Brief introduction about yourself A regular person surrounded by amazing people. I am someone who deciphers the meaning of ‘impossible’ as I AM POSSIBLE.
What ignited the spark in you to start Galvanise? For almost more than a decade I had the privilege to work with some of the most respected Global brands where I inculcated different ways of storytelling and engaging audiences. Fortunately this was also the time when India’s start-up regime was just gaining momentum and needed the necessary stimulus to Galvanise their stories of feat and struggle. This was the necessary spark to ignite Galvanise PR.
We are sure the journey has been rewarding but did you face any challenges?
The journey has been fabulous – interacting with founders, leaders across industries and verticals – this has helped me both in my personal and professional growth. With no entrepreneurial background, it was a huge learning for me on how other founders understood their challenges and breakthroughs. Having said that all , one of the biggest challenge I faced was the decision to realign the target clients for Galvanise which was to service brands which have been into existence for minimum four years vs working with pure play startups. This was not an easy decision but had to be made as it was a sound business decision. The reasons for the change of course, was that the role of PR and communications which was not understood by brands in its infancy stage. Most of the growing brands take to PR looking it to be a ‘direct’ sales tool however ,PR is an ‘indirect sales tool’.
I also made a mistake which if given a chance again will not repeat it – this is about getting a set of mentors on board – strategic mentors who have been part of building a business – these mentors have the experience of being there and done that.
Overall the journey till date has been fun, rewarding and I can go back in years and re-start.
What plans do you behold for Galvanise?
:) 2017 seems to feel special – hope the plans envisioned for Galvanise work out this year. We want to grow the team with each team member be outstanding with a great attitude and reeking of quality – none less than this would be part of the team.
What piece of advice would you like to give to the aspiring youth who wish to pursue their dream of becoming an entrepreneur?
Be an entrepreneur with an aim to build/ create something, to impact lives of team members who trust your conviction. Do not be an entrepreneur if you are driven by the thought of running behind the pot of gold under the rainbow. Also to remember the journey you experience as an entrepreneur is not something you experience if in a regular job – so make the most of it – listen, learn and grow, be astute and aware to bring in changes in both personal and professional life.
According to you, what are the top three essential skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Success is defined by each individual –but for me it is about having a great team in the literal sense. If you have ‘the’ team and a great culture ,enjoying what one is doing – is defined as success by me.
How do you manage the work-life balance?
Work-life balance is easy when the work does not feel like work and is something you enjoy doing :). Having said this there are 24 hours in the day, say we sleep for seven hours there are 18 hours left and 18 hours is a lot of time in hand. I swear by the calendar which helps me organize my time at work and in general. I take quality time to spend with friends, family and pursue my interests which are around fitness, art, giving back to the society.
Building a balance is up to an individual and its important each one of us reflects on bringing the balance.
sWhat are your views and opinions towards the ambiguous need to promote women entrepreneurship and women empowerment in India.
I am all for empowering women– I am biased and feel women make better multitaskers than men :). As for entrepreneurship – I do not think it has anything to do with gender – it has to do with the idea and the gumption to implement it well.
I would also like to add here that being an entrepreneur in India is not an easy task and that the various state government should come out with a manifest making one or more cities in the state to be entreprnuer friendly.
Words for IWIL
It is a great platform and is the need for both larger and smaller cities in the country.
