Leaders

In search of money and fame, we usually sacrifice part of our passion and creative mindset. It’s obviously a tough task for leaders to handle an organization and maintain balance in life. However, there are some leaders who are able to venture into multiple domains and are still equally successful in each of them due to their strong determination and passion. Gauri Sindhu, Founder, The Hornbill Co. is one such multifaceted leader who works as a Software Developer at an MNC while simultaneously running her communications and design studio The Hornbill Co. successfully. While there have been many challenges, she has been effortlessly overcoming each of them while setting an example for all in terms of multitasking.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur, Gauri shares her secret mantra behind the perfect balance between both jobs, the challenges behind running a successful communications and design studio, and much more:

Shed Some Light On Your Early Education And Prior Industry. What Motivated You To Venture Into Communication And Design?

I’ve always been fascinated by the power of words and visuals. Being an introvert, I wasn’t very talkative and so I loved expressing myself in many different ways. I felt deeply empowered by words and art. At the same time, I was intrigued by the world of programming. So I decided a career in computer science would be well suited for me. I was drawn to the world of UI/UX, web design, computer networking, and data analytics during my college days while pursuing extracurricular activities in parallel that would keep the creativity in me alive. On a friend’s suggestion, I began freelancing as a communication and brand consultant for non-profits, tech startups, and brands in the D2C and FMCG space throughout my entire undergraduate degree. Once I graduated, I wanted to pursue a career in communications and design more seriously, and thus The Hornbill Co. was born in 2019.

What Are The Unique Features Of The Hornbill Co., Which Sets It Apart From Its Contemporaries In The Market? How Do You Stay Updated About Changes In The Industry?

The Hornbill Co. is a communications and design studio operating across three verticals - marketing, content, and strategy & branding. We cover all aspects of a brand’s digital identity and branding and offer a variety of marketing, design, and content solutions for purpose-led brands and individuals that want to stand out from the crowd. It provides the perfect balance of creativity and logic.

The secret to keeping up with a fast-paced industry is simple: research. As an avid reader myself, I love to delve into a wide range of publications, newsletters, and blogs that help me stay abreast of emerging and current trends, while encouraging my team to do the same. We have a weekly meeting where we discuss all the new ideas that we’ve been exposed to the week before and keep note of the relevant ones. Even social media is an excellent resource where I’m constantly engaged in conversations with my peers in this industry to find out what’s working and what isn’t.

What Is The Varied Expertise You Possess As A Software Developer? How Has Your Past Industry Experience Been Helping You In Leading The Hornbill Co.?

My areas of interest during undergraduate studies were UI/UX design, web development, data science, and networking. Networking was a field I grew to love during my degree and I’m quite fortunate to be working for Hughes Systique, a company headquartered in the US that specializes in developing applications from cutting edge technologies in the telecom and networking space. I've worked on both research projects and customer-driven projects, of which the latter received the NASSCOM award for service delivery excellence.

My passion for design is also prevalent in my work as both a creative entrepreneur and software developer. Whether designing a user interface or a testing framework, I'm passionate about design and all aspects related to it. My full-time job in an MNC exposes me to the structure and functioning of a mature organization directly influencing what I do at my own company. For example, I implement a modified version of agile methodology for each of our projects at THC, which has helped us become more planned, organized, and efficient.

What Are The Various Roles & Responsibilities That You Currently Shoulder At The Hornbill Co.? What Have Been Some Of The Challenging Aspects Of Your Role And How Do You Overcome Them?

While, being the founder, I like to be involved in all aspects of the organization and the work, I'm largely responsible for client acquisitions and overseeing project executions. There’s a sense of ownership I feel with every piece of work that goes out. However, juggling a full-time job and an entrepreneurial venture can get very hectic at times, but I know I’m doing what I love and that’s all that matters to me. The world of digital marketing and social media is ever-evolving and you have to be flexible enough to move with these changes and trends. We, at The Hornbill Co., are always on the move, looking to explore what’ll work and what won’t. While this fast-paced work is very exhilarating, it can also be exhausting and one often struggles with a creative block.

“Whether designing a user interface or a testing framework, i'm passionate about design and all aspects related to it”

Whenever things get too hectic, my approach is simple - to step back and analyze. During a creative block, I always encourage my team to look to nature for inspiration. Nature is at the heart of our design philosophy. We also make a point of not looking at many existing creative works for reference. I feel very strongly about originality and plagiarism is an absolute no-no.Even maintaining a common understanding across the team is also crucial. Everyone needs to be on the same page. I feel the onus to ensure building a rapport with every team member.

What Is Your Guiding Leadership Philosophy? Any Bits Of Advice You Would Like To Give To The Young Women And Budding Entrepreneurs?

There are three things I firmly believe in. Firstly, to practice what I preach. Secondly, to stay curious and open to new experiences. Thirdly, to acknowledge that there's no substitute for hard work and to enjoy the journey as much as the result. Any career requires one to always be open to learning and trying new things. In design, content, and marketing, this is especially true; you have to constantly look for new ways and ideas.

The downside is that sometimes things go well, and other times they don't. It's important to not let failures affect you too much as it is in failures that you learn the most. To any budding entrepreneur out there, I will definitely say this - unless you love what you do, you can't succeed. At the same time, you have to be practical. That's the difference between a hobby and a job or a business. So do your research, do your groundwork and understand why you're doing what you're doing.

Gauri Sindhu, Founder, The Hornbill Co.

Apart from working at an MNC as a Software Developer, Gauri is simultaneously running her communications and design studio The Hornbill Co. (THC) successfully. Even though maintaining a balance between both of the jobs can be a bit hectic, she is more than happy to spend her creative energy through THC and likes to be involved in all aspects of the organization and the work.