Established in 1999, Essentia Environments carries carrying out the business of interior designing, turnkey execution, manufacturing and supplying furniture and home accessories to their discerning clients.
For the past 22 years, Monica & Hardesh Chawla has been designing and building dream spaces for their clients and have in the process redefined elegant luxury.
Here’s the dynamic duo in an exclusive conversation with PeakLife sharing their experiences and much more.
How did the idea for your business come about?
After my MBA from INSEAD, France, I worked and lived in several countries, which formed a strong professional foundation across cultures for me. I had a successful career in financial services and real estate, before setting up a business in Russia, focusing on commercial buildings. But we decided to move to India and pursue the same line. Along with my wife, Monica, also an Interior Designer, I founded Essentia Environments in 1999. Starting with commercial projects, then moving on to office and residential projects, we expanded our business gradually across India and overseas. It was like we had found our true calling in creating beautiful spaces for discerning clients.
As the Creative Head, Monica brings a unique sense of style and aesthetics into the various elements of design in all our projects. My business and engineering background allows me to stay objective and look for elegant solutions to complex problems.
We started custom manufacturing all furniture to match our creative vision for our projects, and this capability has also grown by leaps and bounds. Our diverse range of products is now available for customization by architects and interior designers.
What was the idea behind the name ‘Essentia Environments’?
Our philosophy is to showcase design that is “essential” to space.Nothing over-the-top or excessively decorative, but a design that is just right to create a beautiful, comfortable and functional space. And “environment” because, what we create are not just spaces, but environments that include indoor, outdoor, office and commercial, etc.
How do you see the scope of the interior design sector post the pandemic?
Post-pandemic, home has become the centre of everyone’s life. So interior designing has gained a fresh lease of life. Working professionals, who spent very less time at home, andnever had the bandwidth to pay attention to its interiors, are now taking a lot of interest in creating inspiring spaces to live, work, play and entertain. They are roping in professionals to do up their homes to their satisfaction. They don’t want to wait for later. So the interior design sector has found itself catering to the increased demand for home makeovers.
What was the key factors to become an entrepreneur?
I have always enjoyed better, and achieved more, while working on my own. Though I have worked for other people at the beginning of my career, I soon realized that I was not cut out for 5 to 9 jobs. That was the motivation perhaps to start out on my own. And when I began on my own, everything fell into place. Being an entrepreneur came naturally to me.
If you had to suggest 5 must read books during this period, what would they be?
I would like to recommend books that help in self-improvement and transforming oneself, apt for the uncertain times we are living in. These leave a lasting impression on one’s mind. Also, considering it’s been a tense and sad phase for many people, I would suggest a few lighter reads to ease the stress.
* Fountainhead by Ayn Rand.This might seem a bit intimidating to start with, but as you go along, you will enjoy it a lot. It enriches one’s worldview.
* Atlas Shrugged by Ayan Rand again, if you have liked the author in the first book, you must read this one as well.
* Lee Child’s books.I have read all of his books and eagerly wait for his next. They are easy to read, they are fun, and lighten the mood.
* Stephen King’s books. Again, I have read nearly all his books. They are very racy and exciting.
Any advice you would give for our budding entrepreneurs?
1. My advice to budding entrepreneurs is to think big and set goals that are really high and ambitious so that you can strive for bigger things early in your career. Do not limit yourself to narrow targets.
2. Times flies, before you know it, you would have been at your career for 30-40 years. So do not forget to have fun. When you look back, you should have no regrets. So live well, surround yourself with people you like, so that you can be happy.
3. Know yourself. Be objective, look at yourself and analyse your strengths and weaknesses carefully. And fill the gaps. You need to have people supporting you wherever you need. Be honest with yourself.
4. Be nice and do good. Reputation building takes a long, so start early. Do it consciously, and it becomes a habit.
5. Persevere. It helps you cross all hurdles on the way and reach the most difficult milestones.
