Hidden Reflections: A Team that is Giving Mysore a Design Makeover

Not so hidden away in the Palace city of Mysore, Nikhil Furtado runs Hidden Reflections, a one stop shop for printing and designing solutions specialising in all types of printing, designing, merchandising, marketing and media solutions for events, businesses, organisations, causes and individuals.

“I started off in my first year of engineering, just when college started and the journey has been one hell of a ride. I started off designing as a hobby and as time progressed it turned into a full blown company as I started adding more and more services and products to our portfolio and the team started growing”, shares Nikhil, Founder, Hidden Reflections, also a 3rd year engineering student at Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, Mysore. Taking his hobby forward, Nikhil decided to start his own venture backed by the support of his college and Entrepreneurship Cell - Aspera.

Hidden Reflections consists of a team of 15 people including Nikhil. Catering to everyone right from the college level to top level executives in companies, Hidden Reflections takes pride in the USP of being a one stop solution for any marketing, promotional, or event related activity. “Our USP is our sophisticated designs and the fact that we are one stop shop for any marketing and promotional activities. We take utmost care to tend to the needs of our clients and make sure we exceed their expectations”, adds Nikhil.So how do they get the word out about the awesome job that they do? They do a lot of online promotion apart from the college ambassadors in each college who promote their brand. They have received many clients through word of mouth and Nikhil adds that his large network of friends has also helped.

Like any other entrepreneur with their share of ups and downs, Nikhil has had his fair share too. Well the major challenge for any student entrepreneur is being a 'student' and an 'entrepreneur' at the same time. “But i guess that's where the thrill lies! Juggling business and classes, friends and clients, that's one of the toughest tasks of being a student entrepreneur. I owe a great part of my success to all the positive support from my parents, friends and faculty”, he exclaims.

The true mark of success is the recognition that others give you, for it adds to the credibility of your startup. Hidden Reflections had been a part of the TATA NEN First Dot held in Chennai in Jan 2012. Nikhil Furtado also made it to the regional finals of The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards held at Kolkata in August of this year.As for the best parts of being a student entrepreneur, Nikhil seems to like “meeting new people, discovering new opportunities, the fame and recognition and in my case the free entry to events I handle :P ”