They say you never forget your first. Flashback to one of our first big corporate orders, an astounding 700 gift boxes for Airbnb in 2022.
Still one of my favorite projects for all the right reasons:
**Huge aspirational global brand
** Beautiful brief to encompass India in a box, in an authentic, homemade, sustainable way that resonated with the brand ethos.
** to empower only local artisans & businesses
** Collaborating with Rajesh Varma & his wonderful team at CRI Events Pvt. Ltd. who trusted me for this. A huge leap of faith :) Thank you.
We based this box on the Five Senses Of India, attempted to translate each sense into a tangible product and completed it with nostalgic Indian travel stamps. Materials Used: Cane, Bamboo, Banana Leaf, Miti Diya, earthen containers & recycled paper, etc.
Icing on the cake: My team consisted of only one inspired fellow dreamer besides me. That didn't stop us from marching into the nearest village and empowering all the local maids and housewives who wanted an opportunity to learn and work. Some were retained from that into a full-time job and are still with us.
I guess it takes one person to believe in you to change things. So if you do get so lucky, give it your ALL and remember to pay it forward.
