Luxebook August 2022

did back in 2006, and by 2022, we are the largest luxury television brand that competes with the likes of Sony, SSamsung,and LG. We have reached a revenue of 1,000 crore and I own 100% of the business. Today you are one of India’s richest self-made women under 40, what do you attribute your success to? One of the things I would attribute my success to is the fact that I took my time to build this business. Most people feel building a business is a question of throwing a lot of money at it, or raising a lot of money, but if you want a business that you own personally, you must take your time and build it organically. You must be conscious of not diluting your equity. In fact, each time you are making your business stronger, your own profit goes towards the working capital of the company. I was able to build the business from scratch by having full control. Personally, I am a disciplined person. I work 9 to 9 most days of the week. I am someone who has my eye on the pie. I am very disciplined, without which it is impossible to build such a big business. Tell us about some of your favorite associations within the luxury industry? In the past, I have associated with a bunch of different luxury brands personally in the jewellery space. I have associated with Zoya, and with Jaipur Gems. In the fashion space, I have associated with Burberry and Dior. In the Indian fashion space, I have done fashion shows for Jade by Monica and Karishma and Neeta Lulla, among others. The collaborations have always been on very high-end and path breaking. For example, when I did the collaboration with Burberry, it was the first time someone created a private event for a luxury brand back in 2012. When I did the campaign for Jaipur Gems, a 300-year-old brand, we created a very Sofia Coppola style video for them, and when it came to Zoya, when they opened their South Bombay store, I was the Chief- Guest for the unveiling of the store. Each collaboration has been ahead of its time and unique, rather than just a question of integration. How has technology affected the luxury world? It has completely changed the luxury industry. What people have never understood is that both luxury and technology are incredibly personal and experiential, so technology has been able to bring to luxury not just a great retail and digital experience, but more than anything, it has globalized the world. I can sit in Mumbai and see what the trends are globally. I can buy the product, wear the product, and put my pictures out there. So, fashion and luxury have become a lot more personal and global at the same time with the help of technology. What is the biggest roadblock you have faced, and how have you overcome it? One of the biggest roadblocks that I have faced was deciding how big I want to be. A lot of women especially have always told me to focus on other things in life, now that I had built my business, or not to grow it so big otherwise I will not have time for other things in life. That is all not true. I have been able to build a massive business while having a fantastic life. I got my business degree at Harvard earlier this year, I bought a house for myself in the most expensive building in the country. I launched my own perfume; I became the face of the business. Anyone who tells you that women should own small, cute businesses is telling you a lie, women are, and should be empire builders. A piece of advice for young entrepreneurs? One of my friends told me this in Silicon Valley, California, and I have followed her advice. Delete social media from your phone on Monday morning and then re-install it on Friday evening. This is especially important if you know the task of your week, whether it is to grow your business sales, or to make new products, or counts your finances, you need to be disciplined. If you are constantly checking, comparing, and getting derailed by other people on social media, you will never get the discipline to succeed. I would say promote less on social media and do more of actual work. Then whatever you post and promote should have impact. Your best leadership advice? I am comfortable being a leader, being a boss because in general. I have a lot of clarity on what I want. I know what I want and how to get it, and often do not listen to others. I tend to listen tomy own intuitions. I have noticed that the life I have built is better when I listen to my own intuitions as opposed to other people. If you want to be a leader, don’t bother making popular decisions, do not take decisions by the committee. You can take feedback from other people, but the final decision should come from your own gut. So, leaders are a lonely pack in a way, but it is a lovely pack because we put our money where our mouth is, we make our own decisions and make things happen. If you had to go back and do things differently, what it would be and why? For me, personally, it has always been about taking risks, and I am happy with where I am in life today. I am proud of all my achievements. At the same time, I am very satisfied with the life I have designed and built for myself. I cannot think of anything that I would have done differently. Fashion advice for entrepreneurs who are women? I do not think you have to be a man, or you knowmatronly in your choice of clothing. You do not have to be dressed in very dark colours and loose fits all the time, nor do you have to be dressed like a strict principal. Your attire should be well-fitted; a sharp look makes you feel more confident and ready. Anti-fit loose clothes are good if you are in a creative field, but it is important to be sharply dressed. Secondly, do embrace colour over print. I think prints sometimes look a bit casual, more holiday. Bright nice colours always end up looking more professional. Thirdly, I’ll say invest in quality accessories like a great watch, designer shoes, fine jewellery. That looks much better than layering and pairing chunky jewellery. “I did the campaign for Jaipur Gems, a 300-year-old brand, we created a very Sofia Coppola style video for them, and when it came to Zoya, when they opened their South Bombay store, I was the Chief-Guest for the unveiling of the store. Each collaboration has been ahead of its time and unique, rather than just a question of integration.” 52| L U X E B O O K | A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 A U G U S T 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K | 53