A strategic consultancy appraisal services and business advisory firm, AJVA SP Appraisal Services Pvt Ltd is a one-stop solution for all your Strategic consultancy appraisal services and business advisory. Catering to the varied requirements of their clients, AJVA SP has created a diversified service portfolio that includes Appraisal of land and building, Industrial assets, Plant & Machinery, Enterprise Appraisal / Business Appraisal, Appraisal of Intangible assets, Appraisal of infrastructure assets & specialized assets, Appraisal of Intellectual properties like Brand, Trademark & Logos, Appraisal of Merger & Acquisition, Appraisal for Insurance, Asset verification services, Financial Modelling & Project Strutting, Feasibility Studies, Project Appraisal & Monitoring, Strategic & Risk Advisory, Technical Due Diligence, and Technical Valuation/TEV Studies among many others. The quality of their offerings and the transparency of their operations has helped them in not just building a positive reputation in the market but also create a niche in the market. Priyami Maheshwari is the Associate Director at AJVA SP and it is under her valuable guidance that they have been able to break new business frontiers and strive for sustained success in the industry.

In an exclusive interview with WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR, Priyami talks more about her professional journey and how she is striving for sustained success in the corporate realm.

What Prompted You To Switch From A Career In Architecture To Join The Corporate World As A Business Professional?

Real estate has always fascinated me and it has the most significant chunk of any architect's customers. I also realized that any architectural project is more than design, so I wanted to learn the end-to-end life cycle of a project. For the same reason, initially, I joined a non-broking consulting firm to get an unbiased perspective of the RE industry and the market, where I had the opportunity to work with large databases along and interact with many developers, financial institutions and Private Equity Funds on a daily basis. I gained insight into different perspectives from different stakeholders of the RE market and hence developed a multi-dimensional understanding of the sector.

After this insightful experience in consulting and advisory services, I joined Mr Praveen Subramanya, who is a well-known and eminent individual in the consulting, advisory and valuation sector. His vision and mission inspired me to further my growth in sector, leading me to joining his new set-up at AJVA SP Appraisal Services Pvt Ltd, based out of Bangalore. His vision to provide a formal structure with technical support in the valuation industry fascinated me, which is also, the need of the hour. The most significant part about working with AJVA SP is the flexibility. This allows me to directly connect with the client and execute the project end to end, independently. We are planning to expand across six metro cities in India within a span of 2 years.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At Ajva Sp? What Are Some Of The Most Challenging Aspects Of Your Role And How Do You Overcome Them?

As an Associate Director, I am responsible for a multitude of activities, which is an opportunity to evolve. I am engaged in numerous facets of the business, ranging from setting up a system and building a team from ground up, to driving business growth and execution and focussing on expansion with upholding the quality and brand equity pan India. It’s intellectually stimulating, captivating and enthralling. There are days I feel like I am working at the dashboard, moving levers, and then there are days when I am a component of the dashboard, working with my team.

One of the main challenges I initially encountered was the perception that was created about me, that I was too young to provide consulting and advisory services. But I have started using it to my advantage, and at present, it has turned out to be my biggest strength. I am always open to new ideas and philosophies, working and continuously accommodating and amending the timeworn conduct. But at the same time, I have to be stern in certain situations. This is also beneficial for me, as it aids me in growing productively and efficiently, without confining myself.

“As women, we have to overcome numerous internal mental barriers, which add to the profound restrictions on external factors often listed under societal norms”

What Have Been The Most Significant Milestones That You Have Achieved So Far In Your Professional Journey? What Is Your Guiding Leadership Philosophy?

After leaping from academia to the real estate field, I took over the South India Region in a very short span of time. This was a breakthrough, where I started believing in myself which made me more confident and self-assured. Post which, the belief and credence that Praveen showed in me by offering me to work with him at AJVA SP at such an early stage in my career have corroborated that I am on the right path, professionally.

I believe in advancing by keeping the pointblank focus on the goal. One of the philosophies I strongly believe in is being solution-oriented. If one is solution-oriented, it can inspire the team to overcome any challenge. This creates a positive attitude and mind-set amongst the group. This also crafts an inclusive culture while avoiding a lot of superfluous deliberations. I personally believe in maintaining a work-life balance which not only promotes a healthy working culture but brings out supreme efficacy and productivity of the team.

I also believe in constantly appreciating and valuing one’s effort. This helps one go that extra mile and perform way beyond one’s capacity by bringing the best out of them.

As A Successful Businesswoman What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women And Girls Aspiring To Become Business Leaders And Entrepreneurs In The Future?

I would advise all the young girls to keep going on with confidence. Be consistent and honest in your efforts. Not every day is a sunny day, sometimes you are a pigeon, and sometimes you are a statue. Keep bouncing back. As women, we have to overcome numerous internal mental barriers, which add to the profound restrictions on external factors often listed under societal norms. Hence, whatever career aspiration you partake, be sure to stand firm by your values and conduct in a manner in which you are financially independent, confident, graceful and believe is the right thing for you. So, just shed off the layer of perception and judgment society has coated us with since our childhood and make your own norms with the awareness that works best for you. As women, we have immense power with a sense of intuition in us. Just acknowledge that and keep upgrading yourself intellectually.

Priyami Maheshwari, Associate Director

She is a pioneering professional that strives to ensure the sustained success of AJVA SP Appraisal Services Pvt Ltd by implementing unique and result-oriented business strategies.