The Pole Star
Someone truly said, “The world is for those who are born to
conquer and not for those who just dream of conquests, no matter how right or capable
they are."
A few days ago, I had the honor of conversing with a powerful
lady who bore testimony to the above statement and her story was inspiring to
say the least. It was hard to believe that Ruche Mittal, this accomplished
lady, was once just another ordinary girl from Kolkata. Ruche wished to study
Psychology from Christ College, Bangalore however her parents were not so
positive about the idea. So she chose to join a graphic design course instead.
Though a second choice, in time, she fell in love with designing. In fact, she
even started excelling at it, going on to win a logo design competition. This
achievement had to play a vital role in her life as it convinced her to pick up
graphic design professionally.She started off as a freelancer and later joined
Wigan and Leigh institute to sharpen her skills. Alongside, she was also
managing to spend half a day at the retail store for designer suits and sarees
that was run by her family.
Always the dynamic person, she would work at the boutique all
day only to return to her design assignments that would stretch into the wee
hours of the morning. All this and also as perspectives on education, Ruche had
to part ways with friends who chose a more conventional path. But she very well
understand that in life, that is how things work out sometimes- Kuch
Paane ke liye kuch khona padhta hai.
At the onset, she incurred a few losses in her business and
in turn had to learn from her own failures. “Though I am from a business family,I
made mistakes in business”,Ruche added with a deep sigh. But that is bound to
happen to all of us, but what is admirable is the fact that she didn't succumb
to those failures. She learnt a good deal about business principles, the
nuances of selling a product and a lot about human behaviour during her
multiple business deals.
A new chapter opened up in life for Ruche when she tied the
nuptial knot with Manish. Ruche had to move to Bangalore and that meant she had
to start afresh. There were a flurry of challenges she had to face,
infrastructure and team building being just a few among them. But she pulled it
all of like a boss. Ideaperfect was her first venture in Bangalore which she
started off with her business partner Saloni.
Getting the firm registered in 2010,they were in the space
of visual communication and branding solutions for print and web media and were
doing well.But Ruche as always wanted to learn more, this time attended a three
month entrepreneurial programme conducted by ISB at Goldman Sachs. This
programme, she says carved her perfectly for business.The programme shaped her
not just into an entrepreneur but also a networker and a solution provider.
This was how in 2011 HEN (Her Enterpreneurial Network) was created to share
information, knowledge and even experience on business.
HEN has been Ruche's dream project. Today, It has more than 4800 members nationwide and
has had meetings in different parts of the country. The motive of HEN India is
to INSPIRE, INFORM and SUPPORT women entrepreneurs with day to day business
activities and also imparting a healthy work-life balance.
Ruche concluded by mentioning that opportunities are
increasing at par for both the genders. But she could easily see women taking the
lead with their innovative and interesting idea and that exactly is the reason
she thinks women entrepreneurs should be encouraged.
Time is passing by and I know that I have miles to go.Meeting
people like Ruche fills me with energy, zest and power to live my life anew.