Women have been taking key leadership roles in organizations, especially professional start-ups funded by Founders in India and abroad. Women leaders like Jaya Sengupta have been leveraging the education and entertainment sectors by bringing innovative ideas and approaches to people management and processes to improvise organizational efficiency and productivity. Jaya Sengupta is the Co-Founder and Director of Aaj Media Productions and Aaj Global Foundation School and has been leading teams of talented media professionals and educators. With her fascinating journey from being a homemaker to a passionate mentor for the media and education industry, Jaya inspires many women who aspire to make a mark in the industry. Let's learn more from her in below interview snippets.

Take us through your educational journey and the prior industry experience that you bring to the table.

My travels have greatly aided my understanding of the traditions, obligations, and corporate cultures of other organizations and nations. I observed these events intently and went through them without active participation. This apathetic involvement helped shape who I am now. A busy and exciting existence can occasionally teach you a lot. My dream of becoming an administrator has come true as I wear numerous hats, including HR, Admin, Marketing, Sales, Production, and Design. All of these were helpful in my current role, which I thoroughly enjoy.

What led you to co-found Aaj Media Productions? Tell us about the idea behind the venture and some of its most unique features.

While Aaj Global Group was a family ambition, Jijo Sengupta, my son, is the creator of AAJ Media production. This journey has been amazing so far. He co-founded Aaj Media Productions after earning his bachelor’s and master's degrees in Film and Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology, New York. We are lucky that he has managed to combine his work and interest. I consider myself fortunate to be a proactive mentor and enabler, particularly in HR and employee engagement, where I Design strategies for fostering a positive and effective work environment. I sincerely believe that a great organization's foundation is built on its happy and content workforce. So, to enhance their experience, motivation level and output, we continuously improvise our processes. I am responsible for HR, administration, marketing, and branding at both firms. The most crucial thing is ensuring proper procedures are followed with the correct administration. My creativity and ideas for specific niches in each of these are a tremendous assistance. Also, I am learning and ensuring to keep up with the latest developments in these fields.

Throw some light on the role you play at Aaj Global Foundation School. What distinguishes the institution?

Education is a great equalizer for society. The desire to create something that would positively impact society led to the creation of the Aaj Global Foundation school. My role includes managing HR-related aspects such as recruiting the right talent, resolving queries and concerns, and managing relationships between teaching and administrative staff. We prioritize the well-being of our employees and address their concerns with sincerity. Watching the school transform from a blueprint to an existing state-of-the- art infrastructure was a privilege. It truly felt like watching our baby take one step at a time. Our vision is to create global citizens with a balance of academics and attitudes, which are instrumental in shaping perfect human beings. We encourage joyful learning, where students are free to learn, explore, dream, and build their castles.

Tell us about the various challenges you encounter as a business leader. How do you overcome the roadblocks that you face in your role?

This is not just business alone. Life is full of challenges. I have always had a positive outlook when faced with a problem. Following the middle ground has also made a lasting impression on my mind and heart. Extremities come with exhilaration but with a price of extreme reward or misery. Hence, choosing a middle ground is preferable. Even if the process is slow, the result is clear. Even though its speed is reduced, it gives confidence. Pursuing clarity in an uncertain environment should be our objective, and we must act patiently and firmly.

"I Don't Believe There's A Single Formula For Success, Rather, It's A Combination Of Hard Work, Passion, Dedication, Determination, And Honesty Towards Yourself And Others"

Tell us some key milestones you have achieved throughout your professional journey. What has been your success mantra?

Who thought a small-town girl would play an active leadership role late in her life to build and contribute to enterprise building. I don't believe there's a singleformula for success. It combines hard work, passion, dedication, determination, and honesty toward yourself and others. It's much better to have a fulfilling life with beautiful memories to cherish forever. Milestones are nothing but moments. We enjoy the journey, and it will create milestones.

Drawing from your personal experience, what advice would you give to aspiring women leaders and entrepreneurs?

I am a perfect example of a homemaker who became an entrepreneur. Maintain a positive attitude and never doubt your abilities. If you 'Believe', you 'Behave', and eventually, you 'Become' if you do. Keep learning new things, set practical goals, and celebrate each accomplishment, no matter how small it may seem. The rest, leave it to God.

Jaya Sengupta Co-Founder & Director Aaj Media Productions

Jaya Sengupta is the Co-Founder, Director of Aaj Media Productions and Trustee of Aaj Global Foundation School, who has been leading a team of talented media professionals and educators. She is known for her excellent skills and innovative approaches in people and process management, creative direction, and strategic planning.