SMB Cover.zip Komal

She Means Business Cover Feature – Komal Ramani Makhija

Trust yourself more than you think. You’re more ready than you realize.

Komal was always drawn to colours and visuals as a child. What began as simple curiosity slowly grew
into a love for design; something about it just clicked. Over time, the growing industry naturally pulled
her in. But what truly held her attention wasn’t just how things looked; it was the transformation a brand
could create. Seeing a founder’s vision come alive in a way that connects with the world? That feeling
never gets old. It’s what keeps her going.


But the path to building something meaningful wasn’t always clear. For a while, she was deep in the
corporate world. On paper, everything looked good. She was doing well by most standards, but something
felt off. Komal wasn’t fulfilled. She knew she wasn’t solving the kind of problems she cared about. So
she made a life-changing decision: she walked away.


Leaving her job wasn’t just about starting a studio. It was about proving to herself that she could create
impact through design, beyond just surface-level visuals. That bold move led to the birth of Projekt, a
space where intention leads and design serves a deeper purpose.


The early days weren’t without their challenges. One of the hardest things was getting to the people who
made decisions. Without access to them, she couldn’t do the meaningful work she wanted to do. So she
made a simple but powerful rule: only take on projects where she could speak directly to the founder.
That decision changed everything. It brought clarity, gave her the right context, and allowed her to design
for real outcomes.


Of course, the journey came with moments of doubt. Imposter syndrome still shows up. But instead of
fighting it, she’s learned to sit with it. To Komal, it’s a sign of growth. When it appears, she reminds
herself of the work she’s done, the people she’s helped, and the results she’s delivered. She takes a breath
and shows up again.


Like many in their early days, she once said yes to everything. That season drained her. She thought being
busy meant she was doing well. But that experience turned out to be a blessing in disguise. It taught her
what not to accept and helped define the kind of work and clients she truly wanted. That clarity became
the foundation of Projekt as it stands today.


Komal doesn’t chase perfect balance. Instead, she stays present with whatever season she’s in. Some
weeks are deep in work. Others, she slows down. She protects her energy, says no often, and knows that
rest isn’t a luxury it’s a necessity.


To the young women just starting out and afraid to take the leap, she offers this: You don’t have to be
fearless. You just have to move. Start small, stay curious, and stop waiting for perfect timing. It doesn’t
exist.

Trust yourself more than you think you should. You’re more ready than you realize.

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