Ankita Shroff, a 26-year old entrepreneur and founder of SAV Chemicals Private Limited in Pune says that she believes diversity plays a big role in making the lives fulfilling. SAV Chemicals was born on April 9, 2014.
In a scenario where women entrepreneurs are not visible that much, Ankita Shroff started her entrepreneurship journey around a year ago in Pune. SAV Chemicals Pvt Ltd is a professional manufacturer of Cyanoacrylate Adhesive (instant adhesive). SAV Chemicals Pvt Ltd is a Joint venture with Taiwan based Cartell Chemicals (an adhesive expert). To match with the increasing demand for instant adhesives in India, SAV Chemicals offers a range of different grades and packaging.
As Ankita wasn’t familiar with most of the business aspects, the first year for her was altogether a different learning experience altogether. Getting the right space, team, workforce, imports, law and taxation, permits, Foreign Direct Investment etc. were really big challenges for this young lady entrepreneur.
She learned to execute decisions at the right time boldly without any fear. Being a first timer and a woman in the manufacturing sector, consistency, patience, and support worked to Ankita’s favored luck and though a little delayed, her dream did take a flight.
Initial years of Ankita’s life
Ankita was born in Mumbai and studied at St. Joseph’s High school-Pashan. The proliferation of IT and science in everyday life motivated her to study Computer Science in junior college at Fergusson College, Pune. In her Higher Secondary examination, she secured the 15th position in the Maharashtra State Board and this proved to be her 1st milestone of achieving excellence in academics.
Soon she realized that it is not always about academic performance but an overall personality, which actually helps break barriers. She explored different opportunities and moved out of her comfort zone to achieve what she wanted.
She went on to graduate as a Computer Engineer from Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune. These 4 years of her life at Engineering was an eclectic mix in academics and ECA (extra-curricular activities). She was also awarded ‘Best All Rounder of MIT, Pune’ award.
After graduation, she was admitted at London’s Imperial College for an MSc in Management. The one year in London, in developing her business acumen and her skills to interact with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.
During her Masters at Imperial Business School, she did an internship with Rolls Royce in London and Germany on a consulting project which gave an entirely different dimension and know-how on how international companies work, business strategies, production etc. London transformed her from an introvert to an extrovert to an inquisitive person.
Soon, she started handling her father’s real estate marketing department for Pune- based residential projects. The most interesting assignment given to her was the completion of 4 show flats in their projects by importing furniture from China and she worked mostly on the import and business co-ordination between the accounts teams of the countries.
Team & support and Future plans of SAV
The team at SAV is a hybrid of twenty young, dynamic and multi-tasking personnel in the 26-year age group. The managerial team comprises people from different sectors and expertise. As a startup, they train themselves to be well-aware of the different departments for maximum efficiency. Surprisingly, the production team has only women workers to promote the pro-women employment.
In future, Ankita Shroff plans to expand in the hardware, stationary sector, Flex and Industrial sector in states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. At the personal front, she plans to keep exploring and traveling.
Other interests of Ankita
She has always been passionate about traveling, trekking, badminton, yoga, piano, and painting. Blessed with a supportive family that shares her passion, she has already traveled to twenty-five different countries and gathered amazing experiences and moments.