Bengaluru: They say a father is always a son’s first hero and a daughter’s first love. This is more so when the son or daughter inherits the father’s self-made enterprise which inspires them to get into his shoes. The emulation then is natural as it also translates into how the daughter or the son takes over the mantle and steers the business.
“My father’s own entrepreneurial journey made me want to become one. He made me realize that you can turn any idea into a business,” avers Tarun Lala, whose father Anil Lala founded Fanzart, an Indian luxury fan company that designs and manufactures high-tech fans, a business idea which stemmed from Anil’s visit to the US and chancing upon such exquisite fans.
Always fascinated by the business acumen, enthusiasm and adventurous spirit of his father, Tarun, who is a director at Fanzart, never forgets the business advice and secrets his father teaches him. ‘Work so hard that you give your luck a chance’ is the success mantra which Tarun learnt from his father.
Ramya Ravi, daughter of Dr Ravichandar, founder of the Nandhana Palace chain of restaurants, which are synonymous with Andhra food in the silicon city of Bengaluru, is equally inspired by her father. Her father’s rags to riches success story from an accounts manager to a hospitality tycoon has made him her role model.
“Passion is what drives us and is the real secret of our success. None of us think about Monday or a Sunday, we see our father being driven by passion and that further drives us to the next level,” says Ramya, who is one of the directors of the Nandhana group along with her sister Shweta Ravi.
Working with father
So how is it when one has to work with one’s father?
“We travel together and also hang out together, especially late in the office, Once, we worked so late we decided to hang back at the office late at night, order in food and watched Money Heist in the conference room. My father’s brain is always on, it’s great as it keeps me going as well,” recalls an excited Tarun
“In a family business, we are bound to have a difference of opinion, having a mutual understanding is very important,” advises Ramya. “It is always good to have an open approach and deal with it maturely. But working with my father has taught me one great thing -to give back to society. Our father is a very generous man. During the tough Covid wave, under his guidance, 10,000 free meals were rolled out. Also, during extremely hot weather, we offer cold drinks to the Swiggy staff when they come for delivery pick-ups. We have learnt these small gestures from him which go a long way,” adds Ramya.
About stepping into father’s shoes, Tarun feels he can never do that. “I got to make my own shoes. I have a different role to play and can never take on my father’s role.”
Ramya on the other hand feels stepping and settling into her father’s shoes is not a burden or a responsibility as for her, success is driven by passion.