My Journey – Sangeeta Bharat Ajwani

Please tell us about yourself

A young, energetic, enthusiastic and resourceful MBA , I was selected by an MNC Bank for my placements and I achieved Good knowledge and experience in database structuring and style of doing business. 3 years later, post marriage, I joined my husband in his business and was handling a particular division with specialised products for the Food, Pharma and Biopharma sector in the capacity of the Project Director. While handling projects for more than 10 years, there was always an underlying urge to build something of my own. Since 2014 , I was scouting franchisee opportunities to start my own entrepreneurial venture. Finally a fatal car accident and a forced homestay sealed my destiny and Ross International was born.

Share about what you do

 Ross International is a Corporate Gifting House specializing in promotional merchandise . One can select from a vast range of over 500+ product categories in Power Banks, Pen drives, Bluetooth Speakers , Laptop Bags and Sleeves , Document and Passport Holders, Wireless Mouse, Gift Sets with permutation combinations of pens , visiting card holders , neckties / pins / cuff links / pocket squares , diffusers , diaries etc… Premium and promotional Pens , Desktop Digital Clocks , Potted Saplings, USB and Power Bank Diaries, Paper Weights , Stolls & Scarfs ….etc We also have an Eco Friendly Range of Seed Pens and Pencils which can be planted . Eco Friendly Stationary Desktops . Eco Friendly Plant a Calendar Range . Everything is customised to suit the requirements of the clients . We have a PAN India presence and customer base .

Say something about your beginning

 So we started our Journey . We were excited kids on the block. We dabbled with emailing exercises and online trading. We experimented with all sorts of products and markets. We started building a network channel while synergising with other gifting companies, middlemen and corporate houses to serve our clients . Then came the challenges. While establishing the business , finance was the primary concern. It was a challenge to build the trust and faith of suppliers in order to manage lengthy credit periods . Again sustained and consistent business was another challenge that we faced during the initial period . Soon we discover that we needed a more aggressive marketing strategy and we went on to take clients head on . We started with bigger corporate‘s where we found converting them was a challenge because that was a more mature market . So we started tapping SMEs where the decisions were quicker and turnaround faster . This made our base strong to serve Corporate clients. Today we stand with a mix of clients from various industries: IT, Pharma, Garments, Logistics, Builders and Event Management Companies.

What have been some of your achievements

Coming from a sheltered and protected environment to making inroads into the corporate world to establishing and expanding my own entrepreneurial venture while simultaneously nourishing my family is in itself a stupendous achievement .

The difference you have made to others

Its been my sustained passion to contribute to society in whatever little way I can . The most satisfying experience has been the one where I have touched the lives of 800 + underprivileged children by conducting eyesight check up camps and providing subsidised spectacles . And going a step further , providing free cataract surgery for their grand parents and parents . Encashing upon my leadership skills I have raised adequate funds for the same through friends, relatives and business associates.

What do you want to be acknowledged for

I have the privilege and honour to be associated with Landmark Education and I continue to contribute as a mentor and coach to several participants in our Self Development and Leadership Programme. Am also honoured and blessed to serve on the Leadership body of BNI Enlighten . I also take pride in being a member of the Sindhi Chambers of Commerce & Industry.
 Sangeeta runs a corporate gifting firm called Ross International from Mumbai
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