At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Chhail Khalsa for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Chhail is an Entrepreneur and Founder & Creative Principal at Anuvad Innovation Studio LLP. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Chhail:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey? How did you discover your passion?
I come from a textile design background, with a bachelor’s degree from NID. While I loved working with materials, I never quite fit into the conventional scope of textiles, which at the time felt limited to fashion or home furnishings—neither of which truly inspired me.
My thesis project at NID gave me the chance to work in Switzerland, and that experience changed everything. It was there that I first came across terms like design research and innovation. I was blown away, and for the first time, I felt at home in the design world. My project demanded a lot of unlearning, but it was unlearning in the best possible sense.
When I returned to India, my ideas were ahead of their time. Few understood what I was talking about, so I worked with home furnishing companies to keep things moving. But the thought of Anuvad never left me—it was a personal itch I wanted to scratch, not commercially, but as a space to let my creativity breathe.
With my savings, I bought electronics, collaborated with a tech expert, and travelled to Kutch, where I made my first-ever woven circuit—which is now patented. That experiment opened new doors, and one thing led to another.
Soon, I was accepted for a master’s in Switzerland and also began working as a Research Assistant at the same university.
What started with textiles evolved into a journey of blending material, technology, and innovation—always questioning, always creating.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
When it comes to Anuvad, my motivation has always come from within—I’ve never really had to look outside for it. That said, I deeply value the faith my husband, my family, my mentors, and my incredible team place in me every single day. Their belief in me, combined with my own determination, keeps the fire going hour by hour, step by step
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
For me, growth is a natural by-product of building a business. Every single day brings a new challenge, a new situation that I haven’t figured out before.
Growth happens not because you chase it, but because you stay open—as a founder, as a leader, and as a teammate. We juggle all these roles daily, and that openness is what allows growth to truly happen.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I believe the keys to success are to stay hungry and stay open. That doesn’t mean being ungrateful—gratitude is essential to enjoying the journey—but by wanting more, you’re naturally pushed to move forward.
Success, for me, doesn’t have a single definition. It can be a happy and motivated team, a strong turnover with upward growth, or simply enjoying your work while creating social impact. Each of these is a success in its own right
What advice would you give to our readers?
I don’t feel I’ve achieved enough to advise anyone, but I do believe that trusting your gut and staying consistent will always help you move forward. The world can be a confusing place, but if you look inward for answers and let your moral compass guide you, you’ll find your way
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
