Founder of V Resorts, an aggregator of boutique
properties meant for leisure travellers. A sole woman founder with previous
experience in investing, I now want to mentor and work with other women
entrepreneurs to help them scale
Tell us about your background and journey.
I am the sole woman founder of a hospitality business that has successfully scaled in a new segment and merged with a strategic partner. Having previously worked with marquee names such as Barings Private Equity, McKinsey & Company, etc.
I have extensive hands-on experience with investment, scaling and startups. An MBA from ISB Hyderabad & Fuqua, Duke University I have been able to demonstrate increasing enterprise value, for both my own and other startups.
Tell us more about V-Resorts?
In 2014, when the Founder of V Resorts decided to quit, I moved from the role of a nominee director to full-time CEO, building the company from scratch with new management and model.
V Resorts, on its own, is not a typical startup in woman sector - it is not fashion, healthcare, lingerie, interior decoration, or content for that matter. V Resorts is an aggregation of premium properties (4-rooms to 30-rooms) at offbeat and emerging locations, where it aims to present curated properties for an experiential holiday.
V Resorts, on its own, is not a typical startup in woman sector - it is not fashion, healthcare, lingerie, interior decoration, or content for that matter. V Resorts is an aggregation of premium properties (4-rooms to 30-rooms) at offbeat and emerging locations, where it aims to present curated properties for an experiential holiday.
In that sense, it goes a step further beyond Airbnb and HomeAway by layering small properties with professional handling and creating seamless experience delivered by technology.
Gross revenues touched Rs. 60 cr in 2019 with efficient capital deployment, unlike many funded startups in our genre. We also started realising the impact that we were creating at the ground/community level inherent in our business model.
At the recently held 15th UNWTO Awards in St Petersburg, V Resorts has been recognized and awarded for its efforts in sustainable tourism. To enable continued growth and expansion, V Resorts have merged with a strategic player backed by marquee private equity investors.
Do you think that one needs past working experience to become an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship is a mindset. My father, after graduating from IIM (A) did not want to work for someone else and has always been an entrepreneur. Look at the kids from IITs. All of the entrepreneurship lineage.
Do you think that one needs past working experience to become an entrepreneur?
Entrepreneurship is a mindset. My father, after graduating from IIM (A) did not want to work for someone else and has always been an entrepreneur. Look at the kids from IITs. All of the entrepreneurship lineage.
How has Covid-19 affected your business?
Covid has affected all businesses. And because we were operating offbeat resorts we practically shut down all our places. But due to the pent up demand of people who are fed up being locked in for so many months, we are beginning again on a strong foothold.
Which is your favourite quote and what connects you to it?
My favourite quote is from my favourite poem Invictus that correctly defines the startup culture and how one has to have control over extraneous circumstances - I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.
Covid has affected all businesses. And because we were operating offbeat resorts we practically shut down all our places. But due to the pent up demand of people who are fed up being locked in for so many months, we are beginning again on a strong foothold.
Which is your favourite quote and what connects you to it?
My favourite quote is from my favourite poem Invictus that correctly defines the startup culture and how one has to have control over extraneous circumstances - I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul.
What are your tips for aspiring entrepreneurs?
To be an entrepreneur a person must be clear that it is a tough path. And suited to those who have the high risk-taking ability. Or are clear that they cannot work for others, only for themselves.
To be an entrepreneur a person must be clear that it is a tough path. And suited to those who have the high risk-taking ability. Or are clear that they cannot work for others, only for themselves.
Which book would you like to recommend to our readers and why?
Hard things about hard things - a perfect book for a newbie in startups. To understand how to run companies and to understand that every day there is a new obstacle that needs to be overcome.
Hard things about hard things - a perfect book for a newbie in startups. To understand how to run companies and to understand that every day there is a new obstacle that needs to be overcome.
Interviewed by - Mukund M
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