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1. Please share your journey, how it started as an Entrepreneur?  
   I come from a business family, and I remember spending my holidays from school going to office with my parents. We would spend time together in the office and when they were in meetings I would sit and listen to all that was unfolding before me. It used to feel really amazing to see how meetings were held, what they would talk about and how somehow everyone would come to conclusion that they seemed happy with. This kind of thing always peeked my interest and I knew that this is what I wanted to do. The main thing however that I admire about entrepreneurs is how they take an idea and make it into so much more. I would like to think I am on my way every day to do just that, make my idea more than just an idea. When I was studying law in the UK, I saw how easily available legal services were online and how easy it could actually be to find a lawyer. That’s when the idea of Rest The Case came about. I wanted to create a place where anybody can Rest their case (put it to an end) and find the help they require.
2. What are the biggest hurdles that you faced in your journey?
   Starting anything new takes time and a lot of getting used to. There were a lot of things I still had to learn then and still have to learn now, that I think has been the biggest hurdle.
   Starting young definitely has its perks but it did sometimes affect me negatively. A lot of people I talked to didn’t think I knew what I was doing, in fact I was asked once if this was just a hobby or I wanted to do this long term. This had been my idea and my goal; it was never a hobby but because I was younger when I started people thought that.
   Finding the right team was a difficult as well. I was so driven by this idea it was all I thought about and all I think about even today, and to find people who will give it just as much importance as you is difficult, but I think now I have been able to find the right people, slowly but steadily.
3. Failures are the best teachers so how can one overcome that?
   This may sound like a cliché, but I do really believe the best thing that failure does is teaches you to rise after every fall. Overcoming failure is not easy, but when you do, you realize you come out as a different person, and so I think that we must do different things, try to do what scares us and then even if we fail we will have learnt something about ourselves or about the work at hand that we didn’t know before.
   For me what works best is to discuss my failures with someone else because they see it in a light that I don’t, I talk it out with my family you could talk to anyone who you wish to share with. It also helps me see it more clearly that way because I have explained it out loud. Don’t be scared of failures, they definitely are the best teachers, they help you understand yourself in a way you didn’t even know.
4. What Inspired you to start ‘Rest The Case’ at such a young age?
   The idea of Rest The Case came to me when I was studying, and I wanted to start it as soon as I could because I thought it will solve a problem. The problem I saw was that in our country people find it extremely hard to find a good lawyer to help them with their basic legal requirements. We have resources available in our country, but we don’t really know where to find it, so I wanted to create a one stop solution for all legal services and information. When the lockdown happened and the entire world seemed to be changing the need for legal help increased even more and that when I decided I didn’t want to wait any longer, I wanted to start now.
5. Share 3 advice for young entrepreneurs.
   a. Be brave- I know this sounds redundant but I think this needs to be told to everyone who wishes to start their own business. Don’t think about what will happen, don’t ponder on the same things you have been thinking about all this time, the time is now, get up and get started.
   b. Plan- I think it’s very important that you know what you want to do and also very important to be sure of what problem you are trying to solve. Put it down on paper, it helps to clear your thoughts.
   c. Believe in yourself and your ambition- this is the most important part of doing anything, if you don’t believe in yourself and your idea, nobody will.

The post In Conversation with Gen Z Entrepreneur Shreya Sharma, Founder- Rest The Case appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Sharing stories of victories and defeats with others is important to heal. The healing that happens when you’re heard and validated is remarkable.

Healing 2 Peace is the journey of different brave souls from suffering to surviving their pain. It is not just mine or my kids journey, anyone can join us. It doesn’t matter what they survived, it only matters that they did.

One time I was listening to Oprah Winfrey, she said –

” If they don’t offer you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair with you next time.”

I was deeply touched by this line and I created my own platform. This is not just mine, who ever was never heard or validated, I am here for you, to hear you, to support you.

Our mission is to promote the self-reliance and empowerment. We educate and empower others about the abuse we suffered, how we survived and what resources we found helpful for us to over come our suffering.

Our aim is to provide a platform for victims/survivors, to tell them about available resources and other coping skills. We will tailor this platform to meet the special needs of other brave souls who are overcoming hardship.

After devastating events, getting back to normal is hard. For some of us, financial insecurity becomes a major obstacle. Yes, there are many resources available to help us but when we are in the healing process, it is overwhelming to ask for help. It feels like we are asking for too much. So when we are in therapy, using our pain, creativity and skills, we create awesome and amazing things.

Join us, maybe you will also find your passion.

It is a wrenching feeling going from being self- sufficient to need money (from others) for every little thing.

Come and join me in our healing journey…

You can reach out to me anytime through the email at www.healing2peace.com or Instagram @anju29peace or @healing2peace

Stay connected to learn more about mental health, parenting, home decor, healing, mindset transformation, resources to get help for domestic violence and child abuse.

The post Make a walk in such a way that everyone learns many things from your each STEP – HEALING 2 PEACE appeared first on The Pink Journey.

The idea of Blend Community was triggered during the pandemic when Razia saw how badly the F&B industry suffered and she wanted to help food brands revive their business without bleeding for profitability, courtesy the food aggregators. Personally, food, fashion and fiction are her passion areas, and she noticed that there weren’t any platforms that cater to these three themes specifically. She wanted to create a platform that curates and distributes relevant content all in one place rather than users having to go to different pages for different topics. That’s how the whole idea was born of creating an online community that celebrates, shares and curates stories around these three specific categories.

After establishing Blend Community, her co-founder, Hariprasad Shetty and she wanted to find a way to monetize the community they had built. That is when they got the idea for ‘Blend For Food’. With that, they are building India’s first Content to Commerce Food Tech Platform powered by Creator economy & Community Tech. BFF will be a one-stop destination for all things food. Consumers need not have different apps scattered for different needs like, ordering in from restaurants, groceries, recipes, etc. They are the only players in the market that will bring all your various food choices in one place to make it a hassle-free food ordering experience.

What gets Razia excited about her startup is the fact that this idea is still so new in the country and she doesn’t see anyone else doing it as of now. This makes her feel secure in the fact that they’re on the cusp of something extremely special.

This sense of security does not shield her from paranoia. She says that a start-up is the founder’s brain-child or baby. Due to this, the success of the start-up is a lot more personal not just tangibly but emotionally as well. Hence, there’s undeniable paranoia around “What if”. What if the brand tanks, what if no one resonates with the idea, basically what if nothing works out. However, she has found that the way to overcome that is to understand that ideas don’t exist in perfection. You’ve just got to start and keep working on perfecting it.

Being not just a start-up founder but also having a full-time corporate job definitely makes it challenging to have a work-life balance for Razia. But, she has found that finding the right partners, teammates and resources is very important in order to manage it. She believes, as you’re establishing your idea, you need to try to attract talent and team members to not only believe in your vision, but also be able to execute it. Finding the right brands and companies to partner with, is another important aspect in executing your vision the right way.

Razia Ali started her career with banking sales, but she always had a penchant towards communication which made me make an early switch to advertising. She realized she had a passion for shaping brands and consumer perceptions. She loves ideating with people from varied niches and finds great joy in helping translate them into realities. She led the Consumer and Small Business marketing efforts of a large tech company. She currently has her a full-time job while also working on her start-up. She was also an Angel Investor to aspiring Start-ups and entrepreneurs. She has leveraged her passion towards brands, fashion, food and her experience in the advertising and marketing industry and brought to life a brand and community of her own. The ability to do that, in a male-dominated, food-tech industry is what sets her apart.

Inputs- Razia Ali, Founder, Blend Community

The post Razia Ali’s Journey As An Entrepreneur appeared first on The Pink Journey.

I worked as an intrapreneur and leading member of the management team at Orienta Cine Advertising for over a decade and held the position of Vice President – Business Development at Orienta Cine Advertising.

The position always gave a pride tag and also unconsciously drove me into a comfort zone. All it needed a jolt which was really unexpected and got me into the nowhere zone when the media industry was worst hit along with some other key industries like travel and so on. It gave me alarming bells and I never wanted to pile on understanding the situation of the market. Thus, I decided to move on from the company which I can proudly say that I developed from scratch and poured my heart and soul to build it. It was never easy but that’s where lied the discomfort and I really wanted to break the shackles which seem to me as freedom and comfort but instead made me helpless.

I spoke my heart to my best buddy who is my life partner, Sachin, and he was there with me as always to not only support me but gave me confidence enough to look for bigger opportunities in life as he said, “There is always an opportunity, you just need to back yourself.” We just started with the dream project of penning down a book Rising Stars a book series of 27 entrepreneurs and achievers and it was dream of Sachin which we together completed it with an overwhelming response and published it in India, Singapore & Malaysia as well on the online platforms like Amazon & Flipkart.

It was unbelievable experience although uncomfortable but it was just the beginning where we not only explored new avenues but also begun with new venture and thus, we started using our experience of cumulatively over 25 years into developing brands.

Today, we have established two ventures under which we focus on developing brand concepts & content which was Sachin’s initiative since 2016, IceFactory & Rising Stars Productions. It was a blessing in disguise where I explored the unknown avenues and found a new entrepreneur and also an Author. I learned that even a locked door can be unlocked if you have the right companion and optimistic attitude.

I am an expert in the domain of innovation and activation in Brand promotions. In my experience of more than 12 years, I have worked with top brands across various sectors like healthcare, FMCG, fashion, entertainment, automobile etc., and film production houses, media companies, highly premium Malls and much more.

I have been instrumental in conceptualizing and driving innovative digital outdoor advertising solutions for Brands like HUL, Google, Netflix, Tanishq etc. As part of this innovation, I designed and directed the creation and installation of the state-of-the-art 360-degree outdoor Digital ADSAT at Bangalore International Airport. I also play a key role in building and maintaining strategic relationships with brands, top advertising agencies, vendors and shopping malls.

With a portfolio of in-film advertising, brand collaboration, brand promotions, digital outdoor innovation, brand association, brand make-over, brand activation, media buying and planning, BTL strategies and Pan-India execution, I am focused on shaping the company’s overall business development and strategically taking the company to become one of the most admired and leading agencies in India.

I hold a Master’s Degree in Entrepreneurship and also a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism. I was also the President of Rotaract Club during my college days. I am passionate about animal welfare, women empowerment and youth empowerment. I have been invited as a speaker at many top-level events to speak on business models, challenges, strategies and guiding the youth towards productive career choices.

My latest endeavor is to provide brands an opportunity for escalating their positioning and optimizing their brand presence. I am an Authorpreneur along with Sachin Ruparel and together we have conceptualized Rising Stars, a book series that captures stories of entrepreneurs, their journey and through this book, we aim to innovate, inspire and involve Entrepreneurs and Brands.

I staunchly believe that women entrepreneurs are making a global impact and are crossing boundaries to take India to places across the world. These women, who have fearlessly pursued their passion against all odds are an inspiration for the society and their journey and values have a cascading effect of encouragement on all those who learn about them. I also believe that we are a reflection of the people around us, of what we read and choose to imbibe in us.

The post LOCKDOWN UNLOCKED MANY OPPORTUNITIES- By Manisha Mange Ruparel appeared first on The Pink Journey.

I began my career with Mu Sigma, a technology company, and got the opportunity to work with Fortune 500 companies in the USA.  I am an avid reader and hence being a storyteller comes naturally to me. I wrote two books, the first one ‘Y.O.U’  was announced as a best-seller by The New Indian Express & the Oxford bookstores, and the second book was titled ‘How I was forced to become a staunch RACIST’. When I decided to pursue entrepreneurship, I decided to stick to the media space where I authored 70 original scripts. I exited after 3 years when my company was acquired by a Bombay-based production house. My experience with my first start-up gave me the insight that even large corporations make marketing decisions based on how they feel about the content instead of using data to get the best results. Here is where I stepped in with Instoried to help marketers/ content creators or just about anyone to create content that is more empathetic and thereby more likely to convert. Humans are emotionally driven and it is important to communicate with empathy be it in business or in personal relationships. Instoried has been on the forefront of the empathetic revolution for content.

What are the biggest hurdles that you faced in your journey?

My biggest challenge was getting the team in place and ensuring that there are always enough funds to spend for the same. After my savings were exhausted, I had to break my PPF account, despite my parent’s disapproval. Subsequently, I mortgaged my jewelry and used the money to pay salaries. Once the team was set, I was confident of our journey being positive even if it would have a few hurdles in between. I am very happy to share that we now have an outstanding team, 60% of which are women.

Failures are the best teachers so how did you overcome that?

I strongly believe that a failure only happens if you conclude it as a failure. If you are persistent, innovative, and agile you can always convert a failure into an opportunity. In my own case, because I knew that a fund shortage is only a temporary setback if you allow yourself room to innovate and grow, I persisted and invested my own personal savings to grow. You don’t fail if you persist and are quick enough to make changes to the way you do things.

Your opinion on the current situation of OTT platforms or the scope for young writers

OTT platforms provide lucrative prospects to budding content creators. Demand for OTT content based on geo-demographics is on the rise, both within India and internationally. I think the year 2022 is definitely going to be an exciting year for OTT players as the content pipeline will be stronger than ever.

Share 3 advice for young entrepreneurs and storytellers

1. Persevere and don’t stop!
2. Team is everything. Running a start-up is not a one man show!
3. Money, name and success are all transient. The only one that prevails is the relationship with humans. So be grounded, humble and empathetic in life.

The post In Conversation With Sharmin ALi- An author, Entrepreneur And Writer appeared first on The Pink Journey.

-This ISO 27001:2013 certified company was founded by Madhvi Bhandari, a seasoned IT professional and entrepreneur, in the year 2000

-Today, it has emerged as a one-stop BPM solutions provider with a team of 400+ employees, comprising of 30% women workforce

Mangalam Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as an undisputed leader in fulfilling the offshore outsourcing needs of organizations worldwide. This Ahmedabad-headquartered company has instituted some best-in-class practices such as organization-wide SOP for people and process management, emphasis on personal and process training through online resources, in-house library, and sessions with industry experts. The company also has a stringent 3-step HR testing along with a 3^rd party verification to hire the best talent and provide them with growth opportunities. Mangalam believes in building a strong work culture and pride for the organization in each employee and achieves this goal through inter-department employee engagement activities, wellness measures and an open door policy.

Madhvi Bhandari, a seasoned IT professional and entrepreneur, founded Mangalam in the year 2000 with a team of ten employees. Today, the company has established itself as a one-stop BPM solutions provider with a team of 400+ employees, comprising of 30% women, working in a hybrid working environment. The company provides a host of services to the legal, healthcare and IT industry globally.

“At Mangalam, we are steadfastly committed to quality and superior experience. Our emphasis on quality and stringent data security sets us apart from others. Encapsulating a wide gamut of BPM solutions, we envision creating an impact in the IT/ITES landscape through robust infrastructure, cutting-edge technologies and a qualified team of subject matter experts,” said Madhvi Bhandari, Founder and Director, Mangalam Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

“We take pride in our teams always willing to go the extra mile to deliver bespoke solutions and best-in-class services to our clients. I believe our employees to be our biggest strength. We have undertaken a series of initiatives to attract, nurture and retain talent to become a preferred employer in the IT segment. Our clients and employees are an integral part of our mangalam family. When they Grow, We Grow,” said Shrishti Bhandari, Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer at Mangalam Information Technologies

One of the key differentiators for this ISO 27001:2013 certified company is its emphasis on quality and superior customer experience. Mangalam measures the productivity & performance of each project through relevant quantitative metrics using in-house monitoring software. Mangalam thrives on its culture and its team’s dedication and commitment to the organization. While the middle management team has an average of 7+ years, senior leadership team has an average of 15+ years of tenure with the company. There is a 24×7 dedicated client support through email or phone, three step quality check by the Quality Assurance (QA) team, regular client feedback and dedicated resources for each project to ensure ‘on-time’ highest levels of quality and 100% customer satisfaction, ‘every-time’.

Data security is pivotal.  At Mangalam, data and information is made available to only that person who needs it (confidentiality), only when required (Availability) and in the form required without any risk (Data Integrity). Some measures to ensure data security include logged server and PC activities, remote access to the client’s server through VPN or secured FTP for data protection, Confidentiality agreement signed with every employee, biometric restricted entry and 24x7x365 security surveillance. Mangalam has served over 50+ clients in Legal, IT and healthcare firms globally.

About Mangalam Information Technologies Pvt. Ltd.

Mangalam is an ISO 27001:2013 certified leading offshore Business Process Management Services provider based in Ahmedabad-India. We serve some of the largest clients in the legal, healthcare and IT industry globally.

The post Mangalam Information Technologies, a leading IT Company and Business Process Management appeared first on The Pink Journey.

Ever hear the term ‘credit history’ come up in conversation? Well to give you some context — if you have large financial goals for the future, chances are, you’ll apply for a loan at some point in your adult life. And a key factor that will enable you to get approved for these loans is your credit history.

Let’s examine a couple of pointers to keep in mind:

1. Financing large purchases usually requires a loan

There are two ways to finance a large purchase. Through your savings, or by taking on a loan. Typically for large purchases like a home or a car, taking a loan makes sense given interest rates are affordable, and we typically don’t maintain that much liquidity in our bank accounts.

Taking the example of a home loan, you’ll need to pay a down payment upfront, this is typically around 20% of the total price. And the balance is structured as EMI payments over a specific duration.

2. How do you get a loan?
   
   When applying for a loan – yes, there’s some paperwork involved. The lender evaluates your credit-worthiness as a borrower. Basically, they assess how likely you are to default on your upcoming loan payments. The lower the probability, the better your chances are of getting a loan. Especially one with favorable terms.
3. How does a lender figure out your credit-worthiness?

   Your credit-worthiness is determined by your credit-score. What is a credit-score you ask?
   a) It’s a number between 300 and 900 that signifies how ‘good’ a borrower you are.
   b) The higher the score, the better a borrower you are.
   c) Ideally, your score should be 700 and above. 750+ is considered ‘excellent’!Different credit bureaus calculate your score based on their own algos, but broadly speaking, these things matter:
   a) How regular you’ve been with repayment of prior loans (if any)
   b) How much existing debt you have
   c) How long you’ve been a responsible borrower.

4. How do you build your credit score?

   Start by getting a credit card – even if it’s a low limit. Gradually work your way up to higher limits, as you build up your score. Duration matters, so start building that score as early as possible. But remember, it’s still never too late.As mentioned above, it also ties in to being a responsible borrower. The best time to get a credit card is as soon as you start receiving an income in your first job.

5. Unsecured vs. secured loans

   To put it as simply as possible, you can get approved for a loan either with collateral – secured loans, or without – unsecured loans.Home loans and car loans are examples of secured loans. Personal loans and credit cards are termed as unsecured loans. For the most part, interest rates are lower on secured loans. This is because they are considered lower risk for the lender, as there is always the backup of collateral in case of default (i.e., if you’re unable to repay your loan).We hope this little checklist helps!  Building your credit score starting in your 20s will only help achieve larger financial goals as you foray into adulthood.Of course, there are tons of questions you’ll have during the process. But nothing that can’t be figured out. All we say is Your Money, Your Way!

The post Why Building Credit History Should Be a Financial Goal In Your 20s appeared first on The Pink Journey.

1. Please Introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Devangana Mishra, the Founder, and CEO of Brain Bristle. I come from a highly gifted & creative family. With the freedom and genes to do anything, I chose autism, giftedness, and mental health as a career path to see where I could take along kids diagnosed autistically.

2. What inspired you to choose this industry?

I was terribly shy in my childhood, but a writer to express my world. Then I met very active kids with autism, they were the complete opposites of me- we made a good blend. I met my first grown-up with autism when I was 19 and the complete disregard for his giftedness led me to Columbia University, NY to study autism in detail and depth. This is how my journey with the autism spectrum began.

3. What kind of problems did you face at the initial time with this venture?

We live in a male-dominated society, where the need to compete is more important than respecting human beings along their path. The only way we can let our kids with autism turn into disruptors and creators is if we let our kids take their time, teach them to figure their way in the world rather than rush them, slow them down or crush them. This simple message of listening, following, facilitating has been my biggest loss.

4. How did you overcome those?

I now quietly follow my own path, my lived experience of working with these kids, I try to listen to other perspectives in the space and keep formulating into my own humanistic style. I follow my own understanding and intuitive style then let an autistic brain mold itself rather than me molding it, in and out.

5. Thoughts on Focus and flow in a distracted world, what our kids with autism can teach us about the science of mindfulness.

Our world is loud, distracting, and everything is in flux, this overstimulates a child with autism, disturbing their flow. To be a silent observer of this, teaching a child worldly way then letting him/ her take his time is how we can listen to autism. Their behaviors are a sign we are either moving too fast or too slow, leading to depression, frustration, or outbursts. The concept of mindfulness arose because the world got so busy, people needed to make it a priority. Our kids with autism are born to be lost in their world- pulling them out is when they’re present and alert. To keep this balance of presence and absence is how we can learn focus and flow.

The post How And Why, Devangana Mishra, Founder & CEO, Brain Bristle Chose To Help Autism Kids. appeared first on The Pink Journey.