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With his firm beliefs & determination, Sai came out of the hardship he faces after the demise of his father who was a Teacher in Railway runs School. < All Interviews Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Entrepreneur VictoryTales with its objective to bring more and more meaningful and powerful inspirational stories from around the world to empower and motivate our growing community of entrepreneurs, this time introducing Mr. Sai Purnaa Patnaik, Founder of “Sylvann”. Born and brought up in an average Indian family, Sai Purnaa Patnaik struggles throughout his life to came out of poverty. With his firm beliefs & determination, Sai came out of the hardship he faces after the demise of his father who was a Teacher in Railway runs School. While doing master’s in business administration tried his luck by doing partnership with one of his friends and sell Net2Phone instruments from Singapore and sell them in domestic market where he lost all his savings. Worked as an office boy in a pharmaceutical export company and remain in office day & night and learnt titbits of international market and exports besides learning how to operate computer and emails. Sai Purnaa, learnt a lot from his every failures and came up strongly to achieve his desired goal of becoming an entrepreneur and now heading many companies including “Sylvann”. Share this Interview: Know more about “Sylvann” , Legend Stone (P) Ltd. & Bitcoin Caffe Established in the year 2004, “Sylvann” is first ever company having expertise in customized designing mosaics and working for the last 16 years to make mosaics from Natural Stone, Glass, Porcelain, 3D Mosaics. Sylvann’s mosaic are unique, made by placing coloured pieces such as stones, glass etc in an organised manner to make them beautifully decorated mosaic, and the company have been exporting their products to USA, Italy, France, Holland, UK, Singapore etc. The raw material used to make mosaics are the natural scrap from big factories and by converting them handmade mosaics which are used in interior and exterior wall cladding and in swimming pools. The company is also developing customized designs as per the taste of their customers and as per market demand. The professionals of the company are developing their products extensively and experimenting to come as per the expectations of their clients to provide them their dream products. To know more about Sylvann, kindly Tell us a little about your organization and your organization’s journey so far; I started my company “Sylvann” in the year 2004 by gathering natural scrap from big factories and converting them handmade mosaics which are used in interior and exterior wall cladding and in swimming pools. Initially we started our exports of mosaics with France. In 2007 we started a company in the name of Legend Stone Pvt Ltd. In partnership with a Holland company. From legend stones we focused on interior and mainly exterior paving stone products. We are now exporting to UK, Germany, Ireland, Holland, USA ETC. Tell us a little bit about yourself (background) and your journey as an entrepreneur, please. My father was a railway school teacher from Rourkela in Orissa. We were three siblings and always had crisis at home as my father was the only earning member for the entire family. Financial crisis made me to always look for ways to make money to support my family along with my studies. My father was suffering from cancer, and we struggled with his treatment for almost five years, and unfortunately, we lost him. His treatment expenditure got us into huge debt. we had to leave our school and find alternate methods to go for correspondence course in Matriculation. Having tried several earning options, I could understand the importance of my further studies. I used to get admission in colleges and struggled to pay my college fees, during my Graduation when all my classmates were giving their final exams and I was not allowed to enter the classroom, luckily the student’s president of the college whom I helped him during election campaign, came to my support and fought with the management, and I was allowed to appear for the exams. Similarly got support from friends and classmates and completed my MBA from Jaipur. It was difficult time with no financial support, no shelter, away from family, on top of that sending money back home. I always valued time, Time is the scarcest thing in any one’s life so always tried to be productive, and I always involved myself into multiple things along with my studies. Trying various businesses within my capacity and most of the time I lost money with some learning. Always had a keen desire to do something of my own. At a very young age tried my hands with selling Son-papdi sweets with gift packs during festivals and apart from festivals supplying them to hotels and shops. Also tried selling incense sticks to pan shops. During my MBA, I got into a partnership with a friend to get Net2Phone instruments from Singapore and sell them in domestic market, where I lost all my savings. While I was working as an office boy for a pharmaceutical export company along my MBA, I requested my Boss to allow me to stay in the office. And I learnt a lot from there about international market and exports. Also learnt computers and Internet. Internet was new at that time, and I had the advantage of learning internet and sending mails etc. After completion of my MBA my certificates were stuck because of Fees, and I started giving consultancies to few factories who wanted to get into exports.I used to make their websites and contact offshore clients. But I wasn’t earning much, and I had the financial pressure of sending money home, I took a full-time job with one of stone factory to whom I was consulting as part time earlier. I worked there for 9 years to make my financial condition better, but it did not take me anywhere nor could get freedom of exploring new avenues. That’s when I experimented in developing mosaics from stone wastage, and we did sampling and it clicked well. That’s how we started our company. But initially we made wrong selection with people working for us and we lost and came into huge debt. But that didn’t stop me to restart again. I lost again in 2008 when my wife had an accident. I learnt a lot from my every failure and came up strongly to achieve my desired goal of becoming an entrepreneur. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job? I always needed freedom and was fed-up with my financial crisis and poverty that I closely experienced for years. I wanted to make best use of my energy, will power and have my own venture and to give back to the society. I learnt from my father to serve the society in what ever way possible. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s your source of motivation? Good Question. Every day I like to learn something new out of my life’s circumstances. So first thing I do after I get out of my bed is to water my plants and then read books. I always like to experiment in my business with some crazy ideas which excites me. I am also health conscious and having addiction of going to the Gym, I look forward to attending my Gym session every morning and in the evening I play football with half the age group. I deeply believe in giving back to the society which gives me internal strength and motivation. Regarding my source of motivation, every year I plant lot of trees and take care of them, it gives me immense pleasure when I see these trees growing big. One more thing which inspire and motivate me to support an orphanage. With the help of our suppliers and clients who extend their help to support orphanage. I always feel that lots more to do and time is flying, I am still far away from my childhood dreams and that motivates me to take new challenges, learning new things, networking with younger generation entrepreneurs, you never know what and how any opportunity can get me to my desired goals. During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have under taken continue your business without disruption? Our business required physical visits to factories to check quality, but due to zoom calls we could conduct zoom calls with our north and south teams. The factories we have reduced the strengths to 40% working at one time. For quality control we have requested production status on photos google drives to ensure the standards are met. So more online monitoring. What challenges/obstacles did you face in your journey so far? We had to fight with people who have deeper pockets and better infrastructure. We just focused on what our competitors are missing. We always continuously strive to make it better product and better packing, adding more and more value for the customer. We always try to surprise our customer with over delivering, Less complications making everything easy for them. Our product is Labour oriented which is a big problem these days, but we try to conduct meetings at factories and teach them financial planning, savings and importance of taking care of their health etc. We try to treat them as we treat our customers and gradually that has helped in getting the best out of them. We tell them we don’t need your hands and legs we want you to show us your mental ability. We have asked our team not to use these words, which are actually a big problem i.e Mujhe laga, Maine socha, Meri guarantee, chalta hai these are some problems for all business. What comes first for you - money or emotions? Frankly speaking, I feel empathy and emotions are very necessary components of a business. Every business is for people, by people and for the people and in every case, Humans are involved, and you will have to take care of them at every time. Business runs because of Humans and emotions are important component besides money. Empathy is always required to move further to strengthen the business foundations. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress? I think the best way to handle stress is to work out in Gym or play football, or spend some time with trees or nature, speak to some strangers are some of my modes which I tried to handle my pressure if comes to me. Besides this, reading books, going out with family and listening to music also helps to relieve stress. What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/startup? I think the one strategy that I believe has helped me to grow as a person is the “High velocity in action and decision, do not fear of making mistakes”. In your opinion what are the keys to success? One need to be a massive action taker; average action doesn’t take you anywhere. Learn unlearn and relearn is what keeps you going. Things change very frequently, and you just can’t stick to your past and be rigid with your traditional learning. You will have to try to keep pace with the change’s world throws at you. Learn from your mistakes and make them successful. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? The only advice, I would like to give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur is to Focus on building a strong team, right and dedicated team can pull you out during tough times. Be consistent and patient. Apply long term focus and Don’t neglect your health. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO Gamethon Professional Gamers You may also like to read

Started as a necessity, which later-on become passion and obsession for the digital domain led to the genesis of Skyracle. < All Interviews Hardeep Singh Founder Entrepreneur VictoryTales with an objective to bring to our community some of the unique and compelling stories from the start-up passionate entrepreneur who started their journey with zero balance in the account and had big dreams. With their dedication and constant efforts to chase their dream, this time we came across Mr. Hardeep Singh who started his entrepreneurial journey with Zero Rupee at the age of 18 years. Recalling his early days, Mr. Hardeep Singh conveyed that he always screwing around, and trying hard to find opportunities to make mistakes, so that he could learn new stuff. And doing that he gained a keen interest in computers. Started as a necessity, which later-on become passion and obsession for the digital domain led to the genesis of Skyracle. Share this Interview: Know more about Skyracle Where did the idea to start something like this come from? Please also talk to us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur. My entrepreneurial journey started with ZERO rupees when I was 18 with high aspirations and big dreams. Due to necessity, I started pitching Websites, Software, Mobile App, and Digital Marketing to local businesses (as a side gig with my day job) to fund my college fees, which later-on become passion and obsession for the digital domain led to the genesis of "Skyracle" in 2013. As an avid reader, I always read books on Business, Personal Development, Marketing, User Experience, Processes, People Management, Cloud and Technology - which becomes a great mentor and best source of learning for me to scale my business significantly. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job? I choose entrepreneurship over a job and had the instinct to start something meaningful -- that can create great technological products or services to make the world a better place. How do you find the industry/niche that you’re in? I was the only student who opted for computers in my school days. And I always screwing around and trying hard to find opportunities to make mistakes, so that I could learn new stuff. And doing that I gained a keen interest in computers. Interestingly, without much technical knowledge and help, I started a car and bike blog “Speedster” - which was an amateur blogging site - which I managed to learn from Google baba. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s your source of motivation? My source of motivation is 'Inner Happiness' and that urge comes when we do something we love, which is following one's passion. And, of course, my team members who strive hard to make the name of this business. What challenges/obstacles did you face in your journey so far? Building a tech startup without any experience was not an easy task for me especially hiring/managing the team. I did a lot of mistakes in the beginning, did hard work and struggle, but I always decided not to look back and move ahead. Tell us about the uniqueness of your startup, please; We are canvassing dreams of others. We develop Mobile Application, Software, Website, Cloud Services, and Digital Marketing Strategies, which is required by various startups/businesses. Right, from the start we were very sure about two things, one is to have a very employee-friendly organization, and second, we will provide high-class services to our clients. Since then we are having 100% client satisfaction behind the growth that we have achieved in just a few years. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress? Our lifestyle impact on how we react in workplace stress. Therefore, as a morning person, I have made it a habit to engage in outdoor exercise and yoga to keep stress at bay and prefer to stay calm during any kind of stressful situation. Because I believe panicking during stressful situations will never solve the problem. What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/startup? Effective communication skills help me to build great working relationships with my clients - which helped me to grow as a person/startup. In your opinion what are the keys to success? Building a positive attitude with consistency is the key to success. As Anthony Robbins said: "It’s not what we do once in a while that shapes our lives. It’s what we do consistently." What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? I would like you to highlight two things here: First, always hire people smarter then you, so you don’t need to handhold them for every task, and second, if you’ve got a business idea, start it today. There is no better time than now. Because if you keep on planning and planning without execution, it will lead you to nowhere. Idea + Inaction = No Change . Planning is crucial but executing it or taking action is what will get you on to the next level. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

Rahul's honesty and intention for good work have been the strengths... < All Interviews Rahul Todi Managing Director Entrepreneur We as VictoryTales believe that an ideal business family is the one which understands that the survival of the business is important for the survival of the family and the Family enterprises are different because they involve families. This time we came across Mr. Rahul Todi, Managing Director of Shrachi Group who is from a business family and is carrying the legacy of his father to new heights. Mr. Rahul Todi, one of the most prominent young entrepreneurs of Bengal and son of a reputed Industrialist – Shri Shrawan Kumar Todi. He is one of the paramount forces behind the Shrachi Group, a highly regarded family owned business of West Bengal that ventures into Real Estate, Agro and Engineering. Under the leadership of Mr. Rahul Todi, Managing Director, Shrachi Group, the business has grown exponentially. His creative way of thinking has brought a new vision to the business. His honesty and intention for good work have been the strengths that have contributed to the success of Shrachi Group. Mr. Rahul Todi also started a notebook brand besides the family Real Estate business to establish the company’s presence across the country. Share this Interview: Know more about Shrachi Group Shrachi Group is a leading conglomerate. Dynamism and the desire to evolve have always led Shrachi to explore newer territories in its ventures. Since its inception, Mr. Ganesh Narayan Todi and Mr. Brijlal Todi have inspired the team to Dream and Do. Thus began the journey of Dreamers who Do. Today, the Rs.1000-crore conglomerate has expanded into businesses as diverse as Real Estate, Agro Machinery, Engineering & EPC, and Stationery under the able leadership of Mr. S.K.Todi and his sons Mr. Ravi Todi and Mr. Rahul Todi. From a humble beginning in 1966, Shrachi Group has grown from strength to strength to be where it is today. The company's transparent policies and a penchant for perfection have always satisfied shareholders and consumers alike. Brijlaxmi Paper Products Pvt. Ltd., belonging to the group, is a young company engaged in the manufacturing of an entire range of paper products and stationery for students and executives alike. On enquiring background about Mr. Rahul Todi, and his journey as an entrepreneur, he apprises us that; The idea to start a notebook brand besides the family Real Estate business came from a thought process that our family business was geographically restricted to West Bengal and due to the success in Real Estate involving direct consumer interaction, I thought of launching an exciting children focussed brand and starting with a “notebook”. It was a good way to establish our presence across the country. I belong to a family where overall interest as mentioned is in Real Estate, Agro, and Engineering. My first personal venture was in IT which I started with two of my college mates from Australia and we grew the business to about 1300 people in IT Services. We sold the company to Manpower Inc which is a global manpower services company. On requesting him, why did he choose entrepreneurship over a job? he explains that; I think from very early in my childhood I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I belong to a multi-generation business family who have been in business throughout their life. So I have grown up seeing my father being an entrepreneur which probably inspired me to be an entrepreneur myself rather than doing any job. How do you find the industry/niche that you’re in? This industry is very exciting and challenging. Exciting because every day is new; everyday you are building something; every day you are planning and looking at each project in a new way. One of the most fulfilling parts is the fact that to see something you envision in your head, then to plan for it and finally to see it being built, is one of the most enriching experiences about the industry. On enquiring about what gets him out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s his source of motivation? Mr. Rahul explains that Motivation ! The most important thing one needs in life. Motivation is the prerequisite for better performance. Intelligence, hard work, talent- everything is a mere waste without motivation. My source of motivation, I believe, is creating something new and my family. On enquiring about the challenges/obstacles he faced in his journey so far, Mr. Rahul narrates that; Challenges and Obstacles are always a part of any journey and naturally my journey has been no different. One of the biggest challenges I feel every entrepreneur faces is a failure and also in your entrepreneurial journey you are bound to make some mistakes which might lead you to business losses, and also might lead you to some distractions. In our mind we feel these obstacles and challenges as a problem but if you use it as a learning for your next venture or the next part of your venture you will surely overcome the obstacles and challenges. One straight question, how do you handle the pressure and manage stress: It is easier said than done and every individual has his own way of managing stress and pressure. Pressure and stress are part of the entrepreneurial journey and we all must learn to handle pressure and stress. To be very honest there is no formula that can work for everyone. What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/startup? The one strategy or believe that has helped me is the intent to do good work. A lot of problems and issues will arise doing these part and temptations are there to change your path but in the end, if you have honesty and if you have the intention to create a great business or a great product and service you will succeed. Personally this has helped me to grow and come to the stage where I am today. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

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Anuj is on a mission to spread happiness among businesses, their employees, and customers. < All Interviews Anuj Sehgal Founder and CEO Entrepreneur This time, In our latest interview on VictoryTales, we would like to introduce Mr. Anuj Sehgal, a very unique and admirable personality who is having God’s gift in his life to make millions of millions of people Laugh through his very unique idea to bring Comedy as his main objective to make the world happy. Mr. Anuj Sehgal is the Founder and CEO at “Comedy Munch”. Mr. Anuj with his mission to spread happiness among businesses, their employees, and customers. He is the Founder & CEO of Comedy Much, a company that helps brands in employee & customer engagement, brand communication, community building, and online integration through humour & entertainment. The journey of Mr. Anuj Sehgal as a startup comedian started since 2015 when on one evening he attended his first stand-up comedy show in Delhi. Share this Interview: Know more about Comedy Munch Anuj was inspired by the quality of the content and the kind of crowd-puller which led him to the creation of “Comedy Munch”, an exclusive digital platform for comedy. By then at the age of 37, Mr. Anuj Sehgal had over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, strategy, and operations as Country Manager for European MNC and Sales head for OTT player- NextG TV, and later as the co-founder and director of IT solutions company Inavit Digital. On enquiring from Mr. Anuj Sehgal about himself and his journey as an entrepreneur, he replied that It was one evening in the year 2015 that shaped his new start-up when he attended his first stand-up comedy show in Delhi. Mr Anuj apprised that he was inspired by the quality of the content and the kind of crowd-puller it was in that stand-up comedy show. That got him thinking and led to the creation of “Comedy Munch”, an exclusive digital platform for comedy. Then at the age of 37, Anuj had over 15 years of experience in digital marketing, strategy, and operations as Country Manager for European MNC and Sales head for OTT player- NexG TV, and later as the co-founder and director of IT solutions company Inavit Digital. Mr Anuj further said that when you think of comedy nowadays, in a world full of technologies and endless opportunities, we can imagine some witty humorous people performing stand-up comedy. ROFL is no more just a slang, it has become more relatable owing to the new age comics. And what if on that stage, we see a backbencher comedian from our class performing and making people crack out of laughter or someone we’ve always known for making everyone laugh at correct timings, how overwhelming of an experience would it be! That’s the exact idea of having a platform where people from all walks of life who are like any of us would come together to put their best jokes together and share with people what they’re best at. And as we all know nothing is greater than a morale boost and appreciation from the audience the artists work for; live for! Comedy Munch believes in spreading happiness and with this agenda in mind they organize happiness sessions and gigs across the country which is a one-stop destination for relieving out all the stress accumulated by the discomforts of life. With an online content platform, public shows and corporates, brands integration, adding that dose of laughter boosting to live up to the higher aspirations for brands, corporates, and the public in general. Your introduction and journey so far; Anuj is on a mission to spread happiness among businesses, their employees, and customers. He is the Founder & CEO of Comedy Much, a company that helps brands in employee & customer engagement, brand communication, community building, and online integration through humour & entertainment. The company plans and organizes events and programs for dealer/vendor/corporate meets, brand/product launch, community building, and online audience engagement through a unique integration of comedy and entertainment content. In his 15+ years of experience, Anuj has been part of many successful projects. He launched the First Telco OTT Platform in India at Aplaya Technologies, LIVE Streaming of IPL on Mobile TV Platform, and the successful launch of Timwe – An European MNC Operations in India. He has been instrumental in planning, launching, and managing these and many other projects. He is almost always involved passionately in running a growing Comedy Munch and making businesses a happier place. You would find him meeting with HR/Marketing Heads and CEOs and discussing unique ways for them to make their employees and customers happy and how humour and entertainment can help them in their missions. He loves to travel and decode life through a spiritual process and music. That’s where he gets most of the unique ideas about living a more enriching and fulfilling life. That's what drives Comedy Munch at the core and keeps the company fresh and innovative. Get in touch with Anuj to discuss unique ways on how comedy, humour, and entertainment can help you build a positive and happy brand image, keep your employees and customers happy and more engaged. Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job? I always wanted to create value in the ecosystem and give it back to the society, there was always a hunch to do something creative around performing arts and comedy came as a boon and exciting to live like a dream. As Steve Jobs says “Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life”. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s your source of motivation? Good Question. I would say not just in but at night, it usually happens. I am always fond of figuring out something niche or new, which may create a proposition for me and the public at large. I usually keep this mode on all the time and it serves as the source of my motivation all the time. The kind of positivity the smiling faces bring around me is so encouraging. Making people laugh while making money seemed like a win-win idea. We all seek peace in the busy city lives after working 9 to 6, five days a week, I thought what if I could make those days better? That’s how I get motivated every morning and plan on spreading happiness amongst the stressful environments of any working space. As we are in the business of creating happiness, it does not feel that getting to work is a task in the morning. What challenges/obstacles did you face in your journey so far? Every business has risks. Our risks are associated with the right skill set that we look for expansion in the future. We already have a core niche team but I see from future expansion perspective, we would need innovative minds, with a flexible thought process. Although, with a clearly defined process, and innovative means to reach out to search resources, we are confident enough that we will mitigate it. Finding the right team/talent/partners is the constant battle and we have achieved some milestones with their support. What comes first for you - money or emotions? I am an emotional person. Business needs to have emotions, not personal, obviously, but business ones like concern for quality deliverables, client satisfaction, targets & roadmaps, you planned & how you will achieve it, etc. Money is obviously the priority but I believe if your value creation process is right for others, the money will automatically come as an outcome of it. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress? The meditation, exercise, right food and right people around you is the key to manage the pressure and stress. I have been lucky to be around the right people in the form of family support, an amazing team that helps me to balance the day to day stress and pressure. What is one strategy that you believe has helped you grow as a person/start-up? In my journey so far what has helped me immensely is the lean methodology and the relationships with people/team/partners. In your opinion what are the keys to success? There are a few and you can learn it on your way up. As long as you have a growth mindset it is not a problem. Persistence, Discipline, Empathy are some of the keys, and if you love what you are doing, you will gradually succeed. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? I always work on a tag line ‘add value to get value’. Don’t focus primarily on money or investments but keep your focus on creating a sustainable venture & value creation. I believe, rest things will automatically set with time. Don’t start the business to raise money, start to add value, and solve the problem. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

I always try to make sure that I empower the right people for the right work. This way I do not feel overburdened with work that leads to stress. < All Interviews Tushar Kansal Founder & CEO Entrepreneur VictoryTales with its objective to bring more and more meaningful and powerful inspirational stories from around the world to empower and motivate our growing community of entrepreneurs, this time introducing Mr. Tushar Kansal, Founder CEO of Kansaltancy is an accomplished professional with experience spanning multiple sectors from Venture Capital (Brand Cap), Big 4 Consulting (Deloitte & Touche), LSE-listed Sistema's India unit (MTS India) to CFO of Guggenheim Partners-owned company (DLI). He is Mentor and Judge at Entrepreneurship cells of IIT-Mumbai, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Chennai, ISM-Dhanbad & such marquee Institutions. Tushar has expertise of Financial & Business advisory, Fund raising & creation of docs/ collaterals for VC Funding. Tushar is a Venture Advisor with Loyal VC, the INSEAD-led Canadian VC Fund, having a core portfolio of over 160 investments in more than 35 countries. He is also Partner with GSD Venture Studios, a Silicon-valley based Venture Builder. Share this Interview: Know more about Kansaltancy To know about Kansaltancy, kindly Visit Website or Download Brochure . What is your educational background? I have completed Executive Education from Harvard Business School, an MBA in Finance from University of Delhi and B.Tech (Textiles) from Technological Institute of Textile & Sciences - Bhiwani, which is affiliated to the “Textile Institute Manchester, UK” and part of the leading Industrial & Education house in India “The Birla Group”. Major part of my Schooling has been at Montfort School, Delhi. How did you begin your career? Was it in conjunction with the present role that you have taken up or otherwise? I was lucky enough to get campus placement from my Engineering College at Indo Rama Synthetics, a big poly-staple fibre manufacturing company at Nagpur. I was inclined towards IT sector or in Finance and after clearing MBA Entrance examination I did MBA in Finance from University of Delhi. Again, I was lucky to got campus placement in M&A division of SBI Capital. I Co-founded an education company titled “KITES” which imparted training to high school students for IIT entrance examinations. We were having 800 students at one time which were accommodated in three KITES centres in North Delhi. In the year 2006, I sold KITES to Narayana Institute and got honourable exit from it. For the last decade, I have been in leadership role, driving Business, with large companies and as an entrepreneur. At Deloitte, I executed Private Equity assignments/ Valuations & Financial Advisory. At Brand Capital, I was part of the team investing across companies. At MTS India, as head of Debt division, I was instrumental in raising almost $2.5 billion of debt in 3 years and handled all round financial goals as CFO of DLI, including compliances towards the PE Fund Guggenheim, as the main investor and owner. I am Founder of Kansaltancy Ventures, an Investment Management firm as also Saffron First, a Start-up Network/ Fund and all the roles played by me have deeply helped me in executing my present professional journey. Tell us more about your journey? My social media links are at Linktree and corporate website is Kansaltancy.com . I founded a startup Indus B2C Global in 2013. It was a startup into B2B consumer space. The product was Human Hair extensions which are sought after by mostly women of African origin. It was during my time with this startup that I realized the gaps between what startups need and what companies are offering to help the startups. Later on, I quit full-time Management of this startup and became a financial investor. That’s when I launched Kansaltancy Ventures – we assist startups and growth stage companies with equity fundraising, debt, mergers and acquisitions and mentoring. We also help in getting business for the startups. The large part of my work at Kansaltancy Ventures is doing webinars and helping founders and team members of aspiring startups to reach their desired goals. Today, I have made a lot of progress in creating an ecosystem in this field. I am a Mentor and Judge at Entrepreneurship cell of IIT-Mumbai, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Chennai, IIT-Kharagpur, IIT ISM-Dhanbad & such marquee Institutions. I have an expertise of Financial & Business advisory, Fund raising & creation of docs/ collaterals for VC Funding. I am also a Venture Advisor with Loyal VC, the INSEAD-led Canadian VC Fund, having a core portfolio of over 160 investments in more than 35 countries. I am also partner with GSD Venture Studios, a Silicon-valley based Venture Builder. Over the years, I have arranged Funding for startups & growth-stage companies in diverse sectors like, EdTech, FinTech, Consumer B2C, B2B & D2C, AgriTech, Disruptive & DeepTech as well as non-Tech sectors. The full list of 40+ Recommendations are on LinkedIn. I feel privileged to apprise that my expert opinion is often sought by leading business news channels and publications like CNN-News18, VCTV, Business World, Business & Economy, Qrius and Digital Market Asia. I have come on 150+ talks - Just check on YouTube, VCTV streaming site https://latoken.com/vctv/investor/1040 & Kansaltancy.com! What are the offerings of Kansaltancy Ventures? Kansaltancy Ventures ( Kansaltancy.com and https://www.linkedin.com/company/kansaltancyventures ) is an investment management and advisory firm into Equity fund raising, fund raising for VC Funds, Debt and Mergers & Acquisitions. It has developed years of experience in Growth Companies to prepare for the unknown while meeting their Needs. Our verticals are as follows: Funding: Equity & Structured Debt Planning & Pitching to Investors Mergers & Acquisitions Pitch Deck Preparations & Presentations Business Plans & Project Plans Preparations Start Ups & Growth Strategies & Planning Go-To Market & Digital Marketing Strategies Financial Strategic Planning & Analysis Strategic Planning & Execution Advisory Business Valuations Advisory As an independent Growth delivery firm, we can access many different Funding Options so that the customer can get the right Funding and services. Saffron First ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/saffronfirst ) is a Global Crowdfunding/ Angel Network & Fund, headquartered in Singapore, crafting investments in APAC/ India & providing domain specialists, capital & an ecosystem of strategic partnerships What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career? I chose entrepreneurship over my corporate career because I always wanted to make an impact. I have always been intrigued by entrepreneurship and read success stories of all the successful entrepreneurs. You see – It’s fascinating how you build something from the scratch to an empire around it and this is not everyone can do it. It takes a lot of courage, planning, perseverance, hard work, teamwork, combined with good strategy & execution skills. ‘Kansaltancy Ventures’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving with the help of your startup? Kansaltancy Ventures is an eponym from surname in my name – Tushar Kansal. A large part of our work in assisting startups and companies and working closely with them, mentoring them on various aspects, like getting business for them from our relationships, management concepts and providing a way forward. Because of the Consulting nature of this engagement which we have with companies, I thought that having “Consultancy” rhyming first word as the first name, would be very suitable. During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption? As the business faced Covid, each measure is taken to ensure that the model aligns with challenges of the pandemic. Our business model consists of a lean team which is not at all resource-heavy and has minimal overheads. The freelancer model ensures each work can be handled remotely, where we don’t need to do physical meetings Every aspect of the business is online and tech-enabled to ensure automation as much as possible. How do you manage yourself and keep on going despite the challenges? What drives you? I always try to make sure that I empower the right people for the right work. This way I do not feel overburdened with work that leads to stress. In my free time, I try to travel, spend time with my family, and try to maintain my work-life balance as much as possible. Travelling helps me clear my mind and focus on issues that need my attention. I am also into Yoga and Pranayam, which keeps my whole energy system balanced. I also learnt much about Naturopathy, which my family follows in the past 30 years. Being in naturopathy has kept me away from too much hard medicine and instead relying on nature cures. In your opinion - what is more necessary: Idea or a good team for a successful startup? I have seen companies with very innovative ideas with niche market segment fail just because they lacked proper team spirit in them.” To be successful, you should team up with co-founders who share your vision behind the idea, and you also need to hire the right people for the right position so that it gets implemented in a proper way. The Investors always bank a lot on the team – they believe that if the Team is good, even if the product is not perfect, it can be made perfect. Even if the Business Model is not good, the team will pivot to the right one eventually. You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going? I love my work. Anything you do in life you have to have a passion for it and should not feel like working. I am also the eternal optimist and like to see the Glass half full! Your ability to do something in the world essentially depends on the extent to which you can harness your body and mind towards your goal, and after that, harnessing the situation in which you exist. But the most fundamental things are that your body and mind function not only to the best of their ability, but the way you want them to. If you bring your mind to a certain level of organization, it in turn organizes the other three dimensions of your system – your body , emotion , and energies . We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and see them as an opportunity to learn. #1 Before you leap, look! - Many possibilities always mean trouble. To be able to identify which one of these possibilities you should go with is a certain exercise. The problem is people jump into something and then exercise their mind – no. Before you jump into something, it needs to be looked at with enough attention because once you jump into something, there should be no looking back. If you are constantly looking at the rearview mirror, you are not going to go forward. #2 Enhance your perception – See life the way it is. If you are born afresh, that means you have no conclusions about anything. You are willing to look at everything like you are just born. If you can see life just the way it is, you have the necessary intelligence to conduct it well. If you are not able to see life the way it is, your intelligence will work against you. #3 Your ability to pay attention is key. If a human being has to break through their limitations, the most important quality is steadiness of attention. Your ability to manage anything is directly proportional to the level of attention and observation that you have. #4 Put your life into whatever you do - Whatever the path you jump onto is not the best thing to do. You can never do the best thing in the world. Whatever you jump into, if you really put your life into it, it can become a great thing. Do not ever try to do the best thing because if you try to do the best thing, you will waste your life trying to be better than someone else. #5 Take charge of your inner situation - Either you allow your destiny to be an accident, or you allow your destiny to be your intent, that is a choice you have. Either you allow the situations to make you something or you make the situations the way you want them. What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story? Getting the right opportunity and performing to the best of your capability when you get that opportunity. To get that opportunity, I present myself as a brand. I prepare myself to give in my best shot at each and every opportunity that comes my way. "People who are right a lot listen a lot, and they change their mind a lot. People who are right a lot change their mind without a lot of new data. They wake up and reanalyze things and change their mind. If you don’t change your mind frequently, you’re going to be wronged a lot. People who are right a lot want to disconfirm their fundamental biases." What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your startup? I’ve learned to not compare myself to other successful men who seem to have it all together. Invariably, things are not always as they seem, and no one has it all together. I have also learned how important it is to embrace change because, at any given time, you will need to shift strategies due to circumstances beyond your control. Lesson 1 : Approach your relationship with your founding team as you would a marriage Lesson 2 : Your startup has limited eggs, don’t place them in so many baskets Lesson 3 : Only hire those you could see yourself working for Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success? I firmly believe in the 14 Amazon leadership principles: Customer Obsession - Leaders start with the customer and work backwards. They work vigorously to earn and keep customer trust. Although leaders pay attention to competitors, they obsess over customers. Ownership - Leaders are owners. They think long term and don’t sacrifice long-term value for short-term results. They act on behalf of the entire company, beyond just their own team. They never say “that’s not my job." Invent and Simplify - Leaders expect and require innovation and invention from their teams and always find ways to simplify. They are externally aware, look for new ideas from everywhere, and are not limited by “not invented here." As we do new things, we accept that we may be misunderstood for long periods of time. Are Right, A Lot - Leaders are right a lot. They have strong judgment and good instincts. They seek diverse perspectives and work to disconfirm their beliefs. Learn and Be Curious - Leaders are never done learning and always seek to improve themselves. They are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. Hire and Develop the Best - Leaders raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. They recognize exceptional talent, and willingly move them throughout the organization. Leaders develop leaders and take seriously their role in coaching others. We work on behalf of our people to invent mechanisms for development like Career Choice. Insist on the Highest Standards - Leaders have relentlessly high standards — many people may think these standards are unreasonably high. Leaders are continually raising the bar and drive their teams to deliver high quality products, services, and processes. Leaders ensure that defects do not get sent down the line and that problems are fixed so they stay fixed. Think Big - Thinking small is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Leaders create and communicate a bold direction that inspires results. They think differently and look around corners for ways to serve customers. Bias for Action - Speed matters in business. Many decisions and actions are reversible and do not need extensive study. We value calculated risk taking. Frugality - Accomplish more with less. Constraints breed resourcefulness, self-sufficiency, and invention. There are no extra points for growing headcount, budget size, or fixed expense. Earn Trust - Leaders listen attentively, speak candidly, and treat others respectfully. They are vocally self-critical, even when doing so is awkward or embarrassing. Leaders do not believe their or their team’s body odour smells of perfume. They benchmark themselves and their teams against the best. Dive Deep - Leaders operate at all levels, stay connected to the details, audit frequently, and are sceptical when metrics and anecdote differ. No task is beneath them. Have Backbone ; Disagree and Commit - Leaders are obligated to respectfully challenge decisions when they disagree, even when doing so is uncomfortable or exhausting. Leaders have conviction and are tenacious. They do not compromise for the sake of social cohesion. Once a decision is determined, they commit wholly. Deliver Results - Leaders focus on the key inputs for their business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion. Despite setbacks, they rise to the occasion and never settle. Please share with us - What has worked well for you so far? One thing I would say that helped me and my company grow is the ability to listen to our customers. We believe that customers are not interested in products but in getting their problems resolved. The more we listen to them, the problems they face in their business, the more efficiently and effectively we can resolve them. We believe that we are capable to do that, and it is the only reason for our growth. To know more about Tushar Kansal and his views:- Tushar Kansal on Latoken Venture Capital Tv (VCTV) . Tushar Kansal at At MSME & Startups Forum Bharat . Tushar Kansal at CXO Genie/ Founders Genie/ Inflection Point Ventures . Tushar Kansal at Open Source Network (OPN), Supporters Fund, Canada . Tushar Kansal at Silicon Valley Startup event . Tushar Kansal at Startup Grind, Asaba, Nigeria . Tushar Kansal at panel discussion on Co-working, Co-living at Starterbites Ventures . Tushar Kansal at Incubate IND . Tushar Kansal at Frontrunners Inc., Mary Kurek . Tushar Kansal at MentorKart, Ashish Khare . Tushar Kansal at MFL EduClub . Tushar Kansal speaking on what Investors want . Tushar Kansal at Dr Abhinav Saxena’s show on Cloud Kitchen . Tushar Kansal at Startup Monk . Tushar Kansal at Startup News FYI, Madhur Malik . Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

Recycling is not a new or innovative business. My product is unique, not the business. < All Interviews Paras Saluja Founder and Director Entrepreneur VictoryTales with its mission to bring more and more inspiring stories for our readers, this time we are introducing Mr. Paras Saluja Founder & Director of Shayana Ecounified India Pvt. Ltd who is on the single point focus to reduce the dumping of plastics in the environment and save the planet. Mr. Paras Saluja, is an entrepreneur, environmental advocate, an inventor, and presently Founder & Director of SHAYNA ECOUNIFIED INDIA PVT.LTD. With his innovation, Mr. Paras has turned plastic waste into reusable material and created affordable structural materials from plastic waste, and thus creating a better tomorrow for the generations to come. He gave the world community reusable products by turning plastic waste into High-Density Composite polymer (HDCP) tiles and blocks. Previously, Paras remained involved in his pharmaceutical business. Being an enthusiastic traveler, he has been to many Asian and European countries in the past and he has trekked until Advance Base Camp of Mount Everest. His movement from mainstream business to being an environmentalist has inspired several young entrepreneurs to continue to narrate his story as a TEDx speaker. Mr. Paras has pooled various government & private organizations like Municipal Corporations of Gurugram, and Hyderabad L'oreal and TATA Motors to solve the plastic pollution crisis by deploying HDCP tiles in their principal offices. Share this Interview: Know more about SHAYNA ECOUNIFIED INDIA PVT LTD Shayna EcoUnified India Pvt. Ltd established with a single focus to reduce the dumping of plastics in the environment and save the planet. By using eligible plastic waste materials, the Company turns plastics into High-Density Composite polymer (HDCP) tiles and blocks. These final recycled/converted materials are weather-resistant, chip-resistant, acid-proof, durable and offer better structural stability at a lower cost as compared to other conventional. The final product is composite, affordable, and contributes to the societal benefit. The company strives to deploy cost-effective architectural tiles further restructuring the recycling base of India and taking it towards a new and much-required evolution. On inquiring from where did the idea to start something like Shayna EcoUnified came from and requesting him to tell us about his background and his journey as an entrepreneur, Mr. Paras Saluja apprised that; I joined my family business after completing my educational journey from Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad, and Bachelor of Business Administration from I.T.S college in Ghaziabad. I shifted my focus after 15 years and took my first steps towards my life-long issue of reducing, reusing waste that’s present all around us, all the time. As I grew, I became an avid traveler and during one of my trips, I was in Vietnam where I saw that they were very aware and sensitive about the waste they produced and how they managed to dispose of it. That is when it struck me that India is a big and populated country with a huge problem of waste being produced daily but not disposed of properly. I think that was the time when I decided to do something for my country and also wanted to contribute to the ongoing government of India’s “Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan''. When the idea to make a difference in the way we (humanity) were operating about our plastic waste struck me, I did not want to lose even a single minute of my time not doing what I could for it to become a reality and change what can be changed. Then I researched more regarding what I wanted to work on and contacted CSIR-NPL and together we came up with this technology that was later transferred to us. On inquiring from him about what was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur? Mr. Paras Saluja replied that; I belong to a business family so doing business was not something new for me. However, starting something new of my own in a sector I have no idea about was something that I didn’t foresee. When the idea struck me then I just followed my dream to do something for the environment which is sustainable and long-lasting and also helps all strata of society and can in turn do something for our country. On inquiring from Mr. Paras Saluja, why he has chosen to become an entrepreneur over a job? He apprised that; I belong to a business family and my upbringing was always done accordingly. I never really thought about a corporate career. Growing up I always wanted to do something of my own and to learn the ropes I chose to become the part of the existing business. During this time, between other qualities, I realized about my leadership skills, decision-making ability, and most importantly the ability to recognize an opportunity when it presents itself. After more than a decade of learning and growing it, when the idea to make a difference in the way we (humanity) were operating about our plastic waste struck me, I did not want to lose even 1 minute of my time not doing what I could for it to become a reality and change what can be changed. When the opportunity presented itself then I wanted to make a product that is eco-friendly, something which did not wear and tear and could be used by us but since it came from waste, it shouldn’t touch our skin directly. Shayna’s products help clients with easy, economical, and speedy construction. Hence came out with the concept of tiles initially and later other products were introduced as well, which helps the society in using green technology to build smarter and greener ways of living. Can you please share with us your source of motivation for becoming an Entrepreneur? My belief in myself and my dream motivates me to keep going on. The passion and drive to finally be able to do something for our environment keeps us going and reaching out to people. Also, the support of our clients and environmental enthusiasts provides the much-needed boost that inspires us to strive for more. On inquiring how do you generate new ideas? Mr. Paras Saluja told that; The ideas just flow when one has a need. I live and follow the habits of sustainable living in my everyday life and I happen to notice a lot of things around me, some of them bother me, that’s the moment when I am on a constant lookout for inspiration which can help me and my curious brain to eradicate the issue I encounter and this habit gives birth to new ideas which I try and build into new products. On inquiring about the Uniqueness of his company Shayna EcoUnified, Mr. Paras apprised that ; Recycling is not a new or innovative business. My product is unique, not the business. What makes us different from other recycling companies is that we aim at unifying and bringing new solutions to cater to almost all the problems of pollution and help provide clean, healthy living conditions for all people, economies, and areas whether urban or rural. How did you come up with the name of your company? Shayna means Shine and Ecounified is the vision we have as we want to unify and bring a one-stop-shop solution for all things related to recycling, pollution, and the environment. We want to make a sustainable and eco-friendly living into an everyday reality for all. We want to generate more ideas and concepts and unify the needs of the environment and just make this reality shine bright. On inquiring, How many hours a day do you work on average? Mr. Paras explains that; I work as and when and what the need of the business is. Being a start-up currently, my work hours are anywhere between 10-12 hours a day. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? Patience, perseverance, commitment to the end goal, and always see and keep the big picture in mind. Obstacles come for everyone whether big or small, young, or seasoned entrepreneurs. What makes one sustain in the business is one’s patience, persistence, and the knack for looking for different possibilities from all sources known and unknown and waiting for the right time till things don’t work out. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

Ms. Khanduja is a young and budding entrepreneur at the age of 21. A graduate from Jesus and Mary College, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country < All Interviews Nishtha Khanduja Founder Women Entrepreneur VictoryTales with its objective to bring more inspiring stories around the world, this time introducing Ms. Nishtha Khanduja, founder of Moodhouse, Who is on a mission to help the people suffering from depression- accept, fight and defeat it. The idea is to have a digital platform where people affected by depression can share their conflicted state of mind stemming more often than not from an emotional shutdown resulting from an individual's inability to meet expectations of either oneself or those around him. Ms. Nishtha has endured the condition herself and fought through the battle with her conviction, strength and will. Instead of denying the cause and symptoms altogether, she confronted her demons, sought out help when she knew she was suffering and came out of it with a renewed sense of hope and energy. She quickly realized that she wanted to help as many people as she can going through the same malady She collaborated with professionals working in the field and set out a means of offline and online communication to reach out to and counsel those in need of help. Through the means of her social media accounts, she seeked to raise awareness against the taboos of "Mental issues" Ms. Khanduja is a young and budding entrepreneur at the age of 21. A graduate from Jesus and Mary College, one of the most prestigious institutions in the country, she is a fierce soul with a compassionate heart set on eradicating orthodox conventions around mental health and getting help in reach of any and everyone who is in despair and need of it. With no prior knowledge or experience about establishing a startup, driven solely by fire to aid, assist and heal, she took the plunge anyway. Share this Interview: Know more about Moodhouse Moodhouse came into existence in the March of the year 2020 intended to help understand and aid people going through any mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, or symptoms of bipolar disorder. The startup has a simple motto of helping those who are unable to find any guidance due to familial, societal, or mentary constraints through their network of counselors, psychologists, and preachers. We at Moodhouse, through our social media platforms, also try and bring to the fore inspiring stories such that people out there can identify with and relate to the struggles, desperation, helplessness, and hopelessness that such conditions instill in the sufferer. The emphasis is on getting across the message that though life may seem bleak, frail, and troublesome; it is well within ourselves to overcome all that appears irredeemable. Where did the idea to start something like this come from? Please also talk to us through your background and your journey as an entrepreneur. At the age of 20, I slipped into depression, where I felt like living through each and every day demanded as great an effort as is required of a wounded animal in a jungle to just survive. It was a struggle I had not known of before, in my entire life. I felt like a loser and lost hope altogether. I attempted to commit suicide n number of times to just get rid of the pain or numbness, whatever that was. What made matters worse and graver were that I had no one to go to, to talk with, to vent out. I don't think anyone really understood what it was like. It was only when I came out of that dark phase that I realized, that there are two main issues that needed to be addressed here. We created a community where we provided people struggling with such issues with free or subsidized professional counseling. We also aimed to bring about a change in the social mindset around mental health through the means of our online and offline channels of communication. Sometimes all we need is a companion, a shoulder to lean on, another soul to bear ours too without the fear of being judged. That's what we are trying to be at Moodhouse. I personally want people to know that "it's okay to not be okay all the time" Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a job? I didn't choose either over another. I chose them both. I am a Marketing Executive at Mahindra Holidays, Gurugram branch, as well as a Co-founder of Moodhouse What’s your source of motivation? Weird as it may sound, having lived through the anguish and pain myself, I know what the feeling of helplessness is like. I know what it feels like to not have any safe harbor whatsoever. I wouldn't wish it on my worst. It's that struggle that drives me to help as many as I can. How many hours a day do you work on average? Although handling a full-time job and a start-up requiring a constant invested emotional presence, is anything but an easy task, I have come to the inference that I am actually quite enjoying it. Every day when I conclude my day I realize how grateful and satisfied I am having lived that day to my full ability. How do you handle the pressure and manage stress? As you love your child unconditionally so much that you are able to turn a blind eye to any negative feeling, stress or even financial constraints for that matter that accompanies having a child. It is quite similar to that! Marketing is my passion and Moodhouse is my baby. There's no way any challenge that comes my way because of having the two in my life will make me feel stressed. Just like holding a child in your arms gives you nothing but a joy of the purest nature, exactly in the same manner, spending my time pursuing my passion and love only makes me incandescently happy. Challenges/obstacles faced in the journey so far? There are many obstacles and challenges that come along the way. You know we live in a society wherein we openly talk about our Physical wellbeing but fail to address the issues related to Mental Health. So, breaking the stigma and stereotype attached to it has been an uphill battle. What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs? The only piece of advice I have is - if you want to do something, just take the leap of faith and do it. If you have the desire and passion to do it, everything else you can learn. Any learnings? Life is worth fighting for!! Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

Mr. Sailesh started at the age of 16 years as he was fond of machines/vehicles and spent his time studying them and repairing faulty components in vehicles. < All Interviews Sailesh Nair Director & COO Entrepreneur We as Victorytales, In our latest interview, spoke to yet another passionate entrepreneur Mr. Sailesh Nair. To understand more about his interesting journey as an entrepreneur so far we would like to apprise that the quest to become an entrepreneur in Mr. Sailesh started at the age of 16 years as he was fond of machines/vehicles and spent his time studying them and repairing faulty components in vehicles. Mr. Sailesh, is Director & COO at “Esclare Group”, and he is a mechanical engineer from the University of Pune tried his hands in diversified fields including the Mechanical industry, IT, and then Advertising before entering the water industry which clicked in his mind. Somewhere between all these jobs, the thought came up of entering the water industry and establishing this venture “Esclare” . Share this Interview: Know more about Esclare Group Mr. Sailesh Nair apprised that the name "Esclare'' is derived from two Spanish words: “Es” which translates to "This is” & “Clare” which means “Bright or Clear”. Esclare is working to bring the changes required in the major problems being faced in today's time, firstly by managing the waste being generated by an ever-growing population, secondly, working on the way to fight the water crisis and thirdly, how one can improve the health of millions of suffering individuals worldwide. Mr. Sailesh and his team mainly focus on finding new ways to curb pollution, recycle water effectively, manage waste, and find alternatives to the growing demands of fossil fuels. Apart from its focus on the environment, Esclare also promotes proven medical technologies and devices which provide many benefits to the suffering patients. On inquiring from where did the idea to start something like “Esclare” come from and requesting him to tell us about his background and his journey as an entrepreneur, Mr. Sailesh Nair apprised that ; Back in 2012 when there were numerous reports doing rounds in the media houses about water shortage and contamination of water in various parts of our country. “Why isn’t anyone doing anything about it?” – The first thought that struck the mind. The next couple of years involved intensive sector study and market research to reason out the same. There were a few problems identified and the next step was to try to find a solution to these problems. That was how “Esclare” was born. My first stint as an entrepreneur was when I was 16 years old. I was fond of machines/ vehicles and spent a decent amount of time trying to study them and sometimes even try to repair faulty components in vehicles. Started providing 2 wheeler aesthetic modification services at the respective customer’s home. That was followed by a few other short-lived ventures like selling items on eBay to a clothing business. After all the humble attempts, I completed my engineering in Mechanical from the University of Pune and started working in diversified fields which included the mechanical industry followed by IT and then Advertising. Also, somewhere between all these jobs, the thought of entering the water industry popped up in my mind. However, this time, a venture with better zeal and purpose was born. On enquiring from him about the choosing entrepreneurship over the job, Mr. Sailesh Nair narrated that; There are pros and cons to both. When you weigh them against each other, you get a clearer picture of which side you’d want to choose. In my case, I never felt like I was addressing some serious problems or solving real issues. That was the initial drive that was needed. How do you find the industry/niche that you’re in? Mr. Sailesh Nair explains that; As of now, we are currently in the Water, Waste, and Medical Industry. All these verticals are extremely competitive and the only edge a company has is with the quality of products or services they sell. Thus, anyone with a product or service capable of making life easier can find himself/ herself a suitable place in these verticals or any vertical for that matter. What gets you out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s your source of motivation? To be honestly speaking, my source of motivation is my knowledge of my invention and I think I am at the beginning of my entrepreneurship. but I feel whenever I will be in a bad situation, there will be sleepless nights. But at the first light of the next morning whatever happens will be tackled with the motto that "life has to smoothly move forward". So I always believe that there are not only 1(one),2(two), 3(three) chances but Infinity i.e nth chances are lined up for me and whatever I have to do will be an outcome of my deeds and I have to face those problems with courage and my knowledge On inquiring about what gets him out of bed in the morning i.e. what’s his source of motivation ?, Mr. Sailesh Nair mentioned that ; The will to create a niche in this competitive market, the want of facing some new challenges, and the need for creating a change. A change for good, a change for sustenance, and a chance for a better future for our environment and people. Tell us about the uniqueness of your startup, please; “Esclare” has been at the forefront to promote indigenous technologies that originate in India. Since inception, we have been working on promoting and commercializing unique technologies and solutions which are tried, tested, and complying with various quality standards. We have been associating with various research institutes and indigenous companies which focus on “Make in India”. We have successfully started setting up plants for water recovery and waste management in the country. On inquiring about his opinion about “the keys to success”, he explains that ; Perseverance , Skill , Passion , and Discipline . These are the major factors that determine how and when a person will “ get lucky ” and start walking the path of success. Mr. Sailesh explains, on inquiring about What advice would he give to someone starting out as an aspiring entrepreneur? One of the most important factors to be kept in mind is that the path is not an easy one. There are numerous ups and downs and these ups and downs will be there throughout. It is your passion and determination that will help you stay afloat and keep moving ahead. Important learning received during this COVID pandemic was that no matter how profitable you are, there may be times when sales would go down to zero. It is important to be prepared to face such challenges and bounce back with a renewed strategy. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

She is inclined to have an eco-friendly sustainable product line. She also believes that Art has to be functional to be part of life and stay in everyday life to make it beautiful. < All Interviews Archana Deshpande Founder Women Entrepreneur VictoryTales with its objective to bring more inspiring stories around the world, this time introduces Archana Deshpande, Founder at PotteryDen. Ms. Archana Deshpande, fascinated by pottery and well-presented tablescapes. The idea of startup PotteryDen was born through her real urge of creating the bridge between traditional and trendy tableware. She is inclined to have an eco-friendly sustainable product line. She also believes that Art has to be functional to be part of life and stay in everyday life to make it beautiful. Ms. Archana wanted products that can be used from morning tea to special occasions to sit down at the dining table. Ms. Archana followed her heart's voice to work for her startup PotteryDen with traditional ways to make Pottery with earth, water, and fire. Share this Interview: Know more about PotteryDen PotteryDen designs and makes traditional Pottery which is the most widespread decorative hand-painted & textured collection Pottery piece. PotteryDen works with its motive to make the best quality earthen Pottery for its customers with their traditional art with Earth, Water, and Fire. Pottery is a very Interesting and fundamental traditional Art. It is earth, it is water, and with fire, It takes on the form of Life. PotteryDen designs & makes hand-painted & hand textured exclusive collection pieces, which bridges the gap between tradition & style. With a contemporary touch, PotteryDen's range is widely appreciated for adding beauty & aesthetic appeal to any space hence referred to as Lifestyle Designer Pottery! We believe art needs to be trendy & functional to be alive, not only to be seen but also to be felt. PotteryDen is a Pune, Maharashtra, India company and caters to all domestic and international locations. On inquiring from where did the idea to start something like “PotteryDen” came from and requesting her to tell us about her background and her journey as an entrepreneur, Ms.Archana Deshpande apprised that; The journey to start something like PotteryDen began when I was in the United States for a considerably long period and when I returned back to India in the year 2016, as I wanted to take a break from my monotonous work of the Mortgage Banking field and start something of my own. I was always fascinated by pottery and basically, I am always fascinated by well-presented tablescapes. PotteryDen was born through my real urge of creating the bridge between traditional and trendy tableware and most importantly inclined to have an eco-friendly sustainable product line. I believe that Art has to be functional to be part of life and stay in everyday life to make it beautiful. I wanted products that can be used from morning tea to special occasions to sit down at the dining table. On inquiring from Ms. Archana Deshpande, why has she chosen to become an entrepreneur over a job? she apprised that; I made the decision of entrepreneurship when I had a good substantial amount of experience with the passage of time and it was a big plus on my side in making this bold decision. I always wished and wanted to work from home so it will help us as a family to sell a bit easier in India. I believe that entrepreneurship gives you that flexibility to work according to your wish and a set routine line. As an Entrepreneur you get to do so many things from scratch and seeing your venture grow is a totally out of the world joy to experience. On asking about her source of motivation, Ms Archana expressed that; My source of motivation is my client’s appreciation because from day one they have appreciated PoeryDen’s products so much, so it makes us do beer every day. Our clients understood and valued the intention behind the PotterDen collection product line and the importance of pure clay, hand-painted, and hand-textured pieces. Every day our clients motivate us so much to make beer designs, textures, and functional pottery pieces. How many hours a day do you work on average to bring such beautiful clay utensils? I do work around 8-10 hours a day but my working hours are normally flexible so I could manage my other priorities as well. When you are an Entrepreneur you can not define hours or days in your works, it becomes part of your daily life and when you enjoy what you do, nothing like it. On enquiring from Ms. Archan about the uniqueness of her startup, she replied that; Pottery is a very interesting and fundamental art. It is earth, it is water and with fire, it takes on a form of life. PotteryDen designs and makes hand-painted and hand textured exclusive collection pieces, which bridges the gap between tradition and style. With a contemporary touch, Potteryden’srange is widely appreciated for adding beauty and aesthetic appeal to any space. Hence CONFIDENTIAL referred to as Lifestyle Designer Pottery! We believe art needs to be trendy and functional to be alive, not only to be seen but also to be used and felt. On enquiring about how she handles the pressure and manages stress? Ms. Archana apprised that; I try to be organized as much as possible to minimize the pressure or stress. I think advance preparation helps me to get things done on me as planned. But yes there are deadlines to match, client's orders to complete on me and get ready for different events of promotion, etc. My family support plays a big role to get me grounded. Delegation of work helps to relieve you from pressure and sometimes gives you a different approach to look at the situation. How do you generate new ideas? For generating ideas, I do make myself PotteryDen’s first client and also we do take feedback or polls from clients' likings or what categories they are looking for. Normally all the Designs are solely mine so that is my own feelings, and our designs are very much close to nature, seasons, tradition, modern and vibrant as well. On enquiring about how did she came up with the name for her company, she replied that; We were looking for a name that will clearly say what we do and PotteryDen seems to do it very efficiently. What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs? Entrepreneurship is a big self-driven responsibility. It is like you have to live your vision through every day in small bits and pieces. The best way is to enjoy the experience of creating an entity and see it grow. The most important is to love this journey and not think too much about the destination. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read

After a tryst with life as a Computer Science Teacher in Modern Barakhamba school, Meera finally acted upon her lifelong calling and founded Sai Swayam Society. < All Interviews Meera Chetan Bhatia Founder and CEO Women Entrepreneur This time VictoryTales with the objective to bring the inspiring stories around the world came across Mrs. Meera C. Bhatia, Founder & CEO of Sai Swayam Society, a Delhi based PAN India NGO focusing on Empowerment of Deaf-Mute individuals through Education, Skill Training & Job Placement. Mrs. Meera is one of three siblings born to Speech and Hearing Impaired parents. She worked as a teacher of Computer Science in Modern School, Barakhamba Road, and founded a socially impactful NGO called Sai Swayam Society. Her father, Mr. Suraj Prakash Kanchanbaras was the Treasurer for All India Federation for Deaf (AIFD) and the President for Silent Sports Promotion Society for the deaf. He was the captain of the deaf cricket team of India under All India Sports Council for Deaf. He was formerly General Secretary, All India Sports Council of the Deaf from 1984 to 1992. Her Mother, Late Mrs. Mohini Kanchanbaras was the Executive Member and also the Cutting & Tailoring Instructor at Delhi Association of Deaf (DAD) and was a trainer at All India Federation for Deaf. She worked as a battick & bookbinding trainer and manufacturer at Delhi Foundation for Deaf Women (DFDW). Consequently, she received the National Award as the Role Model Employee PwD in 1997. Drawing inspirations from her parents, Meera started working as an Indian Sign Language Interpreter at the age of 16 years and worked for various organizations like the Delhi Association of Deaf, Delhi Foundation for Deaf Women, All India Federation of Deaf, National Association of Deaf and All India Sports Council of Deaf. In 1994 she began working as a News Anchor in Sign Language for the Hearing Impaired at DD News (National Network) and played an instrumental role in policy advocacy which led to the weekly bulletin being converted into a daily news show which now runs successfully till date and she continues to be the senior newsreader there. In 2007, she interpreted all the travel instructions for the hearing impaired travelers for Air India Airlines which is played in all international flights till date. Spearheading the fight for news accessibility for the deaf; since 2014, she has been interpreting all nationally significant telecasts such as Republic Day Parade, Independence Day, Teachers Day, Oath Taking Ceremony, and other such events. After a tryst with life as a Computer Science Teacher in Modern Barakhamba school, Meera finally acted upon her lifelong calling and founded Sai Swayam Society for the Speech and Hearing Impaired in 2006 at the age of 36 years. In 2010, Meera received the Helen Keller award by NCPED as the Best Placement Officer for PwDs. She was honored with the National Award for Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (Best Placement Officer) by the President of India in 2014. For her experience and contribution to the field of Indian Sign Language (ISL) in India, she was awarded the Jazbaa Award for Excellence in ISL by the Minister of Minority Affairs in 2016. Being raised by deaf parents and growing up as a voice for their community, Meera has a lifetime of learnings and experience of the issues and solutions for them. An experience of 36 years as an interpreter and activist, along with a professional experience of 14 years as the founder of an organization dedicated to empowering the community is what she brings to any forum for People with Disabilities. Recognizing this, she has been actively involved in policy advocacy and formulation with the Department of People with Disabilities (MSJE) - • Committee Member, Empanelmentas Skill Training Partner (PwDs) under the National Action Plan (DEPwD, MSJE) • Committee Member, Task Force for the Early Intervention and Parent Sensitization for Deaf individuals • Selection Committee Member, National Awards for PwDs 2016 • Committee Member, Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre For the certification of SODA and CODA, Meera wishes to revolutionize the world for the deaf and mute through efforts of school empowerment, skill training, employment opportunities, awareness generation, ISL workshops, policy advocacy, and policy formulation. Attempting to use all her experience, knowledge, and passion she hopes to create an inclusive and better world for Persons with Disabilities. Share this Interview: Know more about Sai Swayam Society Sai Swayam Society for the Speech & Hearing Impaired (SHI) is a Non-Government Organization focusing on Empowerment of the community through Education, Skill Training & Livelihood Generation. SSS focuses on "Signs- Skills- Strength” to transform lives. With an inclusive team of Deaf and Hearing Staff Members, we practice Inclusion & Accessibility right from the start, ensuring that Deaf individuals are key stakeholders in our organization. With 9 extended centers and a hostel facility in Delhi, SSS reaches out to Deaf individuals across India. SSS is an empaneled skill training partner with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE). It is also a PMKVY skill training center. Over 12,000 Deaf individuals have been placed across India in about 170 corporate companies. SSS conducts remedial classes for school students from deaf government schools. Also, year-long education & fee support is provided to drop out students who get enrolled in NIOS. They have reached out to over 1000 Deaf students. Since Sign Language is the medium of communication for the SHI, SSS conducts Indian Sign Language Workshops for hearing individuals to generate awareness. Special focus on Police, Lawyers & Doctors. 18,000 people have been taught so far. Certification Workshops in affiliation with the Rehabilitation Council of India are also conducted. Can you please tell us the kind of work you do as a “Social Worker”? I am the Founder – CEO of an NGO called SSS i.e Sai Swayam Society that focuses on the empowerment of Deaf individuals through education, skill training, and livelihood generation. The organization is a platform for providing basic education in all subjects. It also teaches deaf-mute kids how to communicate in the Indian Sign Language. It provides Skill Training in Retail and Hospitality and helps facilitate their placements with various companies across the country. By ensuring their mainstreaming into an inclusive society an opportunity for sustainable livelihood is offered. The organization also works as a center and safety net for counseling and assistance for the Deaf community in distress, in occupational or personal matters. On enquiring why did she choose to become a Social worker over a job? Mrs. Meera said that; It was a conscious choice to become a social worker over mainstream work. I transitioned from being a teacher of Computer Science in Modern School, Barakhamba Road to founding a socially impactful NGO. Being a Child of Deaf Adults (CODA), I found my calling in Sai Swayam Society because of the realization that apart from immense satisfaction of serving this community, I could use my unique experiences to bridge the gap that keeps the Speech and Hearing Impaired (SHI) community from equal opportunities, support, and treatment. I was uniquely placed to understand both sides and bridge the difference between their conditions. I have since, worked towards their upliftment, without looking back. On enquiring about her key driving force to become a Social Worker? Ms Meera apprised that; My key driving force has been the struggles of my parents as Deaf individuals in a newly independent India and drawing knowledge, learnings and inspiration from there. I wish to continue to play my role in working for a more inclusive and equal society for the upcoming generations of the Deaf. Being a daughter to SHI parents, my association with the Deaf dates back to my childhood. Due to their support and push, I have been a Sign Language interpreter since the age of 16. Their pride at seeing me positively impact their community is priceless. Moreover, the satisfaction that follows from being a teacher and a mentor to a student is an unparalleled and deeply liberating experience and I am a teacher at heart. What’s your source of motivation? My source of motivation comes from seeing Deaf individuals pursuing meaningful careers and in leading independent lives, empowered by education. Having seen my parents struggle and persevere all their lives, knowing that I play a small role in changing things for the better for the Deaf community keeps me going each day. On enquiring How many hours a day do you work on average? She explains that; This job is an around the clock job and requires me to be available towards the youngsters who are staying at my residential facility as well as on calls for day scholars. While the formal timings are that of 9 hours but this work is my passion which requires an active engagement with young minds, I consider it a 24/7 duty. How do you balance your work and personal life? My family is very cooperative and invested in my work. I get support, encouragement, and a variety of new ideas from their inputs. Balancing a healthy work – balance requires good time management, regular assessment of changing priorities and requirements along with flexibility. During exams and recruitment drives, I barely have time for home because the focus is on ensuring the best for all students while on days when family needs me, I tweak my office working hours or work from home. However, now with covid19 work patterns have drastically changed and ramped up. On enquiring how she handles the pressure and manages stress? She explains that; When you are following your inner calling and inherent passion, pressure and stress are tools which help you reshape your goals and grow into a stronger person. Of course, a competent and driven team plays an important role especially during tough days. Most importantly, reminding myself that all challenges are for a larger purpose of positively impacting someone’s life helps you stay positive and be committed to finding solutions and delivering. On asking how she generates new ideas? she apprised that; Inspiration comes to you only when you seek it actively, in your environment, within your team, from your target audience, etc. Here, my Deaf friends, staff members and students play an important role. Their problem sharing, suggestions and feedback are valuable. However, new ideas can also be the product of the adage, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention’. This aptly describes the time when the world was hit by a pandemic and we had found ourselves in a position where all our physical activities were suspended. We had no other choice but to come up with a solution to keep the education initiatives running. We resumed our training classes on online apps and conducted Staff meetings more frequently than ever to understand the issues that we were facing and come up with solutions to resolve them. Tell us about the most difficult case you have worked on. In all candidness, it is important to let this out that genuinely, everything is difficult before it comes around to becoming easy. It is only in the beginning when we come across a supposedly insurmountable task that we feel uneasy because we do not know what combination of intellect, effort and resources it would take to accomplish it. However, once that is done, in hindsight everything seems achievable. A decade ago when I reached out to companies to hire Deaf workers, it seemed like a futuristic, if not impossible idea by most. Many discouraged me and advised me to stick to conventional job roles and opportunities for them. However, after years of efforts, today it is more likely that one walks into a mall or restaurant and ends up encountering a Deaf salesperson, cashier or crew member. Recently, when the pandemic hit us and the lockdown was announced, we found ourselves in an unprecedented situation. We were clueless on how to contribute positively despite the gloomy, unforseen times. However, with zeal and determination we began online skill training classes conducted in sign language for Deaf students across the country. Challenges of technology transition, network connectivity and financial burden were tackled head on. Students stuck in villages and cities were undergoing mental health deterioration and we started online counselling as well. With each passing day we made this make- shift arrangement more and more professional with every improvement. Recently, 3 months of training got completed and this difficult phase of the pandemic became synonymous with training and job placement for our students. We celebrated with a virtual graduation ceremony with the realisation that nothing is difficult if you set your mind and heart on the right path. What kinds of problems do you like to handle? Can you give us an example of how you handle them? I don’t believe that we get to choose the challenges that fall in our way. If that was the case, we wouldn’t ask for challenging times at all probably. So, I don’t detect or resist any kind of challenge. However, I do choose the intention behind solving problems which are to empower lives and bring about a change. I am working in the social development sector and I am committed to resolving the problems and issues faced by the SHI community. This may range from personal, professional, and familial issues to hearing their criticism of my initiatives for feedback and constantly coming up with new ideas to promote their sustainable livelihood and uplift their status in society. Meghna Joshi Founder & CEO Sai Poorna Patnaik Founder Shankar Sahai Co-Founder and Director Bhavini Khakhkhar Founder Dr. Ruchika R. Jha Doctor & Public Healthcare Consultant Anand Mani Tripathi Founder and CEO You may also like to read