Yukti: Good afternoon, this is Yukti from Decision Maker magazine and thank you for giving your precious time to us.
Priya Philip: Thanks a lot for inviting me.
Yukti: Can you give us a bit of background about yourself and your company?
Priya Philip: Starting in 1989, We carved out a unique niche in brand image building specifically for engineering and technology companies.
It was a challenging yet rewarding experience to address the brand perception challenges in such specialized industries.
Back in those days, when digital marketing was in its infancy, our focus was on creating strong, robust identities through print collateral and designing for trade shows us apart.
The holistic solutions provided, helped position brands effectively in their specific domains, developing these identities for trade shows and other platforms was a critical aspect of strategy, allowing companies to present a unified and compelling image to the public.
The expertise in articulating a company’s manufacturing excellence and creating a strong and compelling Brand Image is a significant challenge, we mastered that art over the decades.
It’s a fascinating journey to help engineering and technology companies turn into brands within their domains, and it’s very niche and rare.
As the industry evolves, with digital marketing now playing a central role, our company’s history in traditional marketing gives us a unique insight into brand-building fundamentals which is a foundation for any kind of digital marketing activities.
Yukti: Where does your interest in entrepreneurship come from and how did you start?
Priya Philip: Back in 1989, my husband and I embarked on a journey to establish our company as a partnership. Over time, this venture grew into a private limited company. Tragically, in 1998, I lost my husband, leaving me with a pivotal decision: either continue to expand the business or seek employment elsewhere.
I chose the former, embracing the path of growing the business, and thus becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur. Both of us were first-generation entrepreneurs, learning and building from the ground up.
Frankly speaking, at the time, Indian companies lacked the competitive edge needed to stand on a global platform. In contrast, European and American companies, particularly those from Germany specializing in engineering and technology, had established strong brand images.
Their unique selling propositions and market perceptions were finely tuned and were highly effective.
Yukti: What makes your company stand out in the industry?
Priya Philip: If I say it’s not an industry, I won’t call it an entire spectrum of the industry. I’m talking about a very specific spectrum that we cater to. Because we are not into B2C brand image building. We are specifically focusing on engineering, technology and manufacturing companies, other Indian conglomerates. We help them build their image on a global platform, and whatever is required at the back end.
As I said multidisciplinary solutions and offerings are required and for this, you need a multidisciplinary team behind it. Only design and communication strategies cannot be effective as during the execution of the strategy company bleeds.
Hence, we have an edge where we deliver from concept to commissioning and strategy to delivery. This is what we offer and that makes us special.
Yukti: As a woman entrepreneur, what is your opinion about women in this male-dominated industry? How do they make it their organization or business?
Priya Philip: This might sound cliché, but it’s a reality and a fact of life. I often tell everyone that women often have to work three times harder than their male counterparts in similar positions. It’s important to remain relentless, confident, decisive, and focused on your goals and ambitions, never giving up. The challenges are real, and they exist globally. While some countries may offer a slightly easier environment, others demand even more. Ultimately, we must navigate what is often perceived as a man’s world.
Yukti: How do you achieve the balance between your professional life and personal life, while being a single parent?
Priya Philip: This also needs tolerance and perseverance. There is no set formula. Over time you learn, you make mistakes, you fall, you regret, but then again you stand. You know this time management, which is extremely crucial.
Having discipline in life is the most important thing. Prioritize, because in business what happens entrepreneurs are focused, they have a vision, they have a mission, but at the same time, it should be a parallel road, you should have priorities for your family and children and as you said being a single parent, it is tough. But I think today when I look back, I think I managed, and I did a good job. But maybe the journey was very difficult and it was like a roller coaster.
Yukti: What did you learn from your entrepreneurial journey?
Priya Philip: A lot. In entrepreneurship, no matter how many courses you do, or whatever books you read, entrepreneurship is only on the field. And when you work as an entrepreneur.
Patience, tolerance, perseverance—these qualities are vital in navigating life’s challenges. It’s important to maintain an unwavering commitment to never give up. An attitude grounded in truthfulness is crucial; being extremely truthful to all stakeholders builds trust and integrity.
If you’re honest in your work ethic, it should be ingrained in both your vision and mission without truthfulness and honesty, the foundation crumbles, making it essential for every action and decision.
Reflecting on my journey as an entrepreneur, I’ve grown tremendously. Although the path is tough, the rewards are excellent.
Whether managing a large conglomerate or a small company, running a business for 30 years imparts invaluable lessons.
Over time, you learn, make mistakes, fall, regret, but ultimately stand up again.
Time management becomes crucial, as does maintaining discipline in life. It’s about prioritizing while entrepreneurs focus intently on their vision and mission, a balanced approach is necessary. The parallel road includes priorities for family and children, which can be quite challenging, especially as a single parent.
Looking back, I believe I managed well, despite the journey being as challenging as a roller coaster.
Yukti: That’s true. So, just tell us about your day as an entrepreneur or a single parent.
Priya Philip: Today, with my kids now independent, life feels quite different. Yet, this shift is a recent one.
As an entrepreneur, discipline has always been a cornerstone of my routine. My day begins early with a review of what lies ahead, complemented by meditation and exercise.
Swimming, a passion of mine, plays a significant role in my daily life.
Starting the day by focusing on personal health and mental well-being equips me to tackle office challenges with resilience.
But once the workday wraps up, attention shifts to family and kids, especially as a single parent without a fixed routine.
The constant juggling act feels like a roller coaster at times. However, maintaining discipline provides stability, strengthening both mind and body.
Yukti: Are you a risk taker or a decision maker?
Priya Philip: I believe that all risk-takers inherently are decision-makers. To me, these traits are inseparable. If you’re not taking risks, you’re naturally not a decision-maker. In the world of entrepreneurship, being both a risk-taker and a decision-maker is essential. It’s not a choice but a necessity as decisions often needs to be made every minute. When decision-making becomes part of your brand as an entrepreneur, it essentially defines the essence of the role. In entrepreneurship, these qualities are a given.
Yukti: So the last question will be, my viewers want to know how do we connect with you if they want to?
Priya Philip: I’m constantly active on social media, always open to connections, and available and approachable at any time. Of all these qualities, being approachable is the most important to me. I’m eager to connect with anyone who wishes to reach out. Beyond connecting, I’ve taken on the role of a mentor, which I’ve been dedicated to for the past four years. My 30-year journey in entrepreneurship and business has taught me valuable lessons, and I feel it’s time to give back to society. I aim to share my experiences with young, enthusiastic minds who have the drive and passion to innovate and make a difference. I love mentoring and have had the privilege of mentoring 20-25 startups, helping them grow and succeed.
Yukti: Thank you for giving us your time. You are an inspiration for all the women, who want to try to start their business or their brand.
Priya Philip: Thanks a lot Yukti for giving me this opportunity. Bye. Have a good day.
Website: https://www.intericsdesigns.com/
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