When Yashashwi Malani founded Graphē, she didn’t have a rulebook—just raw talent, relentless passion, and a willingness to learn through every stumble. In this honest reflection, she shares the six so-called “mistakes” that became the backbone of her design studio’s growth. From undercharging in the early days to hiring unconventional talent, Yashashwi’s story is a masterclass in trusting your gut and building something beautiful—messy moments and all.
"When I started Graphē, I thought I had to get it all right. I didn’t. And looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t."
When I started Graphē, I thought I had to get it all right.
I didn’t.
And looking back, I’m so glad I didn’t.
Everyone says, “Learn from others’ mistakes.”
I decided to make my own instead and they ended up teaching me more than any coach, course, or degree ever could.
Here are six mistakes that felt tough at the time, but I’m actually grateful for now:
✅ Undercharging for More Value of Work
In the early days, I priced my services lower because I wanted a seat at the table.
Not everyone tells you this, but sometimes undercharging isn’t about undervaluing yourself—it’s about gaining ground. It helped me build confidence, experience, and a diverse portfolio across industries. I worked with clients who took a chance on a young designer, and in return, I gave them everything I had.
Would I recommend it as a permanent strategy? No.
But as a way to build trust and momentum in the beginning? A quiet yes.
✅ Saying Yes to (Almost) Everything
I said yes even when I wasn’t sure how I’d pull it off.
Partly out of FOMO.
Partly because I was genuinely curious to try it all.
There’s a quote by Richard Branson that stuck with me:
“Say yes, then learn how to do it later.”
That mindset helped me grow fast, take on things that scared me, and develop real confidence. Yes, I burnt out a few times. But I also found strengths I didn’t know I had.
Eventually, I also learned when to say no, and now I say it with clarity, not guilt.
✅ Hiring People Without the ‘Perfect’ Resume
Some of the best people I’ve worked with didn’t have the “right” qualifications.
They had drive, hunger, and heart.
They showed up, figured things out, and delivered results. Watching them grow made me realise that potential > pedigree. That a fancy resume is nice—but attitude and adaptability are priceless.
This has become a quiet hiring philosophy at Graphē—look for spark, not just polish.
✅ Accepting Unrealistic Deadlines
I took on deadlines that felt completely absurd at the time.
All-nighters, last-minute approvals, back-to-back changes. It was chaos.
But it built something I didn’t expect—trust.
Clients started turning to us during crunch times because they knew we’d deliver. We became the studio that gets it done. Not at the cost of our sanity (anymore!), but with the confidence that we’ve been through fire—and can still create something beautiful.
✅ Breaking the Rules
1+1 doesn’t always equal 2 when you’re building something from scratch.
I didn’t start with a fancy office.
Or a slick website.
Or the “perfect” logo.
I started with a skill, a vision, and a whole lot of belief.
We focused on doing great work and letting that speak for itself.
And there’s no one “right way” to build a business.
Sometimes, breaking the rules is the strategy.
✅ Getting Too Friendly with the Team
Yes, I blurred the lines between being a boss and being a friend.
Yes, it got a little messy at times.
But it also created trust, connection, and a culture where people care.
We’re not rigid. We’re human.
And when your team feels seen and supported, they show up with heart.
They take ownership. They create magic.
That’s priceless.
And I wouldn’t trade that for a hierarchy or a title ever.
✨ The Journey So Far
What began as a one-woman operation—just me, a laptop, and a relentless love for design—has grown into a full-service design studio that’s touched over 350+ brands.
Today, Graphē isn’t just a name—it’s a space where creativity is nurtured and ideas are translated into identities. We have designed for clients such as Siyaram, Too Yumm, HFCL, Dhoot Group, Fixerra, Amity University, R.K. Marble, Future Generali, Rising Tide, BBQ Nation, Exicom, Foy, and Indo Thai, among many others, across packaging, branding, textiles, and digital experiences.
We didn’t follow a blueprint—we made one.
Now, Graphē is run by a diverse team of thinkers, illustrators, and visual storytellers who bring heart to every brief.
We've been published, featured, and discovered—not because we shouted the loudest, but because our work quietly spoke for itself.
🌿 Lessons in Progress
Mistakes are uncomfortable.
- They’re awkward, sometimes expensive, and almost always humbling.
But they build you.
They shape your voice, sharpen your instincts, and teach you how to listen—to your gut, your people, your journey.
Would I do it all over again?
- Absolutely 💯
Because that’s what built me.
- That’s what built Graphē.
🔗 About Yashashwi Malani
Yashashwi is a graphic and textile designer, a design thinker, and the founder of Graphē. She started as a curious kid with Photoshop and turned that love for design into a studio that helps brands show up with clarity and heart.
At Graphē, she focuses on creating design that makes sense and feels honest. For her, it's about how stories are told, values are expressed, and connections are made.
If you're a brand that wants to stand out while still staying true, you’ll feel right at home here at Graphē.
