Entrepreneurship Series: Shivani Chakrachhattri

In a country where 70-75% of Luxembourg nationals normally end of working in the civil service, and most of the jobs in the country's largest business sector (the finance sector) are held by members of the international community, the innovation sector has been driven government initiatives and funding programmes such as Fit 4 Start through the national innovation agency, Luxinnovation which connects startups, researchers and enterprises; Also, ADEM, the national unemnployment office, has initiatives for those planning to start their own businesses.

Many of these jobs may be seen to be "safe" positions, without much risk, but there are people who are a bit more adventurous and are prepare to take "a leap of faith" to realise their own dreams, whether by design or by accident, or even by particular circumstances. Everyone's story is different...

However, on the ground, things many seem and feel a bit different… In this series of articles on entrepreneurship, Chronicle.lu is specifically addressing individuals who have left (the relative safety of) corporate life for (a relative risky jump into the unknown of) running one's own business.

For the fifth in this series, we are talking with Shivani Chakrachhattri who launched Design Play Store, a Luxembourg-based initiative that designs play experiences. Talking with Chronicle.lu, she explained: "We offer tangible answers to the very intangible concept of thinking out of the box, specifically using light and shadows. We designed the range of Bulby for kids, toys that use light and shadow to teach four ways of thinking creatively: combining, experimenting, noticing emotions and defining. Alongside the toys, they run formal and non-formal workshops for schools, teachers, families and events. The belief is simple: everyone is creative, and play is how we keep discovering it".

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about your previous corporate work, including what sector you worked in, and for approximately how long

Shivani Chakrachhattri: I previously worked as a User Experience Designer at Deloitte Digital for 1.5 years. Before joining Deloitte, I also worked with a few start-ups, bringing my total professional experience in the field to over three years. 

Chronicle.lu: When you decided to set up your own business, how long did it take you to set everything up before you handed in your notice and left corporate employment?

Shivani Chakrachhattri: Looking back, I probably didn't spend enough time planning! I was recently married, full of enthusiasm and perhaps a little naive. This was around ten years ago, and I decided to take the leap without having everything figured out. When I later moved to Luxembourg, I had to go through the process of setting up my business again.

Chronicle.lu: Did your employer have any specific initiatives in place to help you ease the transfer for corporate to self-employed status (e.g. have a period of half-time employment while you get everything set up)? If so, please provide details

Shivani Chakrachhattri: No, there was nothing that I knew of. But this is such a nice direction. This question provokes a perspective in the right direction. 

Chronicle.lu: In setting up your own business, did you receive any specific help, e.g. mentoring, or did you follow any specific training courses (either sector-specific or about innovation/entrepreneurship/setting up a business)?

Shivani Chakrachhattri: I attended a business incubation programme (in India) for six months and summer accelerator (in the USA) for two months. 

Chronicle.lu: Did you apply for any form of state aid or subsidy?

Shivani Chakrachhattri: Exploring state aid and subsidies in Luxembourg is still on my to-do list. I've come across several opportunities and would like to experience first-hand how accessible and inclusive they are. I currently rent an office at Design Hub, located in Rives de Clausen, through the City of Luxembourg (VDL). 

Chronicle.lu: Please tell us about your experience of the administrative process, e.g. applying for a business licence, opening a bank account, registering your company, apply for a VAT number, etc.

Shivani Chakrachhattri: In Luxembourg, obtaining my business permit took almost two years. Once that was in place, the other administrative processes, including opening a bank account and completing the remaining formalities, were relatively quick. 

Chronicle.lu: How long after leaving corporate employment did you "open for business"?

Shivani Chakrachhattri: I started operating within a few months of leaving corporate employment. 

Chronicle.lu: What do you find the most challenging aspect of running your own business? Sales / marketing / administration / finance…

Shivani Chakrachhattri: I am a product designer and I use toys/ experiences designed in my own practice to cater our offering of tangible answers to the very complex and intangible concept of thinking out of the box. This is not the usual 'design studio' setup where you get a brief. We do adapt our offering to the requirements, but the most challenging for me is to navigate the hat of a creator and detach from the product. I have to soon switch to outsourcing the other aspects of marketing and administration. 

Chronicle.lu: What lessons have you learned that you would like to share with others thinking of doing the same, i.e. leaving corporate world and setting up on your own?

Shivani Chakrachhattri: The perfect day to leave a corporate job rarely arrives. If you already feel ready to take the leap, set a date and commit to it.