same. I also did my diploma in weddings, where I specialized in curating, the arrangements, the decoration, and the gifts.

I was not someone who would want to get into a nine-to-five job. I knew a desk job was not something for me. I have experience of 8 years of in event management. I also worked for the PR industry and weddings for two years before I started my own business.  

My educational background encouraged me to get that creative side of gifting, understand the clients and their requirements. I even got some experience through my family, where my father is into the packaging and printing business. My family business helped me learn to manage a business and creativity and my education in events and weddings. 

My previous work experience has helped me understand how things need to be managed even at the last minute. I have an eye for attention to detail and I have implemented the same in my business.

What are the various gifting services that you provide?

As lovers of elevated everyday essentials, we source exquisite and useful items, believing that these little luxuries can inspire our day­to­day living. At BoxVox, we offer personalized, customized gifts and pre-curated gifts. Pre-curated gifts are already ready-made for various occasions including Anniversaries, baby showers, etc. 

We also have a collection of wedding boxes for bridesmaids, grooms' men, welcome packages, and more. We cater to corporate clients when they celebrate or recognize employees, gifts for clients, business partners, and much more. 

We let our clients curate gift boxes as per the available colors of the boxes, their likes & dislikes, budget, and choose from over 200 products that we have. Every box that leaves our studio is a gift to be remembered forever. Hence, we offer gifts that are packaged to perfection and accompanied by a hand-written note.

What are the different roles and responsibilities you hold? 

Initially, I would send proposals to the clients, source gifts, and do packaging. Now, I take care of client relationships. I overlook the day-to-day business operations and handle sales to meet the needs of our clients. 

What is the most challenging aspect of your business? 

Meeting the deadlines is the most challenging aspect for me. We can do 10 ­ 10,000 boxes, no matter how big the clients or the event is. But most clients come to us at the last minute and our deadline changes. Thus, making it difficult for us to source the gift items. However, we keep the quality and clients' needs as our top priority. 

“Boxvox is all about creativity, message, designing, and attention to detail about aesthetics. We try to keep up with the trends in the industry, especially with expo 2020”

Summarize your Journey as an Entrepreneur in Dubai

Every business leader and entrepreneur has a journey and a fair share of ups and downs. Due to everyday changes in market trends especially, during festivals, and occasions, the need to keep our business running is quite difficult. Due to the evolving trends, we always prefer quality over quantity. That is our "USP". The kind of gifts we provide should be a "Wow Factor". We bank on our Customer Service as we like to have an emotional connection.

What makes us stand out is - we support small business entrepreneurs by women to source gifting products.

BoxVox is all about creativity, message, designing, and attention to detail about aesthetics. We try to keep up with the trends in the industry, especially with Expo 2020. Since we are an e-commerce business, people think it's easy as gifting is only festive and very occasional. The expectations of people are so high. But it's exciting and tedious. 

As a successful business leader, what would your advice be to young women who aspire to become business leaders in the future? 

I would say, take the risk, take a leap of faith, & be persistent. If you know that you want to have a vision start with making a vision and be confident. If you know you want something, go behind it and take the risk. I would also suggest youngsters engage in-network, ask for advice from your seniors. It is essential to ask questions, speak up, and be curious.

Komal Chhatwani, Founder Of Boxvox

Founder Komal Chhatwani is the creative mastermind behind Box Vox. She loves treating her friends and family and is a big fan of buying local. Therefore, when she noticed a gap in the gifting industry that combined both of her passions, Komal established Box Vox.