Ever so inspiring and an Interior Designer with a purpose, she is a humble Soul, a doting mom, and completely family-oriented, yet her work is her worship! When she sets her foot on priorities, work wouldn’t ever take a back seat for her!! That is how dedicated and passionate she is towards designing homes or other spaces with her own brand Urban Interiors!! She will call a spade a spade and never ever will give any false commitments out to her clients.
A beauty with brains, we got lucky to get into a conversation with her! Presenting Sangeeta Ahuja, founder Urban Interiors, a very senior and seasoned entrepreneur and our 1st WinningStree of the Week of the new year 2020 and a new decade.
Who Are You And How Are You Into What You Do?
As a little girl you start living your dream and as a woman you start fulfilling those same dreams! Yes, that’s me Sangeeta Ahuja, an Interior designer by profession and a mother of two beautiful daughters 13 & 5.
As an independent 19-year-old with a relentless passion for design, I received an opportunity to design a friends’ living room. This modest step created a teenage Entrepreneur out of me. Now with over fifteen years of continuous practical work experience and extensive knowledge we at Urban Interiors have satisfied clients.
Tell Us About Your Journey…
My Father is an engineer by profession and a businessman. A self-made entrepreneur that he is. He won several awards in 1994/97 which were my growing years. I still significantly remember that I couldn’t attend his award ceremony as I had very important lecturers to attend. So, in the entire family picture, I was missing and at that moment, I promised myself, I will make myself worthy of every award and every achievement.
I have always believed that I am a born winner. I hold a B.Sc in Interior Design and also several other Interior Design Diploma with Project Management and Furniture Designing from reputed colleges and institutes. To add a feather to my cap, God has been very kind in rewarding me consistently for all the hard work I have been able to put through with my parents’ support.
My College Dean offered me the post of HOD of the same college I completed my education from! Aah, that respect of sitting on the HOD chair, from where once in my education days I received a compliment from my then HOD that it comes from my father in my genes still gives me the shivers.
The sleepless nights when for half a mark-making sheets again and again for perfection made me Diligent. Everything and my parents’ support and guidance has made me what or who I am today and certainly defined my journey!
Difficulties You Faced When Fulfilling Your Dreams/Aspirations…
Interior designing is a very responsible field. Clients trust you with their hard-earned savings to be invested in their dream home where they start making memories or in their commercial spaces where they earn their livelihood or accolades. They pay us to spend their earnings wisely.
This keeps me at my toes forever as I believe in one to one interaction, in commitment, in honest and sincere work and that is the most difficult part of this profile. It is glamorous and yet very hardworking. The needs and availability of materials, clients, exposure, choices, opinions, budget have to be all balanced at once. Simultaneously to sell your design you have to learn to adapt to it first with full confidence and then deliver.
How Has The Journey Been So Far?
Since I turned 19 till about 23 years of age, its been a roller coaster ride for me. New clients, new challenges, learning the tricks of market, survey, purchases, travelling across to study the latest in the field so as to stay updated, trying to make schedules for startups, and handover project dates were all the key responsibility areas for me. Apart from this I learned building rules to follow for my business to have an organized working system in place.
Born and brought up in South Delhi had altogether a different level of perfection and performance criteria. I set up my office step by step with self earnings. Met with an accident while I had to submit the final thesis. I remember going to college in broken pieces. Oh! what a journey it has been! Thinking about this is taking me through so many ups and downs which are worthy to look back today. All the pain was worth it!
I am sure anyone reading this will go back 20 years in their lives!! The journey of life filled with good and bad times will come up in a flash for all of you! The emotions so strong without knowing where to start and where to stop. That’s life!
How Committed Are You To Your Passion?
Suddenly, this question reminds me of the year 2006! It was my wedding Mehandi ceremony and I had to hand over a prestigious project at Sundar Nagar Market in Delhi. I handed over the keys for the completed project at 5.30 pm and then drove back home for the ceremony.
Then again I get reminded of the time when I was blessed with my elder daughter in my first year of marriage and at no point could have given break to the practice of consultancy and vanish as projects were all around NCR. I used to drive to Kamla Nagar and Delhi University for project supervision! As with excuses you can’t grow. One week after her birth, born by cesarean, I was back in a routine. It was a very emotional decision for me but you have to learn to live it, to prove you are strong and can balance it!!
This is the time and point where I had got an opportunity which I mentioned earlier of being a HOD of my own college. Same time another prestigious institute hired me for taking design lessons in the morning at 7:30 AM batch. Those were some fruitful days of my life. A professional, new mother and now sharing my experiences with other budding Interior designers to teach them how to grow and see the real world was a great feeling! I taught them life skills on how to survive with daily routine challenges when you are bound to skip meals or skip your morning walks!
A lady boss in a Man’s world! Helping clients spend earnings on luxury which is a need now! I had an amazing 4 years experience teaching as a Guru and balancing my practice as a Full-Time Design Consultant.
That WinningStree Moment…
Now is my time when clients introduce me as Sangeeta Ahuja the renowned Interior designer of top-notch homes and bespoke commercial projects, a brilliant businesswoman, they say, she’s got a vibrant aura, delightful energy about her that makes you want to be in her company always. That gives me confidence for the next level.
Working on concepts to create timeless and understated elegance whilst fusing the east and the west. Meaning the eastern principles of simplicity and the western taste of sumptuous textures and luxury finishes. My brand ‘Urban Interiors’ delivers in Giving life to empty spaces creating Happy homes! Happy Clients! Happy Life!
What Makes You Extraordinary?
I try to first discuss in detail with clients before starting the project explaining how to exactly create a space that never goes out of style. It requires objects that reflect the owner’s character, consider the location of the property and sense of place, this often dictates what styles and materials are appropriate.
With the rising temperature, the fragrance for your space has to be light and fresh. A successfully designed space should be planned down to the smallest details this helps to create good storage. It’s the key to well-designed homes. Instead of always following the latest Interior Design Trends to decorate with timeless pieces you love.
Three Words You Say To Yourself In Front Of The Mirror?
“I am a Born Winner!”
Winning Message To Other Strees?
“The Kind Of Beauty, We as women Want Most Is The Hard-to-get Kind That Comes From Within-strength, Courage, & Dignity. Believe in yourself! “
Your Favorite Quote That You Believe In?
“I Figure, If A Girl Wants To Be A Legend, She Should Go Ahead And Be One.”
Where Do You Operate From And How Can You Be Reached?
I have two office setups @Okhla and @Faridabad
