At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the unique and compelling stories from the entrepreneurship and the leadership world. As part of this endeavour, we invited yet another seasoned entrepreneur and leader – Prachee Gaur for an exclusive interview with us. She is a business leader, mentor, consultant, advisor, keynote speaker and coach. Prachee is the Founder of Remarkable Education. She has been conferred with “Exceptional Women of Excellence” by Women Economic Forum, a global conference platform by the ALL Ladies League and many such awards. Let’s learn more about her inspiring journey, her background and her advice for our growing community:
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Prachee:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur/coach, please;
Not so long ago an adolescent girl from a conservative family aspired to do something different…Different than her friends and cousins had done or were doing.
She was at the crossroads of which subject stream she should go for. What were her inborn talents and which skills needed honing? Although opinions were a dime a dozen, she couldn’t find anyone who could help her make the most important decision based on her overall personality. She didn’t have any information if she could reach out for professional help.
What is career counselling and whether it is available in a small city like Jaipur?
No one around her had any idea. She was lost again at an important juncture of life when she wanted to pursue a career in the field of Brand management. Which Universities offer a degree in such an upcoming subject? Their cut off criteria. Intake season, last dates etc. etc. She was baffled, and when she was accepted by Birmingham City University, UK, she and her folks had no idea about student loans, scholarship opportunities and way of life in a foreign land.
As a deserving candidate, she made it to Birmingham City University and learnt that she could have availed of higher scholarship percentage. There she encountered “many many more deer(s) in the headlight” who managed to come abroad in search of better education, however, were oblivious and directionless.”
Some disliked their subjects while others succumbed to parental pressure. Others wanted to discontinue their studies. And then, there were students who came especially on student loan to fulfil their aspirations but were struggling to get a handle on their future.
She sensed the disparity between potential and actual. A higher % of which easily attributed to the absence of quality career counselling as well as inadequate, unorganised & irresponsible – sloppy career counselling services in India especially in developing cities and its tier-2s”
These experiences got stuck on to her like a parasite, those horrid tales of struggles and helplessness of the students left an indelible impact on her psyche. She sacrificed a promising future in her own field of interest, bid adieu to her English dream to enliven her vision to establish a solid platform to provide easily accessible, goal-oriented superior career counselling services to the youth of India for a better tomorrow.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I am a free spirit; I love and enjoy my freedom. I didn’t want to help others build their dreams while my own dreams and aspirations remain unfulfilled. I believe that being an entrepreneur you naturally develop an appetite for risk.”
This risk-bearing trait prepares you to travel that last mile until you reach the destination and never lets you settle for less. The flexibility of being able to do whatever it takes to follow your heart is beyond comparable… I mean, one can’t draw any parallels in this context.
‘Remarkable Education’ 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 with the help of your startup?
The legend goes as.
While in the UK, post my Masters I worked for a while in the field of Graphics and designing and my dream came true when I got my big break to start my Brand agency in the UK. As an executive Director for IP Brand Ltd at Coventry, UK where the reward was equivalent to the hard work and effort chipped in.
I earned and learnt a great deal and relished a rather successful stint as an entrepreneur.
Finally, my life was coming together however despite the time and my overindulgence with the English Lifestyle; I was at unrest, somehow my experiences with the “directionless” students were stirring up something deep inside of me. They got stuck on to me like a parasite and before I realised it became my new pet peeve.
Making streamlined, comprehensive, genuine and goal-oriented career counselling accessible to the youth in India became my calling.
I sacrificed a promising future in my field of interest and bid adieu to my and London dreams and my precious 10-year entrepreneur UK visa to enliven my vision; to establish a solid platform to direct, guide and positively influence the youth of India for a better tomorrow.”
When I sounded off my decision to the world, I received flak from many for uprooting a career and lifestyle which many aspire for. However, under those brickbats was a deep admiration for the courage I mustered up to give up all that I had in pursuit of something larger than my individual dreams; to contribute for the betterment of my country which was ‘Remarkable’ in many ways.
My partner at IP Brand Ltd, my friends, acquaintances in the UK all found this as quite a Remarkable tide in my life, hence the name Remarkable Education.”
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
The importance of entrepreneurship is being recognised increasingly in generating a resilient Indian economy. When unprecedented and unforeseen times present themselves we definitely had to adapt and innovate. With a sharp focus on my end customers and working hard to meet the operating costs. I paid special attention to my Social capital
Social Capital, consists of the team’s total social networks with potential customers, investors and recruits as well as the company’s brand.
I didn’t lose my Social capital while working hard to deploy innovative strategies to stay in the business.
At Remarkable Education we got innovative and experimental; during the pandemic we conducted
a) Special Counselling sessions with parents –
These special counselling sessions with parents we interact with parents and discuss the importance of positive parenting and help them understand the mental health issues and how they can help their children to cope with it.
b) Webinars –
We are organizing webinars and live sessions on social media platforms to reach out students and parents through digital space. Since people are avoiding meetings and gatherings are unfavourable, reaching out to our customers and target groups through digital platforms will help us to assist people virtually. With eminent guest speakers from every field and occupation, we are aiding students with best career advice and possible career opportunities for their references. These webinars are also targeting parents who are confused or sceptical for the future of their children.
c) Business Collaboration –
Collaboration with various schools and educational institutions will help reach out to more students. Special programs and workshops under these collaborations, our company will target students and cater to their queries related to career and future studies. These programs will also help them to unfurl the stressful situations and uncertainties in the education sector which have emerged as the result of the pandemic.
d) Short term courses –
Helping to elevate competencies of students, we have introduced some short-term courses specially created to help students prepare for their potential career options and future educational studies.
d) Special workshop and sessions addressing mental health –
With our special workshops and sessions, we are helping out students and parents address their mental issues and anxieties. With one on one counselling, we are reaching out to students listening to their worries and resolving their issues.
e) WICCI, Elementary Education Council of Rajasthan in collaboration with Remarkable Education –
To reach the students of rural areas a special initiative has been taken with WICCI EEC Rajasthan by collecting spare smartphones from people who are willing to donate and distribute them among students from rural areas. By special online classes and sessions, counsellors will also help them with the queries of these students and cater to their need for information.
How do you manage yourself and keep on going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Motivation and skills drive my entrepreneurial behaviour. Enjoying the excitement, meeting- beating the challenges and my personal growth and freedom are Intrinsic rewards which keep me going through rainy days.
Although everything is not hunky-dory and often I find myself pleading for a conducive entrepreneurial environment socially, economically. The autonomy which comes from being an entrepreneur is an important trigger to stay on course.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
Finding your Mojo, If you have found the thing which you are genuinely passionate about you will never face a dearth of the fuel which sparks the light in you.
You will be so committed to giving it life and ensuring that it thrives come what may just like a child When we are 100% invested and if and when the situation goes south we shift gears, do a course correction and set for a sail. It is very easy to abandon, call it quits but what is difficult is to have a lifetime of regret.
Remember A ship at a harbour is safe but that’s not what ships are meant for just as our passion and undying commitment for our calling are not meant to fizzle off when the going gets tough.
A leader should never stop learning, learn something every day; we have teachers disguised as everyday people in life. In my opinion, an entrepreneur should:
1) Adapt and be flexible
2) Constantly Innovate
3) Focus on Quality and workmanship
4) Invest in Business Continuity and Resiliency
What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your startup?
The question challenges the status quo, it is a goldmine of opportunities and the birthing bed for innovation.
Don’t be afraid of failures, start over again every time you start you aren’t starting from scratch, you start from experience.
Whether you are into business or a working professional the most important sutra for peace and success is “Integrity”, there are NO shortcuts to success so don’t devise any….ever!
And above all always culture the attitude of gratitude.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
Founding a startup can seem like a fragmented even chaotic way of life. Perhaps, no business pursuit is messier than creating an organization from scratch. There are so many trade-offs involved in the most critical decisions that shape the startup and its growth, Each decision requires assessing multiple options and more options within each decision. Often the right decision by no means is obvious and may even be counter-intuitive.
In your opinion – what is more necessary: Idea or a good team for a successful startup?
From an investor’s point of view, the entrepreneurial team is often considered the most important part of a startup. Arthur Rock, a legendary venture capitalist said, “Nearly every mistake I’ve made has been picking the wrong people, not the wrong idea.” Numerous studies show that the qualities of a startup team highly correlate with financial success.
In general, the startup context is considered to be highly interdependent, since the team works closely together, and each member is expected to bring some unique knowledge.
Thus, to predict and support startup success, evaluation of its human capital maybe even more important than analysis of the business idea and strategy.
Please share with us what has worked well for you so far?
Well, I am beyond grateful for all the blessings as well as the struggles in my life. If I were to credit one thing that clicked for me at a personal level as a human and as well as an entrepreneur, that would be my acceptance, deep understanding and reverence of the ‘Law of the Wasted Effort’.
The Law of Wasted Effort could be understood by this example:
The lion succeeds only in a quarter of his attempts at hunting. 25% success and 75% failure- with this small proportion in which most predators participate – it is impossible to despair and stops chasing…
the main reason for this is because animals are built instinctively to absorb the law ( wasted efforts) It is the law in which all nature works…
Half of the fish eggs are eaten.
Half bears die before puberty…
Most of the world’s rain falls in the oceans.
These and other examples are countless.
Man alone rejects this cosmic natural law and considers that failure to succeed in a few attempts is a failure. The only failure is to stop trying. We constantly focus on what has failed instead of the abundance of where we succeeded.
Success is not that you have a life free of hiccups. Success is to walk on your mistakes, always learning and go beyond every stage where you have wasted your efforts and remain looking forward to the next stage.
If there was a wisdom that summarizes this world, it will simply be.
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an aspiring women entrepreneur?
You are as good as you think.
Identify the chink in your shining armour; never play the women victim card, work hard and earn your right. You will gain immense confidence and respect from self and others instead of loathing and pity.
Don’t be apologetic for shattering the ‘self-imposed’ glass ceiling.
If you never ask, the answer will always be No and you will continue to blame society.
The world is waking up to bring parity between Men and women as well as empowering women. When you as a woman are being empowered, remember to assist and educate the men folks; for they need hand-holding to fill into your big shoes.
So, next time if your partner has to show up for things/events which were earlier dealt with by you; train, educate, inform, guide and be patient with them. Empower them in return, for it always takes two to tango otherwise unknowingly you will partake in building an unequal society and the vicious circle will continue.
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.
