“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker
Who but an entrepreneur recognizes this better? Entrepreneurs are this strange species that has stars in their eyes, dreams writ large on their faces and a fire in their belly to tread paths unknown. What drives them to give up their cushy jobs and cozy routines to set out and explore the unknown? Passion, yes! A desire to create something unique, sure! A need to make a difference, absolutely!
Today, I share with you the story of an ordinary, extraordinary woman entrepreneur. Ordinary because, she is a woman, daughter, sister, mother, wife, just like countless others and extraordinary in the way she has partnered in creating an enterprise that she harnesses with her blood and sweat and has taken to great success and yet managing a home and staying the humble, unassuming human being that I’ve always known her to be.
Meet Ms. Renu Saksena, Director of Travel Plaza, who heads a successful travel portal. Renu was born in a small town in UP. She lived all over the country. She did her graduation in Chemistry and later MBA in HR Management from Bombay in 1995 when HRD was still a fledgling career option. She was a people’s person and this was just the right career move for her. Fresh out of campus, she worked with Reliance Petroleum in their HR Department in Bombay. She later moved to Reliance Industries in Ahmedabad in 1997.
You don’t choose your passions; your passions choose you.” – Jeff Bezos
As she climbed up the Corporate ladder, she got married and became mother to a lovely baby girl. Her husband and she had always wanted to start a venture of their own – a good travel option that provided high-quality, customized travel solutions for people at affordable cost. Her husband worked in the hospitality industry and had an experience in marketing and she had an invaluable experience with people and a vision. Together, they complemented each other’s skills and decided to make their dream a reality by launching “TravelPlaza” in 2005. The husband-wife team quit their plum jobs and joined the fledgling travel agency full time. Financially and emotionally the family was plunged into a crisis, but their courage and conviction kept them afloat.
“Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice.” – Steve Jobs
She along with her husband has worked painstakingly every step of the way to establish clients and a reputation for her Travel Agency. Today, Travelplaza operates from a large office on upscale C.G Road in Ahmedabad. TravelPlaza also has offices in Delhi and Bengaluru. Senior executives from Premier corporates and PSUs are their clients today along with people like you and me.
As a Director, Renu’s vision has driven the company right from recruitment and training of the workforce to handling packages, accounting and marketing hands on. She works full time 6 days a week and also manages her daughter and home despite her hectic schedule.
”Genius is 1% inspiration, and 99% perspiration.” – Thomas Edison
Travelplaza today is a successful business! Despite severe recession and inflationary pressures, they have done well due to their excellent service and great, cost-effective packages. Each Travelplaza employee under the guidance of its founders endeavors to deliver you the very best travel option available. They specialize in customized packages in India and abroad whether you are a senior citizen looking for a pilgrimage, a family with little children, solo woman traveler or a bunch of men on a pleasure trip. Each can expect individual attention and a trip that they will cherish for the rest of their lives and that does not burn a hole in their pockets. Apart from packages, they also do Air ticketing, visas and passports. They are your one-stop shop for all your travel needs.
As an entrepreneur, I have seen Renu work very hard, putting in long hours almost every single day. She has been the face of technology and innovation in her company. She actively encourages utilization of better technology for generating more business. Her sensitive nature lets her provide a nurturing work environment for her staff. Being a trained HR professional, she emphasizes on employee growth and training. She also started an initiative to encourage homemakers to work from home.
As a person, she is very warm and soft spoken. Her gentle demeanor belies her immense strength. I have known her very closely and she is a woman of inspiration with strong morals and convictions who is also very driven towards excellence and quality.
I have the pleasure of knowing her intimately and of having been inspired by her both as a person and a professional for almost my entire life. I am privileged to have shared the story of my own elder sister with you through this post. Yes, we are spunky women in this family!
You can see Travelplaza’s facebook page here or can follow them on twitter @Travelplaza.
“Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful.” – Albert Schweitzer
Written for the Indiblogeshwaris Ladies Independence Special Contest in association with http://womenentrepreneursinindia.com/
How thrilling to find inspiration so close at hand Rachna! She is inspiring indeed! 🙂
Yep, my elder sister, she is a gem! We are so different in our nature yet so very similar when it comes to our values and thinking.
Strong spirited sisters. She lives in Bangalore too? Good luck to her in all her endeavors.
Thanks Alka! She lives in Ahmedabad.
There are no ordinary people, Rachna – all of us are extra-ordinary but some are more extra-ordinary than the others, like your sister!
I admire men who do path breaking things, but I admire such women more because it is often more difficult for them to give up a chosen path. Of course, the support of their families is a huge asset. Thanks for reading!
Entrepreneurship is in your genes. Hence proved. 🙂 Lovely “meeting” your sister, Rachna. Wishing you both all the success in life!
Thank you Sakshi! I guess both of us did not plan this, it happened :).
Loved ur inspiring narration, esp the apt quotes.No wonder, she is ur sister !!!gd luck to both if u!
Thanks Vaishnavi! Glad you liked reading about her.
You need deep conviction and support from family to venture out on your own!.And it takes a lot of hard-work and sacrifices to succeed.
Hats off to your sister!
Thanks Purba! All of what you said is so true! I have personally realized that when you start something of your own, the hard work and struggle increases manifold. And you can’t do it without the support of everyone close to you and a deep intrinsic motivation.
Wow.Talent runs in the family!!.Nothing comes by easily without hard work,ability and a passion to succeed.In your sister’s case she is fortunate to have her talented hubby too to work along with her.Little wonder the venture is a great success.
Thanks KP Sir for your warm words. Yes, the husband-wife team works in perfect synchrony.
Wow, a great, but real,story of an ordinary girl who reached the top by sheer strength and determination.She has made womanhood proud. Three cheers for this great lady.
Thank you Ushaji! That she is my elder sister makes me very proud!
A very inspiring post from a person who is an inspiration herself:) The gut and conviction with support from family can surely do wonders!
Thank you Rahul! Without family support, no one can succeed. It applies to all entrepreneurs.
A glowing story of following one’s mind, dear Rachna and as you have rightly mentioned – You sisters rock!
Joy always,
Susan
Thanks Susan!
Very inspiring Rachna! You’ve written is so well! Both you sisters are amazing.
Thanks so much, Chattywren!
*it*, sorry for the typo!
How inspiring. Now I know that it runs in the blood 🙂
Loved the way you have used the quotes in the post rachna !
Thanks Ruch :). Ain’t it amazing when 2 sisters lead such similar yet different lives?
Spunky and inspiration!! Both of you are. Glad to know her story.
Thanks Sfurti!
extremely inspiring..
so many times we get bogged down by problems.. people like this teach us to keep moving forward 🙂
Thanks for reading kitchenmummy! Glad you liked the post.
I was waiting to find out what was special about this post and then you mentioned about her being your sister. Very nice, Very proud I’m sure.
Whatever we do, people are going to stand up and keep passing comments. We arent here to please them, we are here to please ourselves. That little faith we place on ourselves will go a long way in giving us a sense of moral support!
Thank you Ashwini! Yes, people are there to pass judgements. But it sure helps to have the support of close family and friends. Intrinsic motivation is a big factor of course.
Wonderful feature!! So inspiring to have someone in your family who have made it on their own!
Absolutely Roshni! Thanks for reading!
You siblings are an inspirational package Rachna 😀 Nice to read about your sister’s success story 🙂
Thank you so much, Jaish :). Thanks for reading.
Wow! what an inspiring story so closer home. So wonderful.
Thanks Jas! Loved sharing her story.
how nice to hear an inspiring story from your family, loved all your quotes ! thanks for sharing !
Thanks Angela! Thanks for visiting.
What a nice tribute to your sister Rachna-i wish her great success.
Thank you, Indu!
Hi Rachna,
Great article. Enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing the inspiration.
Best Regards.
Thanks Clifford! Glad you enjoyed it.
Aha, now this is a post by a proud sister 🙂
Seriously I admire people who follow their dreams and yet balance between their professional and personal life. Otherwise I see some leaving their kids with their nannies/ grandparents without a bother and that leaves me wondering why they ever had kids
Absolutely Bhagya! I am very proud of her. Yep, I admire her too. And in the bargain, I got to spend some beautiful time with my niece when she was tiny. Ambition must not get selfish to the extent of using other people to get to our own goals. Our kids, our responsibility! And you are right, some people should not have kids!
Now that is an inspiring story close at home.
That was a power packed introduction of your sister. 🙂
Thank you, Amit :).
Nice to learn about your sister. Great stuff. Also now I know who to contact when I need to do travel bookings.
Thank you, TF! I am sure she can get you some great travel deals :).
Very well descriptive of your so called sister’s Entrepreneurship written..
Madan, she is not my so-called sister but my real sister.
Personification of the saying ‘Where there is a will there is a way’! Good to know about your sister and you girls sure are spunky! 🙂 Inspiring to read about people who tough it out despite the challenges that come their way! 🙂
Thank you Deepa! Looks like you went on this blog reading spree! Thanks for reading.