“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~ Virginia Woolf. On this International Women’s Day, GlobalSpa recognizes and celebrates the women in the industry as we delve into their success mantra they follow, mistakes that have helped them grow, and of course, their WELLNESS philosophy.

Aparna Kaushik is the founder & architect of Aparna Kaushik Design Group. The House of Aparna Kaushik is known for iconic architecture, interior design, and furniture.

What is your wellness philosophy?

The health and wellbeing of a person is a combination of different aspects of one’s life and social environment. Wellness according to me is more than nutrition and exercise. It is a dynamic space of wellness which is self-empowered. It is about training your mind to acknowledge positive thoughts, beliefs and challenging the negative or self-destructive ones.

Your success mantra?

The biggest idea that helped me create a good place in the industry was to develop my own style. Innovation really comes from designing and solving the problem at hand. Another important factor is to really understand the requirements of the client and their mindset. If one is able to connect with their clients, then half the battle is won.

A lesson you learned from making a mistake?

I don’t consider difficult experiences as a mistake. I feel like all experiences have been a learning experience for me.

Any piece of advice for all the women out there?

A piece of advice for all the women in the industry is to really understand your client and your team. Be ambitious and tenacious. Architecture needs commitment, passion and patience. Also, it is essential to get as much experience as possible and work smart. There has never been a better time for a woman than now. Women are risk takers but also pragmatists which is the perfect combination for leadership.

What has been your biggest pride as a doyenne?

I feel my connection and understanding with clients has been my biggest pride because of which I have been able to deliver the required results and satisfy the needs of my clients. Residential design is the most personalized space for any client. The understanding to deliver according to their needs has always been my priority.