From Banking to Entrepreneurship: A Journey of Transformation
Jaspreet Kaur
Founder -Minerva - Exclusive Social Network
Style Sculpt - Soft Skills Trainer & Personal Brand Consultant.
Banking to image consulting to corporate training. That’s an interesting segue. How has the journey been so far.
My journey from banking to image consulting, corporate training and then starting Minerva has been really interesting. Over the last 23 years, I have learned a lot. In banking, I got to work in many different areas, like dealing with customers, managing operations, and communicating with the media. This experience taught me that being good at your job isn’t just about knowing how to do the technical stuff. It’s also about how well you work with people, how you build yourself as a brand, and how you lead and develop your network.
These lessons gave me the confidence to start my own business in corporate training and image consulting. Last 8 years in business, I have assisted several people improve their soft skills and build their personal brand. Having been in both corporate job and running my own business, I can share real-life tips with my clients, when they are facing challenges in their job or business.
I have found this journey really rewarding because when you see people transforming in both personal and professional lives, you feel it’s your success.
What are the choices that have shaped your career so far?
he choices that have shaped my career so far have really come from understanding myself and what I am good at. Growing up, the big career options everyone talked about were in engineering and medicine. If you weren’t headed in those directions, you might choose commerce or arts. But right from the start, I knew I wasn’t meant to be a doctor or an engineer.
From a young age, I recognized my strengths and followed them. I was always good at sports, and I took that passion all the way to the national level. Being involved in sports built my confidence and taught me valuable skills like teamwork, communication, and leadership. I also found that I had a natural ability to connect with people, listen to them, and lead them. These were the skills I wanted to use and grow.
So, when it came to choosing my subjects in college and deciding on a career path, I went for options that would let me use these skills. I chose a career that involved a lot of communication with different kinds of people and opportunities to lead and make decisions. It also gave me the chance to learn about branding and how to build a good one.
In simple terms, my career has been shaped by choosing to do what I am good at and what I love. This approach has opened up opportunities for me to grow and these choices have guided me to where I am today.
I am sure that your path-breaking journey while setting up new branch operations for HDFC Bank must have been dotted with stories of challenges and triumphs. Would you like to share a few with us?
Setting up new branch operations for HDFC Bank in Punjab was indeed a path-breaking journey for me. During that time, HDFC Bank was rapidly expanding, launching new branches across the region. Each assignment to set up a new branch was like starting a new business every couple of months. It was a challenge to make each branch operational, train the new staff, and then move on to the next one.
This experience was particularly challenging because there were very few women working in backend operations in the banking sector at that time. It pushed me to develop strong problem-solving skills and adapt to working in challenging environments. The need to travel frequently and ensure each new branch was up and running within tight deadlines also taught me to stretch my physical and mental endurance to new limits.
Overall, the journey was filled with both challenges and triumphs, shaping me into a more resilient and adaptable professional. This experience was crucial in developing the skills that have been instrumental in my career progression.
What were the main factors that led you to leave the safety net of a corporate job and pursue a road less travelled as an entrepreneur?
I wanted to be either a journalist or get into sales and marketing post completing my education. In those days, these were not the professions too many women would take up and hence my father wanted me to get in to banking. It seemed to be one of the best option for women apart from teaching. I didn’t have the heart to say no to him. I got into the condition that at 40 he would allow me to work for myself. He passed away in a year’s time. While banking was not too exciting initially but I was lucky and got to work in different role myself all of which gave me exposure to different environments and people. When I entered 40, the entrepreneur in me couldn’t control itself and wanted to do something innovative . I wanted to explore opportunities and tell people that if you have hit a point where your career growth is slow or it has stopped or you are not excited to go to office anymore, then I can help you develop those skills in a structured and personalised way that can help you overcome stagnation. I also wanted to share with people that all of us reach a stage in our life where are technical skills take a back seat, our social skills, network and personal brand becomes more crucial and you must focus on all the personality traits if you want to grow. prevent it from happening Changing lanes, was a big shift. Now I wouldn’t get regular paycheck, no more having a team, and working from home or coffee shops initially. In banking, I didn’t have to worry about finding clients or developing business. But as an entrepreneur, I had to work hard to make sure there was enough money coming in. It took some time, but eventually, my business began to do well.
Around that time, SP Jain Institute of Management & Research asked me to train their executive MBA students for job interviews. I was surprised because I didn’t think I could do it, but they believed in me. I have been doing it for five years now. Starting my own business allowed me to discover and use skills I didn’t know I had. It was tough, but it gave me the opportunity to grow and try new things.
Moving to ICICI Bank and leaving core banking behind and getting into media communications is not that everybody would take a risk. How did that happen.
Switching from a traditional banking role at ICICI Bank to a career in media communications isn’t a common choice, but it worked out well for me. ICICI Bank is very forward-thinking and prefers to develop its employees’ potential rather than always hiring new experts. They noticed I was good at communicating to people and getting messages across. Because of my banking knowledge, I could offer something special. They gave me lots of opportunities to work closely with top bosses and talk to journalists from India and other countries. After about eight years there, I moved to BNP Paribas, a big French bank. The mix of experiences helped me learn a lot about how to manage relationships, strike balance, build up personal and company brand, and contribute to CSR. Along the way, my ability to deal with people improved a lot.
I also think transitioning between fields like this showcases the importance of soft skills, such as communication and relationship-building and can lead to exciting career paths like I found for myself.
Talk a little about skill sets you focus on developing in your corporate training programs?
We specialise in helping people improve themselves and undergo personal transformations. Individuals seek my assistance for a variety of reasons, each related to their professional and personal needs. These include enhancing their personal brand, improving communication skills, mastering business presentations, excelling at public speaking, and understanding business, social, and dining etiquettes. Additionally, we guide them in dressing and grooming for success, participating in team bonding activities, implementing employee retention strategies, and promoting mental wellness. We also teach negotiation tactics, the art of networking, and most importantly, refining leadership skills. Our work is dedicated to developing a wide range of skills that cater to the diverse requirements of professionals seeking to advance in their careers and personal lives.
What inspired you to start Minerva, and what makes it different from other networking groups?
Many people want to join special and premium clubs where they can meet others who share their interests and enjoy exclusive activities. These clubs often have fancy facilities like golf courses, club property, gymnasium which makes them expensive to join and maintain. However, not everyone can afford this, and it might not match their way of life.
There are other ways to meet new people, such as joining clubs that help the community or groups for business networking. But some people are looking for a different kind of group because they have different goals.
I noticed that for many of us, our days are mostly the same: work takes up the weekdays, and weekends are for family, doing chores, shopping, eating out with the same friends, and watching TV shows.
I found out that many people, like me, want a place to meet people from all kinds of jobs and places without committing a lot of money or time. We want to get better at our jobs and also improve other parts of our lives. That’s why I created Minerva. It’s a special membership based exclusive social club network for connection and growth. At first, it was only for women, but now men can join too.
At Minerva, we offer the exclusivity of an elite club environment by doing our events at luxury locations, providing a community of peers without competitive pressure, different membership plans to suit people’s life style and all this comes at a price where people see instant value in what they are paying for.
We organise once a month meet ups on third Friday evening. Each event has a new activity and experience. We primarily focus on three areas -
- Doing group activities which will help members engage and have fun like playing golf, art workshop, creating your own perfumes and we hire professionals to teach. People go back happy and rejuvenated looking forward to what exciting is coming up.
- We also hold half a day educational tours like recently we visited Mercedes Benz Plant in Pune where we visited their shop floor, off road routes meant for test driving and so on.
- We hold intimate dining sessions with hard-to-reach influential people and hold discussion and conversation which help us learn beyond what appears in public.
This format not only helps members to bond but also helps them identify a new hobby, relax , find new friends, and grow their knowledge beyond work.
What does Minerva mean to you personally?
My experience working in a corporate job and business showed me how important it is to make friends and have time for ourselves, away from work. Also, before starting Minerva in June 2022, I did a lot of research and asked people what they wanted from a club like this. That’s what made me understand that several people seek premium club membership but not at a high cost. Now could curate this whole thing for them with a lot of flexibility keeping cost under check. It is definitely a fulfilling experience and special to me because through this platform, I am able to connect people from different walks of life and build bonds. These bonds has led to forming of business collaborations, jointly celebrating each others success, and working together on community projects. We even had a big event recently where we brought together successful women from government, business, and charities to celebrate their achievements. Minerva is about connecting people in meaningful ways, that is why it means a lot to me.
How do you select members for Minerva, and what are the criteria the selection?
Minerva, which initially was a community exclusively for women, has now expanded to include all genders. This change was made due to popular demand and our desire to be more inclusive.
Minerva is also a great place for people who are new to the city, single, or anyone seeking new friendships and meaningful connections outside of work. It’s ideal for those looking to explore new hobbies or share their interests, as well as retirees or those approaching retirement who want to keep their social lives active.
The community specifically targets mature individuals, such as experienced professionals and first-generation entrepreneurs. We look for people who have made significant strides in their careers, achieved notable successes, or started their businesses from the ground up. These members are sought after for their ability to engage in deep and meaningful conversations, appreciating the value of being part of our community.
Interested individuals can reach out to us through our website or by phone. Often, new members are recommended by those already in the community. Regardless of how they come to us, we make it a point to meet and get to know them before extending an invitation to join our ecosystem. This ensures that every member is a good fit for the vibrant and engaging environment we’ve cultivated at Minerva.
What role does your skilled team play in ensuring the success and exclusivity of Minerva?
The team at Minerva dedicates its efforts to three key areas to ensure the community thrives:
- Curating Unique Experiences: At the heart of Minerva, the focus lies in identifying and organizing activities that resonate with the interests and aspirations of our members. This involves meticulously selecting events that not only entertain but also enrich, ensuring every experience is memorable and engaging.
- Content Creation and Social Media Management: In today’s digital age, staying connected and engaged with our community online is crucial. Our team crafts compelling content and manages social media platforms to keep members informed, entertained, and engaged, fostering a vibrant online community that mirrors the spirit of our in-person gatherings.
- Business Development: Our business development team is the driving force behind our growth, diligently following up on leads to expand our community. Their work ensures that Minerva continues to reach new heights, connecting more people through our unique platform.
- Member Relationship Management: The cornerstone of Minerva’s success is our commitment to our members. Our member relationship team excels in welcoming new members and maintaining ongoing engagement. They are dedicated to understanding individual members’ preferences and needs, ensuring a personalized and fulfilling Minerva experience for everyone.
Each team within Minerva plays a pivotal role in creating a community that’s not just about networking but about building lasting relationships and experiences that enrich lives.
What is your yardstick of success?
- To me, success signifies the ability to lead a disciplined life while inspiring countless individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
- It’s about evolving as a mother, nurturing an environment where my son feels free to share anything without hesitation.
- Success means being someone others trust with their deepest thoughts, knowing their confidences are safe with me.
- It’s about making meaningful contributions to the success of others and creating spaces that encourage people to lead more fulfilling lives together.
- Success involves the freedom to make life choices and the achievement of career aspirations that extend beyond my academic qualifications.
Tell us about the recently held Minerva Awards in Mumbai.
As a community, our goal was to grow our network and honor the achievements of our members and other pioneers beyond our group. These individuals, recognized with the prestigious ‘Minerva Trendsetter Icon Awards’, have made significant contributions to our country and society across various sectors, including government, private industry, academia, and non-profit organizations.
During the event, we also unveiled the inspiring stories of Minerva members, sharing their journeys and the obstacles they overcame. This added a personal touch, deepening our appreciation for each other’s paths to success.
We gathered 60 remarkable women, leaders in their respective fields, whether in professional careers or business. Together, we celebrated our collective success in what marked the flagship event of Minerva, showcasing the strength, diversity, and impact of women in our community.
Which is your favourite adage that motivates you each day?
Never fear to dream, never fear to fail, if you dream, you may fail and success follows failure.
