Meet Sushmitha Pidatala | Founder of Arjuna

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sushmitha Pidatala and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sushmitha, is there something you believe many others might not?
When (some) people inevitably fall back on tired advice like: “Don’t dive in until you’ve researched thoroughly”; or “Be fully prepared before you implement…”, I can’t help but think to myself that this advice is misplaced.

In today’s fast-paced environment, being an entrepreneur means being able to make informed decisions, quickly. But being informed doesn’t equate to mastering a domain. It doesn’t mean you have to do complete due diligence on every contingency before jumping in. This is an old-school mentality which simply doesn’t fit into a new-school order.

That is to say, in my experience, being able to survey a field of knowledge and pick up on the basic risks and pitfalls is usually good enough to make a measured decision and to move forward. Learning is often done on the go. And it’s done expeditiously, with the knowledge that a pivot may be waiting around the corner.

Do I advocate blind faith and impulsive behavior? Absolutely not. That’s foolhardy.

But hardcore, granular research or diligence is not always the way forward. It eats up time and burns money. It often begets paranoia and risk-aversion and simply prevents you from pulling the trigger. Because, in the end, it’s important to be open to failure.

Falling down only means you’re in the position to get back up and try again.

What should our readers know about your business?
Arjuna is an online décor and lifestyle brand for the modern home. It’s a company whose mission is to provide the market with consumer goods that I — and people like me with similar tastes and design sensibilities — could not easily purchase through mainstream channels.

All of our goods and accessories share a design aesthetic that is uniquely South Asian-inspired. But the beauty of our product lines is that they don’t smack of the camp or cliche that one typically finds in this space. Our goods are elegant, understated, functional and cater to the modern home design enthusiast.

These are consumers who are not just South Asians, mind you, but people who hail from different ethnic and even socio-economic backgrounds. Regarding affordability, we deliberately market our goods at accessible price points so they’re within reach for a broader customer tier than what you would typically find in relation to more elite luxury brands.

Another aspect of our mission is to provide a platform to identify and promote artists and artisans throughout the world — with a focus on South Asia — whose unique handicrafts, designs and works seek a more expansive audience. The idea here is that as we grow, so too do the creatives whose voices we aim to amplify.

Beyond an online bazaar, Arjuna remains a dynamic marketplace of ideas — a portal championing artists and creatives worldwide, where raw talent and authentic expression converge.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Houston is an embodiment of multiculturalism. That’s what makes the city a true calling card for creatives the world over.

The Asia Society’s Houston center is a fount of activity for seekers of knowledge and diversity. A surefire place to go for exposure to Houston’s sophisticated world of art, culture and exhibits.

And the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is where we go to unwind and meditate on the lush greenery which the city’s environs never fail to deliver.

End the night with sumptuous meal at Musaafer, a upmarket South Asian restaurant known for proffering delectable gastronomic delights emblematic of the city’s dynamic culinary scene.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shoutout to content creator Nisha Vedi Pawar, the engine behind @lovelaughmirch, an account dedicated to preserving Indian cooking and culture through storytelling.

When we launched, Nisha was there to provide constructive feedback, moral support and meaningful engagement with respect to our new product lines.

Her insights were pointed and helpful. She was genuine in alloting time towards really thinking through what we are doing and dispensing advice that made sense and was based on her prior experience.

We continue to value her support and intend to pay it forward.

Website: www.arjunadesignstudio.com

Instagram: @arjunadesignstudio

Facebook: Arjuna Design Studio

Image Credits
Paige Beitler Photography