Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Trusha Chandan. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Trusha, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright – so having the idea is one thing, but going from idea to execution is where countless people drop the ball. Can you talk to us about your journey from idea to execution?

The unique and serendipitous manner in which I met my co-founders and embarked on our start-up journey unfolds against the backdrop of the debut of COVID-19. While participating in a study abroad program at INSEAD Business School in Singapore, a place renowned for its robust entrepreneurial spirit, I was compelled to return to India several weeks early due to the burgeoning pandemic. My entrepreneurial dreams found an unexpected outlet when, amidst the anxiety of catching the last flight pre-border closure, I discovered INSEAD’s COVID-19 Innovation Competition on social media.

My forthcoming summer internship in California had been rescinded due to the pandemic’s volatility, leaving me pondering my next steps during the unoccupied summer. Opting to leverage my academic training, I entered the competition to hone my pitch skills in front of investors. The competition, attracting over 200 participants, serendipitously introduced me to my future co-founders during concept submissions. Drawn together by a mutual goal and shared concerns about balancing remote work and home life amidst family and cohabitants, we formed a team.

Despite being scattered across various locations, we united virtually to ideate, scrutinize the prevailing market conditions, and anticipate post-COVID workplace trends. Recognizing the severe impact on the hotel industry, despite its existing infrastructure and proximity to most residences, an innovative idea sprouted: What if people could book hotel rooms or facilities on an hourly basis to maintain productivity, paralleling an office environment?

Competing against over 20 teams, our concept was rewarded with a £5,000 launch fund from Lake Star. This exhilarating and satisfying journey, fortified by invaluable support and guidance from seasoned Entrepreneurs in Residence at INSEAD, propelled us from conception to execution without investing any personal funds. Within six months, we successfully launched a pilot program in London, collaborating with more than ten hotels, including notable names like Hilton, Conrad, and The Standard which was valued at $3.9 million.

Trusha, 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?

Originating from a small town in India where entrepreneurial spirit courses through its residents, I was early imbued with the principle of “Jugad” by my family of entrepreneurs, especially my grandfather. “Jugad” symbolizes an ingenious knack for problem-solving and maximizing resources through creativity to assist those around you. These foundational principles of creativity and constructive problem-solving have remained my steadfast companions, steering me toward a career in Product Design, where I could weave these elements into my professional path.

As a Product Designer, Creative Strategist, and Entrepreneur, I harbor a deep-seated fascination for developing at the intersection of physical and digital product design, owing to my penchant for big-picture thinking. My academic journey unfolded at the Art Center College of Design in California, where I earned a Bachelor of Science in Product Design, complemented by a Minor in Business. My career has been enriched by collaborations on research, design, and strategic endeavors with an array of Fortune 500 companies, such as Nissan & Infinity, PNC Financial Services, Peugeot, SIG, and Google. My expertise spans across Digital Product Design, User Experience and Interface Design, User Experience Research, Design and Business Strategy, and Visual Design. My multifaceted skill set allows me to navigate through various roles within a team, ensuring a holistic engagement in the end-to-end design process.

One of my defining abilities as a designer lies in my visual thinking and an acute ability to discern trends within the economic and cultural terrains across various industries. I delve into understanding the demands and needs of users, dissecting problems to their core, and promptly formulating innovative, out-of-the-box solutions that elegantly untangle complex, moving parts.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

A pivotal goal propelling my creative journey revolves around designing for accessibility and inclusion, shaped significantly by witnessing my cousin navigate through 22 years of life with undiagnosed ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, and Dyslexia. While these conditions posed challenges, they also bestowed upon her admirable strengths such as innate problem-solving, an innovative perspective, and a knack for disruptive solutions.

My realization that a myriad of products and services, despite being crafted for the masses, lack user-friendliness—particularly for those with special needs—led me to pursue my educational journey at Art Center College of Design. Here, I aimed to innovate goods, services, and design systems that prioritize accessibility and seek to resolve issues for the betterment of humanity.

Inspired by adults like my cousin and their unique challenges and strengths, I am presently developing a side project named “Aura.” This brain-computer interface employs AI and machine learning algorithms to monitor and comprehend user behavior daily, employing cognitive-behavioral learning techniques to offer real-time, personalized guidance and support for adults with undiagnosed ADHD, Autism, and Sensory Processing Disorder. “Aura” aspires to simplify daily life, foster connections, enhance productivity, improve sleep, and promote mental health for its users.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

: Embarking on my journey at Art Center College of Design, I was captivated by the Transdisciplinary studio, which allowed experimentation across various design domains. My initial focus lay in designing consumer goods and medical equipment, later evolving into a fervent passion for wearable technology and material innovation.

A transformative experience unfolded during my 2019 study abroad program with “Neuni” in Shanghai. As one of the fortunate twelve chosen, we traversed China, exploring production processes, traditional crafts, and imbibing insights from renowned design fairs like Design Shanghai and Design Beijing. Observing travelers struggling with generic, cumbersome luggage, I innovated a patent-pending material from recycled airline waste and conceptualized ‘Re-pack’—a light, durable, and sustainable modular luggage system, which garnered recognition at notable design exhibitions.

Up until that point, my intrigue was rooted in industrial design and Material Innovation. However, a shift occurred in early 2020 during a study abroad program at INSEAD Business School, Singapore, where courses in Business, Strategy, Marketing, Negotiations, Entrepreneurship, and UX/UI Design stirred a growing passion within me. Consequently, I pivoted towards Business Strategy and Digital Product Design (UI/UX), integrating these learnings with my expertise as a Product Designer amidst the expanding digital world spurred by the onset of COVID.

Believing it imperative for designers to evolve with emerging trends and technologies, I aim to intertwine my roots in physical product design with digital design. My journey since has interwoven design and business: coaching over 140+ participants as part of INSEAD’s Design Thinking and Creativity For Business Program and aiding them in applying design thinking within their organizations and, in some instances, launching their own businesses.

Now, amidst the burgeoning AI revolution, I’m utilizing my newfound knowledge in Generational AI, exploring how to amalgamate my early passion for wearable tech, neuroscience, and psychology with digital design. My current research delves into brain-computer interface technology, augmented reality, and AI, exploring potential advantages for populations with neurodivergent traits, thus continuing my exploration and fusion of technology, design, and innovation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tbchandan.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trusha-chandan/
• Other: Email: [email protected] Out of Office website: http://outofofficespaces.com/