Brief Introduction about yourself and tell us something about NSA-No Strings Attached? Hi, I’m Prachi Garg. I’m a realist and at most times optimist, a procrastinator with an obsession for trying new things. I am also the Co-Founder and currently the head designer, creator and everything else of my brand No Strings Attached – the final say in fashion jewelry.
How different are the accessories offered by No Strings Attached? The accessories, each is handcrafted by me and is exclusively created i limited quantities. A lot of time and thought is fuelled into conceptualizing before the creation materializes. What makes it different is the price point as it bridges a gap between designer luxury jewelry and junk street jewelry.
Please share your future goals for NSA. My vision is to bridge the gap between luxe designer crafted jewelry and commonly available mass produced jewelry. I want young girls and women to shop designer jewelry, guilt free, without it burning a hole in their pockets. Its my pleasure to inform you that I have just launched my website – www.nsaaccessories.com It’s a milestone I was aching to conquer and hopefully I’ll start worldwide shipping soon. The immediate goals would be to set up my studio at home into a walk in store and to start taking up corporate orders.
Did you and the Co-Founder face any challenges while starting NSA? Oh yes! Plenty of them. Let me assure you I have faced challenges every step of the way, even more so due to my lack of business sensibilities/background. Its an endless struggle(I don’t mind it anymore). My co-founder shifting base in a month’s time after the launch was a major step back in itself. The brand growth has been slow however it has been every bit endearing and real.
What's your opinion about whether women can have it all? Why is there even a need to be asking this? J Anyone can have it all if they are willing to work for it. Yes a woman may face more hardships and will need to multitask and find a work –family life balance but if she is willing to go that extra mile? Nothing can stop her.
What piece of advice would you like to give to the aspiring youth who wish to pursue their dream of becoming an entrepreneur? Please, please go for it. A lot of people might tell you to opt for a conventional dream, but try it out anyway. It’ll be a difficult journey, no doubt however it’ll be every bit enriching. Every person’s struggle is different so don’t allow that to sway your ambition. The sooner you begin the better the scope for experimentation.
According to you, what are the top three essential skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
( You might say it’s easier said than done. Well tell me about it. But you gotta do what you gotta do. I try my best to apply them on a daily basis and believe me they help )
How have you managed the work-life balance and has the family been supportive? Well time is of an essence in my journey, luckily I started this immediately after college. I got plenty of time to fool around and go through quarter life crisis while building the brand simultaneously. My parents have been extremely supportive from the very beginning. So guess I just got lucky.
What can best empower the women of India– education, politics or business? Education and parents. It’s of utmost importance that a daughter is taught the importance of being independent just as much as sons are. Childhood plays a very big role, if you empower a girl child then, you need not worry. She will figure a way out eventually in any field she steps into. However the desire to keep going needs to be drilled as strong as how it is in men, who in our society don’t have an option but to work. Basically women need to know what they want, it could be a job or just taking care of her child. We need to make that choice instead of having it be made for us.
