Meet Megha Rao | Founder & Designer, holiCHIC by Megha

We had the good fortune of connecting with Megha Rao and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Megha, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had a love for fashion. Growing up in Queens, NY a first-gen daughter of immigrants, it was my primary means of self expression.

During college I started modeling for South Asian designers, while I loved the experience and the confidence that it taught me…the clothes never really related to me. They were beautiful but often times too heavy, too blingy, too traditional and not fitting to my dual identities or the types of events I attended in America.

So I started creating my own looks. Mixing pieces from my moms closet and pairing them with my jeans, leather jackets etc. – wearing clothes that represented me, my upbringing, my dual identities.

This was the foundation of holiCHIC as it’s known today. A South Asian inspired fashion label rooted in culture and influenced by NYC street style.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started holiCHIC in 2015 while working a FT corporate job and just having my first child Aarian. (Great timing right!?)

My side passion project continued to grow very slowly for the next 5-6 years while I continued to work FT in finance, raise a family, and while having my second child, Saya.

I’d work weekends, nights, holidays, any little break I could find in between to continue to “water the plant’

And one fine day, last April.. it paid off with the help of my now CFO Sachin Jhangiani and co-founder Pooja Desai Shah I was able to make the very hard but exciting decision to go FT with holiCHIC. it was by far the best decision I ever made and had helped me dedicate more time and energy in growing and scaling the company.

My hope with holiCHIC is not just to be a fashion label, by also to inspire women and girls, to pursue their passions no matter their age, responsibilities or situation.

You have every right to pursue it and give it all you’ve got.

I also hope to show them that sometimes success is overnight but sometimes it’s years and years of hustle and patience and perseverance. Both roads bring their own shares of lessons and experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Ajay. I never realized how much of a role your partner plays when you’re an entrepreneur.

In many ways they ‘re the default plus one for the wild roller coaster ride (whether they want to or not :))

I’ll never forget when I was starting out as a designer, packing orders in our tiny NYC apartment. Ajay would help me fold pack ship make trips to the post office in the middle of the winter.

My husband is my number one supporter and advocate. Lifting me through my entrepreneurial lows, and celebrating each and every win. Without him, I truly would never be where I am today.

Website: www.holichicbymegha.com

Instagram: @holichicbymegha

Image Credits
@wildnyc