In the dynamic realm of real estate, women are carving a significant niche, exemplified by leaders like Manaswi Abhay Kele, Managing Director of Kyozon Hostels. Her journey reflects an entrepreneurial leap, launching My Hostel Room right after her master's, addressing students' accommodation challenges. Armed with a BSc in Economics and an MS in Investment and Finance, her proactive approach is evident in introducing large hostel capacities. Kele envisions Kyozon Hostels expanding to 10,000 beds by 2028, aligning with India's evolving education landscape. Her story exemplifies resilience, leadership, and a commitment to enhancing student living experiences. Let’s read on.

Can you share key aspects of your life and professional journey, emphasizing your industry expertise?

My father's involvement in the Real Estate Industry served as a continuous source of inspiration throughout my upbringing. Constantly immersed in discussions about the industry, overhearing my father's conversations, and witnessing his dedication, I developed a profound fascination for real estate. While in London, despite my focus on finance, I consistently tried to relate each concept back to the real estate landscape in Pune. Directly following the completion of my master's program, I launched My Hostel Room under my company Kyozon Hostels. Admittedly, this startup marked my entry into the real estate industry without prior formal experience or traditional job roles. However, the wealth of knowledge I have gained from my parents, particularly my father, proved to be an invaluable substitute for formal job experience. I believe these lessons are just as good, if not better, than traditional job experiences.

What prompted the creation of My Hostel Room? Share the foundational concept driving the venture and its primary areas of expertise.

During my Bachelor's in Pune, being a native, people used to ask me if there were any PGs available near our university. Due to the high demand for hostels and a low supply of quality accommodations, my friends ended up staying an hour away from the university. To address this, I began driving to college and picking up whoever fell on my route. The turning point came during my master's in London when I frequently visited my friends' student accommodations and witnessed the prime locations. They had private rooms, games, security, lounges, and more. It was then that the idea of creating a similar system in India took root. I aimed to infuse the emotional touch of 'homeliness,' 'care,' and 'nurture' into student living.

From your perspective, what are the primary challenges in leading and scaling up My Hostel Room? How do you navigate and address these obstacles?

At 22, leading My Hostel Room has proven to be both a blessing and a challenge. Initiating this venture at such a young age provides immense potential for the future, yet it comes with the unique situation of being the youngest among my team members. Respect for elders presents challenges when it comes to assigning tasks, providing feedback, or addressing issues when dealing with individuals older than me. To navigate these challenges, I've implemented various systems such as biometric attendance machines, monthly review meetings, task deadlines, and more. These structures minimize the need for direct orders or confrontations, fostering a collaborative and results-oriented work environment. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate leadership through tangible results, ensuring that the team comprehends expectations without excessive intervention.

Could you provide insights into My Hostel Room's journey of growth? Share notable milestones the venture has attained thus far.

My Hostel Room's growth journey has been marked by significant milestones, with our most noteworthy achievement being the launch of the brand with an impressive capacity of 400 beds. Beyond this, our key accomplishment lies in realizing our primary goal – creating a nurturing environment within our hostels. We take pride in the heartwarming messages we receive from parents, such as 'Our child is yours now' and 'Thanks for taking care of my son'. These messages affirm that we have successfully created a home away from home, where parents trust us with the well-being of their children.

What is your outlook on the increasing role of women in the Indian real estate sector? How can we encourage more women to enter and excel in this industry?

Looking into the future, I expect to see more women actively participating in the Indian real estate sector. Businesses are increasingly realizing the value of diversity, acknowledging the unique perspectives that women bring. As this awareness spreads, more opportunities will naturally open up for women in real estate. Additionally, societal norms are evolving, encouraging women in India to pursue various careers. This cultural shift will likely result in an increase in female representation in real estate roles as more women enter the workforce. It's essential to emphasize that in this changing landscape, it's equally important for men not to feel inferior when taking directions or working under the supervision of women or younger individuals in senior positions.

How do you envision the future of Kyozon Hostels?

As Honorable PM Modi encourages Indians to choose India for weddings instead of destination ceremonies abroad, I foresee a parallel initiative urging students to pursue their studies domestically. The Indian government is planning to attract international institutes, fostering growth in domestic education. This surge is expected to elevate the demand for hostels. With this vision, I aim to expand Kyozon Hostels to accommodate 10,000 beds by 2028 and establish a presence across India by 2035.

Manaswi Abhay Kele, Managing Director, Kyozon Hostels

Manaswi Abhay Kele, Managing Director of Kyozon Hostels, is a visionary entrepreneur with a BSc in Economics and an MS in Investment and Finance from London. Her leadership at her startup ‘My Hostel Room’ reflects a commitment to addressing student accommodation challenges, fostering growth, and creating a nurturing environment. She envisions Kyozon Hostels expanding across India by 2035, contributing to India's evolving education landscape.