Community Highlights: Meet Pooja Gurudatt of Elevenly House Design Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pooja Gurudatt.

Hi Pooja, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Bridging the Gap: My Journey from Software Engineer to Product Designer & Entrepreneur
As an Indian girl born in Bengaluru—the Silicon Valley of India—technology was woven into my life from an early age. At just six years old, I was already learning algorithms and coding with the “ancient” language TURTLE in school. My fascination with computers only grew when my dad brought home a PC, a rare novelty in the ’90s. Most days, you’d find me geeking out in front of the screen, drawn to the visual and creative possibilities of digital design.
By the time I was nine or ten, I had discovered Photoshop at my cousin’s house. This opened a whole new world of design and digital expression for me. In seventh grade, I was already diving into web development courses, eager to create something beyond just lines of code. While I learned coding, I always felt my true passion lay in design—an intersection of creativity and technology that wasn’t yet fully recognized.

Finding My Path in Tech and Business
Coming from a middle-class business family, I had always been exposed to the art of entrepreneurship—managing clients, understanding business strategies, and learning how to walk the walk and talk the talk. Inspired by my father, I dreamed of becoming the first female entrepreneur in my family. But like many in Bengaluru at the time, I followed the traditional path, pursuing a degree in computer science and eventually landing my first job as a software engineer.
As I stepped into the software industry, I began to notice something crucial—there was a massive disconnect between development, design, and business. Developers focused solely on functionality, business leaders prioritized ROI, and designers struggled to navigate the technical and business landscapes. Everyone was speaking different languages, leading to friction and missed opportunities.
Being a software engineer wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to understand how products were designed and why they often failed to align with technology and business needs. This realization led me to explore UX, UI, and product design alongside software engineering, in search of a way to bridge these gaps.

A New Chapter: From Bengaluru to New York City
Life took another exciting turn when I moved to Manhattan, NYC—a city bursting with innovation, design, and business opportunities. Inspired by the energy and diversity, I sought a deeper understanding of how technology, design, and management intersected in the American business landscape. This led me to Rutgers University, where I found the perfect program: a Master’s in Business & Science, combining technology, management, and design.
This degree was a game-changer. It gave me the business acumen to understand how financial decisions drive product development, the technical expertise to collaborate with engineers, and the design thinking skills to create user-centric products. What once seemed like separate disciplines suddenly became a cohesive strategy for building better digital experiences.

Bridging the Gap: From Learner to Leader
With my newfound knowledge, I started viewing product development differently. Where others saw confusion and unmet expectations, I saw opportunities. I could now speak the language of developers, designers, and business leaders—bridging gaps, fostering collaboration, and creating more aligned digital products.
Then came the pandemic, a time of uncertainty for many, including myself. But amidst the chaos, I took a leap of faith. I started sharing my story and expertise online, offering my services to businesses struggling to establish a digital presence. Before I knew it, I was landing clients, helping entrepreneurs and startups design and launch their products.
The fear of failure and imposter syndrome nearly held me back, but I pushed through. I found that by focusing on solving real problems—whether in business, design, or development—I could bring true value to people. I worked with business owners to strategize investments, helped designers understand technological constraints, and collaborated with developers to bring ideas to life. This holistic approach made my work more impactful than ever.

Lessons in Confidence and Authenticity
One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was unlearning the cultural conditioning that discouraged self-promotion. Growing up in India, we were taught not to boast, not to market ourselves, and not to “toot our own horns.” But I realized that if people didn’t know how I could help them, I wouldn’t be able to make a difference.
So, I shifted my perspective. Instead of seeing self-promotion as arrogance, I saw it as an opportunity to share knowledge. Instead of fearing failure, I embraced it as a stepping stone to growth. And instead of hesitating to talk about my work, I focused on reaching the people who needed it the most.

The Journey Continues…
Today, I stand at the intersection of design, technology, and business—not just as a product designer but as someone who understands the full ecosystem of digital product development. My journey from software engineer to UX designer to entrepreneur has been anything but linear, but it has been incredibly fulfilling.
I continue to challenge myself, learning and evolving every day. Whether through designing user experiences, coding, or strategizing business goals, I strive to build digital products that don’t just look good but also function seamlessly and drive impact. I know this is the beginning of my journey and not the end of the path. I just got started and want to keep going. Keep innovating, keep growing. If I can get out of the trenches of not knowing what to do and where to go in my career path, I think you can too! You are passionate about something because that is what you are destined for and that is what is your desire, your goals, your gift to the world. Do not hide it in you, share it with the world, it needs more dreamers, doers and achievers.
To anyone still navigating their path—follow your passions, take that leap, and trust that the right doors will open. You don’t have to fit into a single box. The future belongs to those who embrace their multifaceted skills and create their own unique paths.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been anything but linear. Like many others chasing a dream, I’ve encountered roadblocks that tested my strength, resilience, and self-belief. But I’ve come to see each challenge not as a dead end—but as a necessary detour, a lesson in disguise.

The first major roadblock hit me after I completed my master’s degree in a highly coveted and technical field: Product Design. I had the education, skills, drive, and passion—everything I thought I needed to land a full-time job. But being on a student visa added layers of complexity that were out of my control. Despite being qualified, confident, and prepared, the doors just wouldn’t open. I was stunned. Shattered. It was my first real experience with failure, and I had to face it head-on.

What followed was over a thousand rejections. Each one felt personal. Each one forced me to dig deeper and ask: What now? Slowly, I reframed my perspective. I began to see rejection not as a reflection of my worth, but as a redirection—pushing me toward something I hadn’t yet envisioned for myself.

Instead of waiting for a door to open, I started building my own. I volunteered my skills, offered free design work, and helped others in any way I could. That season taught me the value of service—but also the importance of sustainability. Eventually, I realized I couldn’t keep giving everything away for free. My work was valuable. My time, my creativity, my knowledge—they were worthy.

So I began treating my work with the respect it deserved. I put myself out there. I stopped hiding behind perfectionism or fear of being seen. I built a portfolio, shared my story on social media, and started networking with purpose. Slowly, the right people found me. Clients came. Opportunities opened up. And a small seed of a business began to grow.

Today, I’m still learning. Still evolving. Still walking the path I once thought I had to abandon. But now, I carry with me not just skills and education—but a deeper sense of purpose and self-trust. I know that rejection doesn’t mean the end. It’s just the beginning of a different story.

And I’m excited to keep writing it

As you know, we’re big fans of Elevenly House Design Studio. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
At our Elevenly House Design Studio, we are deeply committed to the art of design and technology. Our philosophy seamlessly blends modernity and thoughtfulness, transcending mere aesthetics. We embark on a journey to understand the core of every business, delving into its purpose and raison d’être. Our mission is to elevate each brand while respecting its roots and the discerning audience it serves. We aspire to create exceptional and enlightened businesses, crafting distinct and refined brand identities. Through our work, we breathe life into branding, weaving narratives that resonate with depth and elegance, shaping brands into icons.
Born in the height of the pandemic, Elevenly House is a design studio conceptualized by Pooja Gurudatt, who loves to dabble in art, design & technology. This trifecta helps us in overall product understanding, direction and bring in the best product experience in all our high quality work.
We want to portray the heart of a business in the best light possible where the essence of the people behind it shines bright while the world discovers, adopts and enjoys their end-products.
Here are some offerings from us:

Market Research
UX Engineering
Product Design
Usability Testing
Technology Consulting
Product Management
Product Ownership
Front-End Development
Product Strategy

Creative Direction
Graphic Design
Book Covers
Surfaces & Packaging
Brand & Identity
Visual Design
Mobile Apps
Website Design

Curated Paintings
Abstract Art
Bespoke Invitations
Illustrations
Photography
Art Prints
Workshops

Any big plans?
envision Elevenly House as more than just a design studio—it’s a creative sanctuary, a home for everything rooted in human-centered design, thoughtful innovation, and soulful artistry. It’s a place where great products, meaningful design, and inspiring art come together under one warm, welcoming umbrella.

In this future, we’ve stepped away from the harshness of industrial, hyper-capitalist work culture and embraced a gentler, more collaborative, and future-forward way of working. Elevenly House is a space where empathy leads, and people are free to be their most creative, authentic selves—without the weight of burnout, hustle culture, or unhealthy competition.

This is a company where harmony replaces hierarchy. Where cooperation is more valued than cutthroat ambition. Where growth is earth-friendly and mindful—centered around creating products that uplift, not deplete. It’s an ecosystem built on calm, compassion, and conscious choices.

I dream of a studio that feels like home. A cozy, inviting space where colleagues feel more like friends on a creative retreat. Where women feel safe, supported, and empowered—not pressured or overlooked. Where positivity flows freely and wins over stress and tension. All the benefits of a great workplace—none of the “ick.”

Imagine walking into Elevenly House like stepping into an art gallery: sunlit, serene, alive with creativity. Our offerings are displayed like pieces of art—not pushed with sales pressure, but shared with passion and pride. It’s a space designed to slow down, connect, and be inspired.

A photo studio, designed as a blank canvas, invites in-house creatives and guests alike to express themselves fully—with the freedom and support of a team that truly cares. Meetings don’t happen in cold boardrooms—they happen on couches, over coffee and honest conversation. The energy is relaxed, but purposeful. Light, but impactful.

Elevenly House is here to elevate the digital world—turning it into a warm, soulful space for connection, creation, and contribution. We build not just for the sake of building, but for the love of humans and the improvement of the human experience.

And we do it with joy, purpose, and the passion of an energized soul.

Pricing:

• Almost all my offerings are custom and hence we have custom prices based on project!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elevenlyhouse.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevenly.house/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/poojagurudatt