In 1999, I took a leap of faith and never looked back
Some decisions don’t come with certainty. They come with conviction.
In 1999, I made one of those decisions.
After years of working in the industry—learning the ropes, collaborating on large projects, and absorbing everything I could—I reached a quiet but clear realisation: I wanted to build something of my own.
Not because I wanted my name on a door. But because I wanted freedom.
- Freedom to listen more deeply.
- To work more slowly.
- To connect more personally.
- To design with honesty, not hierarchy.
Starting J.J. Poonawala wasn’t part of some grand plan. It was a leap of faith grounded in values—authenticity, independence, and the desire to build long-term relationships with clients who saw design as more than surface.
- It meant saying no to fast-track projects and yes to meaningful conversations.
- It meant taking on fewer clients, but knowing each one better.
- It meant being in the room—not just on the drawing board.
Over the years, that decision shaped everything we are today. A hands-on studio with a deeply intuitive process. A team that’s small by design, because intimacy breeds intention. A portfolio that spans cities and countries, but always comes back to one truth: design is personal.
That moment in 1999 changed the course of my life. It taught me that risk can be grounding. And that building something true—something quietly powerful—takes time.
Have you ever taken a risk that changed your career?
I’d love to hear your story.
J.J Poonawala – Built on instinct. Grown with intention.