I recently gave up my nine-year career as a tax consultant with a leading ‘Big 4′ firm to pursue my dream of becoming an entrepreneur and setting up my own venture, All Things Pretty (ATP). The main focus is a line of cushions and table linen, although we are slowly planning to explore other product lines in home décor.

Leaving a well-paying, secure profession was not an easy decision as nine years in that role had given me a comfort zone. I had worked hard to build a career and position for myself and often wondered if it was worthwhile to give it all up to do something entirely different. However, although I had no experience, I forged ahead with resolute faith, which to my mind is the most crucial ingredient to success.

Though my family was very supportive of my decision, a lot of other people warned me to be prepared for stiff competition, a long gestation period for setting up a business, and the many other factors involved. Therefore, it took me a while to make up my mind. The decision to finally take the plunge came about two years ago when I was setting up my home with my husband and shopping for home linen. That’s when it struck me that if I had a keen eye to spot things for my home and I actually enjoy the process of hunting for the right stuff and finding the perfect spot for it, I would probably enjoy it as a business. I believe in the adage — you must do what you love and love what you do. That was perhaps the trigger that got me thinking.

I finally set up the business only a few months ago when I decided “If I am going to go give this idea a shot, it has got to be now” – and thus ATP was born. I currently retail my products through a few home décor stores across India. It wasn’t an easy start with the retail stores – I wrote to dozens of them requesting for them to see my work and give me an opportunity to display my products. It took a while for me to understand how to go about manufacturing and showcasing merchandise at stores. During my initial few meetings, I met some very helpful, wonderful people who very kindly showed me my mistakes and guided me on how I should proceed. Even though every meeting may not have resulted in a sale or an opportunity for a tie up with a store, I learned so much from meeting experienced people who were in this field. It has been about six months since I have been fully involved in ATP. I am looking at expanding my market and selling my products overseas. In the next few years, I hope to get into exports, open a lifestyle store and be known as a one-stop shop for home décor.

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