What if you're born into the family of one of India's most celebrated textiles and apparel conglomerate, and then get into the company for an internship right when you're out of school? What if you're just 16 and the first project you're working on includes big names like Reid and Taylor and Amitabh Bachchan?
And then you grow up to become the director of that company, working to bring in international brands to the Indian consumer. And you're just 20-something and heir apparent to a multi-crore business. Mind-boggling? Not for Anjani Kasliwal.
Business basics
Anjani (23) hails from the Kasliwal family, which runs S. Kumars Nationwide Limited (SKNL), and is one of the company's youngest directors. “I'm truly blessed to be a part of this family; it has always been advantageous for me. I've been pushed to work harder.”
But she is also quick to mention that she worked her way to the top. “I don't have a surname in office,” she says with complete poise. “If I did the right thing, I was rewarded, and if I did the wrong thing, I was reprimanded, just like everyone else.”
Anjani talks about how she started from scratch by working part-time right after finishing school. “It took time for my colleagues to adjust to the fact that I was not there just to spend my summer vacation,” she recollects with a smile. After her graduation in Mass Media from the Mumbai University, Anjani joined the Advertising and PR Department of SKNL. “I've always enjoyed learing business and, to be frank, this is a very sensitive arena. I learnt to deal with different people and situations.”
But her tryst with luxury brands began only after her internship at Escada, Munich. She quickly learnt the ropes of global demand and supply management, and now heads Brandhouse Retails, the retail arm of SKNL that manages luxury brands like Dunhill, Escada and Oviesse in India. “Fashion and luxury are inherent in me because, honestly, I've always lived a luxurious lifestyle.” she says candidly.
Aiming high
Anjani strongly believes that the Indian consumer is widely travelled, fashion-conscious and abreast with latest fashion trends. All her efforts are focussed towards bringing high end brands to India, bridging the gap between Indian and international fashion markets. “I want to provide international brands at your doorstep.”
Anjani recently launched her new store OVS Industry at Express Avenue, Chennai. “You have everything, right from clothes for an executive to fashionable outfits for young girls. Italian brands at Indian pricing.”
At a time when women are still treated as one-off achievers, Anjani takes personal inspiration from her mother, Jyoti Kasliwal. “She worked a good 27 years for the company. I got my creative side from her. All you need to do is find your ambition, channelise it and whatever it is just love what you do.”
Anjani has some personal goals as well. “Ten years from now, I want to become the CEO of one of our own organisations. I just want to keep working till a very ripe old age,” she signs off with her ultimate aim. “I've found my own way, making all mistakes. But I've never felt like I've worked for all these years. And one day, I would like to achieve what my dad has. By the time I'm his age and if I've achieved at least half of what he has, then I'd say I'm successful.”
Preethi is a III year student of B.A. Journalism at M.O.P. Vaishnav College.
