From Corporate Ambition to Purpose: How My Journey as a Founder Found Its ‘Ikigai’

The Roots of Prune India: From "Madam ki Beti" to Brand Visionary

I am in a phase where I have learned to adore failure — to adore my mother for being my biggest strength, and to adore her friends and colleagues who stood up for me when I needed it the most.

As a little kid, I made it impossible for my mum to go to school without me whenever I was on holiday. I loved her school for so many reasons. I wasn’t a student there — I was “Madam ki beti.”
As much as I disliked my own school, I absolutely loved going to hers.

Empowering 5,000 Voices: My First Step into Public Speaking

In March 2025, my mother, Mrs. Krishna Arora, and her school’s Principal, Ms. Kamakshi Jolly, pushed me to share my journey with 500 girls at a Delhi Government School. My mother taught girls for 40 years and retired in 2025.

It was my first-ever public speaking experience. I watched a couple of videos, practiced the night before — but what truly carried me through was some divine energy and the belief of these two women who pushed me out of my comfort zone. I will forever be indebted to them, because that one step opened an entirely new horizon for me.

A shy girl — always nervous, often told not to be “too much,” told not to shine — has now addressed over 5,000 children in just two months.

My inner child and my present self smile in deep gratitude. Somewhere along the way, we both found our Ikigai.

Giving Back to the Future: Why Social Responsibility is the Core of My Business

We are donating a part of our business to these children — the future.
What I offer them is my time, my social responsibility to give back, and the belief of one person who truly sees them.

Back in 2012, if Angharad Rixon had not believed in me, Prune would not have existed. Her one simple line — “Leesha was different” — gave me the courage to build.

Fourteen years later, if I can be that Angharad to even one child, I will consider myself successful.

In the last two months, I’ve visited over 18 schools across New Delhi. I am still in awe of how incredible each child has been — the sparkle in their eyes, their hunger to learn, their desire to become something. They’ve pushed me to do more, for them and for myself.

Some students especially stood out. They asked questions like:
What is your burn rate? Did you take funding? What is your net worth?

The Next Generation of Creators: From Old Money Energy to Handmade Floral Jewelry

Krishna from Molarband School runs a thrift business. He buys clothes from friends and family and sells them at a fixed price of ₹150 — a “sweet spot,” as he calls it. He even described his color palette as “old money energy.” I was amazed.

Nansi from another school makes floral jewelry and sells it to her neighbors.

Boys from JJ Colony, Madanpur Khadar, created solar-chargeable battery lights to illuminate dark alleys, terracotta products, hand-made soaps and even an earthquake detector designed as a photo frame or painting.

Students from Badarpur School built an air purifier with an acrylic body, changing lights, and a remote control that could switch between 24 lighting modes.

Overcoming the "Off-Roading" Challenges of an Entrepreneur

Reaching these schools wasn’t easy. Some were tucked deep inside narrow lanes; one even had a government dustbin right at its entrance. A two-hour drive within Delhi often felt like off-roading. At times I was frustrated with traffic, at times with the roads — but every time I reached a school, I counted my blessings. To be privileged in a country where basic education and cleanliness are still struggles is humbling.

My highlight came when a child handed me his notebook and said, “Ma’am, autograph please.”
I blushed. I smiled. I asked what I should write. He just smiled back. A minute later, another child came. My inner child felt like a movie star.

One shy boy waited for me at the gate just to ask how he should price his products and sell them. I was so proud — not just of his idea, but of the courage it took for him to wait, to ask, and to not let fear win.

"Seeing Nansi's passion for floral jewelry reminded me of why we started the Malhaar Floral Jewellery—to celebrate that same handmade magic."

The Power of Belief: Becoming an "Angharad" for Today’s Youth

Why did I go to each school?

To give back a little.
To be in absolute awe of these magical, magical children and their creations.

Join the Movement: Building a Brighter Future Together

If you are a professional from any field reading this and would like to contribute in any way toward building a better future for these children

Because I truly believe — if we believe in them, if we give them wings, we will nurture an entire generation toward prosperity.

Let’s Build This Together

I’m not looking for "applications," I’m looking for partners in magic. Pick your favorite way to say hello:

• The Quickest Way: DM me 'WINGS' on Instagram

• The Personal Way: Send a voice note or text to my WhatsApp: +91 99588 14454.

• The Professional Way: If you have a detailed proposal, I still love a good old-fashioned email: pruneindiamanagement@gmail.com

No formal structures, no boring forms—just real people making a real difference.

Leesha Arora

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