The enormous boost in Construction and real estate industry has a direct positive impact on the interior designing market. Seeing an opportunity, many huge brands, as well as firms, have joined the market space, making the interior designing market a highly competitive space nowadays. However, the major aspect where all the firms are struggling is providing innovative design consistently without being termed repetitive and that's where Pallavi Shekar, Founder, Interskapez has stayed way ahead of the curve compared to her peers. An award-winning interior designer & entrepreneur, Pallavi promotes green concepts and always opts for unique customized designs for each of her projects. Apart from that, she is also a staunch promoter of girl education and has adopted 12 girls in her hometown.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Pallavi shares her early experience, the inception story of Interskapez, and much more.

Shed some light on your early educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table. What motivated you to venture into an interior design company?

After my Graduation in Interior design as well as Architecture.  I came to Bangalore to start my career as a professional. In terms of work experience, I have worked with many modern architecture firms. Before starting Interskapez, I was working for a Singapore-based MNC firm, Jurong Consultants. In 2011, I decided to start my venture to achieve more than I was earning in terms of salary. So, in 2011, I started with a small office of around 400 square feet with my little savings. Being from Mysore, I had no network in Bangalore then. However, I had a strong driving force as well as intuition. By the third day of starting the firm, I got a resort project and that's how my journey started.

With a specialization in interior designing Landscape designing, Interskapez also caters to residential sectors, commercial sectors and Retail sectors as well as all the other interesting sectors clients are looking for. As a firm, we offer fully customized designs while focusing on sustainability such as green concepts, and also do landscape designing. Today, we have a 16 people team as well as a 3000 square feet area office in Bangalore. I decided to venture into Interiors and Landscape designing as it was my field for many years and I didn't have to learn anything new. I am pretty good at designing as well as color therapy and personalization. I don't believe in replicating and can proudly boast the fact that none of my projects are repetitive.

What are the various roles & responsibilities that you currently shoulder at interskapez? What are some of the most challenging aspects of your role as the founder? How do you overcome them?

As the founder, my responsibilities at the firm include handling the team as well as taking care of the designs. There have been numerous challenges throughout the journey. As a woman, the first challenge was to strengthen me. I had to take up challenges not to prove to the people who doubted me, but for myself. Self-motivation is very important. When it comes to the construction industry, as a woman designer, even though people respect you, the industry, at the same time, majorly comprises men. So in a male-dominated industry like this, you do need to strengthen yourself to get the job done. Practicing spirituality since birth has made my driving force extremely high which even motivates me to focus and take risks.

What is the varied expertise that you possess as anlifestyle architect? How has your past industrial experience helped you in your current role as the founder at interskapez?

In terms of expertise, our strength lies in the efficient execution of the designs we do. In terms of boosting confidence as well as gaining experience, my past experiences have played a huge role. In my prior experience as a team head, I used to interact with top clients as well as top builders, which helped me boost my confidence level. Even my previous firms gave me a lot of freehand and even trusted me with around 20 projects at a time. All these factors were very helpful as a confidence booster and also acted as a guiding force behind my further career persuasions.

"Consistency is the key that can help you to take the venture to next level"

What are some of the major milestones that you have achieved so far in your professional journey? What is your guiding leadership philosophy? Any advice for the young women and girls who aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

Instead of milestones, I see the whole phrase as a journey with a clear and consistent vision. Having said that, for me, the biggest milestone would be setting up the Global Infrastructure Community (GIBCO)an excellent platform for Infrastructure industry, Offline and online networking meeting is happening as of now. Also its going to be one of the best Tech platform for B2B and B2C market place for all kind of construction needs. As one of Director of the company the platform which has helped me in bringing changes in people's life. Through GIBCO, we are trying to organize our industry as a single team and till now around 750 members have already registered to it throughout the country.

Pallavi is also ready to setup her Design School called Interskapez school of design later this year.Her Love towards Sustainability has made her to start the product Brand Called D.( D dot)Conept id to create the home décor and furnishing products. Eg: waste bottle converted to lighting element, Old Jeans converted to Couches and many.

Even throughout the journey, helping many people with jobs and sustainability can be considered an achievement. As a leader, when you drive the show, others will follow you. As a leader, you need to believe and take action. A leader also must have the problem-solving capability. I am an expert when it comes to the problem at sight or making on-site decisions, which helps me as a leader.

The advice I would like to give to young women and budding entrepreneurs is not to stop once you have started a venture or goal. There is no gender discrimination in a business and anyone can start a business. However, you need to give your complete focus and dedication to it. Consistency is the key that can help you to take the venture to next level.

Pallavi Shekar,  Founder,  Interskapez

Pallavi is an accomplished and award-winning leader and the founder of the interior designing firm, Interskapez. Starting in 2015, the firm is one of the leading organizations promoting sustainability and green material usage. Apart from Interskapez. Pallavi is a promoter of girls' education and has adopted 12 girls in her hometown while aiming for educating at least 250 girls. She is also trying to organize people in the same profession under a single umbrella through her organization GIBCO.