At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Shoba Rudra for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Shoba is an Entrepreneur and Founder Partner at RARE India. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shoba:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
It has been a long and fun journey of over 20 years and not without its challenges. And much of it was not planned exactly the way it has turned out. I am a science graduate with a major in Zoology and did a postgraduate course in Journalism and Mass Communication. Travel happened by chance and RARE in 2003 was a result of some years of travelling and looking at small hotels and experiences with people and destinations.
I really cannot tell you that I planned it from start to finish. I found an interesting gap in the market and capitalized on it. RARE was as much a pioneering idea as it was about learning and growth, understanding what was happening to travel and building for innovation. Pitching for sustainable travel and community-focused tourism was something I learnt along the way.
‘RARE India’ 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?
RARE was actually rebranded from what began as TS Marketing Services, the emphasis was to promote small hotels with a focus on sustainable travel and destination experiences.
We tagged ourselves as “RARE or Regular”. At that time, concepts of conservation, owner managed boutique hotels were still in their infancy, travel was ready for a shift into experiential travel and we rode that way but curating a community of hotels that were off the beaten track and provided interesting experiences ranging from cultural immersions to heritage stories, performing arts to wildlife and conservation.
Between 2014 to 2017 was our biggest growth phase where we were promoting so many boutique hotels across Nepal and India, the USP was these hotels were owner stories, handpicked and reviewed by myself. So the brand meant quality of service and uniqueness of experience. Since 2017, our narrative changed to sustainability, something that always existed but we brought it to the forefront, it was the headline.
Eventually, we believe that as the industry changes towards a more sustainable business vision, RARE will become the norm and that is what we aim to achieve.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
This is not any business, I want to build a legacy. We would like to be known as a company that challenged the status quo, was generous with our time and talent, pioneered ideas and made sustainable travel the norm for every travel and hospitality business.
Challenges are only in our heads and also in the minds of hoteliers who are not yet convinced that what they are doing in terms of design, experience and sustainability is the future.
But when I see what is happening to the world around us, the climate crisis, the wars and consumerism and how that is affecting the planet I am convinced I want to work on the side of solutions. Solutions for a better world, leaving a greener planet for the next generation and travel is language.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) Give credit where it is due.
2) Never give up
3) When someone asks for help give it unconditionally.
4) Everything is not business, and success is just not about making money.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
a) Whatever you are going through, Wake up, dress up and show up.
b) Especially in the services business, success is the last call you made before going to bed.
c) Consistency, doing something that you believe in every day. Service is a people’s business, and here to bring about change you have to work with people of all kinds.
d) You need patience and persistence and a doggedness in the face of scepticism.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
There are no shortcuts to success. Copying is easy, but innovation will keep you ahead of the competition. And for me, discipline has been a key factor, especially when working with small children, running a home, looking after my parents and also looking after myself. Also keeping an open mind, reading up and knowing every nuance of my business.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
That this is about travelling, meeting people and learning is what makes it most satisfying. Also RARE is about constantly innovating and building change and impact is something that is deeply satisfying.
Travel has to change as every business should to be accountable for its emissions, and travel is among those businesses that can work towards solutions within its scope. My weapon is my communication and hotels are my means through which I envision my life’s meaning.
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.
