Your host, Aya Shlachter, talks with Smita Sahoo— Owner, Founder, and Creative Director of āśaya | DESIGN.

In this episode, Aya and Smita discuss the intricacies of the business side of design and how creative thinking impacts overall business success. Smita goes into detail about her company’s focus on emotions and thoughtfulness and highlights the importance of building strong networks and forming ethical partnerships, recognizing them as pivotal catalysts for success in the ever-evolving design industry. 

She also shares her vision for the future, which includes collaborations in India and working with NGOs for rural development, women’s education, and employment. Make sure you listen all the way through to learn more about the intersection of design and business!

 

ABOUT THE GUEST:

Smita Sahoo is Owner, Founder, and Creative Director of āśaya | DESIGN, a Chicago-based luxury interior design and architecture firm, with nearly 20 years of expertise in multifamily residential, commercial and hospitality design. Smita’s passion lies in crafting spaces that foster deep emotional connections, starting with compelling design concepts tailored to her clients’ goals. 

Drawing from a diverse background in architecture, interior design, environmental psychology, and sustainability, her unique creations blend Western design innovations with timeless elements of the East. Through her firm, Smita aims to create projects that positively impact clients’ brand equity while prioritizing economic, social, cultural, and environmental enrichment. 

Smita actively contributes to Insightful Chicago and the University of Florida’s Department of Interior Design’s Advocacy board, sharing insights on design thinking, industry trends, mentorship, and EDI. She also supports SHaD (She Has a Deal), an organization promoting women in hotel and commercial real estate ownership.

Find out more about Smita at www.asayadesign.com/founder or connect with her on Instagram via @asaya.design. 

 

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In this special episode, taken from Aya’s talk at the Women Architects Festival, she shares her early career journey and the valuable insights she gained along the way. The episode delves deep into the fundamental principles that helped shape her success, emphasizing the significance of resilience, authenticity, and the courage to take risks. Drawing from personal experiences, she imparts practical tips on how to level up in both business and architecture as a woman, including four key strategies:

1. Acquire Knowledge
2. Build Relationships
3. It’s not ‘How’ but ‘Who’ 
4. Structure and Process

Be sure to listen all the way through to catch Aya’s insightful answers from the engaging Q&A session. Discover her perspectives on investing in a business coach, finding the right collaborators, finding advisors to help you find your blind spots, and establishing healthy work-life boundaries.

Tune in to this episode to learn Aya’s practical advice that can help you take your career to the next level and unlock your own path to success!

 

ABOUT WOMEN ARCHITECTS FESTIVAL:

The Women Architects Festival was a dynamic event held in May 2022 that catered to the specific needs and interests of the women in the architecture community. It covered a wide range of topics, including career development, motherhood, business growth, and working on construction sites. By showcasing the remarkable achievements of women who paved the way, the festival offered a glimpse of what was possible in architecture and beyond.

Attendees gained valuable insights and actionable strategies to foster their professional growth and sustain successful careers in architecture. The event fostered meaningful connections and provided an opportunity to network with like-minded individuals committed to supporting one another. The festival offered a collection of actionable workshops by inspiring speakers and a community specially curated for women in architecture.

Produced by Joann Lui, a licensed architect, brand designer, and personal brand strategist, the Women Architects Festival is more than just a virtual conference; it’s a celebration of women in architecture, highlighting their successes and shared stories.

Find out more about the Women Architects Festival at www.womenarchitects.co or connect with Joann at www.joannlui.com.

 

BE PART OF THE PODCAST:

Do you have a question in mind? Send me your questions and I’ll answer them on a podcast episode!

If you’d like to be a guest on Architect My Life, click HERE.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download