Dad in the driver's seat!

Whether he is quite an authoritarian, imposing strict curfews or has been your huggable shield at home; dads are special and certainly one of a kind. This Father's day, Bengaluru Chronicle chats up with city  entrepreneurs, who share how working together has impacted their rapport...  "Dad has always been a traditional business man with 'yes men' around. After I joined his venture about five years ago, I believe it was me who added that 'extra dimension' to the business. I think the fact that I brought in my inputs and made it a point to convey them across made all the difference.

It got him to realise how important it is to encourage differences in opinion. But that aside, I’m a staunch believer that working together brings you closer and fosters better understanding of the way your parents think,” shares Tarun Lala, 28, who works with his dad Anil Lala on his venture, Fanzart. That said,  Tarun asserts it has been a two-way learning street.

“When you enter a professional space with a parent, it’s a different ball game all together. One thing I learnt after working with dad was that learning is an on-going process and while every day may not be great, it surely teaches you a thing or two, and that has immensely helped, considering I just ventured out with another start up with a friend along the side.” For 25-year-old Aditi Sarin, a fashion influencer and luxury  retailer, the idea of working with dad Sanjeev Kumar, who runs Maurya Group of Companies, brought with in a wave of responsibility.

“There’s clearly a ‘daughter’ element that comes to play and a wee bit of affection that follows, but work is work for dad. Unlike the popular myth, the laid back approach doesn’t work at all times. When I attend meetings with dad, it’s about learning from him and using it as an opportunity for my future projects. Dad has an intelligent way of striking the perfect balance between work and play. So, while he’s lenient with aspects that Shruti and I are new to, he expects us to adhere to deadlines and be professional in areas he knows we can deliver. I’ve learnt to value professional ethics and I think its always a great idea for growth.”
For entrepreneur Rohaan Dang, it is the support came from a familiar source.

But, this time around, with a refreshing twist. “Though my dad runs a 20 year old business, I was pleasantly taken aback when he  joined my business (Make My Painting) six months ago! Running a profitable start up isn’t easy but with his unconditional support and love, I’m able to work under high pressure. I know he’s got my back always and that’s very comforting. Working with my dad has made us understand each other better – our way of thinking and what drives us. I feel we have gotten closer by working together since we talk a lot more often in a day than we used too. Learning from him professionally has shown me a different side to him and made me respect and admire my father more.”