In this edition of Insights Success, we present ‘Empowered Women in Business.’ These women of substance are learned, understand the problems around them and are ready to offer solutions from wherever they are.
1. EMPOWERED
WOMEN
IN BUSINESS
“CASTING IS THE
BACKBONE OF A
SHOW BECAUSE
WITHOUT PROPER
CASTING YOUR
SHOW WILL
NOT RUN
www.insightssuccess.in
VOL-11 ISSUE-06 2020
”
2.
3.
4. LOCKDOWN AND
WOMEN AT WORK
he pandemic and the ensuing lockdown have
Tmeant unemployment to a large population.
This, in addition, to the already prevalent
unemployment issue in the country. While the
economic condition has been going downhill, the
prices of essential commodities have been on the rise.
These have just added to the reasons why double
incomes are becoming a necessity.
The economic demands today make it imperative that
both the men and the women in the house contribute
to the family income. This increases the
responsibilities of the women who are expected to
balance household work as well and give proper
attention to other members of the family. So, most of
5. From the
EDITOR
the women entrepreneurs try to make it through,
not just with their education but skills as well.
These skills include basic ones like cooking and
sewing to expert skills like grooming or designer
pastry making. Most of them are operated from
home if space permits else out of a nearby rented
space that serves the dual purpose of work and
proximity from home. In this lockdown when many
white-collared men lost their job, these home-
grown women entrepreneurs made sure that life
does not stall.
However, some business or rather service
providers, did suffer like salons because close
human contact needs to be avoided these days.
And though in such businesswomen are taking the
necessary precautions, it will take time to regain
normalcy. For others, a quick shift to technology-
based services was imminent. So, we had a home-
chef serving up her neighbourhood through orders
received on messenger apps. Or the nearest
boutique suddenly went online delivering the
latest in fashion.
Overall, the pandemic has proved that to realize
their entrepreneurial dream, women need skill,
some time and technology. In this edition of
Insights Success, we present ‘Empowered Women
in Business.’ These women of substance are
learned, understand the problems around them
and are ready to offer solutions from wherever
they are.
Sneha Sinha
sneha@insightssuccess.com
7. Aditi Gupta
Handcrafting Hope,
Happiness and Bliss
20
Archita Chandra
Providing a Platform for
Self-Sufficient Women
22
Ddevjani Mitra
Helping People Discover and
Manifest their Original Self
26
Devyani Neral
A Powerful
Motivational Speaker
28
Divyaa Doraiswamy
Keeping Traditional
Learning Alive
32
Karuna Ahuja
Leading by Example
34
Gender Bender
What’s More to
Gender-Neutral Workforce
Articles
30
Masters of the Game
Own the World:
How women are redefining
the business world!
44
8. Meghna Joshi
Helping with Skills for
Better Opportunities
38
Nikita Anita Sundaram
Bringing the Best of
Technology in Sports
40
Pooja Gupta
A Perfect Blend of
Social Entrepreneurship
and Ingenious Mindset
42
Pooja Singh
Striving to
Provide Quality
Optometric Solutions
46
Rama Ravee Titti
Facilitating People Transformation
48
Rishika Inamdar
Enhancing your Brand Value
50
Sahiba Singh Dhupar
Helping People Realise
their Best Self
52
D SAI PRIYA
Helping Make a Healthy
and Happy World
56
Sheeba Samuel
Defining Her own Success
58
10. Brief
Company Name
Shreenaari
shreenari.com
Ddevjani Mitra
Founder & Director
JS GROUPS
Divyaa Doraiswamy
Founder
Karuna Ahuja
Founder
Nikita Sundaram
Founder & Regional
Head- India
Janet’s Casting Hub
janetscastinghub.com
Chrom Consulting
chromconsulting.com
Gurukulam - The Shloka
Learning Centre
shlokapreneurdivyaa.
com
Aditi Gupta, Business
Growth & Anchor
D. Sai Priya
Proprietor
Janet Ellis Prajapti
Founder & Casting
Director
Archita Chandra
Co-founder
Meghna Joshi
Founder & CEO
Odicy Sports Solutions
Pvt Ltd
odicy.biz
I-GLAM
iglam.in
Aditi Gupta looks after the business growth and archor duties at
AllMyCraft, which is a popular platform for creators of all kind
to help with their three D(s)- Discover, Design and Deliver.
Archita Chandra co-founded Shreenari, a powerful community
for women entrepreneurs. Shreenari is an ecosystem where
every woman can earn and grow with infinite possibilities.
Along with that, Archita has co-founded and managed various
other ventures.
D Sai Priya is the proprietor for JS groups. She started her own
business of Hanni’s brand beauty and personal care products
under the company name JS Groups.
Ddevjani Mitra is the Director at I-Glam, the perfect institution
for all those who want to make it big in the modeling, fashion,
grooming and pageants industry.
Divyaa – an economist, “Shlokapreneur”, writer and
“sochcaster” is the founder of Gurukulam – the Shloka learning
centre in Banglore, which caters to kids across the globe.
Janet Ellis Prajapati is the casting director for Savdhan India,
Fear Files, Adalat, Anamika, Maharana Pratap, and many hit
TV shows too. Her company also helps train to be fashion
model, how to form professional portfolio among other things.
Karuna is an accomplished global HR leader, coach,
entrepreneur and author. Her motto is to build inspiring
organisations, leaders and careers.
SWAN Livelihood
pvt. limited
swanlivelihood.co.in
Meghna founded SWAN Livelihood, a startup based in Delhi,
that aims at enhancing the skill sets of the youth from all
sections of the society. Specialize in designing training
programs and counseling sessions.
Nikita is the founder of Odicy sports solutions in 2019 to deal
with the development of sports and esports sector using latest
technology.
AllMyCraft
allmycraft.com
Management
11. Brief
Company Name
Resolution
roseklens.com
Rishika, Virtual
Assistant and
Head Writer
Thee Shiksha Group
rrtitti.com
Sahiba Singh Dhupar
Paysquare
paysquare.com
Self-employed
Pooja Gupta
Founder
Rama Ravee Titti
Founder & Director
Sheeba Samuel
Heading Corporate
Relations
Pooja Singh, Consultant
Optometrist
and Business Development
Manager
OfficeCraft VA
officecraft-virtualas
sistant.com
Pooja Gupta launched Nimbark Brand with a complete range of
organic kitchen, grocery as well as health products under
Himalaya Bio Organic Pvt Ltd, adhering to strict norms of
USDA, Indian Organics, Apeda etc.
Pooja graduated from AIIMS, New Delhi, and is a consultant
optometrist for speciality contact lens since 2010. She has been
a trainer and educator for speciality lenses and has spoken at
various national conferences as an instructor; also has been a
co-educator of Menicon since 2013.
Rama Ravee Titti has 15 years experience in public speaking,
event management and talk shows, English speaking,
personality development, child counseling and personal
guidance.
Rishika has over 17 years experience of
administrative/secretarial experience where she has worked
closely with directors and chair-persons to help manage and
ease their workload. Her articulate business acumen in corporate
content writing, proofreading, editing, and PR write-ups.
Sahiba is a communication skills trainer, image consultant and
etiquette coach. She also helps her clients with executive
presence and personal branding.
Sheeba Samuel is responsible for all strategic planning, account
management, and the overall success of Paysquare’s
relationship with 1000+ assigned client accounts in all
operation centers.
Nimbark Organic
nimbarkfoods.com
Management
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
14. kay, so acting is your passion,
Oyou have got talent and are
desperately waiting to start
off your career or to get that much
desired break. But you are unsure and
sceptical about casting directors, either
because of past experiences or because
of the most tabooed word in the
entertainment industry – Casting
Couch.
Put all your inhibitions and fears at
rest, because the personality in focus
manages a credible casting agency
where artists realise their dreams and
the directors and producers are content
with the work.
A well-known name in the
entertainment industry, particularly in
television, Janet Ellis-Prajapati is
well-respected and most sought-after
casting director by virtue of her innate
qualities like giving 100 percent to
whatever she undertakes, adamance
about quality work, delivering in time
and strict professionalism. Janet’s
Casting Hub LLP not only does the
casting but also manages the profiles of
artists while they are working on the
projects.
It all began in the late 1990s when little
did this electronic engineer realise that
her career was snaking into an
altogether different territory that would
later become her passion.
Born and brought up in the
cosmopolitan township of Hindustan
Aeronautics Ltd, Nashik division
where people across the country and
Russians resided, she was fortunate to
have holistic development. And her
career was already decided by the
degree she acquired.
“After I completed my engineering
degree, I worked in HAL. I took
internship for couple of weeks, but I
could not continue because I felt that
that was not my line. I somehow felt
that there was lot creativity that was
lacking and something that I wanted
more than what I was doing,” narrates
Janet.
Eventually she started looking for
work and got a job related to
computers. It was there that changed
her fate forever.
“It was not an office related to
entertainment. There was this senior
gentleman Radhakrishnan who
suggested that I should get into
working for actors and financing stuff
and PROs,” she shares. “The company
closed down after a month of my
joining and I was high and dry. I said
okay to him. He told me don’t worry I
will introduce you to some people who
are good enough and do financing for
the film industry. I agreed. I was a
young girl full of life, are and wanted
to do something extra in life…. with
the dreams that every youngster has.
That is the period in life when a
youngster decides whether he/she
makes it or does not make it. It is all
about the dream that you to follow. I
wanted to make it big. I wanted to
make the dream to come true and I
wanted the world to know who I was,”
she says passionately.
And by God’s grace that is what
happened eventually - the dream came
true. It was a big struggle.
Radhakrishnan introduced her to some
people who were handling finances for
films. Janet began bridging gaps
between the financers and the film
people.
But again, she became restless. She did
not like what she was doing though it
fetched good money.
“I felt more like an agent. I did not
enjoy that. I wanted something where
people would look up to me or come to
me and not me going to everybody,
waiting here waiting there. It was not
what I really wanted. I kept meeting
some people and lot of people began to
appreciate my work and my
spontaneity. Back then we did not have
mobile phones. We had pagers and
landlines. But I was spontaneous in
connecting people,” says Janet going
down the memory line.
She continues narrating with the
excitement of a teenager how the
events that followed gave her the
creativity that she was craving for
since long.
Quick facts –
- A casting director for over 50
shows
- Includes all genres from
historical to mythological to
fiction to reality-based shows
- Her most popular shows are
Vighnaharta Ganesh,
Hanuman, Jhansi Ki Rani, Veer
Shivaji Maharaj, Maharana
Pratap, Rudra ke Rakshash,
Kaal Bhairav, Adaalat, Ashoka,
Bitto and Maniben.com,
Savdhan India, amongst
others.
- Launched stars like Ulka
Gupta, Avika Gor, Tunisha
Sharma, Nirbhay Wadhwa,
Vishal Jethwa, Ashnoor Kaur,
Paras Arora, Roshni Walia
among many others
There is a very
thin line between
web series and
web films and
films.
‘
‘ ‘
‘
15. “One person introduced me to director-
producer Inder Kumar and told me that
they were doing this Hindi film called
Mann. He said, ‘Why don’t you figure
it out and check with them? They want
actors.’ I did that. Inder Kumar said he
wanted hell lot of actors. I did Mann,
Kyun ho gaya na pyaar, etc Back then
there was nothing known as casting
director. There were only the producers
and directors and the coordinators who
used to work for the actors. So, I
started working on that ground and I
started getting lot of offers for ad films.
I did big ads. I did Shahid Kapoor’s
first ad, Shah Rukh Khan on the train
dancing to the tune of Chhaiyya
Chhaiyya. There are so many to name.
It was then that I really realised I am
doing a good job,” she shares.
Her journey to fame began then
onwards. This was in 1997 where she
started taking up everything on her
own. In 1999, she was approached by
Sanjay Khan Productions, which was
the biggest break that led to an
unending flow of work, success and
fame.
“That is the first time Khan said that he
needed a casting director for his show
known as Jannat on Doordarshan and
also for Maharathi Karan. I said okay
but at that point of time was 8-9
months pregnant. I told them I was full
pregnant. He said it does not matter ‘I
heard you are a good casting person’. I
said I cannot do the coordination part.
He said, ‘no you be the casting
director’. That was my first journey as
a casting director and I became the first
female television casting director in
India,” she recollects vividly.
She had to take a sabbatical due to
childbirth after which she joined
Contiloe as a casting director and did
wonders behind the scenes for those on
screen.
“That is when I did my biggest shows
like Phir Koi Hai, Jhansi ki Rani,
Maharana Pratap, Ashoka,
Maniben.com, and many others. By the
grace of God, I have been a super hit
because I was one casting director who
used to fight and say that she/he is the
one, please reconsider. So instead of
getting angry on me the producers and
directors used to feel happy. My
producers Roopali and Abhimanyu
Singh were quite supportive, and they
helped me from that part of life to a
very bigger one where I got a huge
recognition and did one of the best
shows with them. Then I started getting
lot of films and other things,” she says
humbly.
“Today again I really want to thank
Jesus that I am doing one of the best
web series with one of the best
production houses, I am doing ad films,
I am doing films, I am doing serials
and most of the ones which I am doing
is for the best of people of the industry.
That is how it started off and that is
how it is continuing,” smiles a content
Janet.
No work is bad if you
are doing it right.
‘
‘
‘
‘
16. But she is still waiting for a big break
in films, although, she has always been
doing them.
“I have not yet got the path breaking
thing where my name is pitching up,
because lot of time there is already a
casting director linked to the company
and they take help from us but their
name features and my name does not
feature. Now I am yet waiting for that
opportunity. I have done couple of
films which are to be released where
my name is featured and lot of actors
who I launched are there. One is,
Vishal Jethwa who did TV serial
Maharana Pratap, and then Hindi film
Mardaani 2. There are lot of people
who I launched in TV are doing big
time in films,” says Janet proudly.
She adds that there are many A grade
films where her name has featured but
there are also lot of A plus films where
she sent casting, but her name has not
been featured because the name of the
casting director already exists. But that
is irrelevant, she says.
“My name featured in Mann, Kyun ho
gaya na pyaar, Direct Ishq, Taxi Driver
and many others and some lesser-
known films.”
Janet and her husband Bhavesh
Prajapati also co-produced a film that
was directed and co-produced by
Rowdy Rathod Productions, Silence of
Sleep. The film was aired in the Cannes
Film Festival, 2017.
Being consistently popular particularly
with majorly male bastion in the
casting business is no mean feat.
Janet explains that being in this
industry for over two decades is a
prima facie thing for her success and
that she is very known in the television
industry.
“In films, I still have to make a huge
mark. But I am sure I will very soon,
2021 is going to be the time. Now I
have entered into web series which is
again by God’s grace doing very good.
I am working with good production
houses and I am doing quite a few web
series which are big names already.
Secondly, I find there is zero
Did you know?
- While casting Ulka Gupta for
Rani Laxmibai’s childhood
character she questioned
about the competency of the
child star, but Janet was
stood firm on her choice and
managed to convince the
directors and producers. The
rest is history.
- Her speciality includes
thorough scanning of aspiring
artistes. The chosen artistes
are given workshops in which
they get to polish their skills
and fit
17. competition between males and
females. The reason is people tend to
feel more comfortable with females,
more secure with females especially
the girls and the children and parents.
Boys on the other hand feel that they
can trust a woman’s words rather than
the men. But it is a struggle,” she
shares.
In the initial stages though she was
among the first casting directors, she
was always on the top position. Back
then it was not about a male or female
climbing up there.
“I am yet standing at that position. So,
it is much easier for me to not really
have a great competitor. But it was not
about other casting directors; it was
other people like some producers and
directors who think that women are not
made to do any job. I come from that
system since 1999 where women were
given glamorous roles only, you cannot
do anything else. That is the mentality
of people. I met lot of people. I told
them that it is not about glamour
quotient it is about having brains and
strive hard to work for what you want
and what you want to achieve,” she
says.
With no background in the industry
and for one who came here by chance
but made most of it through hard work
and confidence, it was not cakewalk.
“My work gave me recognition and it
gave me more work. For one show I
did I was approached by 10 people.
That hit show gave me another show.
My success led to another success and
so on. But the struggle is there for each
show even today after more than 20
years. I have to prove myself. I got into
a web series for a very big production
house. I was literally interviewed for it.
I was asked to make a power point
presentation to prove what kind of
casting I could provide for a web
series. The challenge is yet there. By
the grace of God, they loved the PPT
and signed me for the show. I am
already done with the casting for them.
We had a final meeting with the
broadcasters, and I am waiting for the
results to come in. Lot of actors are
cast in it and they have already
informed that they are very happy with
me and so they would be giving two
more series,” she reveals.
For someone who started off all
alone, having a dedicated team
has been a big relief. She refers
to them as her kids working
with her for 12-15 years.
“Yes, I have a very strong team.
They are part of my success.
When I was doing shows like
Savdhan India I used work for
eight production houses at one
shot. I used to go crazy doing it.
I used to literally start from 4
am-5 am and sleep at 2 am. I
used to sleep for only 2-3 hours.
For one-and-a-half years I did
Savdhan but then I had to give
up after one point of time
because my body was also not
taking it. Any person I used to
look at I used to think he was a
criminal. I started getting
mentally affected because of the
stories that I had to read and
work on it You deeply get into it. That
was very difficult,” Janet shares.
She continues, “Then I started having
assistants I had my camera’s eyes, I
had my editing guys, casting call guys.
Today I have a complete set of people
who handle the web pages, the
auditions, the mock shoots, the
costumes, the creativity, the casting,
the audition calls and stuff like that. I
am quite sorted at that front, but the
calls are all mine to reach to the
clients.”
Now it is easier because everything is
done on the phone and online. It is like
a cakewalk, she says.
With no plans to be in this field and
with no filmy background, obviously
there was scepticism in the family.
Initially her parents were shocked and
asked why after doing engineering she
wanted to be in the film line.
No one can be a hero
overnight. Do not spend
your money giving to
so-called casting
directors charging
money and promising
to cast you on
well-known channels.
Genuine casting
directors do not charge
money; they only look
at the talent.
‘
‘
‘
‘
18. “Basically, people do not understand
that it is not film line. It is media line.
Film is different line. I told dad not to
worry and that I was not going into
film line but into ads and television.
Though coincidentally I did films after
ads. My parents were very sceptical at
first. But I remember my parents
telling me one thing, especially my
father who told me very clearly, ‘We
trust you completely. We know you
will not do anything that will bring
disgrace to our family or to us.’ I told
them trust me, rest is assured”.
Her brother James flew from New
Zealand and checked the work she was
doing and how she was doing it. He
was very supportive and also got her
an office on rent with his money.
“Without that also I would not be able
to work because at that point of time I
wanted to establish everything myself
and he was one major support who
gave me the first rentals and money for
office stuff. He said let us see how
things work. I was given three months’
time. They said if I could work it out it
would be great, if not, I could always
go back home and look out for other
jobs. But I was bent upon, ‘No way,
not going to any other line, I know
where my heart lies’. In the first month
itself I made not only lot of money, lot
of success, lot of projects but I did
couple of ads that paid me really good.
At that time, we had black and white
TV. When those ads used to come on
air, I used to tell my mom and dad that
is my ad. Back then, we did not have
pictures on mobile to show them. But
my parents had come for the Thums
Up ad, my brother had come for
another ad. So, they have seen me
working and they said it does not seem
as bad as the world says. No work is
bad if you are doing it right,” Janet
explains.
Once she gained their confidence, they
supported her and there was no looking
back after that. Till date they support
her in everything. But she had her
share of downfalls, and lots of them.
“In our industry many times there were
strikes and what not. During this
corona virus time there was complete
shutdown not for only the media but
for everyone and it has not been easy at
all. But I have always been a fighter. If
I take up something, I want to do it, or
else I will not even go that way. If I go
that way, I want to complete it. That is
one thing that parents teach you that if
you do it complete it, never leave
anything half done. So, I never leave
anything half done,” Janet emphasises.
Having her better half in this business
has been a big blessing as well. He is
an IT expert and helps her in
everything. He handles the commercial
part.
“I am handling casting, so I have
enough of headache. He handles the
commercial for all the other companies
I am working for. He works over the
IT. Everything now is digital, handling
auditions etc. Even previously when
there was none of these digital
platforms, getting the recordings done,
putting them on tapes and getting them
delivered were headaches taken care of
by him. Now, my son Reuben has
entered this industry. So now he is
another big help for me,” says Janet.
One would be amazed at how this
super busy bee balances duties towards
her family, parents, in-laws, seeing that
their special days are celebrated in a
special manner, keeping in touch with
friends while at the same time not
letting work get affected.
Revealing about the secret to her
wholesome life, she says, “I am very
much a family person. I am not a party
animal. I don’t mind partying as long
as it is with family and friends but after
some part of time in life, I realised that
there are people who will fall at your
feet, do everything and after they
become big names, they will not deny
you but at the end of the day they will
avoid you so that they don’t have to be
embarrassed in front of others. This
they do even after giving them a big
launch. I realised al Thumps Up l this
is just dikhawa (superficial). Jo
apnapan hai, pyaar hai wo apne sage
mein hi hai… They are family, friends
who can do anything for you and who
you can do anything for and yes even I
have been in spot when at times I could
not do anything for the family,
husband, child or in-laws but at the
- A casting director is one who
understands the character and
places actors in every single
way as per the role. The person
has to be very defined. We
select the character and
personality as per the
requirement of the role and the
channel after thorough scrutiny.
We have that eye to catch the
right actor and as per the
requirement of the channel.
After selecting an actor, we also
know what kind of training
he/she needs and we give the
training accordingly.
Casting is the
backbone of a
show because
without proper
casting your
show will not
run.
‘
‘ ‘
‘
19. same time I have been having their
support in everything always. So,
wherever I can I try to give my 101
percent as a wife, as a mother, as a
daughter, as a sister, as a daughter-in-
law. Somehow, I happen to be very
good in dividing time for everyone. I
do tell a lot of ‘yes’ and ‘no’ but I
learnt it the hard way though.”
Talking about the repercussions of
Covid-19, she says that though it has
not been easy for many with all shoots
halted, she enjoyed family time.
“Our shoots started from July with
Pinjra on Colours TV, for Saurabh
Tiwari. We started working from June
itself when our team used to come to
the office in day-wise but we did not let
actors come in. I enjoyed Covid
vacation for two months and later 10-
15 days of Covid holiday. I enjoyed a
lot during those days with family,
cooking, doing other things. I have lot
of animals, and pets. I get them saved
from all other places. I enjoyed with
them. I really needed that break to
spend quality time with my family with
my animals and do lot of things I think
were must. But I know there are people
who were suffering, and I feel sorry for
them,” says Janet.
All her family members are animal
lovers. If they find any on the street,
they bring them home and start looking
after them.
“After some time, everyone came to
know we are animal lovers and lot of
people bring animals to us – with
maggots, injured in accident, broken
leg etc. We are there to take care. I
have good team who takes care of
cleaning up, cooking and everything.
As of now we have 15 dogs and some
cats. My plot area is 5000 sq ft out of
which on 2500 sq ft is my office and
rest is for animals,” she says.
In addition to pets, she is also taking
care of 30 children of an orphanage
close to her place.
With her eyes set on the future she says
that there is no going back now and
that though 2020 is almost gone, 2021
is going to be quite big for her because
of the shows she is already doing, web
series she is already doing and where
she is foraying.
“I know they are all big ones. I am
working with Ding Entertainment that
is one of the big production houses and
great to work with. Hence, very soon I
am crossing the mark of being a much
bigger casting director. I am also
looking at doing international work
which already I have done to some
extent,” she concludes.
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21.
22. Handcrafted items are not just pieces of décor but a
tell-tale sign of emotions, beliefs, the story of its
origin and more. We might be dependent on
machines for almost everything, however, it is hard for us to
say no to the rustic, earthy and old-world charm that
handcrafted items add to our lives.
Aditi Gupta, Co-founder, allmycraft.com brings these
tokens of emotions from artisans to customers. Here’s how:
Take our readers through your professional journey?
After achieving a professional degree of qualified Chartered
Accountant, it was indeed very exciting for me to step into the
corporate world through campus placement in the banking
industry and particularly in the Risk Division.
The role was challenging though exciting. I was growing at
above-normal speed and was enjoying the recognition during
the course. During the stint of around 13 years in the banking
sector, I realized that people around me were busy climbing
up the professional ladder but deep inside had a void and were
not connected to their own people. This void was making
them lose the sense of joy in life and they were searching
happiness in pseudo things. Seeing all this was quite
disturbing for me (as I personally am a very grounded fellow
and an ardent believer of the fact that deeper the roots,
stronger are the fruits),
With the feeling of contributing to society, allmyCraft.com
was born. However, I continue to CA practice as well.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
Before starting allmyCraft
• Coming from a traditional Indian family, where girls have to
be back home before sunset and the whole idea of girls
moving outside house for a corporate job was something not
very usual.
• But my parents being very supportive allowed for the job
once I completed CA with the condition not to slog. So, this
was quite challenging for me. Given the pressure, politics
and erratic timing of the corporate world, managing both
personal and professional world was a challenge for me.
• Since I loved both my family and my profession, so can
proudly say was able to do justice to both.
After allmyCraft
• Have always worked with professionals who work with the
Aditi
Gupta
Handcrafting Hope, Happiness and Bliss
We wish to create more
collectibles than consumables
“
“
Aditi Gupta, Co-founder
www.insightssuccess.in
20 November
| 2020
23. mind and understand rules and procedures. Working with
artisans who work with heart and passion was challenging
in the beginning.
• Doing anything offbeat has inevitable challenges of
rejections and lack of support at people and failure of
executions at product end. The mantra of conviction and
perseverance worked with me.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
Walk the talk and one who empowers the employees and
create future leaders out of them.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
This question should not come to anybody’s mind. Men and
women are different in biological creation. While deciding
or choosing upon the leadership position, it is merely the
individual skill that has to be considered rather than gender.
Otherwise, on a lighter note, they say women are a better
leader than men because of the holistic approach towards
mind and heart.
What is your company/profession all about?
Apart from a practising CA, my venture allmyCraft.com is
a social enterprise, transforming traditional craft, into
contemporary functional/useful products.
We approach the rural artisans who are expert in their
handicraft but lack the modern sensibilities. Here we
handhold them and convert their craft into utilities which
suites the modern-day function and aesthetics.
We are all about tradition; our makers are traditional
(artisans), our designs are based on traditional values &
wisdom. We explore and well document the messages and
stories behind those designs which people can know, relate
and connect with.
Acting as a bridge; where…
• Rural Artisans meet Urban Shoppers.
• Ancient Wisdom meets Contemporary Ideas
• Product meets Stories
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for the company)?
We are on the mission on creating an ecosystem where
traditional artisans and contemporary designers can create
functional utilities which have traditional/cultural values.
Simultaneously we are building a robust technology
platform to give market access to artisans’ products.
We treat employees as partners/stakeholders in the business
rather than mere salary takers. We believe in friend,
philosopher, guide principles where our stakeholders, as
well as employees (the team), is our friend. We are creating
products that have the best experiential value in terms of
aesthetics, functionality and connects.
What are your future endeavours/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
Be the pioneer in ethnic products that has extreme utility
value and experience. Bring smile and sense of
achievement to n number of passionate rural artisans. We
would love to connect the maximum number of people to
their roots and see them have that bliss in life!
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 21
24. Arch a
Chandra
If fathers are the first heroes in a daughter’s life,
mothers are the first best friends that they have. And in
some cases, mothers, as always, play all the roles with
ease. Brought up by a single, independent and hard-working
mother, Archita Chandra understood the importance of
being self-reliant at an early age. This also sparked the fire
inside her to be light in the life of other women who need
inspiration through her platform, ShreeNaari.
Here’s her story, in her own words.
Take our readers through your professional journey?
I started working from when I was in school, distributing
leaflets, and doing small-time marketing (volunteering) jobs
in Chennai. I have always been very passionate about
working for and with women, and have worked with a lot of
self-help groups in Chennai and other Indian cities. After
my post-graduation, I joined Event Management and
marketing and worked in senior management positions with
companies like Red Chariots and Wizcraft International, In
Chennai for 10years. Post this, I partnered with my
husband's event and marketing agency CreativeArc
Entertainment. I did not leave my passion for working for
women and continued to work to the best of my abilities
with various NGOs across India. During this Coronavirus
pandemic, I realised that women entrepreneurs are finding it
difficult to reach a larger audience and/or are not digitally
literate to get on an online platform. This is when I thought
of ShreeNaari, and started it in June 2020 in partnership
with my friend Reema Thakkar Tiwari.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
Brought up by a single parent, my mother, I had realised at
a very early age that being Independent and self-sufficient is
the key to success. Initially, my aim was always to ensure
I am a self-made
successful entrepreneur
today and that is
simply because I always
faced any roadblock or
challenge head-on
“ “
www.insightssuccess.in
22 | November 2020
Providing a Platform for Self-Sufficient Women
25. that I earn the money so that I don’t burden my mother.
These times also made me realised how important
education was for women to become independent. During
my event career, I was faced with many challenges of
working in a male-dominant atmosphere but my learning
and patience from my past helped me get through them with
ease.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
I strongly believe in inclusion, teaching, and learning.
An efficient leader is non-judgmental, a good listener, and
someone who is never threatened.
I intend to be honest and truly bring fundamental changes to
the society and people, I strongly believe in the power of
media and networking and know that nothing is impossible
to achieve if you make smart and simple moves. I believe
within each of us is the strength to conquer and a purpose to
be accomplished.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
Firstly, the fact that this question is asked, means that there
is still a long way to go!
Gender shouldn’t be a factor in whether or not a person can
be a great leader — a person’s leadership abilities should
depend on their individual strengths and personality traits.
Gender diversity must be a bottom-line issue and not an HR
issue, it is a basic Human Right.
Women value work-life balance, they are empathetic, they
are amazing multi-taskers, they handle crises very well,
they are adaptive, and are very patient.
We must also keep in mind that gender equality is not just a
women’s issue, men must participate and contribute to
making this happen.
What is your company/profession all about?
ShreeNaari is an ecosystem where every woman can earn
and grow with infinite possibilities. www.shreenaari.com is
an exclusive eCommerce platform for women, where they
have the freedom to sell their products under their banner
without having to pay any commissions, get the recognition
they deserve through digital media, and showcase their
products in the global market. Whether you are an
entrepreneur who has products or a service to offer, or even
someone who has innovative ideas to share, ShreeNaari
encourages all these power-packed women to come forward
to build a resourceful and powerful community of women
entrepreneurs. We invite all women from across the country,
from all corners of life join hands with ShreeNaari and
promote their indigenous talents on this national forum to
make a better and stronger India.
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for the company)?
A Powerful Community of Women Entrepreneurs! That is
our vision and we are taking small significant steps to make
this happen every day. From guiding women on how to use
a digital platform to giving them the courage to come
forward and make their dreams come true, we at ShreeNaari
envision to reach out and support every woman, some way
or the other. We aim to make every woman financially
independent and we have a lot of various avenues planned
out for them in the near future.
“I truly believe in the strength of women. I want them to
watch their feet find solid ground and grow roots so deep
that they will never be overtaken.”
What are your future endeavours/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
I want to reach out to and make a difference in the lives of
as many as women possible. I want to be able to make them
realise what they are truly capable of. I want to work with a
powerful group of thinkers and together create events and
situations that provoke the mass to think differently. I
empathize with and respect the role women play in their
personal and professional life. I want them to earn their
deserved position and respect, also educate children to help
them be independent.
“I don’t know what the future holds but I am moving
forward taking small smart steps, building it the way I want
it to be, but if I’ve learned anything from my life, it’s that
you only get one and you don’t know how long it will last
or who you inspire along the way, so it is best to just be
bold and be you”.
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 23
26.
27.
28. MITRA
Helping
People
Discover
and
Manifest
their
Original
Self
Founder and
Managing
Director
at I-GLAM
O
ne might be talented and
beautiful. But to show the
same to world and to present
oneself as one needs some special
skills and training. Helping people
discover their beautiful side and
bringing it out is Ddevjani Mitra,
Founder and Managing Director at
I-GLAM
Ddevjani is the Founder of I-Glam: a
leading Modelling and Beauty
Pageants Company of East India
also of Dreamz and Aspirations Event
Management company in the Eastern
Region. Her success as an Event
Planner has been recognised by 60
Celebrity shows and 100
other shows which she
managed with high perfection. She has
also received the Indian Icon
leadership award for helping thousands
of women become self-independent.
She also serves as East India Region
Director at Rubaru Group. Through
Beauty Pageants, she is helping
thousands of men and women in
overcoming their lack of
communication skills and confidence.
Apart from this she has taken various
session and webinars along with her
husband Aashish K. Jha intending to
motivate and inspire people regarding
business opportunities.
www.insightssuccess.in
26 | November 2020
29. Here’s how she does what she does in
Devjani’s words.
What were the roadblocks or
challenges you faced throughout
your career? And how did you
overcome them?
I am a woman and that was the biggest
challenge I had to face. People always
questioned my potential. My thoughts,
ideas and efforts were always
underestimated.
I had gone through caste
discrimination phase too. But during
all these scenarios, I always had one
question to ask from everybody who
tried to stop me and that was if a
woman can raise a successful man
can’t she raise herself. Believe me, if
you are dedicated and devoted to your
dream you will build the organization
with the bricks which others have
thrown on you. Nobody was ready to
stand by me as I-GLAM was newborn
at that very moment, but to be a tree
one needs to be a plant first. I don't
understand why do people hesitate
when it's known that profit is the
reward of risk. If you have an excuse
ready for the risk, profit too have better
options to go on with.
What is your philosophy of efficient
leadership?
The real leader is the one who shows
the way to others. Leadership is not a
position or title; it is action and
example. It’s never about the role, it’s
always about the goal. Great leader set
out to make difference. Instead of
creating followers they create more
leaders. Speaking less and doing more
is the best quality a leader can possess.
If you are not setting an example to
your people, you truly might be at the
wrong position.
Do you think organizations must
have a balanced gender ratio in
leadership positions? Why?
In my eyes, equality is everybody’s
right not only a single person’s fight.
You never know who can become the
source of change in upcoming times.
Man and woman equality are
associated with improved national
productivity and economic growth. No
one is truly free when others are
oppressed.
Underestimating someone’s idea just
because she is a woman is totally
incorrect. Knowledge never sees
gender it’s we, who do. If you possess
a leadership skill you are free to be at
that position in any organisation. Your
gender never defines your potential.
What is your company/profession all
about?
I-GLAM is a Grooming, Modelling
and Beauty Pageant Academy where
endless efforts reside.
It is an institute which is providing
platform for young budding and
groundless talents. It helps you
discover and manifest your true
potential. It provides step-by-step
curriculum-based grooming, training,
and mentorship to all those who are
aspiring to make it “big” as flawless
models, actors, public speakers, flight
attendants, etc. It is helping in
nourishing and upbringing young
budding talents from past 10 years.
I-GLAM is encouraging positive
qualities in new budding talents and
helping passionate people in fulfilling
their dreams.
What is your vision for your
company/yourself and your core
values (for company)?
I-glam is a institute which is providing
platform for young budding and
groundless talents. We are working
with the vision to empower more than
10 lakh women and youngster across
the world.
We convert dreams into reality through
hardwork and dedication. We are
helping young budding talents to come
up with flying colours and to showcase
their talent by providing them a well-
known platform at I-GLAM.
What are your future
endeavors/objectives and where do
you see yourself in the near future?
Future is uncertain. We are unaware of
the things which can take place in the
next moment. But stepping ahead with
Plan B is what separates you from the
rest. Fir now I have my eyes on taking
Bihar’s name to a remarkable position
and helping people here to overcome
their fears. People here are really
talented and have lot of potential, what
they need is little guidance and
mentoring. In future I see myself as a
pillar supporting thousands of
youngsters and women dream house.
“I ALSO AM A CAREER
AND MENTAL
COUNSELOR AS WELL
AND RUN A SOCIAL
CHAT SHOW NAMED
‘I AM THE CHANGE'
WHERE I DISCUSS
ABOUT THE SOCIAL
ISSUES AND HOW TO
PREVENT THEM”
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 27
30. ords are perhaps the most
Wpowerful tools that
mankind has. And as it is
with tools, one can either use it or
abuse it.
Many a war has been started and
averted due to the power of words.
However, many have found peace and
motivation in words as well.
Devyani Neral, Writer and
Motivational speaker, has a gift of
words that she utilizes to bring
positivity around her.
Here’s how.
Take our readers through your
professional journey?
I am a writer and a motivational
speaker. I am currently working on my
first book which will be of the self-help
genre. Motivation is my cup of tea and
I personally believe that we are here to
write our own story and make our own
path.
What were the roadblocks or
challenges you faced throughout
your career? And how did you
overcome them?
Passion is something which hides
behind the profession. But still, I think
that passion can be converted to a
profession as long as you believe in
yourself. An obstacle may come and go
but hoping is something which will
always let you glow.
What is your philosophy of efficient
leadership?
Leadership is something which doesn’t
need to be imposed or followed by
others it needs to seamlessly accepted
by the people.
Do you think organizations must
have a balanced gender ratio in
leadership positions? Why?
The answer is a BIG NO.
This era is not to fight for your
reservations and equality. It is more of
showing your talent, giving your best
shot and grabbing that position. That is
what the real leader is.
What is your company/profession all
about?
This is basically an idea which wants
people to nurture their dreams and
work for it. We will be motivating
them through our plans, concept and
will always adhere to them for gaining
what they aim.
What is your vision for your
company/yourself and your core
values (for the company)?
To reach to people, to make them
believe their dreams, to make them
realise that you are the best person to
achieve your dreams. The core values
are stick to your affirmation and lead
life.
What are your future
endeavors/objectives and where do
you see yourself in the near future?
I want to be a Best Selling Author.
Best Motivational Speaker and that I
could achieve by reaching out to
people and surrounding myself with
amazing talents which are around.
Devyani
Neral
A Powerful Motivational Speaker
I believe that
we are here to
write our own story
and make our own path
“ “
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in
28 | November 2020
33. There is something to be said
about the people, both men
and women, who feel that a
woman cannot do certain things. On
second thoughts, there is nothing to be
said about this mentality. It has all been
said before. These are relics of the past
and we should just leave them in the
past. At present, many women occupy
the most dignified roles as some of the
top thinkers, creators, entrepreneurs,
educators, politicians, and world
leaders. And they are just getting
started.
In the business world, significantly
more women are CEOs, and business
leaders of Fortune 500 companies and
firms, than ever before in the 65-year-
old history of Edgar P’s Fortune 500.
In business, masculine traits have
traditionally dominated as the gold
standard, but as more and more women
take over as leaders, CEOs and
business owners, another possibility
has emerged. Let us look at some of
the traits and styles that women have
introduced into the business
perspective.
The win-win situation
The idea that someone has to lose in
order for another person to be
successful has been disproven time and
time again. The word compromise,
which used to hold a negative
connotation in a business sense, has
been turned over its head.
The feminine perspective
acknowledges that compromising is
about listening to the other person,
understanding other’s needs, and then
finding a suitable solution accordingly.
Natural managers
Management skills come naturally to
women, whether it is about managing a
household or business. Their inherent
talents such as abundant patience, high
emotional intelligence, exceptional
communication skills, and the habit of
listening to everyone and giving them
an equal say in crucial matters, just
mean that women can be naturally
better managers than men.
The people-whisperers
The psychological community agrees
that females are generally more
interested in people, whereas males
are generally more interested in things,
or devices. More studies show that the
female perspective is more inquisitive
towards other people; more open to
pursuing knowledge about other
people’s feelings, desires, goals, and
needs. All of these qualities make for
the best people-whisperers.
Women, being more people-oriented,
make better team builders and team
leaders. Just imagine your mothers.
How our mothers never give up on us,
never make us give up on something
we cherish! Mothers, albeit sometimes
naggingly, push us to get our things
done. They always know if something
is bothering us, without revealing the
same about themselves.
Women are just better at dealing with
people than men are, as a general rule.
Multi-tasking aficionados
People who are good at multitasking
means they need to maintain focus and
discipline enough not to give in to
temptation, to partake in distractions
such as chatting with co-workers or
checking their social media, while
handling work tasks. But most
importantly, and often counter-
intuitively, multi-tasking needs a lot of
patience. The female brain is more
adept at patience and focus, just as the
male brain is more adept at learning
ability, studies show. This means that
with practice, both can make excellent
multi-taskers, though females have a
slight edge in this race.
Conclusion
It would be cliché to state that women
are “making new paths for themselves”
or “breaking the glass ceiling”, or
some bromide of that sort. The reality
is that women are already the top
players of the business games. The
times demand that we shed the need to
differentiate between a leader and a
female leader.
Women make it to the top on the basis
of their skills, their competencies, their
exuberance, their vitality, their never-
give-up attitude, their adaptability, and
devotion to their goals as well as the
work that they love. Their femininity
only works as an advantage; Just
remember how they sport a happy-go-
lucky smile while they take the top job.
The aforementioned qualities are just
scratching at the surface of what kind
of competitive edge women have. And
they are not about to throw in the towel
yet.
It is time for the rest of the world to
watch as these ladies take the
centerstage.
Masters of the Game
- Aditya Umale
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 31
34. The ancient Indian learnings
were traditionally passed on to
generations in form of
Shlokas. These pearls of wisdom,
strung in a musical form, were to have
listened, learned and passed-on. While
they may be limited to religious
practices today, these shlokas are more
than words and rhythm.
Divyaa Doraiswamy, Founder,
GURUKULAM -The Shloka
Learning Centre, harnesses the
powers trapped in music and hopes to
keep the tradition and learning alive.
Here’s how.
Take our readers through your
professional journey?
I am an Economist, Shlokapreneur,
Writer and Sochcaster and the Founder
of GURUKULAM – The Shloka
Learning Centre, Bangalore (Regd).
GURUKULAM is the first of its kind
ONLINE SHLOKA SCHOOL which
caters to kids across the globe. The
main aim of the School is to keep
traditional roots in place thereby
tapping an area left untapped –
SHLOKA EDUCATION.
What were the roadblocks or
challenges you faced throughout
your career? And how did you
overcome them?
Bangalore was not short of Music
Schools, Dance Schools, Art Schools
and Yoga Schools but there was not a
single Shloka School that aimed at
keeping traditional roots in place and
keeping our kids abreast of cultural
knowledge. The aim was to tap an area
left untapped -Shloka Education.
That’s when GURUKULAM was born
on 20th Oct 2014
Advertising and Reaching out to
people were the most difficult part of
running the business since we were
new in the market and building trust
and confidence in parents was
important. Eventually, parents were
really happy with our work and
through Word of Mouth and Facebook,
we were able to beat this challenge.
What is your philosophy of efficient
leadership?
One of the primary requisites to being
a good leader is the ability to teach
well because at some strange point in
life I was in the lowest rung of the
corporate world and made my way up
only by learning from mistakes. The
task of owning up to our mistakes and
the willingness to learn – Learning is a
lifelong process and I learn something
new every single day from my kids at
GURUKULAM.
Also, it is important to practice what
you preach as I firmly believe that
leading by example is the best way to
lead. Open Communication is very
important because that’s the only way
by which a message can be conveyed
to the team and it empowers every
single team member to be at their best.
My philosophy, in short, would be: ‘A
very clear mission, a vision and an
atmosphere and culture conducive to
success. Efficient leadership is all
about helping people grow along with
you. It is more about teamwork.
Do you think organizations must
have a balanced gender ratio in
leadership positions? Why?
I am personally of the belief that
leadership roles should purely be based
on how efficient and skilled a person is
and not on the basis of gender. Having
said that I think equal opportunities
should be given to everyone, based on
skillset, efficiency and most
importantly being a team player is
important.
What is your company/profession all
about?
GURUKULAM is the first of its kind
Online Shloka School that aims at
keeping traditional roots in place and
caters to kids across the globe. In 2014
I started off with 6 kids and today teach
about 90 kids across India, USA, UK,
CANADA, AUSTRALIA and
GERMANY. We are an ONLINE
SCHOOL only. We provide Online
Shloka Education to kids across the
world. We follow a uniform
Curriculum for kids across the world.
What is your vision for your
company/yourself and your core
values (for the company)?
VISION:
I started GURUKULAM on 20th Oct
Divyaa Doraiswamy
Keeping Traditional Learning Alive
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in
32 | November 2020
35. 2014. I started with 6 kids and today
teach 90 kids across the world. The
main aim of the school is to keep
traditional roots in place and keep our
kids abreast of cultural knowledge
thereby tapping an area left untapped -
SHLOKA EDUCATION. I plan to take
GURUKULAM as a Franchisee model
in years to come and have also written
to the PM’s office seeking intervention
so that we can take SHLOKA
EDUCATION to kids at the Grass root
level -Govt Schools, Blind Schools and
Kids with special needs.
CORE VALUES:
Pursuing excellence: be it in Training
and Curriculum formation.
Growth through learning: Along with
my kids at GURUKULAM, I aim to
learn every single day, because
learning is a lifelong process
Trust: I work to prove that my actions
are guided by the best interests of those
I serve my children and parents
Ethics: At GURUKULAM there is no
compromise when it comes to ethical
standards.
Embrace and Drive change and deliver
the best service.
What are your future
endeavors/objectives and where do
you see yourself in the near future?
We have written to the PM’s office
seeking intervention to take SHLOKA
EDUCATION to a zillion kids starting
at the Grass-Root Level…Move to
Govt. Schools and make Shloka
Education available to every single
child so that each child benefits from
SHLOKA LEARNING.
The other thing I have in mind is to
build a FRANCHISEE MODEL,
however, it is in its early stages.
GURUKULAM has been featured in CNBC TV18, FEMINA,
TOI, The Hindu, The New Indian Express, Bangalore Mirror,
DeccanChronicle,RITZMagazine,Sheroes,AllIndiaRadio-
Bangalore, Aval Vikatan, Ippodhu, TV5 News-Kannada
and40otherpublications…
AwardsandRecognitions:
InsightsSuccess-WomenEntrepreneur2020
TIMESSheUnltdEntrepreneurAwards2020–JuryShortlist
Special Recognition (Category-Women Entrepreneur
2020)byMSMEWorld
GURUKULAMisnowonwww.sochcast.com
Website:www.shlokapreneurdivyaa.com
MILESTONES
Divyaa Doraiswamy
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 33
36. Life begets life, happiness begets happiness. Many
believe in these words and often try to bring a
change through their efforts in matters that are
close to their heart. As a leader and a woman Karuna Ahuja,
Founder, Chrom Consulting, never shies away from the
opportunity of mentoring and encouraging women leaders.
Here’s Karuna’s story.
Take our readers through your professional journey?
I am a Global HRpreneur | Board Advisor | Women Career
Mentor
A quick learner and a fast tracker with 15 years of corporate
leadership and 3 years of entrepreneurial experience.
EMINENT ASSOCIATIONS
• Mentor for Change at Atal Innovation Mission, Niti
Aayog, since October 2018
• Empaneled industry expert with Skill Council for People
with Disability since January 2019
• Awarded by Magicka (platform for women entrepreneurs)
for extraordinary work in HR in March 2019
• Awarded by Women Economic Forum as “Exceptional
Woman of Excellence” in December 2019
• Awarded by Womennovators (Virtual Incubator for
Women) under #WePitchHR in July 2020
• Speaker on Women Entrepreneurship at Incubation and
Startup Centre Congress 2019-2020
• Mentor with Lean In, JobsForHer and The Star in Me
(Women Career Development Platform)
• Key Speaker at FICCI National HR Conference 2016 on
diversity and inclusion
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
Majorly stereotypes I came across. What made me keep
going was consistent efforts and that brought in results
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
Leading by example and spreading inspiration
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
Women bring in energies that build resilience, people
management and empathy naturally. In today’s times we
need all of these as a leadership style.
What is your company/profession all about?
HR Consulting, Coaching, Leadership Development
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for company)?
Passion, Innovation, Collaboration, Results
What are your future endeavors/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
Coaching Women Leaders and Entrepreneurs.
KARUNA
AHUJA
Leading by Example
Mindfulness is
the key to
thriving
workplaces
“
www.insightssuccess.in
34 | November 2020
40. C
ontinuous learning and upgrading our skills are a
part of our growth as a human being, no matter
what our profession. We can either learn on our
own or seek guidance from those who love to impart skills.
Delhi-based Meghna Joshi, Founder, SWAN (Skilled
Workforce Advancing Nation) Livelihood imparts training
to youngsters for better employment opportunities.
More about the company from Meghna.
Take our readers through your professional journey?
I studied at Delhi and possess an eclectic academic
background with Commerce in the school, Honours in
Business Economics during graduation and post-graduation
in Environment Development. Professionally, I have
prolonged experience of working in the Corporate and
Social sectors in project management, operations work,
imparting training in various skillsets in addition to
managing and monitoring the operations of various Skill
Development Centres.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
Setting up the venture proved to be a challenging task. We
are a new venture and our operations began in January
2020. Getting a team together, outreaching, convincing and
branding the act were certain things that looked easier on
paper. Natural events over which we had no control started
just after the first month of getting the act together. Extreme
cold, incessant rains and widespread protests in the city
were enough to wear down the patience. Matters were made
worst by the spread of the pandemic Corona and the
complete lockdown.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
A leader should lead from the front. To achieve this trait,
the person should be knowledgeable, a team person and
someone who can stand with the pack during adversities. I
believe in being courageous and decisive in my actions to
provide efficient leadership.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
I think the leadership positions should be need-based,
strictly on merit and without any gender bias. An
organisation should try to place the best suitable candidate
to achieve the best performance. Reservation for any
particular gender can make way for the non-performers.
What is your company/profession all about?
SWAN aims at enhancing the skill sets of the people
coming from various sections of society. Its main focus is
towards imparting specially designed training and
counselling sessions for grooming the youthful workforce
for better employment opportunities. The training
programme aims at enhancing the overall awareness of the
youth towards teamwork in addition to improvement in the
skill sets and personal grooming.
Keeping in view the overall wellbeing of the target groups
in life. SWAN provides continuous mentor-mentee support
to the youth gaining employment besides post-placement
assistance. Attempts are also made to connect them with
forthcoming opportunities so that they can do well in
professional life.
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for the company)?
Meghna Joshi
Helping with Skills for Be er Opportuni es
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in
38 | November 2020
41. The SDGs-2030 advocate
technical, vocational education
training (TVET) and decent work
opportunities for promoting
inclusive and sustainable
economic growth and providing
help to young adults. Possessing
a large educated and skilled
youthful population would be a
valuable asset for the Nation’s
developmental goals. SWAN has
taken up this challenge through
skill up-gradation of the youth in
the NCR of Delhi.
The training programme at
SWAN Livelihood is evolved
after sustained field activity and
intricate knowledge of the
operations of the social sector
enterprises. Our mission is to
bring smiles on scores of youths
and develop a congenial
atmosphere in the workplace with
satisfied employers. We strive to
work with dedication and total
commitment in our endeavour to
achieve the goals.
What are your future
endeavours/objectives and
where do you see yourself in
the near future? Coronavirus
pandemic has shown that
technology is here to stay and can
provide better access and scale.
SWAN Livelihood would like to
expand the activities of the
venture by reaching out to the
youth of tier 1 and tier 2 cities.
We propose to diversify into e-
learning programme so that skill-
based learning can be imparted to
many more in the far-flung areas
for whom the offline courses
were just not possible.
Our mission is to bring smiles on
scores of youths and develop a
congenial atmosphere in the
workplace with satisfied employers
“ “
Meghna Joshi
Founder
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 39
42. The ever-pervasive technology is redefining many
sectors. Sports is just one of them. While
techniques might not be new to sports, but
technology sure is becoming an enabler to enhance
performance, create better teams and much more. Here’s
how Nikita Anita Sundaram, Founder/ Director, Odicy
Sports Solutions is bringing the best of both the spaces.
Take our readers through your professional journey?
I am a 25 year-old sports lover and tech fanatic having
experience into the sports sector. Having interest in both
fields I’m trying to bridge sports and technology
together. My professional profile includes:
• Brand Development Officer for Dias United Sports
Club, Mumbai
• Ambassador for Ball to All
• Was the managing director for Spoedia
• Was city leader, south zone for Mumbai Girls Football
• Team manager for Indian, Madjer beach soccer Team
representing Dias United
• Have worked in the Karnataka Football Players
Association as an organizing secretary.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
There is no sports database to leverage. Sports marketing
and advertising was niche. There is often no talent
identification (TID) system in various sports. Parents are
not educated in developmental principles. The most
knowledgeable coaches work at the elite level, while
inexperienced volunteer coach at the developmental
level where quality coaching is essential.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
I feel creating a platform which is more relaxed and
easier to adapt to learning is important. Creating a
Odicy is currently building
a sports-based app named
as ‘Odiicy’ and an e-sports
app named ‘Nviktous
NIKITA ANITA
SUNDARAM
Bringing the Best of Technology in Sports
“ “
www.insightssuccess.in
40 | November 2020
43. platform to advertise players will be an opportunity for
sports agents or associations pick their players based on
skills and achievements, giving more confidence to athletes.
A sports player is taught to be more aware of their standards
and behaviours which help them in creating the learning
environment. A player has to be given an opportunity to
develop his/her skill level in a better learning environment
that challenges a player providing him encouragement and
support.
A coach will make use of an opportunity when he/ she is
brought to a challenging platform which is based on
effective decision making and precise execution under
pressure with athletes. While dealing with players,
individual communication is important, giving them the
opportunity to provide more clarification to help deliver the
training that is specific to their aspect of development.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
Yes. I do feel Organizations must have a balanced gender
ratio in leadership positions. A leader has to possess several
leadership traits, when it comes to intelligence and
innovation, men and women display those qualities equally.
Women tend to be more organized, compared to men, rather
vice versa. I feel both genders are equally good leaders if
they possess leadership traits.
What is your company/profession all about?
Meet Odicy Sports Solutions: A Trichy based sports
technology startup.
Sports technology has emerged as a viable sub sector in the
technology space as it combines two things that the general
population views as startups/ population and sports. Sports
has always been the ultimate unifier – transcending
geographic borders, rising above partisan politics and
enabling multiple audiences (and generations) to find
alignment- the little known secret behind this global
unifier?
Technology influences how athletes train and compete, how
fans engage and consume content and how world class
venues are constructed. Technology has been quietly
transforming the world of sports for years with investment
and some estimates predicting the sports technology sector
will reach 30$ billion in 2024.
Odicy Sports Solutions is a startup based in Trec Step,
Trichy. The company focuses on building technology
solutions to athletes and coaches usuch as CRM, AI
methods. The company is bridging sports and esports using
tech. Odicy has become an official based technology
sponsor for Dias United Club which will be playing at the
Madjer Youth Cup, Spain.
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for company)?
VISION
Odicy vision is to help develop and support sports and
esports athletes/ players through technology, excelling in
sports and esports. While creating a positive, cooperative
spirit between players, coaches, clubs, schools and
associations.
We at Odicy firmly believe that’s sports is a journey which
helps you to learn various lessons for your life. This
foundation and pathway we have in place will allow players
to progress to next level.
MISSION
To offer good technology-based services for sports and
esports
To help in sports and esports recognition i.e, marketing and
promotion
What are your future endeavors/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
We are currently attending exhibitions in showcasing our
product “Odiicy” which is launched. You can visit
www.odiicy.com. The product currently has 12 features
pertaining to the sports sector.
• We conducted a PUBGM based tournament in 2019, in
association with Rotaract, Trichy
• We attended the East and West Virtual Expo, which gave
us insights into the gaming sector and the market scope
of the igaming sector
• We attended the Frankfurter Buchmesse Event, which
showcased our sports podcast
• We are attending the Open Innovations which will be
showcasing our sports app in Russia
• We have another event upcoming, The Nordic VR
showcasing our sports app in Norway
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 41
44. It is certainly an entrepreneurial
mindset that could create an
opportunity after identifying the
gap in the market while serving
humanity and also creating opportuni-
ties for others. The story of Himalaya
Bio-organic Foods Pvt Ltd is a
striking instance of this.
Till last four-five years, most among
people were not aware of the availabil-
ity of organic food products in JK.
The organic products used to be
imported from outside JK, which
were usually unaffordable for middle-
class families and their authenticity,
sometimes was doubtful. With a vision
to develop a business which will not
only cater to consumers’ requirements
for authentic organic food on afford-
able prices but also provide employ-
ment to thousands of local farmers,
Pooja Gupta took an initiative to
launch Nimbark brand with a
complete range of Organic kitchen,
grocery as well as health products
under Himalaya Bio Organic Pvt Ltd, a
sister concern of famous Sarveshwar
Foods.
Pooja Gupta belongs to a very religious
family which believes in spirituality
and a “SATVIK” lifestyle. The day
starts with paying obeisance to Lord
Krishna; food is first offered to Lord
Krishna and then eaten by all family
members like Prasadam. Pooja was
inspired by her father in law Sh. Suraj
Prakash Gupta, a pure religious soul
and her husband Sh. Rohit Gupta,
chairman of Sarveshwar Foods Ltd to
form this brand. “NIMBARK” became
a famous brand not only in both capital
cities of JK but also in states like
Punjab, Delhi and Mumbai.
NIMBARK Organic food products are
manufactured and tested in labs
keeping in view strict norms of USDA,
Indian Organics, Apeda etc.
A Brand that reflects SATVIK
Lifestyle
Himalayan Bio Organic Foods Pvt Ltd.
is a sister concern of Sarveshwar Foods
Limited. Today, the fourth generation
carries on the family heritage by using
eco-positive farming methods that
produce wholesome, healthful products
while improving and protecting the
environment for generations to come.
A Perfect Blend of Social
Entrepreneurship and
Ingenious Mindset
Pooja
Gupta
Pooja Gupta, Founder
www.insightssuccess.in
42 | November 2020
45. With over 100 years of experience in
sourcing and processing of Rice,
Sarveshwar has introduced Nimbark
Organic Products from the virgin lands
of Jammu Kashmir in India. The
core pillars of the group are the quality,
authenticity, and purity of its products
that set it apart, as a reliable organic
product manufacturer.
The team at NIMBARK believes in
spreading positive and pure energy and
the philosophy of “SATVIK”
conscious lifestyle. It has its lands in
the foothills of Himalayas and its
produce is nourished by fertile
mineral-rich soil, organic manure and
snow melted waters of river Chenab,
without the use of artificial fertilizers
and chemicals which are then sold
through a household brand name
NIMBARK. Each of the products is
hygienically processed and packed and
undergoes multiple rounds of quality
assurance to retain its natural essence
and freshness throughout the shelf life.
The company has a wide range of
Organic Grocery foods Products which
include Organic Flour, Organic Rice,
Organic Pulses, Organic Spices, Super
Foods, Organic Dry Fruits, Organic
Saffron, Organic Ready to Eat Snacks
and Organic Cereals etc. Nimbark
Products are the ultimate blend of
taste, aroma and purity cultivated
under the strict supervision of experts
and after following good agriculture
practices. Its products are undoubtedly
the mark of superiority and sanctity
because Nimbark believes in nurturing
the relationship that will last forever.
A Home Maker Turned
Entrepreneur
In the initial stages, Pooja faced a lot
of challenges since she was a
homemaker turned into women
entrepreneur. She had to face many
hurdles number of times, but they just
made her bold and strong to overcome
them. She works with a pure heart for
the well being of humanity and
believes that there is a superpower to
help her in this endeavour.
An Idea of Efficient Leadership
Known for her simplicity and an
ever-smiling face, Pooja handles her
business and social responsibilities in a
very sober manner. She started
developing clusters of fields, providing
them with all technical know-how,
awareness and information about
Indian Traditional Systems of
Agricultural Farming. These rural
womenfolk, approximately 10,000 in
number, are provided with all Organic
inputs by the NIMBARK Organics.
Even cost for certification of their land
as organic is also born by her. Then,
marketing facilities are provided after
proper testing, packaging and labelling.
Apart from this, Pooja periodically
interacts with rural womenfolk to listen
to their other problems, if any, and she
is always ready to extend her helping
hand to those needy once. She is loved
by all her employees like an elder
sister. Each of her employees works
with full passion dedication and is
treated as a family member.
Gender Diverse Workforce is Must
Pooja firmly believes that
organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions as
having gender diverse policies in place
can boost the positivity and overall
atmosphere of an office. It becomes a
space in which individuals can
communicate their ambitions resulting
in job satisfaction and an increase in
motivation.
In most businesses, there is a customer
base from different backgrounds.
Having both women and men as
prominent figures in the company will
ensure effective communication and
engagement with customers and
clients, really helping businesses to
stand out from competitors. Moreover,
a gender-diverse workforce also
provides easier access to resources,
such as various sources of credit,
multiple sources of information, and
wider industry knowledge.
Dedicated to Serve Humanity
Pooja believes in moving ahead in her
life with a strong determination to
serve humanity. Her ideologies, the
attitude of giving back to the
community, and the way of building
relationships make her believe that she
is in the direction of her aim of
becoming India’s Most Inspiring
Women Entrepreneur soon.
www.nimbarkfoods.com
At NIMBARK, we
believe in the
philosophy of
“SATVIK”
conscious lifestyle.
“
”
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 43
46. What’s More to
GENDER-NEUTRA
WORKFOR
conomic Development all
Eover the World has been
impressive. Despite rapid
growth, gender disparities remain
deep and persistent. Making use of
both its male and female workforce
and improving the balance is a
crucial step. This article will focus on
gender-neutral entrepreneurship
and participation in the labor force.
Infrastructure is the Key
The infrastructure is the most
important aspect to create a
gender-neutral workplace culture.
Infrastructure addresses people’s
needs and makes life easier. The
answer is not, however, to create
feminine spaces by using colors
and typography that apparently
appeal to women. We need ‘gen-
der-conscious' design frameworks
that grant people to choose and
express their independent prefer-
ences. This will ensure that there are
open-mindedness and identity in
the workplace.
Gender-Neutral Language
Most often it means avoiding
masculine pronouns, for eg, Biased
– guys, Neutral – team, folks,
people. Using gender-neutral
language will result in free speech
without being offensive. This way
the workplace can cause a lot of
distress. Creating such a culture in
the company makes a big differ-
ence. It makes everyone feel
welcome and no one assumes
anything about someone without
asking first.
Diverse Workforce
To be able to truly innovate and
provide creative solutions, there has
to be a diverse workforce. The
workforce for the future should be
diverse from every perspective –
gender, age, background, experi-
ence, thought pro-
cess/perspectives, etc. More
diverse the workforce, more
naturally it will lead to an inclusive
culture.
Ensure Transparency
To achieve gender-equity, leaders
and managers must give equal
opportunity, space to grow, and
support the members of the team.
The workplace should be such that
-Sourabh More
it is occupied by equally intelligent
people both men and women. The
place should be exciting, dynamic,
and provide room for everyone to
grow their career. With respect to
benefits, of-course there are higher
expectations. The payments, health
insurance, happy hours, etc., ensure
transparency in the workplace
culture.
The good news is that the overall
average female business ownership
share has improved over time. We
can say that our efforts in creating a
gender-neutral workplace are on
the right track. It largely depends on
us now how we want to include it in
our workplace culture. Again, it is
the responsibility of the leaders to
inculcate such a culture in the
organization. It is the values and the
culture which make the workplace a
better place to work for all. Inculcat-
ing such an environment will help
not just the companies but society
as a whole.
www.insightssuccess.in
44 | November 2020
48. Did you know that those comfortable
contact lenses that you wear to see this
amazing world clearly was ideated by
Leonardo Da Vinci in late 1500s? While his idea
was not the exact ways today’s lenses are but it did
set the ball rolling to find a way, we could wear
vision correction devices.
Optometry sure has come a long way since. Today
lenses are worn not just for vision correction
purposes but aesthetics as well. Consulant
Optometrist and Business Development
Manager at Resolution, Pooja Singh shares the
way she sees the field.
Take our readers through your professional
journey?
I have been practicing as a Consultant Optometrist
for Speciality contact lenses in Delhi NCR since
2010. I completed graduation in optometry from
AIIMS New Delhi and have also worked at AIIMS
as Consultant Optometrist for contact lens
department for period of seven years.I have been a
trainer and educator for speciality lenses and spoke
at various national conferences as an Instructor and
have been a Co educator of Menicon since 2013 for
Rosek2 lenses in India for North.
Rosek lenses have been
a miracle for those patients
who were struggling with
hard contact lenses because
of poor vision due to
cornea irregularities
Pooja
Singh
Striving to Provide Quality
Optometric Solu ons
“ “
Pooja Singh
www.insightssuccess.in
46 | November 2020
49. Till date have examined and seen over eight hundred
contact lenses patients. Recently compiled a book as a
compiler (peer review) on innovations in Tele optometry. I
have been Nominated as Optometry Diva by United States
Optometry Diva in 2020 in April.
I also am the first woman optometrist practicing in India
nominated for Optometry Diva, listed among the globally
empowered optometrist women working for improving the
quality of eye care by Vision stryt Africa and
eyefricamedia.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
For me challenge was to keep the spirit of growth and
progressive development in government job. At one point
most people get into comfort zone and stop learning.
And the tough was leaving the government job for career in
corporate and private practice
Initially it was tough. But with determination and
motivation I was predetermined to prove that if you have a
desire to really prove to this works your worth you need to
come out of your comfort zone and believe me there were
times when only few will support you but you need to keep
going. Because that consistency and fire within you will
definitely bring the moment where you will start winning.
Last but very important. Keep learning at every moment
from everyone. The moment you start letting this thought
inside your head that I know it all that’s the start of decay
of your thoughts which earlier inspired you to explore.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
For Effective leadership I believe on empowering people
around you.
For empowerment it’s about trusting them training them
without the bossiness and at the same time learning from
them.
Motivating them to go further and explore.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
If you ask me, I really feel that women are going well and
doing good in all field. They are working hard because they
know that the competitors are strong.
But the moment we start giving them free or reserve seats
definitely few will be happy but that won’t be fair enough
in longer run for hard working woman who can easily get it
on merit.
Because we as a woman will fight evenly if need be and
grab the opportunity by working hard rather than taking it
because simply, we are women and we have to be there to
fill seats.
What is your company/profession all about?
I am working in the company named Resolution as
Business Development Manager since September 2019 in
New Delhi.
This company has been dealing with distribution of World
most hit brand speciality lenses called Rosek lenses since
2011 for North South and East india.
Rosek lenses have been a miracle for those patients who
were struggling with hard contact lenses because of poor
vision due to cornea irregularities.
All the leading eye care hospital and institutions are doing it
and so many patients have been using it since a decade now
all around the world.
Job is ultimately satisfying if you are able to provide a
quality vision to patient who earlier could never see by
glasses or even after surgery, they need contact lenses for
vision rehabilitation.
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for company)?
My vision is to train and educate young professionals,
doctors, optometrist across India about the Rosek lenses
and fitting to all.
I don’t want these speciality lenses to be confined to few
hospitals.
My aim is to teach every professional learning to fit
speciality lenses for irregular cornea patients.
What are your future endeavors/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
At present I would be looking forward to continue it for
more years and continuously work for improving the
quality and patient care.
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 47
50. ransforming people’s lives
Twith the power of her smile is
Rama Ravee Titti – Founder
Director: Thee Shiksha Group. Rama is
an International certified Trainer
Master NLP Practitioner
Empowerment and personal branding
Coach.
In the pat 18 years, Rama has
conducted more than 1600 workshops,
training, seminars and given guest
lectures. She completed her MBA in
HRM from University of Madras. B
Ed, International Certified trainer and
holds an Empowerment Coach,
Certified Master NLP Practitioner and
Dual certification in coaching and
counseling. She is also professionally
qualified as a Customs Broker but her
passion towards giving back to the
society has made her to be in the
Education and training line.
Read on to know more about her.
What were the roadblocks or
challenges you faced throughout
your career? And how did you
overcome them?
I never felt any blocks since I saw
everything as a positive challenge to
test my own abilities at time crisis
What is your philosophy of efficient
leadership?
A leader never claims himself or
herself as a leader and ensures that he
or she identifies the quality and
efficiency in others and Recognize
them and create more leaders.
Do you think organizations must
have a balanced gender ratio in
leadership positions? Why?
Irrespective of the gender quality,
efficiency and their responsibility
should be taken for consideration.
What is your company/profession all
about?
www.rrtitti.com
What are your future
endeavors/objectives and where do
you see yourself in the near future?
Be a part in transforming generations
and building a better tomorrow.
Rama
Ravee
Titti
Let solution be
from me, let problem
be from anywhere
“ “
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in
48 | November 2020
51.
52. What you see is what you get. You might be a
great entrepreneur, but if no one knows about
you, it won’t make a difference. Helping people
build themselves as barnd and enhance their visibility on
the network is Rishika Inamdar, Founder Chief
Virtual Assistant, OfficeCraft Virtual Assistant Services.
Here’s how she does what she does.
Take our readers through your professional journey?
I am an entrepreneur with a unique service module that has
led me to merge my organisational skills with a creative
bent of mind to serve you as a Personal Brand Catalyst.
I am India’s First Virtual Assistant, featured among 35
“Women Entrepreneurs – 2020” on Insights Success and
known to make a hero out of professionals, entrepreneurs,
and coaches. I help people to learn to identify, promote and
enhance themselves as a brand.
I come with over 25 years of corporate experience. Through
my venture, OfficeCraft I manage the most happening
accounts on LinkedIn where I revamp profiles help
thought leaders, entrepreneurs influencers in building
relationships and increasing daily traction on LinkedIn.
What were the roadblocks or challenges you faced
throughout your career? And how did you overcome
them?
When I brought the concept of Virtual Assistance to India
a decade ago, I didn't have much takers. The concept of
having someone to assist your operational tasks remotely
needed to first be educated upon. In India we are close to
believing that everything is tangible, efforts, data, growth,
competition, everything. Organisations are not as result
driven as much as they are task driven. Corporates need to
see you working round-the-clock to validate if you are
Rishika Inamdar
Enhancing your Brand Value
Rishika Inamdar
Founder
Chief Virtual Assistant
www.insightssuccess.in
50| November 2020
53. hard-working. My initial challenge was to make them ‘see’
the benefits of working with someone who ‘remotely’
manages their offices, without having to pay for overhead
costs or being worried about a resource claiming employee
benefits’.
The First Mover’s Advantage, didn’t work in my case for
the longest period of time. Even if there were tasks
assigned, I was considered more of a freelancer, than an
Entrepreneur, until I registered myself at the MSME and
began to work on my Personal Branding on LinkedIn. Soon
I gathered the nuances and dug deep into providing services
to individuals rather than small medium companies. I
created ideal packages for aspiring entrepreneurs first with
their business plans, and gradually increasing value added
options like email and diary management, event
coordination and generating leads on LinkedIn. Soon
enough I began to build credibility with start-ups and
trainers.
What is your philosophy of efficient leadership?
Leadership covers several aspects of relationship building;
first with oneself. As a leader one ought to innately practice
‘being watched’, it’s the primary element of being
conscious in a progressive thought process.
‘Leadership’ is an intangible bond created within a team,
but as a team member through selfless yet goal-oriented
actions where one earns the regard and respect as a ‘doer’.
Leadership is motivation through action.
Do you think organizations must have a balanced
gender ratio in leadership positions? Why?
I honestly feel organisation should not be gender biased in
the first place. The roles and responsibility must be based
on merit. Leadership roles across every sector in the world:
corporate, nonprofit, government, education, medicine,
military would be more favourable when we break
stereotypical barriers.
There are enough psychometric tests today, that can read
how an individual will perform in a given role. It's best to
rely on assessments that indicate competencies, emotional
intelligence and endurance, critical thinking, assertiveness,
resourcefulness, etc required for a particular leadership
function.
What is your company/profession all about?
OfficeCraft Virtual Assistant services helps entrepreneurs
professionals build their Personal Brand optimising their
digital presence to generate leads and increase traction
within their network, creating consistent lasting impressions
and build valued relationships. OfficeCraft Virtual Assistant
Services is driven by the honed penchant for Personal
Branding, Corporate Communication, Project Management,
Event Coordination whilst enhancing Operational
Efficiency for Small Medium Enterprises.
What is your vision for your company/yourself and your
core values (for company)?
Integrity, Competency and Credibility are the adage and
core values of OfficeCraft Virtual Assistant services.
As India’s First Virtual Assistant, I am successful in
creating a proficient service model that is time-saving, cost-
effective and facilitates accelerating growth for emanating
entrepreneurs. OfficeCraft Virtual Assistant Services
envisions growing as integral and reliable operating
partners and aiding in making today’s Small Medium
Enterprises – tomorrows’ Global Ventures.
What are your future endeavors/objectives and where
do you see yourself in the near future?
The year 2020 has given me a chance to rise above my own
expectations and create a credible outreach.
I see myself now taking up additional role of a mentor to
several who aspire to be Virtual Assistants today, thanks to
the growing demand of work-from-home and digital
transitions. I have already launched my flagship program
this year and wish see more enrollments in upcoming
programs.
I intend to write and publish my second book by 2021 and
also hopefully establish my brand as a leading solution and
service provider, now that people know that Virtual is Real.
I help people to
learn to identify,
promote and
enhance themselves
as a brand
“
“
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 51
54. As young kids, we always
aspire to be like someone.
Someone, who we think is
perfect. As we gorw, different
surroundings, different situations
mould us into different personalities.
However, being best in whatever we do
is still feasible with a little bit of focus
and help from experts like Sahiba
Singh Dhupar.
Personality Coach | Communication
and Soft skills Trainer | Image
Consultant | Etiquette Educator at
Personafied with Sahiba, here is her
journey.
Take our readers through your
professional journey?
My journey began as someone who
didn’t have any ambition until she
turned 24.
I was highly educated as a BBA, MBA
and Masters in English by the age of
22, however, there was no fire in me to
make a difference. Stable income was
my perceived definition of satisfaction
in one’s career.
When I accidentally stumbled upon
Training for a Canadian company,
where I conducted my first workshop
for high school girls on Sexual Abuse
and Bullying, I came home with a
cheque in my hand and my heart filled
with a feeling inexplicable. I now
knew what they say is someone’s True
calling, I had found mine!
I embarked upon the journey of
becoming the Internationally Certified
Trainer that I am today, trained over
6000 individuals in the past 5 years
from Educational Institutions to
Corporate, featured in various
newspapers magazines and awarded
for my work.
Miles to go..
What were the roadblocks or
challenges you faced throughout
your career? And how did you
overcome them?
Even a road is considered perilous
without speed breakers, because it lets
you stay in control. The obstacles we
face in life ensure that our feet stay
firmly on the ground.
I have been extremely fortunate to
have been blessed with the right kind
of people and associations who have
served as the wind beneath my wings.
If I think it through, I would attribute
my challenges to perceptions.
The perception of “We don’t need it”,
“Too expensive”, Ghosting being the
top three.
Ignorance from individuals who need
skill development the most,
undervaluing the worth of something
that will be lifelong and display of
uncouth conduct as a convenient
replacement to an assertive No have
been some of the roadblocks that make
us feel helpless. Majorly because such
behaviour is one of the biggest reasons
you need us!
What is your philosophy of efficient
leadership?
I come from a mindset that propagates
the saying “Great Leaders create better
future Leaders”
The upliftment of those who look up to
you comes from a secure sense of self
and is one of the primary foundations
of an Efficient Leader for me.
I believe in practising what I preach
hence ensure that I never say no to
those who seek my assistance in
establishing themselves in the field.
Perhaps, this is also my way of giving
back, because I know how it feels
when you don’t get it.
Do you think organizations must
have a balanced gender ratio in
leadership positions? Why?
This is such a sensitive topic for me, as
gender neutrality in all spheres is
something my soul yearns for. Before a
doctor diagnoses someone, he studies
the symptoms and the reasons behind
the discomfort. As a society, we need
to question the various ‘Whys’ that
perpetually persist. Most women lead a
chosen reality and that is the
underlying reason for everything
wrong in this domain. On a micro
level, we need better psychological
foundations before the so called
‘Flexible Corporate Rules’ that lets
women believe that they can and men
believe that they must!
So, the ‘Why’ in your question is the
HELPING PEOPLE REALISE THEIR BEST SELF
www.insightssuccess.in
52 | November 2020
55. last one on the list for now, ideally, it
shouldn’t exist, Right?
What is your company/profession all
about?
Personafied with Sahiba is a one stop
solution for every individual and
organisation that strives to realise their
best self. People who seek to endure
the metamorphosis to fill the gap
between who they are and who they
aspire to be are my target audience.
Corporates who seek a holistic outlook
on Personality Development,
Relationship building for their
employees for elevated productivity
and conduciveness will find our
services as the best fit.
Having trained the top notch of
Educational Institutions, Corporates
and Working Professionals from varied
fields in the past 5 years, I have been
able to carve a niche in establishing
myself as a Personality Coach.
Our Services cover the following:
Communication Skills
Business Communication
Etiquette
Image/Visual Branding
Soft Skills
What is your vision for your
company/yourself and your core
values (for company)?
As a Solopreneur and Service Provider,
my main motto for every mentee is
“Work on You, For You”
As for myself, My principle stands
strong on “Give more than you take”
for all my clients and thrives on the
purpose that “my fingerprints shouldn’t
fade from the lives I touch”
I strongly keep honesty and
transparency in the forefront of all my
dealings which have successfully led
me to confidently claim that I don’t
have clients, I form an undeniable
well-wisher bond with each of them!
How from a mentor I become their
confidante is a journey worth living
each time.
The gratification derived is
overwhelming and helps me grow, one
client at a time.
What are your future
endeavors/objectives and where do
you see yourself in the near future?
I envision Brand PWS, Sahiba Singh
Dhupar to become a pioneer of Self
growth and Personal Development.
Whether you are a homemaker who
silently yearns to revive her Self-
esteem or a Working Professional
wanting to translate your intellect in
your Visuals, I am here for you.
Whether you are an Educational
Institution that sees me as a Guest
Lecturer for their students’ holistic
development, or a Corporate whose
employees can imbibe numerous
needed skills, I am here for you. As a
Service Provider, I aim to make every
individual realise that their best self is
right under the debris of societal
expectations, Distorted Psychological
Foundations, Self-critical roadblocks
and Preconceived Notions, and I can
help you unravel it!
In the coming years, I envisage myself
and my brand to touch thousands more
lives and continue to rise as we help
others rise beyond their inhibitions.
and
the
others
their
the
“
“
SAHIBA SINGH DHUPAR
EMPOWERED
IN BUSINESS
Women
www.insightssuccess.in November 2020 | 53