How Architect Priyanka Mangaonkar-Vaiude's Venture Shifts All-Round Learning Perspectives For Kids

Priyanka Mangaonkar-Vaiude's in-depth study of architecture helped her understand India's rich traditional and cultural heritage and how supporting these can have a positive social and economic impact. This was one of the key factors for initiating her current venture, Toy Trunk, a toy manufacturing and selling company that not just shifts ways of learning for children but also bridges the gap between parents and local artisans.

In an interview with SheThePeople, Priyanka Mangaonkar-Vaiude talks about her venture's vision, the gaps in education systems, and why bridging sustainability and modes of learning is the need of the hour.

Priyanka Mangaonkar Vaiude Interview

What led you to become an architect?

I joined architecture because of my passion for design and creativity. I felt as an Architect we have the opportunity to design buildings and spaces that can improve the quality of life for individuals and communities. The interdisciplinary nature of this field where one get a basic understanding of materials, construction, and engineering as well as an appreciation for arts culture and aesthetics fascinated me the most. After finishing my graduation, I perused a master’s in Interior Architecture and Design where my subject of specialisation was crafts and Technology.

What were the challenges you initially faced starting your entrepreneurial journey and what are the current challenges?

Starting a toy company was an exciting and challenging venture. As the current toy market is very competitive, a new company like ours found it very challenging to gain brand visibility and establish its foothold in the market. This is a continuous process that is still going on today.

Money management is a challenge. Our company is bootstrapped with limited funds. One needs to be selective in budgeting and take logical decisions on where to use capital. This is a learning process that happens with each experience.

Manufacturing and supply chain management is another challenge in this sector. Since the products are handmade, turnaround time is high. This creates bottlenecks if not managed carefully.

The long work hours and constant pressure to perform wear out even the most passionate entrepreneurs. This can lead to rash decisions if you don't have help to rationalize your decision. Balancing quality and growth is a challenge. Since many alternative products made of plastic or cheaper quality materials are available for a lesser price it becomes challenging to stick to our guns. But with our principles in place, we always make the correct choices. With careful planning, hard work, and perseverance we have overcome some of these challenges and are moving forward to make this a brand that people will love.

What sets Toy Trunk apart from its competitors?

We have been exploring various early learning and child development philosophies before establishing Toy Trunk rather than following anyone. From the moment any child is born they constantly make use of their five senses to explore and learn about their surroundings. During this period providing them with the right tools/ toys at the right age is very important for them to achieve various developmental milestones. At Toy Trunk, we design tools/toys to achieve these various developmental milestones.

While designing them we focus on using only sustainable materials like wood, fabric, and paper and we do not promote the use of any chemical-based material like plastic, silicon etc.

How do you plan to revolutionise the Indian market with growth plans at the company?

Firstly it’s important to understand the needs and preferences of the Indian toy market. The toy market in India is unique and diverse, with a mix of traditional toys and modern gadgets. Toy companies must understand the cultural significance of certain toys and how one can incorporate them into their product offerings.

Secondly, as we know toys play an important role in the development of the child in the primary years of their development. Toys are important tools which aid them to achieve their various developmental milestones. Hence providing such educational toys that aid in the cognitive and social development of children is important. And hence we design and develop such age-specific developmental toys.

Many traditional toy craft clusters in India use natural materials that are biodegradable and eco-friendly. Looking at the current environmental concerns we are focused on working with these craft clusters for making sustainable and eco-friendly toys that align with the growing global consciousness towards the environment. By doing this we wish to reduce the environmental impact of the toy manufacturing industry.

Also, partnering with local toy manufacturers and Indian artisans can help create job opportunities and boost the local economy. By sustaining these crafts, we can ensure that they are preserved for future generations and that India's rich cultural heritage is not lost. By implementing these strategies, we wish to revolutionize the Indian toy market and offer a wide range of high-quality and culturally relevant toys to Indian consumers.

What more do you suggest countries and education systems can adopt when it comes to the all-around development of children going beyond textbooks?

I feel education should not be kept limited to textbooks, exams and academic knowledge. There are many other aspects of child development which are equally important, especially during the early developmental years which are defined as birth to 8 years. Developing an emotionally, physically socially strong and confident child is equally important.   Don’t be in a hurry to start their formal education during these early developmental years. Invest in programs that focus on social-emotional learning, language and literacy development, and play-based learning.

Play-based learning is an approach to education that emphasizes the importance of play in children's development and learning. It involves using play activities to teach and reinforce various skills and concepts, rather than relying solely on traditional classroom instruction.

Play-based learning is essential in early childhood development as it helps children to develop a wide range of skills, including problem-solving, creativity, social skills, language development, and emotional regulation.

When children engage in play, they are actively exploring, experimenting, and making sense of the world around them. Play-based learning can be spontaneous and self-directed, allowing children to follow their interests and passions and learn at their own pace.

It is also beneficial for children's physical development. When children engage in active play, they develop gross motor skills, strength, coordination, and balance. Fine motor skills are also developed when children engage in activities such as drawing, painting, and building with blocks.

Moreover, it promotes positive attitudes towards learning, as children are motivated to learn when they are having fun and enjoying themselves. It helps children to develop a sense of curiosity and wonder, which can inspire a lifelong love for learning. Teaching them how to learn is more important than actual learning.

Thankfully the new education policy (NEP) has given more importance to these aspects of learning. This approach can promote children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, and can foster a love for learning that can last a lifetime.

You’re changing the way society comprehends the meaning of toys for children. Working with artisans to develop non-toxic, eco-friendly toys, you’re also paving way for an integral conversation about sustainability. How did this materialise?

Yes, I always wanted to work with Artisans to develop my toys. Studying and revival of Indian art and craft was my subject for post-graduation. In this course, we were taught about how diverse and rich our Indian craft culture is. India has a rich tradition of handicrafts that have been passed down through generations and are an important part of the country's cultural heritage and economy. Indian Craftsperson is valued and known for their skill, creativity and patience.

These craft forms not only preserve traditional techniques and skills but also serve as a source of income for many people in rural areas. But due to advancements in technology, their relevance in today’s time is slowly decreasing.  To establish this fact I was writing a research paper for an International conference organised by IIT Mumbai. In this research paper, I had taken an example of a Sawantwadi wooden toy craft. So, while writing the conclusion me and my co-author thought of actually checking the viability of points that we had suggested as a solution. That is how the idea of redesigning Indian traditional toy craft as per current market needs was born.

As a leader in business, how do you suggest the Indian market can empower more women in leadership positions?

To empower women in leadership positions, it is essential to provide them with &t=264s">equal opportunities and support their career growth. This can include offering leadership development programs, mentoring and coaching, and a flexible work arrangement to accommodate their personal and professional responsibilities is essential. This can include pairing women with senior leaders who can offer guidance and support, providing leadership training and development programs, and creating networking opportunities for women to connect with other leaders in their fields. This will also help women develop the skills and confidence they need to succeed in leadership roles.

Offering flexible work arrangements, such as remote work and flexible schedules, can help women balance their work and personal responsibilities, which can be a barrier to career advancement.  Encouraging diversity and inclusion in the workplace can help in creating balance.

What advice would you give aspiring women entrepreneurs?

Having a mentor in the initial period of building up your business is very important. Look for someone who has experience in your industry and who can guide you through the challenges of building a business. Identify your strengths and focus on them. Delegate tasks that are not in your area of expertise to others who can handle them more effectively. This will help you to save a lot of your time in doing the right tasks using your strengths.

For developing your business it’s essential to build your network. Try to attend various events and conferences happening around you. This helps in building relationships, partnerships and collaborations which help to grow your business.

And at the end, I would also like to say that whenever needed do ask for help or advice. There is nothing wrong with it.

Suggested reading: About Time We Set Ecosystems For Women Professionals To Succeed: Social Entrepreneur Dr Saundarya Rajesh