The Bridge That Disappears | Zainab Matkawala | TEDxChoithramSchoolIndore
What if the only way forward was through? What if the moment you stepped onto the bridge, it started disappearing behind you - forcing you to move forward or fall? In this powerful talk, Zainab shares her journey of building a nationally recognized fashion brand and expanding into international markets - with no backup plan, no guarantees, and no safety net. Through her own experiences - starting from a small city with no industry connections - she unpacks the mindset of manifestation, main character energy, and relentless execution. She reveals why most people fail - not because their dream is impossible, but because they give themselves an escape route. Her message is simple: commit fully, act relentlessly, and trust that as long as you keep walking, the path will appear. This talk is a wake-up call for anyone holding onto a Plan B, proving that the only way to win is to burn the boats and keep moving forward. Zainab Matkawala is an alumnus of Choithram International, Class of 2013 A Level Batch. Presently she is the CEO and Founder of Erised, a high-end fashion brand that has gained national recognition and is expanding into international markets. Her designs have been worn by celebrities such as Ayushmann Khurrana, Jim Sarbh, and Arjun Rampal, among others. Known for her relentless pursuit of excellence, Zainab built her brand from the ground up, refusing to settle for anything less than her vision. Her philosophy is simple: failure is only permanent if you stop—and stopping is never an option. Through years of persistence and execution, she has established Erised as a leading name in Indian fashion, now making its mark globally. Zainab brings this same no-excuses, no-backup-plan mindset for her community members, inspiring them to commit fully to their vision and push forward, no matter what obstacles stand in the way. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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