The enterprising Ms Aviator

She was diagnosed with cancer at 22. Not only did she fight the big C valiantly, but went on to create JetSetGo, India’s first and only market place for private jets and helicopters. The idea was brewing in her head for three years, and nothing, not even Cancer was going to come in the way. In a country, teeming with millenials, constantly seeking fresh icons, 27-year-old Kanika Tekriwal is a role model that inspires people twice her age. Recently, she was featured in the Forbes list of ‘30under30’ achievers of Asia for changing the face of e-commerce and shopping. While the average 20-something is happy floating through life, Kanika’s company has contracts running into $20 million and manages assets worth $70 million. And she handles all these achievements with a casual air, dismissing all the hoopla around her. “These are good motivators. It’s a good feeling when you wake up in the morning and are told you are on the 30 under 30 list, I’m not motivated by money. But these things keep me going every time I have a bad day. I feel like I’m rewarded and acknowledged for my efforts. I’m still trying to get a hang of it,” she says.  

It’s not everyday that you come across a youngster, who is not enamoured by the wealth she creates. “What I learnt over the past two years or ever since I was young, is that no matter how much money you have, what is more important is that you go to sleep peacefully at night and wake up heartily every morning. We pay too much importance to money, it will come and go. For me, it is a tool to have basic necessities like food, clothing and shelter. I don’t know what I will be able to do with 50 million dollars, once I figure that out, maybe money will matter then,” she responds with amusement.   Kanika hails from a “conservative Marwari family”, but that did not deter her from working since 17 years of age. At an age where most teens from well-to-do backgrounds are happy to sail through life in their insulated world, the then teenager rebelled against family stereotypes to carve her own journey. “I was constantly told that I would have to get married at 21 to a Marwari. My mother however encouraged me to follow my dreams, but having said that, she would also insist that I get married. But I have always been rebellious by nature and it was more about what I can do,” recounts the young entrepreneur.

When Kanika talked to her father about her aviation plans, he wasn’t supportive initially. “He thought jetsetgo was a mobile game, but eventually he realised how serious I was and has been my best motivator. In fact, he encouraged me to go abroad and do my MBA from England. In fact, many in my extended family were surprised that I had got permission to study abroad,” she adds.    Kanika thrives on challenges. The aviation sector is traditionally considered a male dominated industry, but that has not stopped her from breaking the glass ceiling and shattering gender based biases. “I was at the CNN Asia Business Forum in Bengaluru. Somebody there came up and told me that they had done extensive research and discovered that I was the only female CEO in Asia heading an airline company. It struck me hard and made me look upon incidents that I had faced. I remember an airport collector asking me if I was part of the cabin crew. In another instance, a potential customer asked me if I was seriously going to sell him planes. These guys don’t take women seriously. But on the positive side, I have had several customers telling me that they are comfortable dealing with me as I will not cheat on them, being a woman. I don’t think gender has anything to do with character traits and is more of a perception issue,” says Kanika whose company follows the diversity policy and wants to ensure a gender neutral workforce. “Ideally, we would like a 50 per cent female workforce, but there are not many women who apply for jobs here. I’m trying hard to change that by convincing women to give this sector a chance. Hopefully my efforts will fructify soon,” she confesses.

It is this consistently persistent approach and a ‘never say die’ attitude that has literally enabled her to win her battle against Cancer. Any other 22-year-old would have been devastated on discovering that she had cancer. Kanika is made of sterner stuff. But she chooses to give the doctor the benefit of doubt. “He came from a small town like Bhopal with limited exposure and a different mindset, which is why he felt I had little time. I had to be strong for both my parents. During that phase, they had aged almost 10 years. But I didn’t give up, did a lot of online research and was fortunate enough to find the right doctor in Mumbai, who was incidentally recommended by my aunt.” The word Cancer is often spoken about in whispers and there is a deep fear psychosis associated with this disease. “When I was first diagnosed with Cancer, I was told not to talk about it as people will look down upon me, not treat me as an equal, and no one will marry me. I’m not a liar and would like to share my experience with people. Sadly, in Indian society, people feel hiding things is a better option,” opines Kanika who enjoys bonding with new people, travelling and reading when she finds time. And being the eternal optimist, she does envisage the jettison age in the next 40 years. “Right now, private charter is a luxury component and will remain so for the next 15-20 years. But there will come a time when there will be flying cars and small planes,” she says.