Accept Happy Women’s Day from Hello Mumbai News.com Team :
Each year, Hello Mumbai News takes the privilege to celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8th to propagate and recognize women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements through featuring stories on their successful journey in their field and to call for gender equality
This is with a goal to raise awareness about the need to end gender-based violence, promote women’s leadership, celebrate their contributions, promote entrepreneurs, startups and advocate for women’s economic empowerment around the World.
In Honour of International Women’s Day We, Hello Mumbai News.com Team took an Exclusive Interview of Mumbai based Neha Ved Wordpreneur, a Content Strategist, Media Consultant, Brand Storyteller who Shared her Entrepreneurial journey on International Women’s Day with us.
We hope her story’ will inspire one and all.
So guys read on :
Hello Mumbai News :Introduce yourself for our readers.
My name is Neha Ved Wordpreneur®️, and I am a Content Strategist, Media Consultant, Brand Storyteller with over 18 years of experience. I’m the founder of PenVmedia, a creative content studio, focused on brand communications and providing strategic content services.
Hello Mumbai News :your message on International Women’s Day for Women.
Embrace equity. Until there’s equal opportunity for men and women, keep persevering. Being a woman-led firm, I strongly believe in women supporting women. In fact, our new initiative, PenVSvyam heads in that direction as it empowers women entrepreneurs to get the right resources, the right services, marketing support and whatever else they require to succeed.
Hello Mumbai News : your Recognition and Achievements.
Right in the first year of establishment, PenVmedia won the competitive award Vyapaar Jagat Content Strategist of the Year – 2020. The following year, we won Vyapaar Jagat Bootstrap Startup Champion of the year – 2021. On a personal note, I was awarded the “Best Real Story – Woman of Substance Award” at Rabiaz Walk For A Cause. I also won the Billennium Divas Woman Power in Media & Entertainment. I have been the National Vice President post for WICCI(Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry) National Council for Reproductive Health and Rights. I’m also a published author and poet with my work being featured in 14 anthologies. I also have 8 world records to my credit and feature in the London book of records for contributing to the world’s largest flip Anthology.
Hello Mumbai News : was your key driving force to become an entrepreneur?
I’ve always been passionate about storytelling, the sparks igniting when I won my first poetry competition in fifth grade. I knew then I would dabble in literature and writing. After my journey of working in this industry for 13-14 years, from a journalist to working with diverse spaces of communication like publishing, marketing, and at one point even heading an agency, I decided it was time to build something of my own. And thus PenVmedia was born.
Hello Mumbai News : did you come up with the name for your company?
The name was born out of my initials and my husband’s initials – NV. It was actually he who suggested that it be PenV, to emphasize the power of the pen. After all, we are a content studio. The V suggests support as “we”, as the clients and our team work hand-in-hand to give excellent communication and growth. V also stands for Victory. And since we’re a media house, PenVmedia was thus christened.
Hello Mumbai News :How did you raise funding for your venture?
It was a self-funded startup. I’ve made the biggest investment of my life so far, in myself and my dream.
Hello Mumbai News :How do you build a successful customer base?
I’m very blessed that, with all of my years in the industry, I have been able to build an intricate and solid network of contacts. I’ve worked with many people in many fields, from celebrities to industrialists, and these contacts have given such incredible support. We got our first assignments and great recommendations from word of mouth. We haven’t had the need to spend big so far towards marketing and visibility; the credibility and reputation we have generated referrals that spoke for us.
Hello Mumbai News : do you market your business, and which tactics have been most successful?
We have an active social media presence on our accounts, where we share our views quite often. Mainly, we have gained our business through networking and word of mouth.
Hello Mumbai News : many hours a day do you work on average?
In the initial years, I put in very long hours. But as we reached a level of stability, I give a lot of importance to balancing the day between working and personal growth in terms of learning. I work around ten hours a day, five days a week, and divide the remaining hours between sleeping properly, my health, my social life and my family.
Hello Mumbai News :Can you describe/outline your typical day?
I’m usually up by 6:30. My morning routine takes up my time till 8:30 – meditation, and exercising, which includes going for a walk and doing Suryanamaskars. I spend an hour tending to my domestic duties, and then the work day begins. I work till lunch, taking an hour-long break at 12:30. Then, I return to my work till 4:30, when I take another short break for 15-20 minutes. Again, I return to work until I take my dinner. I have an early diner at 7:30 and then take another walk, and devote some time to reading. If I have any work left, I finish it off, only taking upto an hour maximum for this. I go to bed around 11:00.
Hello Mumbai News : has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
It feels like a blessing because when I was in my job, I spent many hours in the office. I wasn’t the master of my own schedule, always focusing on what the company or my post required from me to thrive and flourish. But now I have flexible hours, and I’m able to divide my time comfortably and productively. I don’t think it matters how many hours you work, but how good your work is.
Hello Mumbai News : motivates you?
The value I create in people’s lives. Whether it’s our interns, our clients, or the students and businesses who consult us. I’m both the firstborn in my family and the eldest daughter-in-law, which means taking on the mantle or a position of responsibility comes naturally to me. Creating value on multiple fronts, the home, the office, personally – this is what motivates me. PenVSvyam comes from a place of finding purpose and giving back to the industry that has given me so much.
Hello Mumbai News : do you generate new ideas?
I often have a conversation with myself when I’m in need of expert advice. All jokes aside, a lot of ideas do come when I’m sitting silently with myself. My routine is to stand next to my large window, looking out over the vast greenery as the moon rises over it, and stand in silence. I’m always on high alert, listening to my intuition and also reading helps. When I see or hear something that speaks to me, I take a note. So when I need to apply this, a thought will come and I can build on it.
Hello Mumbai News : is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
I hope it doesn’t audacious if I say I fear nothing. Setbacks shouldn’t be feared because they happen to everyone. Instead, I focus on handling them rather than letting the problem get bigger than I am. I tell myself “I am God’s special child, and I am cradled in the lap of the universe.” I centralise my thoughts, balance myself out and focus on the solution. I truly believe that you never get problems you cannot handle – even if you don’t know your potential, the universe does, and all the obstacles in your path are stepping stones to unleashing your true potential.
Hello Mumbai News :What are your ideals?
Be honest. Be tactful in your communication. Keep your commitments. Do not climb the ladder of success on steps made from corpses. Inclusive growth is also very important to me, to take as many people with you as you can, when you’re getting ahead. If you are in a position or have the capacity to give, be generous in doing so.
Hello Mumbai News : do you define success?
I define it as being self-reliant and self-aware; knowing that you can find the means to make every goal possible. It’s when you go to sleep looking forward to the next day; knowing that even if you don’t wake up tomorrow, you’re still satisfied because you made today count. Every year, I celebrate my birthday as a checkpoint to see how far I’ve come and how much farther I can go in the next year. I set my goals for the next year, from this birthday to the next, and focus on achieving them.
Hello Mumbai News : you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Success is shabby, it’s not linear. There is no single way to success, and success cannot be achieved with a linear graph. The key is to be consistent and visible. Talent is only one part of the equation – it’ll mean nothing if there’s no one to recognise your talent. It is easy to get to the peak of success, but the hustle is staying on top.
Hello Mumbai News : is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Being able to create value, to create a platform for people to grow. I like being able to use my expertise and knowledge to help someone realise their potential.
Hello Mumbai News : has been your most satisfying moment in business?
The success story of PenVmedia’s UNICONTENT internship. A student was placed at Pace University because of the portfolio we helped him build. A woman who worked with us battled postpartum depression through the work she did. A brand which was affected by the pandemic was able to turn things around because of us. Thinking back to these instances and many more like it makes me feel very fulfilled.
Hello Mumbai News :What piece of advice would you give to college graduates who want to become entrepreneurs?
Be ready to learn, as this is the age to do so. Don’t be discouraged if you’re not able to succeed on your first try. Measure your success and give yourself reality checks, because unfortunately, even if you think you’re doing well, you might not be doing as well as you perceive. Make sure you’re financially literate and that it’s inculcated in you from an early age.
Hello Mumbai News : you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
I’m very grateful for the journey I’ve had, but I wish I stood up for myself when it came to getting paid better, or being forthcoming in grabbing plum assignments. I would also be wiser in managing finance, and gotten into wealth management and investment much earlier.
Hello Mumbai News : would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Patience, perseverance and persistence.
Hello Mumbai News : entrepreneurial tricks have you discovered to keep you focused and productive in your day-to-day busy schedule?
Divide your work hours with short, fifteen minute breaks. Keep your phone away from you during lunch break.
Hello Mumbai News : key activities would you recommend entrepreneurs to invest their time in?
Reading, learning or upskilling and perhaps most importantly, sleeping. Not sleeping well or sleeping less is too glorified, but sleep-deprivation causes life affecting health issues.
Hello Mumbai News :Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I don’t emulate people, but I do have people I greatly respect. Sudha Murthy stands out, because her story with Narayan Murthy is an inspiration and a demonstration of how far a husband and wife can go in a relationship of equanimity. Behind every successful man is a woman’s support, but behind every successful woman is that same solid support system. I have been blessed with strong women all around me: my mother, my mother-in-law, my grandmother. I also have amazing friends. Every person I meet inspires me and teaches me new things, from my interns to our clients.
Hello Mumbai News : our readers will find you
Our sites, www.penvmedia.com, www.nvwofficial.com and our social media and LinkedIn accounts, @nehavedwordpreneur, @penvmedia
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