Principles-based leaders serve their teams by modeling the company's fundamental values and advocating for their best interests in all circumstances. In addition, they serve as excellent role models for everyone else in the company. When a leader with strong morals is given responsibility, followers are typically inspired to continue in their footsteps, elevating the standard of work for everyone. Aakanksha Patel, Country Head of Oliver and IIG India, embraces similar ideals as an entrepreneur and leader. Aakanksha is a firm believer in upholding the organization's core principles and encouraging her employees to do the same.

Aakanksha studied fashion marketing and advertising in Lon­don and had long considered entering the fashion business, but destiny had other plans. For various reasons, Aakanksha wasn’t unable to join the fashion sector. Other opportunities sponta­neously offered their selves and Aakanksha went for them. She started her career in sales and marketing with Red Bull, and sub­sequently after some years she went ahead and studied fashion.

In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur magazine, Aakanksha described her rise to leadership and the inspiration for starting her organization– Kefir Culture.

What factors influenced you to take up the leadership role at Oliver?

Representing the organization’s values is the first and foremost responsibility for any leader in our company. A partnership is doomed to fail, in my view, if one party does not have an institu­tion that reflects the values that the other party brings to the ta­ble. I believe that is why I like my time at Oliver so much. Because Oliver takes great delight in adhering to six core values: ambition, imagination, inclusion, inspiration, learning, and results. In addi­tion, I find that these principles accurately reflect my personality.

Investment in diversity and inclusion are some of the ideals closest to my heart. Oliver places a high value on making its workers happy and content, and the company has taken concert­ed initiatives to foster diversity within the workplace.

What are some of the most pressing challenges that you encounter in your current role? How do you successfully mitigate these challenges?

Problems have come in many forms for me. The chal­lenge I have as a leader is striking a good work-life balance for my team. When I say this, the advertising industry, in particular, comes to mind, since it is one where many employees put in long hours to meet rigor­ous targets. The toughest part for me is maintaining a focus on the people around me rather than the compa­ny's bottom line. We at Oliver also ensure to invest in people’s growth and not just the bottom line. The diffi­culty stems from the novelty of the value system being implemented. At Oliver, we also offer training programs for the team, such as the Insiders Academy, which is a tool given to our workers to enhance not only their professional but also their personal growth throughout their time at Oliver.

"My goal has always been, and will always be, to support and represent the values of the organization i work for"

Tell us about your brand, Kefir Culture. What prompted your decision to go on an entrepreneurial journey?

Kefir Culture was started more out of personal passion than financial reasons. Being a baker, I've always had a special bond with food. Kefir Culture was a product of chance, discovered by a very close friend and now business partner. Kefir is a probiotic drink that was previously unknown in India. Its heritage from Turkey but somewhat similar to our local ‘Lassi’, except it has a much higher probiotic content. When I first tried it, all I could think about was the positive change to my gut, and how much my digestive health and overall well­being suddenly improved. This is something I believed the market could use, therefore my friend and I went into business as Kefir Culture partners and launched the brand in Jan of 2019.

Drawing from your experience as a business leader, what would your advice be to young women and girls who also aspire to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

It's been my experience that finding a mentor who shares your goals and is invested in your success is the best way to go ahead. That's the single most import­ant piece of advice I can provide. Trust someone who encourages you to be the best version of yourself to succeed. Never let the expectations of others dictate how you act in your professional or personal life. Find a company that values you for who you are and offers you room to develop by connecting you with helpful professionals.

Aakanksha Patel,  Country Head Oliver & Iig India ,  Oliver Agency

An alumnus of London College of Fashion – University of the Arts, Aakanksha began her professional journey at Red Bull, and further, she has been part of various esteemed companies like Leo Burnett, Rous Iland in London, and Digitas India, wherein she has served at various levels for almost a decade. Later, in 2019 Aakanksha decided to take up the role of an entrepreneur and launched a probiotic milkshake brand Kefir Culture.