At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited seasoned leader and entrepreneur Himanshu Laul for an exclusive interview. Himanshu is a leader, consultant, and mentor. He is the managing director of Rayna Tours. Here we will learn about his incredible journey from a startup founder to being the key person at the helm of Rayna Tours and Travels, one of the world’s most successful destination management companies.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Himanshu Laul:
Please talk us through your background and brief journey;
I am Himanshu Laul, managing director of Rayna Tours. I was born and brought up in Delhi in a nuclear family consisting of my parents and little sister. I did my schooling at Summer Fields School and completed my graduation in B.Arch. from IIT (Indian Institute of Technology), Roorkee, in 2011.
Being an architect, what made you start a business rather than go for a corporate job? What were your lessons?
After graduation, I did not want to take the conventional route of a corporate job. Instead, I had always wanted to start my venture. I liked the idea of working with the freedom and flexibility to make business decisions on my own. This is why I co-founded Kuzart Lane, an art café in Delhi, along with my friends.
Although I had no background or experience in the food industry, the inspiration for this venture was my friend’s mother, whose culinary skills were a hit in our friends’ group. I wanted to make her flavors and skills accessible to the entire community.”
While the idea of opening the café was exciting, it was not without challenges.There was a lack of knowledge and skills as well. But I am thankful for all the struggles which led to several important business lessons.
I have learned how important it is to put equal amounts of time, energy, and resources into every aspect of the business for its overall success. Later, I moved to Dubai and acted as the CEO of my next venture, Laully DMC.
You joined Rayna Tours and Travels just before the pandemic. How did you navigate the unprecedented times to boost the brand’s presence?
My association with Rayna Tours and Travels has been through Mr. Manoj Tulsani, the co-founder of Rayna Tours, who is also my friend and mentor.
There were talks about opening a new branch in London before I joined Rayna Tours as the Director of Business Development in 2020. But the pandemic paused both the expansion plans and the entire travel business. Although it was a really tough time, we knew that it was important to stay relevant in the industry.
We mainly focused on harnessing the power of social media and digital marketing. We successfully revitalized the brand through strategic campaigns, compelling content, and a customer-centric approach, attracting a wider audience and fostering meaningful connections.”
This transformative journey has been rewarding and impactful, enabling Rayna Tours to tackle the pandemic with unwavering resilience and emerge as a stronger brand in the industry.
What business mantras would you want to pass onto the next generation of entrepreneurs?
Starting a new business is scary, but you cannot be a successful entrepreneur without taking risks and facing the ups and downs of running a business.
My advice is not to wait a long time if you have a unique or revolutionary idea. There is no right time, and it is best to dive into it head-on.”
Of course, you will face many challenges, some of which you may not even have thought about. But consider them part of your learning and be consistent with your work. You will realize that reaching your goals and achieving success are worth all the effort.
What is your business mantra?
My business mantra is to believe there is no magic formula for success. What has worked for someone may not work for you. But it is important to plan, improve, innovate, and update yourself as per the market’s demands and your customers’ needs. Your business will be successful only when you know and provide exactly what your customers need.
You were promoted to managing director of Rayna Tours last year. What are your dreams and aspirations for the company’s future?
Rayna Tours has come a long way since it was launched in 2006. What started as a travel boutique in a hotel is now one of the best destination management companies in the world, with branches in Dubai, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, South Africa, and Israel.
We are planning to open several new branches in the coming year. We have also been diversifying our business and have recently launched Rayna Seacation and Rayna Properties. We also have major plans for venturing into digital marketing, construction, and transportation.
Lastly, we would like to know what your biggest motivation is.
There are a couple of things. Firstly, I get to work with a talented group of people who are creative have a great attitude, and are eager to learn and try new things.
Another thing is to see the ideas we conceive come to life. Finally, customer satisfaction! There is nothing better than reading or hearing about the positive experiences of our clients. It reinforces the fact that we are on the right path.
