MY STORY / MOTIVATIONAL EXPERT SESSION BY A SUCCESSFUL INNOVATOR & ENTREPRENEUR

The students of B. S. Negi MPPS were fortunate to attend an inspiring interaction with Ms. Ella Garg, Founder of Yellow Marigold—a Dehradun-based lifestyle brand known for its handcrafted tableware, serveware, décor items, and a unique café experience.Her entrepreneurial journey was very inspiring for the students. Before establishing Yellow Marigold, Ms. Garg served as the Vice President – Retail Design Strategy & Digitisation at Airtel, where she gained extensive experience in conceptualising retail formats, developing business models, and managing large-scale operations. With nearly two decades of expertise in retail and design, she launched Yellow Marigold in 2019. Today, its Experience Studio and House Café in Dehradun beautifully blend lifestyle retail with a warm and welcoming café environment.During the session, Ms. Garg shared that her work is deeply rooted in traditional Indian craftsmanship, thoughtfully combined with modern aesthetics. She collaborates closely with artisans, ensuring that many of her products are handcrafted using sustainable materials. Her exceptional approach to design and hospitality has earned Yellow Marigold the recognition of “Iconic Boutique Café” in the Times Hospitality Icons 2024.Students from all design departments attended the session, making it especially meaningful as Ms. Garg herself comes from a design background. Her journey resonated strongly with the audience, offering valuable insights into creativity, risk-taking, and entrepreneurship.The session was truly an eye-opener—highly motivating, deeply inspiring, and particularly encouraging for students who aspire to start their own ventures after completing their courses.