We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Timsi Malhotra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Timsi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

The Birth of The Shagun Pitara: A Journey from Tradition to Global Innovation
Growing up in the vibrant streets of Delhi, I was mesmerized by the sheer beauty and richness of Indian weddings. As the youngest of four sisters in a lively joint family, I was immersed in the planning of countless weddings for my cousins and sisters. I remember the soft clinking of bangles, the smell of marigolds, and the laughter that echoed through our home as we prepared for yet another family wedding. Each celebration was a masterclass in Indian traditions, igniting a passion within me that would follow me across continents—from Australia to the USA.

But it was during my time as a bridal makeup artist that the idea for The Shagun Pitara truly took shape. I became more attuned to the challenges that brides, their mothers, and even seasoned wedding planners faced. I’ll never forget one bride who spent weeks hopping from store to store, only to feel defeated when she couldn’t find a single box that captured the elegance she envisioned for her wedding favors. It was moments like this that made me realize there was a significant gap in the market.

The logic behind The Shagun Pitara was clear: there was an untapped opportunity to create a platform that not only provided these much-needed products but also honored the incredible craftsmanship of Indian artisans. With the rising global demand for personalized, culturally meaningful weddings, I knew there was potential for something unique. I wanted to build more than just a business—a platform that would simplify the wedding planning process while empowering artisans whose extraordinary work often went unnoticed. What excited me most was the possibility of showcasing the skills of artisans from small towns and villages across India, giving their work the global stage it deserved.

As I traveled through India, visiting artisans in remote villages, I was moved by their dedication. I remember meeting one artisan in Jaipur who shared how his skills had been passed down through generations. His intricate work told stories, and I knew then that The Shagun Pitara had to be about more than just products—it had to be about preserving and celebrating these stories while connecting them to brides and families around the world.

The more I connected with these artisans, the more I realized the potential of The Shagun Pitara. This wasn’t just about solving a problem; it was about creating an experience. I envisioned a service that would bring everything together under one roof—a one-stop shop for all wedding gifting needs. And thus, The Shagun Pitara was born, combining tradition with innovation, offering the first-ever wedding gifting concierge service. By offering this service, we not only simplified the process for brides but also created a space that merged the timelessness of cultural heritage with modern wedding trends.

One of my proudest moments was when a bride in California held one of our intricately designed boxes in her hands and told me, “This feels like holding a piece of home, thousands of miles away.” Moments like these remind me that The Shagun Pitara is a reflection of my journey and a celebration of tradition, style, and above all, the artisans whose hands bring these stories to life. Every product we offer is a testament to their skill and dedication, and every wedding we touch is a nod to the rich heritage that inspired this endeavor.

Timsi, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

A Glimpse into My World: The Heartbeat Behind The Shagun Pitara
If we haven’t met yet, let me introduce myself—I’m Timsi, founder of The Shagun Pitara, a platform that blends the timeless charm of Indian weddings with the unmatched craftsmanship of artisans from India. Now, if you’re wondering how I ended up in the wedding industry, the answer is simple: I grew up in Delhi, where you can’t even walk down the street without hearing wedding drums, dodging a baraat, or being invited to your neighbor’s cousin’s best friend’s wedding. You could say I was groomed (pun intended) for this life from an early age.

But it wasn’t just about attending weddings. In our lively joint family, every wedding was a full-on production, and I was always in the thick of it—savoring the colorful traditions, the music, and the shared joy. It’s those memories, along with my creative passions, that followed me when I moved to Australia and later the USA.

I found my way into the wedding industry as a bridal makeup artist, where I worked closely with brides during one of the most special moments of their lives. Over time, I noticed that brides, their families, and even wedding planners often struggled to find elegant, high-quality products that reflected the spirit of their celebrations. The constant search for that perfect wedding favor or gift felt like a scavenger hunt—except with a lot more stress. And that’s when it hit me: there had to be a better way. That’s how The Shagun Pitara was born.

At The Shagun Pitara, we offer a curated collection of customized wedding gifts, handcrafted jewelry, and personalized favors—all designed to showcase the incredible artistry of Indian craftsmanship. What really sets us apart is our Wedding Concierge Service—the first of its kind in the U.S. Think of it as your personal wedding wizard, helping you find everything you need to make your celebration unforgettable, from unique gifts to custom-made treasures that add that extra sparkle.

Behind the scenes, we work with artisans who have honed their craft for generations. These are the unsung heroes of Indian artistry, pouring their heart and soul into every piece they create. From handwoven fabrics to intricately designed jewelry, every product tells a story of tradition and beauty. Our commitment to authenticity and responsible sourcing means that our customers receive pieces that aren’t just beautiful, but meaningful. As one client put it, “These are timeless pieces of art that make every celebration feel that much more special.”

Ultimately, The Shagun Pitara is more than just a business; it’s a celebration of Indian heritage and a platform that empowers artisans by sharing their craft with the world. Our mission is simple: to create unforgettable experiences, build lasting bonds, and—most importantly—make sure no one has to sprint through stores searching for the perfect wedding gift ever again.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

A Story of Resilience: Overcoming Challenges to Build a Dream
I’ve never been one to think of myself as the most resilient, but looking back, the journey of building The Shagun Pitara has certainly tested my persistence. It hasn’t been an easy road, and like many entrepreneurs, I’ve faced challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone.

One of the first hurdles was finding vendors who shared my commitment to quality. I spent countless hours traveling to small towns and cities across India—Jaipur, Agra, Kolkata, and Bhopal—meeting artisans, comparing products, and learning the intricacies of their craftsmanship. My goal wasn’t just to find vendors; it was to ensure that every product we offered reflected the authentic artistry of Indian traditions. This journey took patience, care, and a willingness to immerse myself fully into their world.

It wasn’t just about learning their processes—it was about understanding the stories behind the crafts. This kind of craftsmanship demanded not just skill, but deep patience and care—values that couldn’t be rushed or overlooked. Building relationships with these artisans wasn’t easy, but I knew it was essential to making The Shagun Pitara what it is today. And that took resilience—countless hours on the road, endless conversations, and a relentless pursuit of quality.

Another major challenge was stepping into the world of numbers and metrics, which didn’t come naturally to me. For someone who thrives on creativity, diving into financial strategies felt like navigating unfamiliar territory. But I knew that if I wanted The Shagun Pitara to grow and continue supporting the artisans, this was a mountain I had to climb. Learning how to achieve sustainable growth while staying true to our mission was a lesson in persistence.

One of the toughest hurdles we faced was educating consumers about our pricing. With a commitment to quality, our products were priced higher than many others in the market. At first, it was frustrating to explain why we couldn’t compromise on materials or craftsmanship, but over time I realized this was part of our mission. Helping people understand the value of what they were getting—handcrafted, ethically sourced pieces—became just as important as selling the products themselves. It was a hard path to walk, but one that reinforced my belief in our purpose.
There was one moment that truly tested our mettle. We received an urgent order for 1,000 steel boxes, with just three days to deliver. The timeline seemed impossible, and I wasn’t sure if we could pull it off. I remember feeling the pressure mounting, but I also trusted in the strength of our artisans. And in the end, they didn’t just meet expectations—they exceeded them. In just a day and a half, they crafted every single box with precision and care, ensuring not a single detail was compromised. That experience reminded me that resilience isn’t just about pushing through challenges—it’s about the trust and collaboration we’ve built along the way.

Looking back, I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come. Every challenge has made us more resilient, and each success has fueled our passion to keep going. The resilience that carried us through these hurdles is the same force that drives The Shagun Pitara today—empowering artisans, preserving tradition, and delivering products of true quality to our clients around the world.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

The Art of Craftsmanship: Building The Shagun Pitara from the Ground Up
From the very start, I knew The Shagun Pitara wouldn’t be about manufacturing our own products. There are incredibly skilled artisans who have honed their craft over generations, and our focus has always been on finding and collaborating with them. Instead of managing production ourselves, we dedicated our efforts to seeking out the right artisans and ensuring that their work aligned with our vision for quality and authenticity.

My journey began with extensive research and visits to artisan workshops across India. I traveled to places like Jaipur, Agra, Kolkata, Bhopal, and many small towns in between, looking for artisans who not only had exceptional skills but shared our passion for preserving cultural heritage. I vividly remember visiting one artisan’s workshop in Bhopal, where I watched as they meticulously worked on a piece that had been passed down through their family for generations. As I stood there, I felt an overwhelming sense of responsibility—not just to these artisans but to their legacy. It was in that moment I realized The Shagun Pitara wouldn’t just be about selling products; it would be about preserving stories, traditions, and craftsmanship that deserve to be shared with the world.

Finding the right artisans wasn’t just about securing a supplier; it was about building lasting partnerships based on trust, respect, and shared goals. Manufacturing, for us, became less about production and more about collaboration. We weren’t just handing off designs and expecting finished products. Instead, we worked closely with our artisans, providing guidance and maintaining a connection that allowed their mastery to shine. By supporting these artisans, we weren’t just helping our brand grow; we were helping to sustain their livelihoods and safeguard their centuries-old crafts.

One of the key lessons I’ve learned along the way is that staying true to our commitment to quality is non-negotiable. In a market full of mass-produced, lower-cost alternatives, it would be easy to cut corners in order to compete on price. But from the very beginning, we decided that cutting corners wasn’t an option for The Shagun Pitara. It was important for us to educate our customers about the value of what they were receiving—the time, effort, and artistry that go into each piece. Every product is not just a beautiful item; it is a reflection of a legacy, a history, and a commitment to excellence.

Our quality checks are meticulous, but they start long before the final product is made. We’re involved throughout the process, working closely with artisans to ensure that their craftsmanship aligns with our standards. It’s not just about what we create, but how we create it. Every step of the process reflects the dedication of both the artisans and our team, ensuring that each piece tells a story of care and precision.

One moment that truly tested our resilience and our collaborative approach came when we received an order for 1,000 steel boxes with just three days to fulfill it. The timeline seemed impossible, and I felt the pressure of the deadline weighing on me. But I also knew the strength of our artisans—their ability to rise to the occasion. And rise they did. In just a day and a half, they produced all 1,000 boxes, maintaining the same meticulous attention to detail despite the time crunch. It was a moment that reminded me why these partnerships matter. The artisans didn’t just meet the challenge—they exceeded it, and that success reinforced the trust and collaboration we’ve built over time.

Today, The Shagun Pitara stands as a testament to the incredible skills of these artisans. Our role is not to manufacture but to connect, collaborate, and ensure that every product we offer carries the essence of the craftsmanship that defines us. Each item tells a story—one of tradition, culture, and the timeless beauty of Indian heritage. In the end, The Shagun Pitara is about much more than just products; it’s about preserving and sharing the stories behind each piece, honoring the artisans, and celebrating the legacy they continue to create.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theshagunpitara.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theshagunpitara
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theshagunpitaraa
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheShagunPitara
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@theshagunpitara
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