Hitesha Deshpande is acknowledged and admired for her expertise in social media management and digital marketing skills. She has over a decade of accomplishments under her belt, including accolades for her directorial achievements in the world of filmmaking. She has a Midas touch which benefits the projects she undertakes.
A Serial Entrepreneur who chanced upon her passion for entrepreneurship by chance; she currently is the CEO of RedMonk Media, the performance marketing arm of Synapse – the Boston-based Tech Company.
Intrigued by her entrepreneurial journey we reached out to her, to find out more about her journey and experiences. We had a pleasant conversation with the CEO of RedMonk Media, Hitesha Deshpande.
Take a glance at the inscribed conversation with Hitesha Deshpande!
Where did the interest in entrepreneurship come from – how did it start?
In my early 20s, when one of the other directors quit, I had the rare opportunity to partner with an advertising and creative agency. So it is more of a story of entrepreneurship by chance. Since then, there has been no looking back. If there is an idea that deserves to see the light of the day, I am someone who believes in giving that idea room to breathe and grow.
What makes your company, RedMonk Media, stand out in the market?
RM Labs, is an initiative of RedMonk media centered on the human truth of any industry. It is our strength and our differentiator. At RM Labs we partner with like-minded brands to increase our avenue of research and studies. It is our endeavor to create customized solutions designed to boost growth advantages. This alone makes RedMonk Media stand out in the market.
Give us insights into the major offerings of your company. And, how does your company support the people with its offerings?
RedMonk media is more than a marketing agency; it is a performance partner. We partner with brands to ensure that their marketing investments are connecting to the right audience with similar intents and favorable behaviors. We leverage data and data points to map studies and analyze consumer behaviors and create content that draws attention.
Brands across the globe benefit from our growth innovation strategies. We have been instrumental is helping them to get more from their marketing engagements.
What’s a day in your life like as an entrepreneur?
Busy and satisfying. Every morning begins with a new challenge. There is new to learn every day. While planning and preparation are your best assets, it’s the presence of mind and the determination to see every single challenge through that makes every day better than the last one.
What do you think is the toughest problem for businesswomen?
The toughest problem for businesswomen, I think, is that even successful businesswomen are expected to be brilliant homemakers. Even at the end of an eighteen-hour day, it is the responsibility of the woman to come home and make everyone feel at home. It makes ambitious women crave more than twenty-four hours in their day. Because as businesswomen you learn early in life that there is no room for disappointment. At work or home.
How do women feel in a male-dominated industry? Have you experienced a different attitude because of gender?
Like any other minority, women in a male-dominated atmosphere are more likely to feel outnumbered and out of place. That does not make us women any less impressive. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Women stand out stronger and more prepared for the competition.
The world is gradually changing and men have come to acknowledge and accept women as equals. However, the onus of proving their skills and capabilities rests on the shoulder of women who are brave enough to rise to this challenge.
Gone are the days when men were uncomfortable with the idea of women leaders, when they bristled at taking orders from a woman, and their egos would hurt at being called out to task by a female. Men, too, now give respect where it is due. As long as you can earn their respect, you will always receive what’s due to you.
Though the statistics of women entrepreneurs in India are rising, a woman’s ambitions are still often doubted in our society. Is it difficult for a woman to start a business in India?
The Government has come up with initiatives to encourage women to become entrepreneurs. For women to start a business has become much easier in the past decade or so. And men are also more accepting of the strengths that women bring to the table. So, yes, it has become a lot easier than it used to be.
But the biggest challenge is that a woman, despite her ambition, is also expected to fill out her role as the nurturer. You can put bread on the table and that is appreciated, but you also have to make and keep the home. As a woman, making any relationship work – is your responsibility. And if you choose to prioritize your work, and your passion you are the reason a home breaks. If a man does it – he is ambitious, if a woman does it – she is selfish. And that is the unfortunate truth that thrives even today.
If you want to be a woman entrepreneur, you have to be okay with being selfish.
How do you achieve a balance between your personal and professional life?
It is a myth that I have a balance between the two. My work does overpower my personal life. And I do get called out for missing out on key occasions. I accept it as a price I pay to keep scaling up the ladder. And I have huge respect for those who love me despite it. It’s their love that makes me stronger and bolder.
What have you learned about entrepreneurship in your journey?
I have learned that nothing is what it seems. Success can make you complacent and failures can fuel your drive. You want to give up more than once, but you burn with a fire to succeed. To not quit.
You fall. You get hurt. You cry. You also rise higher than you thought was possible. You celebrate. It is these extremes that make the journey of being an entrepreneur worthwhile.
After all this success and failure, what do you struggle with now?
I struggle to live up to my own expectations. I feel there is so much I yet have to learn and achieve, and I sometimes find myself out of time to do it all.
As a source of inspiration for many, what would your advice be for female entrepreneurs planning to enter the business world?
If you indeed believe in yourself, then believe in fighting for yourself and what you want. Don’t let the first couple of setbacks make you question yourself. You are worth more than that. Work hard to follow your heart.
