Today we’d like to introduce you to Swathi Nelabhatla.
Swathi, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After finishing my under-graduation degree in India, I took up a job, but to be honest, my mind was always with starting some kind of business. I really don’t know why I was so much inclined to Entrepreneurship. None of my family members were into business. My father was Journalist and Mother was a Govt Official. I didn’t knew what to start, how to start but I use to explore whatever the small business idea may be included selling dry fruits, (in fact this picked up so much) or even to try starting an ice cream franchisee at least. Due to some personal circumstances I left my job in India and came to the USA and had to take few jobs for my living… But, the burning passion to become an entrepreneur and non-flexibility issues at work motivated me to start something on my own. At that time, I thought, no matter how small my business is going to be, I just want to be independent. This whole thought of being independent made me feel contended.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Lol, No way… The biggest asset which is required for any entrepreneur is a powerful network and their relevant domain experience. Usually, people who worked in large organizations quit their jobs after working at a higher management level for many years, by doing this, they attain some good technical experience and network. Along with this, they also make important contacts, that help them on their entrepreneurial journey. In my case, I was not even into middle management level in my work experience, I didn’t have any kind of leadership experience in the past. However I was very clear on how a Leader shouldn’t be… I had zero networks. I had to start absolutely from the scratch.
Having come from a small town in India, I use to have this inferiority complex on my presentation skills and communication. I had little to no money to spend on any team members or marketing or to manage the cash flow. Despite all of this, fortunately, I had a few of my friends who helped to uplift me from ground level. Along with my Tech Business, I also tried to establish three startups. However, things didn’t work out well and they never took off. Upon many sleep less nights there were only few things that drove me and inspired me to keep going. First, was my belief in God , my late father, and second, my undying passion. Every day I used to visualize myself as an entrepreneur. Always by dreaming the end result and by having absolute small milestones helped me so much.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about SHE JOBS & LiveMindz?
When I started, frankly speaking, the IT industry was quite crowded with its own set of players. This situation made me realize that to sustain in this kind of competition, I needed to have a USP (unique selling proposition). It simply means picking up the Engineering DOMAIN which in my opinion, is fairly tough decision. While many of our competitors were talking about Information Technology, I started to speak to the prospective clients in the Product Engineering space, which eventually allowed me to start working with the industry leaders. Now, we also extended our services to Digital Transformation and Data Analytics. My personal challenges had led me to start hiring more women into our organization. Most of these are mothers. I strongly believe that women give more productivity at work as they have fewer deviations and distractions. Its always a woman who gives up on her career while dealing with elders at home or for children.
There are also deep layers within women that some can be mothers of children with special needs, domestic harassment survivors, Some with pregnancy sabbaticals. All of these women need special quotas when it comes to work I feel like supporting every woman I know. But it is practically impossible. Hence, this idea of having a dedicated job board focusing on women popped up and I immediately got into action and started to work on it. We now have the SHE JOBS portal, which is live and is trying to cater to women to find their dream job. SHE JOBS can help employers to reach their diversity and inclusion metrics. Organizations are now aiming to have more and more women on board to reach the 50-50 gender neutrality ratio. Our company is helping them achieve it. SHE JOBS supports organization to provide women candidates and underrepresented minorities We aim to help and support women who have taken a break from their careers with the help of skill development. I think what sets me apart from others is my persistence and my will to pick up tough tasks. I am very much persistent and I hate to give up on anything be it a small work requirement or on my personal goals.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Not any apps in particular, but there are days where I depend on Google to search Motivational quotes to keep up my energy. Due to my highest passion with sales, I use to try reimagining any brand’s commercial I see in TV in my style. I use to keenly observe that everyone out there is trying to sell customer experience than the product by itself. Also I am more fascinated on concept of exclusivity in selling. On my first job I use to sell computers and warranties, I observed that whenever I made a sale I use to get high. Numbers fascinate me so much. I feel the beauty of any business lies in its own numbers. But I hate doing accounts. I am more interested in Business development activities and strategic planning. Alchemist is one of my favorite books, Bhagavadgitha helped me to stay in my toes. I can say that these books changed my life in a more positive manner. I love to watch any business-related movies, webseries, I Love to talk about startups and discuss innovative ideas. Coffee keeps me going, Ice cream and eggless Pastries helped me a lot. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Email: swathi@she-jobs.com
- Website: www.she-jobs.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shejobsportal
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwatiNelabhatla
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu3EcsyrQtdFw7bSNnM5mPQ
- Other: www.livemindz.com
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