।। The person behind the brand ।।
Nisha
Nair
Founder, Yamini Lifestyles · Aitihya & Joyera
A fauji wife who moved cities for 18 years, building a corporate career across Mumbai, Pune & Delhi while raising a family — and raising it well. A woman whose story became a chapter in the book 'Magical 40 @ 40'. The founder who turned a lifelong love for Indian craft into a movement that now touches 90+ retail destinations across India. And a fierce advocate for women entrepreneurs, artisans and the communities that sustain them.
"My aim is to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for Indian artisans from various communities across India — so their craft stands the test of time and the next generation takes it up willingly." — Nisha Nair
IIM Bangalore · NSRCEL GS10K
UNESCAP · Maldives 2022
FKCCI Awardee
Featured in Mid-Day
Author · 'Magical 40 @ 40'
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Yamini Lifestyles
90+ retail
touchpoints
touchpoints
।। The journey ।।
How a fauji wife became
a movement-builder.
18 yrs
The foundation
Corporate life on the move
As a fauji wife, Nisha followed her husband, Army veteran Sub Maj P. Karthikeyan Nair, across postings in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi — building over 18 years of corporate experience while navigating the unique challenges of being a defence family spouse. Every city was a new beginning. Every missed opportunity shaped a resilience that would later become her superpower.
40
The turning point
'Magical 40 @ 40' — her story, in print
Nisha's journey as a fauji wife — the sacrifices, the resilience, the triumphs — was chronicled in the book 'Magical 40 @ 40'. A story of how, despite challenges and missed opportunities, she emerged not just intact but transformed. It was the beginning of owning her narrative on her own terms.
Joyera
Brand 01 · The seed
Joyera — jewellery for the women who move India
Nisha's first brand was born close to home — literally. Joyera was designed for defence officers' wives, women known for their impeccable fashion sense who needed jewellery that kept up with their lives. Today, Joyera is stocked at 70+ defence lifestyle stores across India, from Kashmir to Port Blair.
2022
The recognition
UNESCAP · Digital Commerce Training, Maldives
Nisha was shortlisted and sponsored to attend UNESCAP's Digital Marketing & E-Commerce training in Maldives — an acknowledgement of her potential and her brand's global readiness. It was a signal: Aitihya was ready for the world.
IIMB
The education
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women · NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore
Nisha was selected for the prestigious GS10K programme at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore (Cohort 26) — a globally renowned Goldman Sachs initiative that didn't just sharpen her business thinking but gave her a "girl gang" of like-minded founders who have influenced many of her biggest decisions since. "The unbreakable trust and bonds formed here — I look back and these ladies have influenced so many of my decisions."
Aitihya
Brand 02 · The movement
Aitihya — Indian craft, taken to the world
With Aitihya, Nisha widened her mission beyond defence communities — to every Indian woman who wants to wear her heritage proudly. Available on Myntra, Jaypore, Shop, across Avantra and Go Native stores, at 3 airport terminals, and soon on Walmart.com and Etsy. 80+ store counters. Counting.
2025
The recognition continues
FKCCI Award · Featured in Mid-Day
Yamini Lifestyles was recognised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry and featured in Mid-Day — a reminder, as Nisha herself said, that "brands don't grow in isolation — they grow through people, patience, and shared belief." A long way ahead. And as she says: "We have just started."
।। Her philosophy ।।
What she believes in.
"My aim is to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for Indian artisans from various communities across India so that their craft stands the test of time and the next generation takes it up willingly. I need to create the bridge between them and the direct buyer — for ease of sales with good margins for all."
On the Aitihya mission
"Heritage is not meant to be preserved in silence — it is meant to be lived, loved, and carried forward with pride. It strengthens our purpose at Yamini Lifestyles — to keep taking Indian craftsmanship to the world with authenticity, dignity, and modern relevance."
On heritage & purpose
"Nine years ago, someone believed in my abilities before outcomes existed. Whenever I feel low, those memories bring me back on track. Brands don't grow in isolation — they grow through people, patience, and shared belief."
On belief & community
।। The impact ।।
Building more than a brand.
At Yamini Lifestyles, Nisha has built something that goes well beyond jewellery. She prioritises fair wages and a nurturing environment for artisans. She trains women from various communities in quality control, jewellery manufacturing and assembly — skills that uplift entire families.
She serves as Treasurer of MAWE — the Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs — not just as a mentor, but as an active leader shaping the organisation's direction. Visit MAWE → She sources materials ethically.
She partners directly with artisans — no middlemen, no factories.
She contributes to local economies — ensuring that every purchase creates a livelihood.
As she says: "My work has not only been about building a brand — it has been about uplifting communities."
90+Retail destinations pan India
200+Unique designs
2Brands built
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IIM Bangalore · GS10K · NSRCEL
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme — Cohort 26. Entrepreneurship, strategy & leadership training at India's top business school.
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UNESCAP · Digital Commerce · Maldives
Sponsored selection for international digital marketing & e-commerce training. Recognition of global readiness.
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FKCCI Award · Women Entrepreneurs
Recognised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry for outstanding contribution to women-led enterprise.
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Featured in Mid-Day
National feature covering Yamini Lifestyles' journey — from defence family roots to 80+ store counters across India.
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Author · 'Magical 40 @ 40'
Her journey as a fauji wife — challenges, missed opportunities, and how she emerged as a winner — chronicled in print.
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Walmart Vriddhi Graduate
Completed Walmart Vriddhi — a supplier development programme — positioning Yamini Lifestyles for global retail partnerships including Walmart.com.
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Speaker & Mentor · Women Entrepreneur Advocate
Speaker at multiple entrepreneurship platforms. Passionate advocate for women in business and artisan communities across India.
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IWEN · Multiple Locations & Learning Programmes
Associated with IWEN (Indian Women Entrepreneur Network) — participating in learning programmes and building cross-location entrepreneurship networks.
।। A personal note ।।
"When I started this journey, I had two things — a deep love for India's handcraft traditions, and the belief that these artisans deserved a better, more dignified path to the market. I didn't know it would become what it is today. But I knew, from the first piece I held, that this mattered.
With over 1,000+ unique designs across two brands — Aitihya and Joyera — every bangle, every jhumka, every necklace carries the story of the hands that made it. When you wear Aitihya, you are not just wearing jewellery. You are wearing a legacy. And you are helping keep it alive.
We have just started. The best is yet to come."
Nisha Nair
Founder · Yamini Lifestyles · Aitihya & Joyera · Bangalore