The Girl who wanted it all - Design + Code + Art

"In my studio, feeling crafty, artsy, creative, passionate and loving my work."

Bridging the Gap: My Journey from Software Engineer to Product Designer & Entrepreneur

As an Indian girl born in Bengaluru—the Silicon Valley of India—technology was woven into my life from an early age. At just six years old, I was already learning algorithms and coding with the “ancient” language TURTLE in school. My fascination with computers only grew when my dad brought home a PC, a rare novelty in the ’90s. Most days, you’d find me geeking out in front of the screen, drawn to the visual and creative possibilities of digital design.

By the time I was nine or ten, I had discovered Photoshop at my cousin’s house. This opened a whole new world of design and digital expression for me. In seventh grade, I was already diving into web development courses, eager to create something beyond just lines of code. While I learned coding, I always felt my true passion lay in design—an intersection of creativity and technology that wasn’t yet fully recognized.

Finding My Path in Tech and Business

Coming from a middle-class business family, I had always been exposed to the art of entrepreneurship—managing clients, understanding business strategies, and learning how to walk the walk and talk the talk. Inspired by my father, I dreamed of becoming the first female entrepreneur in my family. But like many in Bengaluru at the time, I followed the traditional path, pursuing a degree in computer science and eventually landing my first job as a software engineer.

As I stepped into the software industry, I began to notice something crucial—there was a massive disconnect between development, design, and business. Developers focused solely on functionality, business leaders prioritized ROI, and designers struggled to navigate the technical and business landscapes. Everyone was speaking different languages, leading to friction and missed opportunities.

Being a software engineer wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to understand how products were designed and why they often failed to align with technology and business needs. This realization led me to explore UX, UI, and product design alongside software engineering, in search of a way to bridge these gaps.

A New Chapter: From Bengaluru to New York City

Life took another exciting turn when I moved to Manhattan, NYC—a city bursting with innovation, design, and business opportunities. Inspired by the energy and diversity, I sought a deeper understanding of how technology, design, and management intersected in the American business landscape. This led me to Rutgers University, where I found the perfect program: a Master’s in Business & Science, combining technology, management, and design.

This degree was a game-changer. It gave me the business acumen to understand how financial decisions drive product development, the technical expertise to collaborate with engineers, and the design thinking skills to create user-centric products. What once seemed like separate disciplines suddenly became a cohesive strategy for building better digital experiences.

Bridging the Gap: From Learner to Leader

With my newfound knowledge, I started viewing product development differently. Where others saw confusion and unmet expectations, I saw opportunities. I could now speak the language of developers, designers, and business leaders—bridging gaps, fostering collaboration, and creating more aligned digital products.

Then came the pandemic, a time of uncertainty for many, including myself. But amidst the chaos, I took a leap of faith. I started sharing my story and expertise online, offering my services to businesses struggling to establish a digital presence. Before I knew it, I was landing clients, helping entrepreneurs and startups design and launch their products.

The fear of failure and imposter syndrome nearly held me back, but I pushed through. I found that by focusing on solving real problems—whether in business, design, or development—I could bring true value to people. I worked with business owners to strategize investments, helped designers understand technological constraints, and collaborated with developers to bring ideas to life. This holistic approach made my work more impactful than ever.

Lessons in Confidence and Authenticity

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was unlearning the cultural conditioning that discouraged self-promotion. Growing up in India, we were taught not to boast, not to market ourselves, and not to “toot our own horns.” But I realized that if people didn’t know how I could help them, I wouldn’t be able to make a difference.

So, I shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing self-promotion as arrogance, I saw it as an opportunity to share knowledge. Instead of fearing failure, I embraced it as a stepping stone to growth. And instead of hesitating to talk about my work, I focused on reaching the people who needed it the most.

The Journey Continues…

Today, I stand at the intersection of design, technology, and business—not just as a product designer but as someone who understands the full ecosystem of digital product development. My journey from software engineer to UX designer to entrepreneur has been anything but linear, but it has been incredibly fulfilling.

I continue to challenge myself, learning and evolving every day. Whether through designing user experiences, coding, or strategizing business goals, I strive to build digital products that don’t just look good but also function seamlessly and drive impact. I know this is the beginning of my journey and not the end of the path. I just got started and want to keep going. Keep innovating, keep growing. If I can get out of the trenches of not knowing what to do and where to go in my career path, I think you can too! You are passionate about something because that is what you are destined for and that is what is your desire, your goals, your gift to the world. Do not hide it in you, share it with the world, it needs more dreamers, doers and achievers.

To anyone still navigating their path—follow your passions, take that leap, and trust that the right doors will open. You don’t have to fit into a single box. The future belongs to those who embrace their multifaceted skills and create their own unique paths.