From a fashion stylist-turned-entrepreneur, her tryst with IT has been very exciting and joyful. Today it has been a good 26 years of One Network Consulting since it was formed. The journey so far has been very fruitful and they are evolving with the technological shifts. With the support of her family and her core team lead, Shailesh Kanolkar, Head – Technical, they have been growing 100 per cent year-on-year and have set up their subsidiary in UAE and in London. In fact, her two daughters, Aakanksha Makhija, Head – Sales and Alliances and Simran Makhija, Head – Managed Services are a core part of One Network. With the next generation coming in along with their academic excellence and fresh perspective, she is hopeful about being able to take her business to the next level and be of better service to the industry and also gain the customers’ faith as a trusted transformation partner.

“I would say that there never is an ideal work-life balance because the balance is always shifting depending on what phase of life we are in. Women are often given the message that you can’t have it all. You can have it all; just not at the same time. As your life changes, your priorities change, so it’s about reprioritizing and making shifts to your focus. Women in IT – a rare breed? There were not many women in IT when I started out, I guess it was a time of evolution in the business world. I believe that by keeping our desires into consideration, we have the choice to break the hurdles and interrupt the circle that comes along and dominates us to discover new ways of working. It is important to be aware of the self-imposed obstacles that could be holding us back. My message for budding entrepreneurs – take risks, both in career and life, to achieve what you want. Build your network of mentors to help guide and support you”, says Ms. Kaur.

The bigger picture approach to technology demands industry vision and superior communication skills to drive IT into the heart of the corporate mission and hope to give their best.