From IT Professional to Entrepreneur: How Yashaswini P Built Nugu with Purpose

For more than a decade, Yashaswini P worked in the IT industry, building a professional career like many others. But behind that career was a different ambition-one that went beyond designations and corporate growth. She wanted to build something of her own, create opportunities for others and eventually become an employer rather than remain an employee.

Today, that dream has taken shape through Nugu, a venture deeply connected to her purpose, her love for rural communities and a childhood fascination with clay.

Her connection with clay began long before she ever thought of entrepreneurship. As a child, Yashaswini enjoyed making small toys from clay. It was a simple childhood activity, but years later, that early curiosity would unexpectedly become part of her professional journey.

The Beginning of Nugu

Yashaswini's relationship with Nugu began through her mentor, who had settled in Nugu after retiring from government service and was also a co-owner of the factory. What started as a part-time opportunity in marketing gradually became much more than a professional assignment.

She began by contributing to marketing and brand building. As her involvement increased, so did her responsibilities. She moved deeper into the business, learning its operations and understanding the people behind the products.

Step by step, she went from being a part-time marketing professional to managing the business, then became its CEO and eventually one of the co-owners of Nugu.

For Yashaswini, however, Nugu is not simply a business venture.

It is closely connected to her sense of purpose-her Ikigai.

She finds meaning in creating opportunities, supporting rural communities and generating sustainable employment. Her vision is not limited to building a commercially successful company. She wants to create a business that can make a meaningful difference in people's lives.

Learning a Business from the Ground Up

When Yashaswini entered the ceramics business, she knew almost nothing about clay, ceramics or production.

Her background was in IT. The production floor was an entirely different world.

There were mistakes. There were difficult decisions. There were clients who were lost along the way. But each experience became a lesson.

One of the biggest challenges was managing two demanding worlds at the same time-her IT career and the growing responsibilities at Nugu.

Eventually, she realised that dividing her attention was no longer possible.

Leaving IT was not an easy decision after spending more than a decade in the industry, but Yashaswini chose to give Nugu her complete attention.

That decision marked a major turning point in her life.

She began spending long hours at the production unit, observing processes, asking questions, listening to people and learning every stage of the business. Production, operations, quality, logistics and people management were no longer unfamiliar terms. She was learning them through direct experience.

Her education in entrepreneurship did not come from a classroom.

It came from the shop floor, the factory, difficult situations and everyday business realities.

That experience gradually transformed her from an IT professional into an entrepreneur.

When Every Challenge Became a Lesson

Entrepreneurship rarely follows a perfectly planned path, and Yashaswini's journey was no exception.

One of the toughest moments came when an earlier business partner suddenly decided to exit. The situation demanded immediate action. The team had to raise capital to acquire his share while making sure that the factory continued to operate without disruption.

Even today, Yashaswini looks back at that period with a sense of wonder, remembering how they somehow managed to arrange the required funds and keep the business moving.

Another major challenge involved technical knowledge.

A key person in the organisation possessed important knowledge about the production process but was unwilling to share it. Repeated attempts to convince him did not produce the desired outcome.

Rather than allowing the situation to become a long-term dependency, Yashaswini and her team took another route.

They decided to learn the process themselves and build that knowledge within the organisation.

That decision helped Nugu become stronger internally.

There were also operational challenges that tested the team's patience and problem-solving ability.

On one occasion, a loaded vehicle could not move because of an e-way bill issue. In another situation, nearly 70 boxes, each weighing around 25 kilograms, had to be unloaded because of a transport dispute and then loaded again the following day.

For Yashaswini, these incidents became reminders that business growth is also about staying composed when plans suddenly change.

Her response to difficult situations is simple:

“What can we do next?”

That question reflects her approach to entrepreneurship-less focus on what went wrong, and more attention to finding the next workable solution.

Building More Than a Business

As Nugu continued to grow, Yashaswini's vision became larger than the factory itself.

She wanted the venture to create livelihoods and opportunities in the village, especially for women.

Her personal mantra captures that vision in three simple words:

Enable. Empower. Explore.

Enable people through skills, knowledge and opportunities.

Empower them to become financially independent.

Explore new ideas, possibilities and markets.

For Yashaswini, this philosophy defines what Nugu should represent.

Her ambition is to take Nugu to greater heights, expand its presence across India and eventually beyond the country, while remaining connected to the people and roots that shaped its journey.

She believes that the true measure of growth cannot be limited to revenue, scale or business size.

It should also be reflected in the number of lives positively affected along the way.

Milestones That Mean More Than Numbers

Among Yashaswini's proudest accomplishments is a transformation that is deeply personal.

She entered the world of ceramics with virtually no knowledge of the field. Through years of observation, practice and experience, she developed the confidence to understand and discuss ceramic production.

For her, that journey from knowing almost nothing to becoming deeply involved in the technical and business aspects of ceramics is one of her greatest achievements.

Another source of immense satisfaction is the creation of livelihoods in the village.

Seeing people earn, support their families and build more comfortable lives gives Yashaswini a sense of fulfilment that business numbers alone cannot provide.

Her own professional journey is equally significant.

She began as a part-time marketing professional and eventually became one of the co-owners of the same factory.

That transition represents years of learning, responsibility and commitment.

There was also the important task of rebuilding vendor relationships. Some vendors had lost confidence because of earlier promises that had not been fulfilled. Winning back their faith required patience, transparent communication and, most importantly, consistently keeping commitments.

Over time, those relationships became stronger.

Yashaswini has also received recognition for her work, including recognition from the Social Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka, along with the Emerging Tableware Award and the Startup Excellence Award.

Yet, despite these milestones, she measures achievement differently.

For her, the greatest reward is seeing people find work, support their families and become more independent.

From Dreaming of Becoming an Employer to Creating Opportunities

Yashaswini's journey began with a simple dream-to build something of her own and become an employer.

Years later, that dream has taken a more meaningful form.

Today, she is not only building a company. She is building opportunities.

Her journey from IT to entrepreneurship proves that a career can take an unexpected turn when purpose becomes stronger than familiarity. It shows that expertise can be learned, industries can be entered from scratch and leadership can emerge through experience.

From childhood clay toys to the production floor of Nugu, from a part-time marketing role to becoming a CEO and co-owner, Yashaswini's story is one of learning, responsibility and creating opportunities for others.

And as she looks ahead, her vision remains clear-to grow Nugu, expand its reach and create an even larger impact while staying connected to its roots.

Because for Yashaswini P, success is not simply about building a bigger business.

It is about building a better future for the people who grow with it.