VIDULA KOTHARE, ENTREPRENEUR

We’ve all heard the saying, “It’s never too late to start”, but let me introduce you to Vidula Kothare, Owner and Director at Think Creative AdSolutions Pvt. Ltd., who will tell you, “It’s never too early either!” Vidula was all of 21 when she and her two like-minded friends founded the company. She had one computer, one client and zero investment. Sounds absolutely brave doesn’t it? I think the beauty of starting young is that you are fearless, under little or no pressure, full of enthusiasm and untouched by the world’s definition of success. But there’s a flip side to it as well, which Vidula pointed out to me. “We were so young and clients judged our capabilities on the basis of our age. They were quick to dismiss us and it took double the effort, a lot of hard work and persistence to convince them to give us the opportunity to prove ourselves. Also, we learned from our mistakes especially when it came to running a business”.  But over time that took care of itself and today, Think Creative and its team of 15 have worked with over 75 brands, across 15 industries and offers 360 degree creative solutions across multiple verticals.

I was keen to know more about Vidula and she gladly opened up to me. She shared how she finds it challenging to balance her creative and business mind. She went on to explain that creativity is abstract, limitless and doesn’t come with rules, whereas, business requires logic, method and discipline. One may have a brilliant idea but without the business acumen it may not sell. Vidula calls it the art of “balancing both sides of your brain!”

For Vidula, business ethics are extremely important. There are times when she and her partners have to take tough decisions like choosing their love for their company over being bought over by well-known firms offering big money. But she says that no matter what, it helps to stay focused and true to oneself.

Vidula, like most of us, depends on her ability to multi-task in order to manage her family and work. She feels the expectations from a woman who is in an enterprising role is set really high and she says, “A leadership role comes with a lot of authority and responsibility. It is important for one to be grounded no matter how big one grows in their careers. The minute you say ‘I KNOW IT ALL’, your learning stops right there. Never let that happen to you, I feel there is something to learn from everyone and every situation. And that’s that quality of a true leader.”