It is rare to find a woman who is adept in many roles of life – a successful entrepreneur, a yoga practitioner a loving daughter & mother and an equally amazing dancer. Mimi Partha Sarathy, our very own Bengalurean is an inspiration to many.
Besides being MD of Sinhasi Consultants Pvt Ltd, a reputed SEBI registered investment advisory and planning firm, Mimi is also Founder and Managing Trustee of Shri Krishna Wellness, Yoga and Cultural Center, which she set up in January 2012, to promote the rich heritage of India art, music, dance, culture and Yoga.
Mimi Partha Sarathy in an interview with Suman Prasad spoke in length about her different roles and how she balances all of them, about her Yoga and Cultural center and other different aspects of women entrepreneurship.
On balancing different roles (an entrepreneur, a yoga practitioner, a mother and an equally amazing dancer)
I am who I am because of a combination of all the things I do because I love all the things I do. I am very lucky and grateful that I have an opportunity to be able to do all these many things and so everything becomes easy. What is most important is to be passionate about whatever one does, do with trust, integrity and honesty, then it becomes part of daily life and even the challenges can be easily met. Do what you love then everything falls into place!
On Shri Krishna Wellness, Yoga and Cultural center
Coming from a family that has always enjoyed and promoted the rich Indian art and culture, and also being a classical dancer myself from an early age, Shri Krishna Wellness, Yoga and Cultural centre was created by my mother and myself to promote the rich Indian heritage of dance, music, yoga, and Shastras. And since we have a very unique place in Malleshwaram with ancient trees and greenery, we wanted to create something very special for people to come and experience holistic wellness with tradition. We now have daily holistic and integrated yoga classes through the week, special yoga workshops with esteemed teachers from Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandira – Chennai, and workshops on Pathanjali Yoga Sutra. We also have classes on anti – gravity yoga, therapeutic yoga, yoga for weight loss, etc.
Bharatnatyam Dance classes and workshops are conducted by Smt Padmini Ravi at the centre. The centre has already hosted several music concerts some of them being by the reputed Thirussur brothers, Smt Pushpa Anand who is known for Purandara Vittala Namakeertanas and will continue to host many more such events.
On keeping the team motivated at work
The most important thing in life is to be focused on your goal and the purpose of your life with passion, integrity, honesty and trust. One must walk the talk otherwise it will become a total mess and people will see through you. And once one walks the talk and lives it, automatically everyone around you gets motivated and will work towards the same goal. This I have seen and experienced in all that I do.
On women being reluctant to take the first step towards entrepreneurship even today
As I keep saying, I am a woman and this ‘womanliness’ is a great thing so I am very proud of it. I am who I am because I am a mother, a daughter, a dancer a yoga teacher, an animal lover, a home maker, a traveler, etc. This is what completes me. Therefore this makes me draw my boundaries in defining success. My happiness and success is in all the many things I am and do, and the people that surround me, not just being known as a successful entrepreneur. Also women will always need to take breaks in their career – since they may get married and need to set up their home, or have children, or need to take care of their parents etc. This understanding of one’s self as a woman is most important for one’s success and therefore it will then become simple to become an entrepreneur.
On how receptive the industry is to women entrepreneurs when it comes to funding
Many times women start a business more as a hobby and therefore this may not be a sustainable business to fund. And also the business that is set up is not the main source of income since there could be the primary income source from the husband/father etc. Therefore again, it is important for a woman to be clear on her goals and priorities. If one becomes and entrepreneur and raises funding, this becomes a full time job and there is a moral and financial obligation to ensure business success and sustainability. There can be no excuses for this. Therefore once again, one needs to be clear on what your goal and passions are and if this is done, there will be no issues of raising funds.
On industries where women can enter as innovators and game changers
Already women have entered all fields be it science, arts, or commerce, engineering or medicine etc and have made major marks in all of them. And I don’t think there is any gender bias to any sector.
On skills to be a good leader
Be clear about your passion trust, honesty and integrity. Walk the talk otherwise it will become a big problem for you and all around you.
On rising cases of sexual harassment at workplaces and if a woman on top can curb these
What is good about today’s social media is that many of the problems which have existed for decades is now coming out in the open. Women are no longer afraid of talking about sexual harassment faced and this itself I believe in the first step to a better environment. I do believe that men play a important role in preventing sexual harassment anywhere since I am sure they would not tolerate such things happening to their sister, cousin, mothers aunt, wife, or girlfriend. Therefore more awareness is most important so that men and women together work must work collaboratively and collectively in removing this great illness of sexual harassment from our society.
On whether it is important to have an International Women’s Day
Women need to be celebrated every day. This we all know. Well, we have been given one special day so we can celebrate even more!
Tips for women who want to be an entrepreneur
Be clear about your passion trust, honesty and integrity. Walk the talk and you will succeed in everything. Never forget you are a woman and not a man!! Embrace and love your womanliness always!
