Pooja Narula Sharma- The Entrepreneurs of India Magazine

The interior design industry has mostly provided advice to new students in fragments, with many potential professionals not knowing where to start. It was this gap that Pooja Sharma identified when she mentored young designers who constantly posed the same question to her, where do we begin. That moment of reflection gave her the seed to write her first book How to Become an Interior Designer in 90 Days. She wanted to create something that would serve as a complete guide, useful and step by step, not only covering the technical aspects of design but also the accumulated wisdom she had gathered over almost twenty years.

Over 17 years with her company Cryatif Designing, she has led more than 120 projects that range from Army clubs to luxury homes. This experience convinced her that design cannot be learned in fragments but through structure, immersion, and discipline. The book is not just a handbook. It is her way of giving back to a field that has provided her with both identity and purpose. It grows out of her belief that design can be learned by anyone who is willing to approach it with commitment. Her philosophy is that inspiration sparks the idea, while discipline shapes the masterpiece. This is why she framed the body of knowledge into a 90-day plan that feels almost like the rhythm of Army training. Structured but not overwhelming, the method makes the subject approachable for homemakers decorating their houses, students beginning their studies, and professional designers looking for quick insights to apply in practice.

Her life is defined by many roles. She is an author, a woman, an Army wife to Colonel Harish Sharma, and mother to her children Hrishooja and Hrishooj. These intimate roles naturally flow into her creative identity. They are also reflected in her future works. Her second book, When the Moon Wears Heels, celebrates womanhood, love, and relationships through poetry. The third, When Roles Become Stories, highlights true life accounts of women who have shown resilience and boldness in their choices. For her, writing is not only about expressing herself but about speaking for many whose stories deserve to be heard. She feels that when a woman writes, she tells not just her own story but the story of many.

Her writing was shaped by the strong foundation of Cryatif Designing. Every project, whether it was DSOI Meerut, Wheeler’s Club Meerut, SOI Army Air Defence College, DSOI Gopalpur, or Sea Breeze Gopalpur, gave her a new experience. These were not abstract lessons from a textbook but the lived realities of managing budgets, balancing creativity with technical demands, and delivering spaces that truly served people. That is why her book is not confined to theory but grounded in practical realities. The content comes directly from real projects, real mistakes, and real solutions.

She openly admits her own early mistakes in design, which later shaped certain chapters. Underestimating the importance of lighting, mishandling budgets, or poor planning were challenges she faced herself. Those experiences became teaching blocks in chapters like Planning Like a Pro and Decoding Construction Drawings. For her, mistakes were never failures but structures for greater designs. This makes the book not only instructive but also encouraging for beginners who often feel demotivated when they encounter their first obstacles.

The interior design industry itself is progressing quickly, and Pooja wanted her readers to be ready for that reality. Her book covers sustainability, energy efficiency, smart homes, and even the psychology of design. She believes that while timeless principles must be respected, good designers should also stay connected to modern trends and be prepared for tomorrow.

Family support was central to the realization of this book. She credits her husband Harish for supporting her through the entire process and her children for inspiring her with their energy and innocence. She also mentions her parents and sisters as pillars of encouragement. For her, family is not only emotional support but also the source of energy that drives her toward higher goals.Writing and publishing came with their own challenges. The publishing world was unfamiliar to her, with its processes and technicalities. Yet she approached it as she would a design project, researching, learning, and problem solving step by step. Every difficulty became a stepping stone that expanded her horizons rather than a barrier.

Condensing such a vast subject into 90 days required clarity and discipline. She divided the content into smaller lessons enriched with visuals, tasks, and examples that reflect everyday practice. This made the process digestible without losing depth. She believes knowledge only becomes wisdom when it is simplified without losing its essence.

Her book stands out because it brings everything together in one place. Technical know how, creative perspectives, entrepreneurial guidance, and real life examples all converge into a single guide. For homemakers, it can be a practical companion. For students, a structured course. For professionals, a ready source of inspiration. She does not see it as just a manual but as a mentor in book form.

Her success over the years has earned her recognition across India. She has received the Ace Designer Award, Young Entrepreneur Award, Mompreneur, Women Victory Award, Foxclue 100 Inspiring Women of India, Brand Icon of the Year, India Best Creator Award, and Beauty with Purpose by Kshitij Mrs. India 2023. She treasures the times she was felicitated by leaders like General Bipin Rawat, General Sanjeev Madhok, General Jaggi, General Gurmit Singh the Governor of Uttarakhand.

For her, awards are not only recognition but also responsibility to uphold trust and excellence.

She has nurtured vibrant online Facebook communities that now connect over 10 lakh organic members across platforms such as

PWFF – Parenting With Food and Fitness, She, and Indian Parenting & Learning Tribe. These communities serve as safe and inspiring spaces where women find professional empowerment and parents gain valuable guidance on effective parenting practices and progressive schooling principles.

She remains accessible to anyone who wishes to connect with her through Cryatif Designing, her website, and her social media platforms on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn. She is always open to collaborations, mentorship, and design conversations.

Her advice to aspiring designers is simple. Stay curious, stay humble, and never stop learning. Respect every artisan, client, and space you work with. Passion may ignite the journey, but discipline sustains it. For her, real achievement is not applause but the joy of people who live in the spaces you create.