Some journeys start with one bold decision. We first came across Ankita Gupta’s story when she applied for the Women Listed 4th Edition Celebrating Excellence Awards — an initiative that invites women founders to share their entrepreneurial journeys. Her story stood out not just for the work she’s done, but for the intention and integrity behind it.
For Ankita Gupta, that bold decision was stepping away from her family’s well-established business to chase her own design dreams. Today, through her firm I Design Spaces, she’s creating interiors across India that are not just luxurious, but also thoughtful, personal, and within reach.
How Ankita got started with the idea?
Ankita’s journey began over six years ago when she launched I Design Spaces out of a small basement with just one part-time employee. “Architecture and design have been my passion and professional calling for over a decade,” Ankita shares. “I’m a licensed architect from the Indian government, and after renovating my own home, I realized I had a flair for interiors that could become a career.”
Seven years later, her firm has completed over 25 projects across India and expanded into construction, with three major builds already underway.
What Challenges did she face and how she handled them?
Breaking into the construction side of the business, Ankita quickly ran into one big challenge: working as a woman in a male-dominated space. She admits it wasn’t easy at first to get the on-site crews to listen.
“Handling laborers, contractors, and supervising on-site as a woman can be tough. But when you love your work, everything else fades,” she shares. “Over the years, I’ve learned that confidence, clarity, and expertise are the key to overcoming this. By being firm, knowledgeable, and assertive, I have gained the respect of my team.” That mix of confidence and resilience has helped Ankita break barriers and lead her team successfully on some pretty big projects.
How she made breakthrough with clients?
In 2024, Ankita and her team rolled out one of their coolest innovations yet: virtual reality (VR) walkthroughs. “It’s a game changer,” she says. “It helps clients make better decisions and avoids costly mistakes later.”
She’s also excited about the evolving trends in design. “The internet and social media have opened up so many new ideas. Sometimes, clients suggest concepts that I get to learn from and explore. It’s fun to keep learning.”
Milestones, Recognitions, and Looking Ahead
Ankita’s hard work has earned her notable awards, including the Jagran Excellence Award 2019, and she was recently named one of Fox Story’s 50 Empowered Indians Under 50.
She also self-nominated for the Women Listed 4th Edition Celebrating Excellence Awards — a testament to her willingness to step forward and be recognized among India’s inspiring women entrepreneurs.
Ankita isn’t just focused on interiors and construction. She also founded Manasvini, a sister brand offering handmade home furnishings. This project lets her support sustainable practices and traditional crafts, creating block-printed textiles and custom pieces that bring warmth and personality into the spaces she designs.
Looking ahead, Ankita plans to expand IDesign Spaces’ construction footprint across India and open an in-house furniture workshop. She says, “Life isn’t just about numbers or limited opportunities. You’ve got to grab the chances life gives you, and most importantly, choose what you truly love. That’s when success comes.”
We first came across Ankita Gupta’s profile during the Women Listed 4th Edition Celebrating Excellence Awards, where she shared her story as part of the open call for entries. Her story isn’t about flashy success or overnight fame. It’s about steady growth, smart innovation, and staying true to what matters: creating beautiful, functional spaces that people love to live and work in. This is why; we chose to share her inspiring story and journey with you all here.
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