Being an Intrapreneur And Winning Beauty Pageants – The Story of Shivani Naik
Shivani Naik Shah is an SP Jain alumnus from the Global MBA class of 2014. Working as an advisor to the Bureaucrats of Government of India on progressive initiatives and reforms like Make in India and Swachh Bharat with a BIG4 company (KPMG), Shivani has also been winning accolades at numerous beauty pageants, having recently won the Mrs. India Queen of Substance 2018.
We caught up with Shivani, getting to know her journey from SP Jain till today.
Could you tell us a bit about yourself and your journey till date?
An Electronics Engineer and Post Graduate in Supply Chain Management from Mumbai University, I was the Dean’s List Honouree and batch topper of the GMAY 2014 at SP Jain. I was selected as a finalist for Miss Universe India 2012, Mrs. India Earth 2017, and recently won the Mrs. India Queen of Substance 2018.
In December 2017, I was bestowed the Woman Achiever Award by Sakhi Samman Manch, one of the largest women forums in the world.
I am actively involved with underprivileged children and patients of Thalassemia and Leukemia as a Trustee of The Wishing Factory (an NGO) and as a part of the Robin Hood Army. I also am an Education Consultant and a Career Mentor with a leading Educational Player and am soon planning to start off with my own venture.
I can never thank SP Jain enough for equipping me with the right professional skills and helping me to develop a well-rounded personality. To add to it, I also found a great life partner and friend in Kushal Shah, my batchmate from GMBA.
What was your dream job as a kid?
As a child, I always wanted to be a CEO of my own company. Even today, this dream holds true for me. I am working towards it and I hope to realize it soon.
Apart from your corporate achievements, you are also simultaneously winning accolades at numerous beauty pageants. You recently won the prestigious title of “Mrs. India Queen of Substance 2018”. How do you feel about this? What challenges did you face to reach here?
It feels wonderful! All my discipline, perseverance and dedication has paid off and culminated into this success. The past 6 months have been a roller coaster ride with a hectic routine and a great learning experience. While I am extremely happy for the title, I am happier because I feel like a renewed version of myself after this journey.
The journey was riddled with challenges, as expected. Right from juggling office duties to familial responsibilities to pageant preparation, I had to toil hard to give justice to each of them.
A strict diet, regular hours at the gym, effective time and stress management and follow ups, and so much more. It was really a hectic routine! What made me stay calm was meditation. I had a fire inside and the desire to win the crown helped me focus on my goal and detach myself from all distractions.
As they say, if you are passionate and focused about something, the whole world conspires to lead you to success.
Who are your favourite heroines? What about them appeals to you?
My favourite heroines are Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook and Indra Nooyi, CEO of PepsiCo. Both these ladies are passionate about their work and have proven that with self-belief and perseverance, women can reach great heights of success. Their journeys from a humble background to a powerful position have taught me that if you have the right mindset and determination, you can overcome the challenges life throws at you.
