Tag: entrepreneurship story

New Delhi – The 4th edition of the India Furniture Conclave (IFC) 2025 and the 5th edition of India Interior Retailing (IIR) 2025 concluded on a high note at the Matecia Exhibition, IICC, Yashobhoomi, Dwarka, New Delhi. The events marked a pivotal moment for India’s evolving home, furniture, and lifestyle sectors—spotlighting innovation, sustainability, and design-led transformation.

The events witnessed robust participation from industry leaders, entrepreneurs, designers, retailers, and policymakers. With over 100 influential voices and thought leaders from India and abroad, the conclaves became a catalyst for knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration.

The IFC 2025 brought together a distinguished panel of industry leaders who are shaping the future of furniture design and manufacturing in India. Among the key participants were Mr. Pragath Dvivedi, Founder of India Furniture Conclave; Mr. Rakesh Khokhani, Managing Director of Nirvana Furniture Pvt Ltd; Mr. Vivek Agarwal, Founder of Maanvi Homes; Mr. Rahul Thakkar, Director – Sales at Hettich; and Mr. Tanuj Choudhry, Co-founder of HomeLane. Their presence underscored the event’s commitment to fostering innovation, advancing sustainable practices, and driving transformation in the Indian furniture ecosystem.

“The convergence of manufacturing excellence and retail innovation on a single platform made this event truly impactful. It reflects the growth, ambition, and creative power of India’s interiors and furniture sectors,” said Mr. Pragath Dvivedi, Founder, Matecia Exhibition.

Held concurrently IIR 2025 focussed  on evolving consumer behavior, the future of retail design, and the rise of omnichannel experiences, with a particular emphasis on opportunities in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets. The speaker lineup featured prominent industry voices including Ms. Madhurima Choudhary, Executive Editor at Surfaces Reporter; Ms. Shailja Agarwal, Director – Marketing at Amulya Mica; Mr. Akash Chowdhary, Director of Kridha Laminates; Ms. Kirti Shah, Director of MBEE Paper & Plates; Mr. Aman Agarwal, Director of Match Graphics; Ar. Pratik Jain from Agilers, Mumbai; and ID Neha Garg from Studio Jane, Mumbai. Their insights highlighted the importance of personalization, scalable retail strategies, and design innovation in today’s dynamic interior retail landscape.

“India Furniture Conclave and Interior Retailing 2025 showcased the power of collaboration, innovation, and design thinking in shaping the next era of Indian living spaces,” said Ms. Verticaa Dvivedi,, Director,Matecia Exhibition.

Nidhi Yadav was born in Indore to lawyer parents, Karan Singh Yadav and Rajbala Yadav. From an early age, she developed a strong sense of discipline and ambition. Although she began her professional journey as a software engineer and worked with Deloitte, her heart was always inclined toward creativity and entrepreneurship.

Choosing Passion Over Security

After securing a job opportunity in Italy, Nidhi made a bold choice—she returned to India to stay close to her family and pursue her passion for fashion. She further honed her skills at the prestigious Polimoda Fashion School in Florence, Italy, which equipped her with global insights into the fashion industry.

Founding Aks Clothing

In 2014, with an initial investment of just ₹3.5 lakh, Nidhi launched Aks Clothing in Gurugram. Her vision was simple yet powerful: to offer stylish, affordable ethnic wear for Indian women. Drawing inspiration from Zara’s fast-fashion model, she introduced new collections every two weeks, ensuring that her brand stayed relevant to evolving fashion trends.

The Early Struggles

The brand’s journey began in a modest 2BHK apartment in Gurugram, where Nidhi managed everything herself—from packaging to inventory. Her husband, Satpal Yadav, an IIM Kozhikode graduate and then-operations manager at Jabong, provided crucial operational guidance. Together, they would travel frequently to Jaipur with their young daughter to source fabrics and materials. By 2015, the growing demand led them to rent a basement space to expand their operations.

Scaling New Heights

Aks Clothing soon gained traction on leading e-commerce platforms like Myntra, Jabong, and Limeroad. To meet the surge in demand, Nidhi partnered with three production units in Jaipur and leveraged flexible credit terms to expand further. She also transitioned the business into a private limited company, Yuvdhi Apparels Pvt. Ltd., demonstrating her long-term commitment to growth.

Recognition and Growth

Thanks to Nidhi’s innovative vision and strategic execution, Aks Clothing established itself as a trusted name in India’s ethnic wear market. The brand’s inclusion in Myntra’s accelerator program further boosted its visibility and credibility. Today, Aks Clothing generates over ₹200 crore in revenue, with ambitious plans to touch ₹500 crore by the end of FY 2023–24.

A True Inspiration

From starting small with a dream and limited capital to building one of India’s fastest-growing ethnic wear brands, Nidhi Yadav’s journey is an inspiring story of resilience, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She continues to focus on expanding Aks Clothing’s reach while staying true to her vision of offering fashionable yet affordable ethnic wear for women across India.