This lady dons many avatars – an entrepreneur, a politician, an actor and what..

Her career started in 1990 with The Times of India. In those days, there were hardly any corporations in Lucknow so she was stuck with this organization for 12 long years. Later, she moved to Revlon, the top cosmetic company then. Since it was a travelling job, she could not continue. She quit it within a year and joined Reliance Communications. But she wasn’t enjoying her work-life, it wasn’t challenging enough. In 2008, she finally left corporate life, hoping to venture into a business on her own. She says, “Working in Corporates for 18 years was not really exciting. And you feel like you start something of your own”!

She has been into Entrepreneurship for 12 years now, experienced both the worlds now.

Today she enjoys being an entrepreneur and feels proud to be one!

Here are the excerpts from her interview..

Sucheta: Tell me about your business

Aparna: I have been into entrepreneurship for the last 11 years. The moment I left my job I started an education training company. It was a franchise. Also started  a 100 seater BPO which ran for 6 years. Currently I am into startup consulting plus a Founder editor of a global digital magazine Women Shine.

Sucheta: You always mention that you enjoy being an entrepreneur, how was your journey?

Aparna: Still enjoying a roller Coaster ride. Sometimes I go up and enjoy being at the top but when I go down, I still enjoy being at the bottom. That is the beauty of being an Entrepreneur, I have a lot of perseverance and an optimistic attitude which gives me a smooth ride on a roller coaster ride. But entrepreneurship is a beautiful world and I am proud to be a part of it.  I have seen both Corporate and Entrepreneurial life. I was in Corporates for 18 years.

Sucheta: What was your most satisfactory or cherished moment throughout this journey?

Aparna: There is not a single satisfactory moment, rather there are so many moments when the thing which I have planned goes the way that is the best moment for me. I have kept short term goals too…and feel elated when these are met…

Sucheta: Everyone has good and bad moments in his/her entrepreneurial journey. What was the most disappointing moment for you?

Aparna: There was a major fire in my BPO where everything was destroyed that was the most disappointing moment for me and still haunts me.

Sucheta: Was there any moment you felt like you should quit?

Aparna: I often get such moments when things are not in my favors. I am very disheartened but at the same time since I opted for this journey so there is no blame game and try to see the positive side in every negative which happens to me.

Sucheta: How do you cope up with the stress?

Aparna: Stress is something which hardly comes to me. I think it’s because of my optimistic attitude. Maybe for a few seconds I totally go blank in my mind but immediately because of my nature I am able to cope up with that. I have faced many bad moments had it been some other person he or she would be in major stress or developed some ailment. When I am feeling low, I involve myself in watching Web series or listen to songs or go on a long drive with loud music or talk to my friends. These are my stress busters.

Sucheta: How do you manage work-home balance?

Aparna: By God’s grace I have a very wonderful support at home which helps me do multiple things. 

Sucheta: What are your future plans?

Aparna: Now I have entered into Politics, acted (done small roles) in one web series, one film (not launched) and plus my current work. There are a lot of things on my plate. I really want to see my Women Shine, a global digital magazine with a great subscriber base by the end of 2022.

Wishing this multi talented lady All The Best!!