Even the most creative professions in the world need technology to focus on what they do best, which is being creative !

Ruchi Raj, our next pathbreaker, freelances as Implementation Project Manager (Global) at Techpacker, a US-based SaaS platform designed for the fashion and lifestyle industry.

Ruchi talks to Shyam Krishnamurthy from The Interview Portal about her love for being a digital nomad, training people and implementing new software in the fashion industry while also getting exposure to different cultures and styles of working in different countries.

For students, when you are different from the herd, you have less supporters because there are less proven examples. So, you just have to trust yourself and the process !

Ruchi, can you tell us what were your initial years like?

I am the eldest of two sisters, born in Patna, Bihar. My father runs a travel and tourism business, and my mother is a homemaker. Growing up as only girls in a family in a tier 2 city posed its challenges, especially regarding education, but my parents ensured we received the best opportunities, fighting against all. 

Academically, I was consistently among the top students, scoring 95% in my ICSE 10th Board exams from Carmel School. As a girl, excelling in academics was crucial to prove myself and the only way towards my dreams, instilling a strong work ethic in me. I dreamt of traveling and knew that education was my ticket to a boundless career. Initially, though I prepared for engineering with PCM subjects, I discovered my passion for fashion tech through a friend’s experience at NIFT in the bachelors in fashion technology course. Secretly, I prepared for the NIFT exam with my mother’s support and secured a top 10 rank in the entrance exam. This achievement marked the beginning of my journey at NIFT Delhi and my venture into a creative, technology-driven field.

I have always been creative, enjoying sketching, drawing, and even making cards for the army during school. I won several painting competitions and was active in karate, competing at the state level. These activities highlighted my potential in creative fields, complementing my academic successes and shaping my career aspirations.

What did you do for graduation/post-graduation?

I did bachelor’s in Fashion Technology from the National Institute of Fashion Technology, NIFT Delhi (which stands in the top 50 in the world for fashion colleges), 2017. It is a degree called BFTech and is a 4 year undergraduate programme dealing with a holistic study of the apparel industry. It covers all the aspects starting from fiber making to a garment reaching a consumer. 

I also have a Project Management Certification from Harvard University, and am pursuing Psychology in Fashion.

I did various internships during my college in Raymond, Shahi exports where I learnt a lot about the industry and how it functions. 

I did receive the most innovative graduation project award by NIFT, Ministry of Textiles. I made a tech enabled device – a product prototype called “Shade banding and lotting device”  which was for automating the manual shade segregation quality check process in the industry. It is so manual and hence there is a lot of room for manual errors which is not only a waste of time and effort but also waste of fabric and raw material, which results in huge loss of money.

I went to Harvard, Cambridge for Project management. There I studied change and how to use change management approaches in any project management that we do.  I went to Harvard right after I got out from almost 6 months of hospitalization in 2023.

Ruchi, Can you share with us some of the key influences that led you to such an offbeat, unconventional, and unique career in Fashion Tech?

I was always fascinated by how garments and the clothes that we wear curate our entire personality. How a particular kind of dressing makes or breaks things, how the same person can look different with just a different outlook. I was never good with styling or fashion as a teenager, but I always admired the ones who presented themselves well and it was beautiful to see how one can express his/her style.

Travelling was always my dream and I just wanted a way to do that. 

My mother has been my mentor throughout guiding me to becoming independent. 

I am also grateful to my friend who informed and explained to me about the non-conventional field of study at NIFT. 

While I was studying for my engineering entrances, I was literally forgetting every other thing in my life, and sudden unfortunate incidents led to me being hospitalized. I couldn’t give any of my exams. This made me lose confidence as I lost a year and had no hope of moving out. It was almost a lost battle for me, until one of my friends helped me gain confidence again and I started preparing for the exams again almost at the end of the year.

No one knew, but I secretly also prepared for the NIFT entrance exams with my mother’s help. I cleared almost all the exams the next year with single digit rank in the NIFT AIR entrance. 

The preparation for NIFT BFTech exam did not need any different approach. It had 4 sections just like the engg exams but of medium difficulty level. The cut-offs are really high, so one needs to be fast at solving questions (that’s the trick). Then you have counseling, and based on your rank you can choose one of the centers. 

I had opportunities to earn double the salary that I earn today, but I left those because I realized that, for me, travelling and work both bring me actual happiness and hence chose to only go for remote jobs. 

I believe the key turning point was when my friend explained to me all the aspects of this BFTech course. It was very new and interesting since BFTech includes basics of fashion and design aspects but focusing more on the backend side of it along with the digital and tech involvement. Since childhood, I knew I wanted creativity in my career. I am a dynamic person and get bored with repetitive work. I always loved change in my life. And as I grew, I got inclined towards technology studies. So when the time came and I witnessed a blend of fashion and tech, this was the go to course for me. 

The major motivator was the balanced blend of fashion (creativity) and tech for me. 

In my 2nd year, I studied HR as a subject and got an internship opportunity with a finance tech start-up. Though it was not an academic need, I did that job and then continued part-time for almost 2 years. This changed my entire perspective towards my career. Working with a start-up made me realize how much I love randomness and innovation while working. I wanted my voice to be heard and my contribution to be noticed. This exposure made me sure that I do not want to go for big companies or traditional companies. 

Tell us about your career path

My first job was at ThreadSol as an Implementation consultant. While I did my internships in my second and third year in big companies like Raymond and Shahi, and with a start-up as well (as explained above), I realized that I do not want to pursue a traditional career in this domain with big companies. I did not want to be another brick in the wall. I wanted to make an impact. Working with big companies was monotonous for me as working with brands and factories did not have innovation and had a certain way of working with very less scope for changes. 

I started researching and exploring other career options in this field, and learnt about the technology companies in this industry. The software that is made just for the fashion industry has a lot more creativity, innovation and exposure. In my final year when most students were busy seeking opportunities in big brands, I waited for 3 months for just one company to come for placement. That was ThreadSol, now acquired by Coats digital ( a leading name in this industry). It was a mid-sized start-up then and was making software for the cutting floor to save fabric and enable better planning on the cutting floor. 

That role included traveling to south-eastern countries too. Hence, my only goal was to grab an opportunity there. After almost 8 rounds of rigorous interviews there, I got the offer. 

There, I travelled to almost 5 countries within a year for a month-long project each. I worked as a consultant on the implementation team. We went to factories and studied their processes, devised plans for the implementation, and then final training was done. 

The experience that helped further:

I realized I loved training people and implementing new software in the industry. I got exposure to different cultures and styles of working in different countries. It brought a lot of chaos that comes with any change. But the feeling of satisfaction after implementing the software successfully was worth all the hassle. 

My next switch was to FashionSnoops, a US based, cutting edge SaaS platform (software as a service) for the trend forecasting industry. They were introducing themselves in the Indian market and I was the Brand Representative for introducing the brand to India. I made really good connections with the US team and learnt a lot about this industry.  

There I learnt all the aspects of trend forecasting and how each trend has its roots deep down in culture, sports, arts, medicine, technology, and whatnot in every corner of the world. I learnt how a trend is forecasted and then used in delivering the same to the consumers. 

I made a lot of associations with industry leading organizations like: Apparel Resources, FDCI, AEPC, IIAD, Images magazines, etc. 

It was a wholesome experience of doing and learning everything about the fashion trend forecasting business. I realized that I love the SaaS implementations. So now, my niche became SaaS implementation in fashion tech. 

Currently, I am working as Head of Implementation at Techpacker remotely for almost 4 years now. It not only helps me achieve my dream of traveling but also keeps me on my toes by working with global brands from US, Europe, Australia, NewZealand, London, etc. 

It is a PLM (product lifecycle management) platform and helps move the entire product development to one single platform. 

I learnt how to lead and plan implementations, do webinars, trainings, study and map processes, and bring about a consultative approach to customers. 

Amidst all of these, I did get a high paying job with one of the tech companies Provana (a compliance management tool) which was totally out of my domain, but they liked my implementation and onboarding experience and strategies. 

I understood that developing implementation skills not only helps in one domain but opens up opportunities in multiple domains.

I never needed any contact to reach wherever I am today. I always navigated my path by myself as it was a non-conventional path for the industry.

What always propelled me forward was my dedication to continuous exploration and the zeal to learn rather than to earn in my early years. I recognized that start-ups offered the most learning opportunities. I also understood that sticking to just one software or organization would limit my exposure to different aspects of the business. Therefore, I made it a point to diversify my experience:

ThreadSol: Gained insights into software for manufacturers.

FashionSnoops: Explored retail, trend-setting, and research software.

Various Brands: Worked with product development software.*

This diverse experience made me an all-rounder, specializing in SaaS implementations. It not only opened up opportunities in fashion tech companies but also broadened my prospects in non-fashion tech SaaS companies for implementation roles.

How did you get your first break?

I was selected during campus placement by ThreadSol and that was the biggest dream coming true as I only prepared for that company. 

Interestingly, my internship and part-time join in my 2nd year, which was not even related to fashion, made me stand out in one of the selection rounds here.

What were some of the challenges you faced? How did you address them?

Challenge 1: Choosing a niche in FashionTech

I restricted myself to only tech companies for my job preference, as that’s not what the majority of people do. So everyone recommended that I change my mind as it would not lead to a flourishing career, because it was thought that if you work with one software , you will restrict yourself. The challenge was taking that risk of not sitting for companies other than ThreadSol. I envisioned myself doing something different and remained dedicated to achieving that goal. 

Challenge 2: In my second year, when I did my part-time job, it was very challenging to manage time with the studies and classes, and attendance. I had to work extra hard to perform at both. 

But I got the fruit of it, as when the reviews were shared on what made us stand out in selection for the first job, my hiring manager mentioned that he loved my proactive approach ( the HR experience from 2nd year). That made me stand out from the rest. And then I realised that none of the learnings go in vain. 

Challenge 3: Taking a Risk with my Graduation Project

Unconventional Topic: I chose a rare topic for my graduation project, against my mentors’ advice due to the risk of failure.

I kept on moving forward although my degree was on the line.

Success: Believing in my hard work, idea, and dedication paid off, and I won the Most Innovative Graduation Project Award.

Where do you work now? Can you tell us about your current role?

I work at Techpacker, a US-based SaaS platform designed for the fashion and lifestyle industry. It’s actually a PLM (product lifecycle management) tool, which is specific to managing the complete product development stage and the processes. Our intuitive platform centralizes product creation and management in one place. I’ve been working remotely here for almost 4 years, living the dream life I envisioned since childhood.

Our Impact at Techpacker:

  1. Enabling the industry with tech: The fashion and lifestyle industry is increasingly adopting tech solutions, and there’s vast potential to address longstanding issues as many processes remain manual and old-school.
  2. Centralized Solution: Our platform helps brands streamline their product creation and communication processes. By consolidating all information in one place, we significantly reduce the time spent on product development.
  3. Efficiency Gains: Before Techpacker, brands relied on multiple tools, leading to scattered information, manual errors, missed details, and dependencies on individuals. With Techpacker, we offer an omnichannel solution, allowing product companies to create, communicate, and share seamlessly.
  4. Client Success: In my time here, I’ve seen countless brands transform their workflows and achieve greater efficiency, with reduction in product development time and decrease in manual errors.

Working at Techpacker has been a fulfilling journey, where I’ve had the opportunity to contribute to an evolving industry and help give back to the community. 

In past, I did work with ERPs as well, which are specific to supply chain, logistics, etc. However, I have my niche in SaaS fashion tech platforms now. 

What skills are needed for your role? How did you acquire the skills?

I need knowledge about how a brand’s product cycle works, conducting training for a large audience, communicating the right information to the right audience in the right way, problem solving, knowledge of CRM tools, fashion industry, techpacks, SaaS and related tech understanding, project management and change management.

I acquired all these skills from my past experiences building on to new ones from the current one. 

What’s a typical day like?

Digital Nomad Lifestyle:

  • My day can start anywhere: at home, on a beach, or in the mountains.
  • Enjoy flexibility in work time and location, making it my dream job.

Role at Techpacker:

  • Implementation and Onboarding:
  1. Conduct calls with clients to understand their goals and processes.
  2. Devise implementation strategies.
  3. Kick-off implementations with onboarding and training calls.
  • Product Development
  1. Provide product development suggestions based on client interactions.
  • Marketing Collaboration:
  1. Work with the marketing team to build successful interviews and client stories.
  2. Campaigns for onboarding
  • Cross-functional Liaison:
  1. Serve as the bridge between customers, tech, and sales teams.

What is it you love about this job? 

The perks of my job are numerous and immensely rewarding:

  1. Flexible Hours: I have the luxury of setting my own work schedule.
  2. Remote Work: My job allows me to travel the world while working.
  3. Freedom of Expression: I can freely voice my thoughts and ideas.
  4. Innovative Opportunities: I can propose creative ideas whenever inspiration strikes.
  5. Domain Ownership: I have full responsibility for the implementation domain.
  6. Work-Life Balance: I can dedicate quality time to my family, friends, and myself.
  7. Problem Solving: Seeing my clients smile when I provide solutions is deeply fulfilling.

How does your work benefit society? 

The industry is becoming more tech-driven, empowering even the most experienced professionals to embrace technology and boost productivity.

I also own a small home-grown brand focused on creating eco-friendly home decor products using materials like jute, canvas, and bamboo, through collaborations with NGOs, who train women in various skills. When they create products for my brand, they earn money, becoming both skilled and employed.

Additionally, I work with housewives who cannot leave their homes to earn an income. They contribute through crochet, stitching, embroidery, and other crafts, which helps build their confidence and self-worth.

Tell us an example of a specific memorable work you did that is very close to you!

I had the honour of being invited by Shri VS Laxmi, IAS and Chief Development Officer of Mirzapur, to lead a 2 days workshop on “Online Marketplace” in front of block managers, business owners, women entrepreneurs, homemakers, artisans, and other district officials. This was a pivotal meeting aimed at helping local SMEs take the crucial step of selling online and scaling their businesses.

The session was incredibly insightful. We delved into the importance of online business, discussed the current challenges faced by SMEs in the district, and explored practical solutions to overcome them. I covered the entire spectrum of going digital, including the medium, process and approach.

This project has been particularly fulfilling for me. My experiences and work in the field led to this invitation, where I had the opportunity to empower a group of individuals who not only needed this support but were also eager to learn. Seeing the smiles on their faces and their readiness to embrace new opportunities reaffirmed the value of my efforts and filled me with immense contentment.

Your advice to students based on your experience?

  1. Explore Non-Traditional Careers: Research and consider options beyond the conventional paths. There are abundant opportunities in nearly any field you’re passionate about. Take a leap of faith in your ideas.
  2. Internships Are Key: Pursue both academic and non-academic internships during college. They provide invaluable experiences and set you apart from other graduates.
  3. Have a Backup Plan: Sometimes, pursuing your passion right away isn’t feasible due to obligations. Start with something that enables you to pursue your passion later. For example, I needed to earn and travel, so I chose a travel-related job first. Now, I have a remote job that allows me to travel and explore other interests.
  4. Dream Big: Dreaming is the first step to achieving the unexpected. I dreamt of Harvard and hence I landed there.
  5. Embrace Risks: Don’t fear taking risks. Even failures teach valuable lessons for future success.
  6. Build Systems, Not Just Goals: As Scott Adams suggests, creating a system ensures daily progress and continuous improvement.
  7. Non-conventional paths will always have oppositions – When you are different from the herd, you have less supporters because there are less proven examples. trust yourself and the process.

Future Plans?

I want to continue being a digital nomad, traveling the world. Now, however, I am eager to work more closely with people and be a part of their transformations. After years of working with brands and software in the fashion industry, I’ve developed a keen interest in understanding how fashion impacts human lives and behavior.

Fashion and human behavior are deeply intertwined, and fashion psychology fascinates me. I believe fashion can be a powerful tool for personal transformation, helping individuals become the best versions of themselves by refining both their internal and external image.

My goal is to help people excel in their endeavors by leveraging fashion for personal growth and well-being. I am passionate about educating society on how fashion can be used as a form of therapy, promoting positive mental health and self-improvement when approached correctly.