BRIEF23 brings you insights and inspiration from Neha Jhunjhunwala, Founder of Onset Homes – a sustainable brand of interior upholstery with a focus on cushions and throws.
Neha writes on invitation and exclusively for our special series BRIEF23, which features industry stalwarts, thought leaders, industry captains, business heads, brand custodians and other C-suite heads from diverse companies across sectors, size and scale, sharing their learnings from 2022, and guidance and inspiration to help empower professionals for the upcoming FY 2023-24.
Neha Jhunjhunwala the founder of Onset Homes, is a textile specialist who started her career in her family’s textile export business for fashion and home decor. Neha graduated in Textile Design from Philadelphia University and gained extensive experience and knowledge in the industry.
In 2004, she launched her label, followed by a concept store that housed some of the biggest brands, earning the title of “the pride of Kolkata” by leading publication ‘The Telegraph’. During this time, she also taught textiles at the Srishti Institute of Art, Design, and Technology and was a visiting lecturer at Philadelphia University and JDBI, Kolkata.
In 2020, Neha redesigned Onset Homes with a focus on reviving the handicraft sector and bringing artisans to the forefront who celebrate the raw imperfections of Indian kaarigari at a national and global level.
Her aim is to provide a platform for artisans from rural and urban settings to showcase their beautiful creations and enable customers to appreciate and own these masterpieces crafted with passion and dedication. Neha uses natural fibers such as cotton, linen, and silk, and her products incorporate multiple techniques including printing, embroidery, and surface texturing with pom-poms or tassels.
In addition to B2B channels, Neha offers customized soft furnishings to clients building luxurious homes or boutique hotels. She is also an expert in upcycling and repurposing fabrics, making her designs truly unique and special.
BRIEF23 by Neha Jhunjhunwala – Onset Homes
2022 defined: This year was a perfect year of oxymorons, I had moments of failure and then those of insane success. Times when I was so overjoyed and then when I was in my shell. But it was a year that has made me wiser.
On track, ahead of, or trailing the pack?: So last year was the first year of my D2C business and I would like to say I think I did pretty okay. Was it wow and was I over the moon- no! But I think we did pretty well. A lot of openings and loads of opportunities- so next year, we are ready to take you on.
Under the hood: We got a lot of love from so many customers as well as from B2B companies. It made me know I am doing something correctly.
Lessons learnt: On a professional level- Keep patience and just keep giving your best. Don’t let setbacks disappoint you. On a personal note, it would be to hold those people who actually love you very close always.
Who/What inspired me: Honestly, there is no one person or thing. I think it’s just life. It keeps inspiring you every day- it makes you meet random people in your life who teach you life lessons or put you in challenging situations which show you so much. So my biggest inspiration is looking at life in a happy and positive way and living it with loads of gratitude- and it just throws the most amazing inspirations to you.
Looking ahead: Home has a completely new meaning post-Covid. It’s a space that is growing profoundly and there is so so much growth in this field. ‘Home’ finally has found its position in the sociology of our being and has gotten its due respect.
And here’s how we’ll do it!: Going ahead, one plan is to have Onset Homes in most homes. We want to be a part of converting more houses to homes. We want to connect with as many interior and architects and be a part of their projects.
Advice: My advice would have to be, just love what you do. Love it in such a way that you never have Monday blues. This is the only way you will excel in your work. Keep working extremely hard without focusing too much on the result. It will come in its own sweet time. And don’t lose patience, don’t give up hope. Keep pushing yourself and giving your best and you will get what you want.
One big learning/realization: I think for me it has to be when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and I couldn’t walk without holding onto someone and lost 70% vision in one eye. That was an incident that completely changed me. Looking back I also think it is something I am most grateful for. It taught me to take life more lightly, to not fret over the small things, to not take so much stress- to just be happy and enjoy and be grateful for every present moment
The quote or thought that’ll inspire me in 2023: When you want something enough, the entire universe conspires to make it come true.