From the bustling streets of Kolkata to the serene landscapes of Goa, Alizah Pande has crafted a story that beautifully intertwines creativity, passion, and entrepreneurship. A true modern-day visionary, Alizah’s journey is one of curiosity, courage, and conviction. Born in West Bengal, she grew up amidst diverse cultures, having studied in Darjeeling, Goa, and Dubai, thanks to her parents’ love for travel. This multicultural upbringing exposed her to a world of ideas and perspectives that shaped her creative outlook from a young age.
The Early Spark of Creativity
As a child, Alizah was drawn to the quiet corners of her home, deeply immersed in music, craft, and puzzles, anything that allowed her imagination to flow freely. Her creative instincts only grew stronger with time, eventually leading her to pursue a Master’s degree in Marketing with a specialization in Digital Marketing. Polylingual and deeply people oriented, she thrives on meaningful conversations, preferably over a good cup of coffee.
From Content Creator to Entrepreneur
Alizah’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2017, when she started using Instagram for more than just sharing pictures. Speaking on camera, sharing travel moments, and engaging with her growing audience soon became second nature. As brands began approaching her for collaborations, she discovered her true calling in the world of content creation and digital storytelling. Then came 2020, a year that changed everything.
During the lock-down, a spontaneous idea led her to start a small e-commerce store on Instagram selling accessories. Within just two months, the store gained massive traction, with orders pouring in from across India. This experience reignited her entrepreneurial spirit, and by the end of 2023, it evolved into something bigger, Eraya Experience.
The Birth of Eraya Experience
Interestingly, the name Eraya was born out of spontaneity. After multiple name rejections and only an hour left to decide, Alizah chose “Eraya,” which means fortune’s favorite. To her, Eraya is not just a company, it’s a persona, a strong and empathetic girl with depth and purpose.
At its core, Eraya Experience stands for authenticity, creativity, and care. Alizah and her co-founder Gopal built the brand from scratch, eventually forming a close-knit team spread across India. Today, Eraya handles everything from graphic design, photography, and hoardings to full-fledged digital marketing, but what sets them apart is their handson approach. The team doesn’t shy away from going the extra mile, even if it means personally sourcing props from local stores for a client.
Core Values and Company Culture
At Eraya, no two clients are treated the same. There are no fixed packages, only personalized strategies designed around each brand’s goals and identity. The firm’s culture mirrors a family, open, trusting, and deeply collaborative.
“There are days we don’t even check in,” Alizah shares, “because we trust that everyone’s doing their best.” That blend of freedom and accountability forms the heart of Eraya’s success.
Overcoming Challenges
Like every entrepreneur, Alizah faced her share of trials in the early days. From taking on too much work to outsourcing mishaps, including the loss of an entire shoot drive, every challenge came with a lesson. Rather than covering up mistakes, she chose transparency, admitting issues to clients and earning their trust through honesty.
Hiring was another uphill battle, marked by endless resumes, no-shows, and unexpected dropouts. But with perseverance, Alizah and her team built a reliable network, refined their systems, and learned to plan better. There were even days when she had to organize barter models overnight, reaching out to dozens of people until solutions appeared. Those experiences shaped Eraya into a company built on resilience and integrity.
Staying Motivated Through Tough Times
Every entrepreneur faces moments of doubt, but Alizah never allowed setbacks to define her journey. “There were days we thought about pausing,” she recalls, ” But that feeling never lasted.” She credits her parents for giving her the exposure and teachings that helped her think through and her cofounder’s unwavering optimism, her dedicated team, and her supportive clients for keeping her going. Heartfelt messages from clients, even those who once criticized, served as powerful reminders of progress. These connections, built on transparency and mutual respect, continue to fuel Eraya’s spirit.
Defining Achievements
For Alizah, personal growth stands as her biggest achievement. Learning to stay calm and composed amidst unpredictability has been transformative. Whether it’s a last-minute weather change during a shoot or a project delay, she’s learned to find peace in chaos.
Professionally, she takes pride in the small victories, clients returning after initial doubts, contract renewals, and every new asset purchased for Eraya. “We built everything from scratch,” she says proudly, “no investors, just belief and effort.”
Embracing Innovation with Intent
Innovation, according to Alizah, must be purpose driven. “Not every trend fits every brand,” she emphasizes. Her team focuses on understanding each brand’s personality and purpose, whether it needs nostalgia, creativity, or visibility. By merging client insights with creative research, Eraya ensures innovation feels natural, not forced.
Leadership with Empathy
Leadership at Eraya is anything but conventional. “No one’s above anyone,” Alizah explains. “We work parallel, not hierarchical.” Every team member is encouraged to contribute ideas, and collaboration fuels every project. She values discussions over directives, often checking in with team members simply to appreciate their efforts or encourage rest when needed.
Building Relationships that Last
Networking and relationships have been the backbone of Eraya’s growth. Most clients came through word of mouth, a testament to the trust Alizah inspires. Her mantra is simple: “Don’t network to sell, network to connect.” Genuine communication and emotional intelligence, she believes, are the true currencies of lasting success. Scaling with Intention
For Alizah, growth is an organic process. “We don’t write strategies on paper, we create them on screen,” she says with a smile. Her philosophy of one step at a time ensures that expansion doesn’t compromise quality. Continuous communication and feedback with clients help maintain alignment and satisfaction, keeping Eraya grounded as it grows.
Finding Balance
Work-life balance, for Alizah, begins with an early start. “The earlier I begin, the earlier I finish,” she shares. Travel plays a dual role in her life, it’s both leisure and inspiration. Constantly moving, exploring, and experiencing new places allows her to recharge and stay creative. “My travel gives me leisure, and my work gives me satisfaction. What more could I ask for?”
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Her advice to young dreamers is heartfelt: “Everything looks bright at the beginning, but make sure it stays bright till the end. Don’t lose the shine.” She urges new entrepreneurs to learn from their own journeys, to take setbacks in stride, and to come back stronger each time.
Road Ahead
Looking forward, Alizah envisions Eraya Experience becoming a name that needs no introduction, a brand that speaks for itself. Her goal is to build recognition based on trust, creativity, and credibility, expanding Eraya into other cities with offices and production units.
For Alizah Pande, the story of Eraya is not just about marketing, it’s about meaningful creation. Every project is a story, every client a collaboration, and every challenge an opportunity. Her journey stands as a testament to passion, perseverance, and the beauty of believing in one’s own light.
