।। The person behind the brand ।।

Nisha
Nair

Founder, Yamini Lifestyles · Aitihya & Joyera

A fauji wife who moved cities for 18 years, building a corporate career across Mumbai, Pune & Delhi while raising a family — and raising it well. A woman whose story became a chapter in the book 'Magical 40 @ 40'. The founder who turned a lifelong love for Indian craft into a movement that now touches 90+ retail destinations across India. And a fierce advocate for women entrepreneurs, artisans and the communities that sustain them.

"My aim is to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for Indian artisans from various communities across India — so their craft stands the test of time and the next generation takes it up willingly." — Nisha Nair

IIM Bangalore · NSRCEL GS10K UNESCAP · Maldives 2022 FKCCI Awardee Featured in Mid-Day Author · 'Magical 40 @ 40'

Explore Collections

Yamini Lifestyles

90+ retail
touchpoints

।। The journey ।।

How a fauji wife became
a movement-builder.

18 yrs

The foundation

Corporate life on the move

As a fauji wife, Nisha followed her husband, Army veteran Sub Maj P. Karthikeyan Nair, across postings in Mumbai, Pune and Delhi — building over 18 years of corporate experience while navigating the unique challenges of being a defence family spouse. Every city was a new beginning. Every missed opportunity shaped a resilience that would later become her superpower.

The turning point

'Magical 40 @ 40' — her story, in print

Nisha's journey as a fauji wife — the sacrifices, the resilience, the triumphs — was chronicled in the book 'Magical 40 @ 40'. A story of how, despite challenges and missed opportunities, she emerged not just intact but transformed. It was the beginning of owning her narrative on her own terms.

Joyera

Brand 01 · The seed

Joyera — jewellery for the women who move India

Nisha's first brand was born close to home — literally. Joyera was designed for defence officers' wives, women known for their impeccable fashion sense who needed jewellery that kept up with their lives. Today, Joyera is stocked at 70+ defence lifestyle stores across India, from Kashmir to Port Blair.

2022

The recognition

UNESCAP · Digital Commerce Training, Maldives

Nisha was shortlisted and sponsored to attend UNESCAP's Digital Marketing & E-Commerce training in Maldives — an acknowledgement of her potential and her brand's global readiness. It was a signal: Aitihya was ready for the world.

IIMB

The education

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women · NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore

Nisha was selected for the prestigious GS10K programme at NSRCEL, IIM Bangalore (Cohort 26) — a globally renowned Goldman Sachs initiative that didn't just sharpen her business thinking but gave her a "girl gang" of like-minded founders who have influenced many of her biggest decisions since. "The unbreakable trust and bonds formed here — I look back and these ladies have influenced so many of my decisions."

Aitihya

Brand 02 · The movement

Aitihya — Indian craft, taken to the world

With Aitihya, Nisha widened her mission beyond defence communities — to every Indian woman who wants to wear her heritage proudly. Available on Myntra, Jaypore, Shop, across Avantra and Go Native stores, at 3 airport terminals, and soon on Walmart.com and Etsy. 80+ store counters. Counting.

2025

The recognition continues

FKCCI Award · Featured in Mid-Day

Yamini Lifestyles was recognised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry and featured in Mid-Day — a reminder, as Nisha herself said, that "brands don't grow in isolation — they grow through people, patience, and shared belief." A long way ahead. And as she says: "We have just started."

।। Her philosophy ।।

What she believes in.

"My aim is to create a self-sufficient ecosystem for Indian artisans from various communities across India so that their craft stands the test of time and the next generation takes it up willingly. I need to create the bridge between them and the direct buyer — for ease of sales with good margins for all."

On the Aitihya mission

"Heritage is not meant to be preserved in silence — it is meant to be lived, loved, and carried forward with pride. It strengthens our purpose at Yamini Lifestyles — to keep taking Indian craftsmanship to the world with authenticity, dignity, and modern relevance."

On heritage & purpose

"Nine years ago, someone believed in my abilities before outcomes existed. Whenever I feel low, those memories bring me back on track. Brands don't grow in isolation — they grow through people, patience, and shared belief."

On belief & community

।। The impact ।।

Building more than a brand.

At Yamini Lifestyles, Nisha has built something that goes well beyond jewellery. She prioritises fair wages and a nurturing environment for artisans. She trains women from various communities in quality control, jewellery manufacturing and assembly — skills that uplift entire families.

She serves as Treasurer of MAWE — the Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs — not just as a mentor, but as an active leader shaping the organisation's direction. Visit MAWE → She sources materials ethically.
She partners directly with artisans — no middlemen, no factories.
She contributes to local economies — ensuring that every purchase creates a livelihood.

As she says: "My work has not only been about building a brand — it has been about uplifting communities."

90+Retail destinations pan India

200+Unique designs

2Brands built

🏛️

IIM Bangalore · GS10K · NSRCEL

Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women programme — Cohort 26. Entrepreneurship, strategy & leadership training at India's top business school.

🌏

UNESCAP · Digital Commerce · Maldives

Sponsored selection for international digital marketing & e-commerce training. Recognition of global readiness.

🏆

FKCCI Award · Women Entrepreneurs

Recognised by the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry for outstanding contribution to women-led enterprise.

📰

Featured in Mid-Day

National feature covering Yamini Lifestyles' journey — from defence family roots to 80+ store counters across India.

📚

Author · 'Magical 40 @ 40'

Her journey as a fauji wife — challenges, missed opportunities, and how she emerged as a winner — chronicled in print.

🏪

Walmart Vriddhi Graduate

Completed Walmart Vriddhi — a supplier development programme — positioning Yamini Lifestyles for global retail partnerships including Walmart.com.

🎤

Speaker & Mentor · Women Entrepreneur Advocate

Speaker at multiple entrepreneurship platforms. Passionate advocate for women in business and artisan communities across India.

🌐

IWEN · Multiple Locations & Learning Programmes

Associated with IWEN (Indian Women Entrepreneur Network) — participating in learning programmes and building cross-location entrepreneurship networks.

।। A personal note ।।

"When I started this journey, I had two things — a deep love for India's handcraft traditions, and the belief that these artisans deserved a better, more dignified path to the market. I didn't know it would become what it is today. But I knew, from the first piece I held, that this mattered.

With over 1,000+ unique designs across two brands — Aitihya and Joyera — every bangle, every jhumka, every necklace carries the story of the hands that made it. When you wear Aitihya, you are not just wearing jewellery. You are wearing a legacy. And you are helping keep it alive.

We have just started. The best is yet to come."

Nisha Nair

Founder · Yamini Lifestyles · Aitihya & Joyera · Bangalore

LinkedIn → @aitihyaindiaofficial info@aitihyaindia.com

NishaNair

How a fauji wife becamea movement-builder.

What she believes in.

Building more than a brand.

Nisha
Nair

How a fauji wife became
a movement-builder.