Xenia

We all look up to our parents with awe trying to grasp how they accomplished so much…. Similarly we all have ideals… someone famous irrespective of the field they are in…. They give us something to aspire to. They do what they do to the best they know how and inspire us in the bargain…. I aspire to be someone big someday. A CEO and founder of a big growing company, when I walk into the room or when people talk about me they know I am a woman of substance. Ever since I was 16 that dream has kept me going. But reality has dawned on me. And it isn't a cruel one or an unfair one….. it is what it is…. Our parents were born in a fortunate time…. The economy was flourishing, everything was new and unique, our Indian currency had value against other currencies. Times were economically; I wouldn't say easy; I would say conducive to growth. Any business you started then; if it wasn't too ahead of its time; did remarkably well. Hard work was rewarded in the form of results. Busin...

So yesterday I went to my baby nephews school play where he was an adorable deer. I think the best deer out of the lot…. (but then again thats just a proud aunt talking). While the performance was going on I saw something in the eyes of all of those 700 kids that I haven't seen in such a long time…. INNOCENCE!!! This wasn't the innocence that was based on the lack of knowledge or maturity. This was the innocence that made them believe that the SKY truly was just the beginning; where anything was possible. Where ambition knew no bounds. Where all your goals were within your grasp and were possible. That belief that when you are older you will be somebody great and achieve success almost instantly. I would give my right arm for that state of mind again. That state of INNOCENCE hasn't be tainted by office politics or the power of hierarchy in corporate organisations. Being told constantly that any idea isn't possible and won't work. The mind is an unformed and can...

How often have you been sitting by yourself and wondered about the past? Where you were and how far you have come. Sometimes I miss university life, my childhood, my college years etc….. Those years for me were my moulding years… If it wasn't for the stupid mistakes I made, the people I met, the bosses I had, the unfair decisions that came my way, the shortcomings and for office politics; that forced me to go off on my own; I wouldn't be where I am today. Along my journey I have met a lot of interesting people. Some I have marvelled over, some I have laughed at, some I simply want to just leave behind. But every single one of them has taught me a valuable lesson that has a considerable impact on my decisions today. I have been at the receiving end of a lot of harsh, uncalled for decisions and hence, will try not to make those mistakes towards someone else. Amongst some of the people I have met I have come across a few people that have achieved greatness in a short span of ...

So I finally quit my day job…. and have decided that with the turn of the year would be my new start completely on my own…. and then the multiple questions started to dawn on me…. and my mind went it to over drive and I broke down. See the thing is that with a job there is a certain security. You know your monthly income. Your career is carved out and all you need to do is follow a path. But in todays corporate world it's a fake security cause you never know when you will get "Pink Slipped". When you set out on your own it has multiple perks….. You can take how many ever days off as you like. You can start work at the time you like, call it a day whenever you like you are your own master! Boy is that a good feeling! But the scary part is that you don't know if it will work or not. You don't know if you will make it or how much money you will take home? But its that insecurity that pushes you to make it a success. And 9 out 10 times it works….. But let me ...

So I lost my first piece of business yesterday….. Yes it was quiet devastating…. And I was angry and upset at the world and at myself. And then like any normal woman I start over analysing everything about the situation and came to the conclusion that it could be one of the following: 1. The client didn't like your ideas 2. The client thought you were too expensive 3. The client was your close friend and didn't want to take any favours Whatever the reason you always feel bad and when you talk to people about they might sympathise but they don't always totally understand the situation completely. You feel it the most obviously. But like a wise one said "Even Napoleon didn't win every battle" But the important thing is to learn from this and remember that something went wrong and identify that and not do it again. But never become arrogant about it cause then you won't grow. One other aspect to remember is that sometimes the set backs are huge and y...

The journey to success can't be taken alone. From the time you start to the day you choose to retire or otherwise you will need people around you. Whether they are friends, family, loved one, acquaintances, work colleagues or your enemies THEY ARE IMPORTANT. My mother keeps telling me from time to time…. This is an old Parsi saying; which when translated says " You never know when you have to call a donkey your father" which actually means you never know when who comes in need. Another Wise one said and we all know this one "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer" Again this just reiterates the same thing. When you start your business; most of us; start small. I personally think its better so when your business grows you; as a person; grow along with your company. You appreciate the smallest of achievements. You marvel at how your hard work and ideas shapes, modules and grows in front of your very eyes. This humbles you as an individual and makes...

Being an entrepreneur in todays world isn't easy. You hear a lot of.... are you sure???? really its only you at the moment??? People look at you with doubt. If you are a girl they think its something she is doing to keep herself busy. Sometimes your closest friends will support you verbally but when it comes down to brass tacks they will slowly shy away….. This could be for various reasons like lack of confidence etc. But people don't realise that there are people in todays day and age who would like to make something of themselves but cannot submit to status quo. It isn't easy. But there are a few of us out there who believe in making a mark; their mark behind. I started out quiet recently and I know the journey is far from over. Infact I have just begun. I have the rest of life ahead of me to surge ahead. There is no failing….. Cause I know I will succeed….. Our "Gen Y" isn't what people pan it out to be. People think that all of us; without exception...