Today we’d like to introduce you to Anokhi Parikh.
Hi Anokhi, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I came to the U.S. from India with my family when I was young, carrying big dreams and an even bigger sense of identity. Growing up wasn’t always easy: I was bullied in school, made fun of for my culture, my accent, the food I ate, the way I dressed. But even in those moments, I never hid who I was. I was a proud American Indian, and deep down I knew my life had a bigger purpose than just following the traditional 9–5 path.
Like any other kid chasing opportunity, I went to Georgia State University and graduated with a dual degree in Marketing and Advertising. I started my career in the corporate world, but on the side, I began quietly building my dream — Merakhi, my South Asian–inspired clothing label rooted in the idea of wearable heirlooms.
I wanted to honor the culture I came from, while also introducing it to the world I grew up in. Something that felt modern, intentional, and deeply personal — a bridge between two identities that shaped me.
Fast forward five years, Merakhi has grown into a community and a movement. We’ve been featured on Good Morning America, in Vogue and Teen Vogue Magazine, and we’ve hosted pop-ups across Atlanta — our most recent one welcomed over 600+ people.
We’re growing, evolving, and bringing South Asian culture to the forefront through fashion, storytelling, and heritage craftsmanship.
And honestly, I’m just getting started.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I look back, the struggles started long before I became a founder. Coming to the U.S. as an immigrant kid, I dealt with bullying, being made fun of for my accent, my culture, the food I brought to school — all things that today make up the heart of Merakhi. But at the time, those experiences made me question where I belonged.
Fast forward to adulthood, building Merakhi while working a full-time corporate job was its own challenge. I was learning how to design, manufacture, market, ship orders, run pop-ups, and build a brand from scratch — all without a roadmap. There were late nights, production mistakes, financial strains, moments where pieces didn’t turn out right, shipments were delayed, or pop-ups didn’t go as planned. And as a small business owner, every single setback feels personal.
There were also internal struggles — battling imposter syndrome, comparing myself to bigger brands, and navigating an industry that isn’t always welcoming to South Asian designers unless we fit a certain mold or aesthetic.
But the hardest part has been doing everything with limited resources while trying to stay true to my vision: honoring my heritage in a way that feels modern, elevated, and true to who I am.
It hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been meaningful. And every challenge has brought me one step closer to the bigger vision I’m building.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I always say I’m a marketer by profession and a CFO (Chief Fashion Officer) by choice.
By day, I’ve spent years building my career in marketing, leading digital strategy, content, and brand storytelling for various corporate roles at Yelp, Dell, and Aylo Health. But by heart, I’ve always been a creative, someone who loves blending culture, fashion, and narrative.
One of my proudest moments was seeing Merakhi featured on Good Morning America, Vogue, and Teen Vogue, and hosting a pop-up this past July where over 600 people showed up to support a small, culture-rooted brand. Moments like that remind me exactly why I started.
Most recently, I’ve expanded into a new passion project alongside my sister, AM to PM Planners, a boutique event-planning studio in Atlanta where my sister and I curate immersive, thoughtfully designed events from morning to night.
What sets me apart is my perspective.
I came to the U.S. as an immigrant and had to learn how to navigate American culture from scratch — the language, the norms, the expectations. But even with the pressure to blend in, I never tried to hide the parts of me that made me different. I didn’t shrink my accent, my traditions, or my identity to fit a mold.
Instead, I leaned into what made me, me.
Growing up between two cultures taught me how to adapt without losing myself, how to stand out with confidence, and how to create space where I belonged even when it didn’t exist yet. That ability to embrace who I am — unapologetically — is what shapes my work, my leadership style, and the way I show up in everything I do.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was the perfect blend of shy and unstoppable. I wasn’t the loudest in the room, but I was always a hustler, a quiet go-getter who put everything into whatever I did. Whether it was school, sports, or work, I showed up with discipline and drive.
I played field hockey and lacrosse in high school, which taught me teamwork and grit early on. By the time I got to college, I pushed myself even further outside my comfort zone and became president of my sorority, which really shaped my leadership style and confidence.
Even as a kid, I never waited for things to happen — I made them happen
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopmerakhi.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopmerakhi
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anokhi-parikh
Image Credits
A. CREATIVE CO for only certain images.
