It has only been two-and-a-half years since we sold majority equity stakes and I am out now. It is an international phenomenon; the original entrepreneur rarely lasts more than three years. That is simply because of the complete dilution of the dream.
If you ask me, whether I worry for the brand . . . yes, I worry and very intensely. It is not an ordinary worry.
The day she left Landmark for the last time
It has been a few days since I left Landmark. It has been very tough. I suppose you could compare it to giving away your daughter in marriage. I hope I have made the right choice.
But I have moved on, and rapidly. No entrepreneur is disconnected with his/her venture. I can speak for all entrepreneurs. That is because what makes it successful is the passion. You cannot be disconnected and passionate. An employee cannot give that passion an entrepreneur has to a business.
Retail consultancy
Now, I have started Shop4 Solutions, a retail consulting firm along with my husband -- Jai Subramaniam -- who is a chartered accountant. We want to give end-to-end solutions for anybody who wants to get into retail. It is like finding a partner if you want a partner, vetting your business plan, telling you how viable it is, finding you the retail space, doing the interiors, fit outs, lay outs and implementing everything and the last is supply chain and merchandise.
There are lots of consulting firms in India but they are run by people who have not run any businesses. On the other hand, I have been on the shop floor for 30 years.
Strangely, I have started getting calls from both national and international players! It is an eclectic mix.
My ambition is to guide people to good businesses that last and to be honest more than anything else.
Landmark sold gifts too to supplement sales. In the image, a gift shop salesman waits for clients at his shop in Kosovo. Photograph: Daniel Mihailescu/AFP/Getty Images
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