Leaders

Interior designers have the power to transform livingspaces into personalized havens that reflect the unique style and taste of each client. By carefully understanding the needs, preferences, and lifestyles of their clients, interior designers can create functional, aesthetically pleasing, and emotionally fulfilling spaces. This transformation can have a profound impact on people's lives by providing a sense of comfort, happiness, and pride in their homes. Considering this, with a passion for making a difference in people's lives by transforming their homes into personalized spaces, Isha Manekia started the company I Takeaway Interiors.

Isha Manekia brings a wealth of technical knowledge and attention to detail to her work as an interior designer. With a background as a site supervisor and site incharge early in her career, Isha has developed a keen eye for the practical aspects of construction and design. She understands how to merge materials, match levels, and lines, and prioritize work to ensure a smooth and efficient process. Most importantly, she recognizes the importance of finishing a project properly and taking ownership of the work from start to finish. Isha's passion for her craft is evident in her work, and her clients can trust that they are in good hands. Below is an excerpt of Isha Manekia’s exclusive interaction with Women Entrepreneur magazine.

What drew you toward the field of interior design?

To start, I hold a BCom degree and do not come from a family background in interior design. In my final year of college, I was contemplating what direction to take in my career when I came across a booklet from Mumbai University that listed various courses. Among them, interior designing and decoration caught my eye and sparked my interest. I felt like the field chose me and I decided to pursue it. As I delved deeper into the subject, I developed a passion for it, and my love for the field only grew as I gained more knowledge and experience. Ultimately, I feel grateful for the path that led me to interior design and I'm excited to continue exploring and contributing to the field.

What motivated you to establish Takeaway Interior? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the venture and some of its key areas of specialization.

In 2012, the rapid changes in our lifestyle due to the emergence of malls, high-rise towers, and call centers inspired me to create something big that could reach as many people as possible. I wanted to make a difference by transforming people's homes into personalized spaces that reflected their unique style and personality. This is how "I Takeaway Interiors" came to be - a name that symbolizes the idea of giving clients the liberty to choose their own interiors and take away something from the experience. My husband, Vinod Manekia, played a crucial role in helping me establish the company with his unconditional support and guidance. We specialize in complete transparency, client-centric approaches, and innovation. Our focus is on delivering an organized and transparent service, where we involve and educate clients throughout the process of designing their homes. We strive to make the experience memorable and exciting for our clients by incorporating unconventional materials and creating something unique for each project. At I Takeaway Interiors, we believe in designing homes that are truly reflective of the people who live in them.

What are some of the most challenging aspects of being an interior designer? What steps do you undertake to overcome these roadblocks?

As an interior designer, the most challenging part is finding a balance between creativity and technicality. While it may seem like a purely creative field, there are many technical aspects to consider, such as what treatment must be done on which material, how much time it will take to complete work, how two agencies are interdependent, coordinating with other agencies, managing quotations, and ensuring the availability of products.

"Our focus is on delivering an Organized and transparent service, Where we involve & educate clients Throughout the process of designing Their homes"

Over time, I have found a balance between the creative and technical aspects of the job by simultaneously working on paperwork and completing it within seven days of the project's completion. Communication is also key to minimizing gaps between clients and contractors. Every project is a learning experience, and I always strive to improve and learn from them to ensure that future projects are successful.

Tell us about some of the key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey.

Forming a company was a big milestone for me and it has been a successful journey so far. We have completed many projects, but there are a few that are close to my heart. One of them is the project we did for the defence establishment INS Hamla. It is highest possible honour for us to serve country’s defence establishment. I will cherish it forever. The other is project of SBI, which was a turning point for us. We have also successfully completed a project for NABARD and received Performance Certificate from them which is priceless. Every project is special and unique, also all project has the story & are just as special to me as clients. Another milestone for me was winning a Most Promising Interior Design Firm for the year 2022 in the residential category in Maharashtra (architecture & interior design excellence awards & conference - by begin-up research intelligence Pvt Ltd) .

Isha Manekia, Founder, I Takeaway Interiors

Isha has completed her B.Com from Nagindas Khandwala College, post which she acquired her Interior Designing and Decoration Course from the University of Mumbai. Also, Isha has completed personal development courses such as Vipassana various courses from Landmark Education such as Landmark Forum Landmark Advance Course, Self- Expression & Leadership Programme, Communication Course & many more.