Nilesh Gandhi's journey from humble beginnings to becoming a successful entrepreneur is a testament to resilience, curiosity, and a relentless passion to bridge the gap between need and supply. Born into a family with a background in academics and banking, Nilesh's entrepreneurial journey began unexpectedly during his architecture course in 1992. His first taste of entrepreneurship came when he saw seniors selling stationeries on the first day of college. This sparked an entrepreneurial flame within him, leading him to venture into various small businesses, from selling firecrackers during Diwali to mangoes in the summers.

After a few years in the corporate world, the calling to entrepreneurship was too strong to resist. Nilesh harkened back to his stationery-selling days and started his own venture, Meta Design, in 2005. His experiences at Shapoorji Pallonji and Edifice Architects, where he worked closely with directors and global clients, gave Nilesh a deeper understanding of the nuances of business, marketing, and project management.

Nilesh chose to focus on landscape architecture, creating his own 'Blue Ocean' - a market space where competition was irrelevant because his offering was unique. But every unique venture comes with its own set of challenges. For Nilesh, the biggest hurdle was selling a concept, changing people's mindset about the importance and the beauty of landscapes.

As natural disasters and an increasing need for sustainable practices brought the importance of nature into focus, landscapes started to be seen as essential rather than optional. 

Nilesh's journey is deeply intertwined with a belief in giving back to society and fostering a harmonious coexistence between nature and human progress. He has been a visiting faculty at various colleges for the past 10 years, nurturing talent in landscape architecture and green buildings. He encourages those with a spark of entrepreneurship to embrace it fully.

Nilesh's journey started modestly in a 300 sq ft apartment. Over the years, his team has grown, but the core ethos of an open working environment and building a legacy has remained. Nilesh believes in building a lasting organization, and this philosophy led to the branding of his practice as Meta Design.

Nilesh and his team not only designed landscapes, but they integrated services, from horticulture to signage. They even launched an e-commerce platform, allowing anyone to order a plant for their room, delivered in just 48 hours. 

Nilesh Gandhi's journey is a powerful testament to the power of ethical business practices and the importance of specialization in entrepreneurship. His commitment to doing business the right way, from refusing to compromise his values for quick profits to his focus on sustainability and green building certifications, sets a powerful example for all entrepreneurs. His story is a reminder that success is not just about profits, but about making a positive impact on the world, sharing knowledge, and leaving a lasting legacy.