At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this endeavour, we invited a passionate women entrepreneur – Monika Upneja for an exclusive interview with us. She is an Entrepreneur, Leader, Consultant, Digital Marketer. Monika is the Founder of The Perfectionist. Let’s learn more about her exciting journey, background and advice for our growing community.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Monika:
Talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur, please;
I did my schooling from Venkateshwar International School and further pursued BJMC from the prestigious Indraprastha University.
I entered the corporate world quite early in my life and ever since it has been a journey of trials and explorations. My career started as a Tele counsellor and from there it has been a long journey of experimenting and learning in different roles.
Retrospectively, all these roles and jobs really helped me to move closer to this spirit of entrepreneurship. And as you have rightly mentioned, as a woman entrepreneur, navigating one’s way in a structure that’s largely patriarchal has also been learning in itself.
At the young age of 23, I was appointed as the branch manager at Franchise India, where I further got the opportunity to hone my managerial and marketing skills.
A major leap and turning point in my career trajectory was my entry into the digital world. Although it was new and completely unfamiliar terrain, it resonated with what I valued, my vision, and also gave me the space to explore further. Fortunately, my leadership skills were well recognized and appreciated; and despite being a mere employee I could take ownership and accountability for everything.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
Entrepreneurship, for me, is not just about owning something at one’s terms and conditions; but also about stretching one’s limits and capabilities. My career started in the corporate sector itself, as an employee, and all that I have learnt has been a product of these experiences.
Right from the beginning, I have always been drawn towards the idea of finding creative and innovative solutions to problems, be it with clients or when working in a team. Entrepreneurship has been a journey of turning this vision into a reality.
Moreover, today times are changing. Everyone enjoys and looks for the freedom to experiment, make mistakes, and learn from experiences. Today it’s not just about learning from our mentors and seniors, although that’s a significant part of our journeys, but also about learning from our peers.
Social media has dramatically altered the way we look at each other, the work, and our leanings. This is what drove me and still does towards entrepreneurship. As a leader, my hope is to create a work culture where we all can grow together, with each other, not at the cost of our mental peace and well-being.
‘The Perfectionist’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
Thank you for that question. I have been asked about the name so many times. Some ask with curiosity, some with a critical lens. The name for me signifies what entrepreneurship and my work spirit are all about- always keep learning and growing.
The Perfectionist symbolises that vision. We believe it’s the little things that set us apart and for every entrepreneur, company, brand, it’s all about finding those microelements that will set them apart from others.
As an agency, that’s what we strive to do. Help brands grow in the field without having to leave what’s unique to and for them.
The idea behind the name was to cater to different brands with expertise in that segment. We strictly work on projects where we have the expertise and can deliver the same with perfection. Each of the team members has their own expertise and that is what makes us “The Perfectionist”
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
The only measure we have to take is to provide that comfort to our resources. We work remotely, therefore, it helps us to avoid putting anyone’s life at risk.
The other measure is to always keep some resources or freelancers connected as a backup to avoid any delays in delivery.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
My vision drives me the most. Along with that, my inclination and approach towards work allow me to deal with challenges effectively. I follow a solution-driven approach.
For me, every problem has a solution and that solution is impactful only if it can be executed. This action-driven vision allows us to not get bogged down by challenges that are an inevitable part of any professional journey.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your startup?
> You need to offer something unique.
> Listen and understand the needs of your customers, and make sure you can cater to the same.
> Keep expanding but always remember to retain and sustain your client base.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
Without a doubt- my people! I know my journey has not been a smooth ride, there were obstacles all along; but the support and reassurances from my family, friends, and mentors have made all the difference.
The people I work with inspire me every day to keep getting better at what I do. It’s a myth that we can only grow via competing with others; rather I have always learned and grown the most by working and learning with others.
As much as my vision drives me to face the challenges, it’s my goals that also act as my biggest motivator.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
I strongly believe that we always have something to learn. And in this digital world, where we have something new every day, keeping up with the trends, information, and new ideas is a must for any business to thrive.
The one strategy I follow and works best for me is, I invest in resources. Resources are inevitable for the success of any business, and I make sure to invest wisely in my resources.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
It’s the creative ideas that are the most powerful in the digital space. Always let the young minds work, as a Leader, don’t impose your opinions and decisions.
As leaders we now have to be comfortable sharing power, letting go of the bureaucratic hierarchy, and learning and growing as a team collectively.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
My goal is to redefine what agency and corporate culture can look like.
We want to be an agency with discipline. This may sound ironic to many but is a cornerstone for us. Moreover, in any field, growth up the ladder is a journey, it’s a process.
There are times when we are able to climb fast, there are moments when we might have to stop to realign our strategies and it’s equally important to take some steps back when need be. It is this flexibility and ability to negotiate with the hurdles that keep me going!
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Never over-commit. Always take a stand for realistically possible things as we are into the service industry. Any business is definitely about money and profits; but even more important is client relationship. A crucial aspect of this relationship is honesty and commitment.
Identify your strengths but also accept your limits. It certainly takes time to fully grasp one’s interests, potentials; yet always be mindful of whether our actions are aligned to the larger vision we have for ourselves.
Reach out – It’s always helpful and enriching to engage with others, share vulnerabilities, ideas, and seek support.
Rest and Realign- The idea of pause and rest can be very daunting sometimes. We equate rest and pause with stagnation as if we’ll lose out on something. From my personal journey, I can say with certainty, these pauses have allowed me to think more deeply about my work and my values.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Digital Marketing is an exciting field that’s evolving rapidly. For those looking for a career in this field, I would suggest you keep learning and growing. There is always more to learn, to enhance, to be better at.
To all the young aspirants out there, growth in any field requires patience, grit, and the ability to adjust to the never-ending challenges. Equally important is to invest your time and energy in spaces and relationships that matter. Our relationships can be a huge support in times of joy and challenges alike.
Moreover, we’ll always get second/multiple chances, so don’t be afraid to make mistakes or get it right all the time. These errors are also a huge part of the journey and with the right intention, we can always find ways to work through the challenges.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
