The designer in her has a resilient and industrious streak. Her work and life balance is phenomenal. Her professionalism with brains, has been heralded, as a truly empowered woman in the business landscape of the community. Meet Ritu Deshpande, a born to stand out woman who has successfully executed about 150 projects across India!! Our WinningStree of The Week is on a Winning Streak and here we cheer for her aloud!
“I follow my dreams, believe in myself and don’t give up – that was a piece of advice my
mother gave me and I can’t think of better advice for a creative mind. If you’re different,
you will stand out.”
1. Who are you and how are you into what you do?
I am an Interior Designing Professional. I have many architects in the family who pushed me to
do my Graduation & then Masters in Interior Designing. I chose that field of study because I’ve
always been interested in designing inside areas of a house and a couple of family members
advised me it leads to great career options too!!
2. Tell us about your journey…
I come from a supportive family and have completed my education in the science stream,
completed my Masters in Interiors and Architecture with a specialization in space
utilization. Married to a well-known family with a leaning towards art and heritage made
the bonds with buildings stronger.
The family owned Architecture business in the name of Architect Deshpande and Associates benefitted with my addition to the fold. Both my father-in-law and husband were giants in the field and groomed my talent to help excel in my chosen field. By and large my journey has been interesting and successful.
3. How did you get drawn towards architecture and interior design?
I believe Point No 2 above would describe this point. However, my dominance in the art form
includes extensive and intensive knowledge in both residential and commercial spaces. I have
been a designer and executor of about 150 projects across India.
4. What are the pros and cons of being an Interior Designer?
The pros of being an interior designer include utilizing your creativity and developing your
career while dealing with difficult clients and stress are a few of the cons.
To quote some of the Pros are:
(A). Creativity Unleashed
(B). Development in carrier and
& the Cons are:
(A). Problematic Clients,
(B). Battling stress
Final Thought: While the cons are pretty common for most jobs, the pros of becoming an interior designer do offer a chance to find fulfilment if you truly love this line of work.
5. What are the problems that you have to deal with in your profession?
1. Managing Time
2. Selling your big ideas
3. Handling Books
4. Maintaining client’s expectations
5. Working within fast turn-arounds
6. Managing Costs
7. Handling self-promotion
6. How do you manage your work and travel especially during the current lockdown?
Lockdown rules allow, for one brief period of outdoor movement in a day. Work-life balance
refers to the time I allocate to work compared to the rest of life such as family, friends,
personal interests and so on. I do struggle to achieve this at the best of times. So I plan ahead,
stick to a routine, insist all my meeting online and through video conferencing etc.
7. That Winning Stree Moment…
Nothing can beat the joy of motherhood! Holding my son in my arms for the first time and
then my daughter has been ‘The Winning Stree’ moment for me. Professionally, I’d say the
launch of my first project was one such moment. I think every moment that makes you
ascend to another level is a ‘WinningStree’ moment.
8. Three Words you say to yourself while in front of the mirror!
Valuable, Strong & Special…
9. What makes you extraordinary?
Set of values that I have towards execution of any project. Having strong sense of what is right or wrong makes me extraordinary!
10. Winning Message to Other Strees…
The secret to winning is constant, consistent management
12. What other things are you passionate about?
Extensive travelling, discovering new destinations, reaching out to new heights is all that I feel passionate about…
13. Where can you be reached?
On my mobile – 9873740251
& my e-mail – deshpandearchitect@gmail.com
More Power To You!
