MarksDzyn Interview: Affordable Interior Design by Ashish Dhingra

Taruna Sharma

lifeandmore.in spoke to Ashish Dhingra, founder of MarksDzyn, about his transition from private banking in Singapore to launching a successful interior design firm in India. Excerpts from an interview:

How tough was the decision to leave a private banking job in Singapore and jump into business?

The decision was actually easy, though it took time to convince my family. I had worked over nine years as a private banker with ANZ Bank Singapore, but having graduated from the School of Planning & Architecture, I always had a strong interest in interior design.

The design and construction industry is fast-growing, and I saw a gap for an affordable, transparent, and system-driven platform using technology and digitization. For me, even if I was 50% sure, I would take the challenge. Here I was much more than 50%, so the decision was clear. I couldn’t live with the regret of not doing it!

Is yours a business family or a family of professionals?

I belong to a family of professionals. My father is an engineering graduate from IIT Roorkee, and my mother is a fashion designer. My sister heads HR at BMW India, and my wife owns a clothing brand with stores in Delhi/NCR. In our family, free thinking and personal choice have always been encouraged.

How did your family react to your career change?

The challenge was more about leaving Singapore and moving back to Delhi, adjusting to a new environment, school admissions for kids, housing, etc. But in terms of career, I had full support from my wife and family. Once you commit fully to something, everything starts falling into place.

Your start-off prices are low — Rs 5,000 per room. How do you manage that?

Many clients hesitate to hire designers due to high costs but don’t want to hire local contractors because of personal involvement. Our low design cost removes hesitation and promotes transparency.

We standardize processes, use technology, and leverage talented designers to deliver quality services at affordable rates. Pricing is designed around service delivery, not profits. Our packages include modular kitchens, storage solutions, and on-site construction, ensuring high-quality results.

Can you explain your work process?

Sure. Suppose you want us for a living room:

1. Initial Consultation: Free meeting with a designer
2. Design Presentation: Customized PowerPoint with design ideas and budget
3. Sign-Up: Pay the per-room design fee upfront (no registration fee)
4. Design Timeline: 7 days for a single room, unlimited revisions
5. Construction Services (Optional): BOQ at Rs 1,000 per room; advance 35% required
6. Financial Assistance: Available via bank tie-ups

Our process emphasizes clarity, transparency, and efficiency.

How do you plan to reach the masses?

Through advertising, online presence, and word-of-mouth. We’ve completed over 300 projects since 2012, giving us a strong operational and human resource base. Currently, we focus on digital marketing to expand reach and build a strong reputation through satisfied clients.

Can you share some client experiences?

• Vasant Kunj, Delhi: Completed a full-home project in 55 days; designs finalized in 3 weeks. Client praised our pricing transparency and construction system.
• Anju Modi, Hyderabad: Retail interior completed on time and featured in media. Client appreciated our design process and efficiency.

What’s common is that we build lasting relationships, always delivering more than expected.