Crafting Sustainable Luxury: My Summer at Paivi Enterprise

This summer, I had the opportunity to intern at Paivi Enterprise, a small yet impactful firm in India specialising in sustainable luxury. As an INSEAD MBA student with a passion for sustainability, this role was a perfect fit for my career aspirations. My time at Paivi gave me valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of working in a mission-driven company.  

At Paivi, while my primary role was in Business Development, I was also involved in product development, market analysis, and sustainability reporting. Collaborating with the R&D team on sustainable material testing was particularly challenging in my role. The rigorous testing process often led to setbacks, but these challenges offered invaluable learning opportunities. Refining testing protocols and suggesting alternative approaches, we successfully developed materials that meet sustainability and durability standards.  

My internship at Paivi reinforced the importance of embedding sustainability into every aspect of business operations. The experience also taught me the value of agility and resourcefulness, especially in a small business environment with fluid roles and limited resources. These lessons will be essential as I pursue a career in sustainable business leadership.  

One of the most rewarding experiences was seeing a product I helped develop pass its final tests and progress towards market launch.

Additionally, we participated in trade shows, where we educated consumers on sustainable luxury and highlighted the impact of our work and the growing demand for eco-friendly products.  

My time at Paivi Enterprise was a pivotal experience in my MBA journey, providing me with hands-on exposure to sustainable business practices. The support from the Hoffmann Institute at INSEAD enabled me to engage in this meaningful work fully, and I am eager to apply these lessons in my future career.  

This internship experience was supported by the INSEAD Hoffmann Institute Impact Internship Stipend and gifts from alumni.