The real estate industry has traditionally been male dominated, but in recent years, more and more women have been making their mark in this dynamic field. One such inspiring woman is Smita Awasthi, an accomplished business leader in the real estate sector. With a background in hotel management and a strong focus on client-centric services, Smita has carved a path in the dynamic world of real estate and has achieved notable success in the industry.

Currently serving as the Head of Business Solutions at Symbyont Smart Spaces, Smita plays a crucial role in ensuring exceptional client experiences. Her responsibilities go beyond acquiring new business; she prioritizes providing top-notch service, building strong teams, maintaining quick turnaround times for major concerns, and establishing the company's brand. Under Smita's leadership, Symbyont Smart Spaces has successfully competed with major service providers in Chennai and attracted renowned brands.

As a leader in the real estate industry, Smita highlights the importance of patience, motivation, and persistence in navigating the journey. She encourages learning from setbacks and constantly seeks personal improvement. Smita's unwavering commitment, adherence to established processes, and determination have been her guiding principles, allowing her to compete and consistently raise the bar.

What are some important facets of your life and professional journey? Take us through your educational background and prior industry experience.

Some important facts of my life and professional journey include my transition from hotel management to the real estate sector and the significance of embracing change. After working in the hotel industry for five years, I made the bold decision to switch careers and enter the real estate sector. I initially started in a business center, managing various companies' needs, and gradually progressed to handling larger portfolios and focusing more on real estate. This journey has taught me the importance of not being afraid to change professions, especially for women, as it can lead to personal growth and progress. Making decisions to switch careers at any point in life should not be a source of fear. If one has a gut feeling and embraces the idea of change, they should go for it. Embracing change has been a crucial aspect of my life and professional development.

In terms of my educational background, I had the opportunity to study in multiple cities in India due to my father's Armed Force service. This exposed me to different cultures and environments, shaping my perspective. After completing my schooling, I pursued my passion for hotel management and obtained a BSc in Hotel Management from the prestigious Vales Institute of Hotel & Catering Management in Chennai. I then joined the Ceebros Group of Hotels as a management trainee, where I had the privilege of interacting with VIPs, celebrities, and politicians.

However, I eventually felt the desire for a change, which led me to transition into the real estate industry. Initially, I started my career in a business center, where I managed various companies' needs. Eventually, I moved on to handling larger portfolios and focused more on real estate.

What key business lessons have you learned from your prior experience and how do they contribute to your effectiveness as a business leader today?

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned in life is to never give up. Regardless of the challenges I encountered, I always persevered and remained determined. Throughout my journey, I have consistently followed my heart, allowing me to discern what is right and wrong for myself. This approach has provided me with the strength and clarity to progress further in my career. As a result, I have been able to attain my current position in the business world.

Experience has taught me that challenges are an integral part of life. Rather than shying away from them, I have embraced them head-on. I believe that confronting challenges is crucial for personal growth and success. By facing challenges without fear, we can move forward, knowing that the outcome is uncertain. It could be a failure or a positive result, but it is important not to be intimidated by the unknown and to continue pushing forward.

Introduce us to Symbyont Smart Spaces. Tell us about the various responsibilities you shoulder as the Head of Business Solutions at Symbyont Smart Spaces.

Symbyont Smart Spaces is a dynamic company within the Symbyont group, making its mark in Hyderabad, Chennai, and Gurgaon. With an unwavering focus on client-centric services, we provide exceptional experiences to our clients. As the Head of Business Solutions since July 2022, I ensure our clients receive top-notch service, while also building a strong team and maintaining a quick turnaround time for major concerns. My responsibilities include project management, service operations, and establishing our brand.

In Chennai, we have achieved significant success, competing with major service providers and offering an impressive three lakh square feet of space. We are proud to have renowned brands like Marsh Insurance, Zomato, KK Wind Solutions, WPP Group, Mizuho Bank, IBS Software Adenza Group choosing our spaces for their operations.

“Experience has taught me that challenges are an integral part of life. Rather than shying away from them, i have embraced them head-on. I believe that confronting challenges is crucial for personal growth & success”

What are your key challenges as a real estate leader and how do you overcome them?

In the real estate industry, women face numerous challenges, and it's not just limited to my personal experience but applies to any woman in this field. Patience is a virtue I always emphasize, especially when making decisions amidst challenges. This industry is highly competitive, with multiple players and frequent ups and downs. It's crucial to stay motivated despite the market's unpredictability.

There will be instances where deals might fall apart, but it's important for us to never dwell on a sense of failure. Instead, it's essential to evaluate what went wrong and identify areas for personal improvement. Always maintain a positive mindset, as the real estate market is brimming with opportunities. Losing one client doesn't mean there won't be others eager to engage with your organization.

I consistently advocate for not giving up and remaining patient. It's vital to adhere to the established processes within the industry. From initial client engagement to center tours and detailed explanations, every step plays a crucial role. It's essential to grasp the client's requirements and understand their needs beyond the intermediaries involved. Having a presence in various micro markets and the ability to offer suitable locations provides an advantage in understanding and satisfying client demands. Ultimately, client satisfaction should never be compromised and should remain a top priority.

Share your top three professional milestones and your success mantra.

I find great satisfaction in sharing my achievements over the past couple of years. I've successfully established multiple companies in Chennai, which has given me confidence in my abilities. Although it was challenging to navigate different processes and market various products, I persevered and ensured the brands had a strong foothold. During the initial six months to a year, I faced struggles, but I prioritized building a solid foundation for these companies to thrive in the market.

While I currently work at Symbyont. However, I believe that consistency, continuous hard work, and dedication are crucial. One should never give up or shy away from the hard work required to establish a company. This mindset has allowed me to achieve significant milestones, ensuring the success of the companies that have placed their trust in me. Witnessing the company operating and thriving in the market fills me with immense pleasure and reaffirms my ability to compete with my own past achievements.

The key mantra I would like to emphasize is to maintain unwavering commitment, adhere to established processes, one should be ready to unlearn to learn, and never give up. Carry confidence within yourself and trust your abilities, regardless of whether success is guaranteed. This approach has kept me motivated and enabled me to progress in my career for an extended period.

The only mantra to success is – hard work, Patience, Sacrifice, Consistency, Discipline and self-confidence.

Don’t believe in luck, believe in hard work. Stop trying to rush the process or searching for a shortcut. There is none.

If you are losing the patience, you are losing the battle. First nothing happens, then it happens slowly and suddenly all at once. Most people give up at stage one.

If you don’t sacrifice for what you want, then what you want becomes your sacrifice. Everything has its price. The question is: Are you ready to pay for it for the life you desire?

Consistency is what transforms average into excellence. Without consistency, you will never achieve greater success.

Motivation gets you going, but discipline keeps you growing. There will be days when you don’t 'feel' like doing it. You must push through those days regardless of how you feel.

Last but not the least - Confidence is, I will be fine if they don’t like me.

How do you keep yourself well aligned with industry trends and evolutions?

To stay well-aligned with industry trends and evolutions, I prioritize embracing change and adapting to new situations. My career transitions have taught me the importance of unlearning previous approaches and embracing the unique culture of each brand. Understanding the product and establishing it in the market are key steps in this process.

I firmly believe that carrying forward the same processes and strategies repeatedly is not sustainable. Therefore, I actively seek out new opportunities and challenges that require me to adapt and showcase new products in the market. This approach has enabled me to progress in my career and stay attuned to the evolving trends and patterns within the real estate industry. By having confidence in my ability to navigate these changes, I can effectively align myself with industry trends and ensure continued professional growth.

Smita Awasthi, Head of Business Solutions, Symbyont Smart Spaces
Smita Awasthi is an accomplished business leader in the real estate industry, known for her fearless approach to embracing change and inspiring women to pursue their dreams.