ST Bureau
New Delhi
This
interview is a part of Startup Terminal interview series to mark the occasion
of ‘International Women’s Day’
interview is a part of Startup Terminal interview series to mark the occasion
of ‘International Women’s Day’
ST: Please tell us more about yourself.
Shalini Vij: I have 17 years of experience in the Retail and Entertainment
Industry from the US, with companies like Cole Corporation, Discovery Zone,
Caldor and others. I am also the director of companies including M.F. Entertainment
& Amusement and Founder & Director of Hang Out, Bouncy Town and Sport
Diner.
Industry from the US, with companies like Cole Corporation, Discovery Zone,
Caldor and others. I am also the director of companies including M.F. Entertainment
& Amusement and Founder & Director of Hang Out, Bouncy Town and Sport
Diner.
 |
| Shalini Vij, Founder, Hang Out |
I graduated in
business management from Illinois, US with a second major in Human Resources.
My zeal to do something on my own never took a back seat though. I was running
my own business of personalized and bridal gifts through chain stores in the
US.
business management from Illinois, US with a second major in Human Resources.
My zeal to do something on my own never took a back seat though. I was running
my own business of personalized and bridal gifts through chain stores in the
US.
ST: Who is your
biggest influence in life?
biggest influence in life?
Shalini Vij: My father & my husband, my dad always said to me “have the
courage to dream, the power to plan, aspire to achieve & the strength to
execute your dreams”.
courage to dream, the power to plan, aspire to achieve & the strength to
execute your dreams”.
My husband has been
very supportive and always believed in me & my passion project, he’s helped
me from the back end always, he is the back bone of this company.
very supportive and always believed in me & my passion project, he’s helped
me from the back end always, he is the back bone of this company.
ST: What challenges
do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
Shalini Vij: Being a working mom can be challenging. Especially with
children who are of a tender age. As they get older we must be friends to them,
and friendship comes with understanding, communication, openness and spending
quality time. I will be honest, I used to work till late and be
up at 6am to send my little one to school. I worked after their
bed time, because I didn’t want to take away from their time with their Mommy.
I juggled with tight schedules to manage time to strike the right balance
between work, family, self (soul, mind & body mantra). It’s all about time
management and multi-tasking, I believe.
children who are of a tender age. As they get older we must be friends to them,
and friendship comes with understanding, communication, openness and spending
quality time. I will be honest, I used to work till late and be
up at 6am to send my little one to school. I worked after their
bed time, because I didn’t want to take away from their time with their Mommy.
I juggled with tight schedules to manage time to strike the right balance
between work, family, self (soul, mind & body mantra). It’s all about time
management and multi-tasking, I believe.
ST: Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years down the line?
Shalini Vij: Hang Out just launched its new 1st, Sports Diner, a Dave &
Buster type model, connected to Hang Out Kids at its flagship store At Select
Citywalk, Saket fulfilling the family needs in entertainment by offering a
complete, comprehensive Center, we plan to add more Sports Diners or elements
like bowling, electronic darts, pool, VR zones to cater to the teens &
tweets too. Expansion will be deterrent on how much love, acceptance we
continue to get from our patrons & loyal customers.
Buster type model, connected to Hang Out Kids at its flagship store At Select
Citywalk, Saket fulfilling the family needs in entertainment by offering a
complete, comprehensive Center, we plan to add more Sports Diners or elements
like bowling, electronic darts, pool, VR zones to cater to the teens &
tweets too. Expansion will be deterrent on how much love, acceptance we
continue to get from our patrons & loyal customers.
ST: What is your
message to the readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
message to the readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
Shalini Vij: There’s a stereotype mindset about women entrepreneurs, your
courage, hard work, perseverance, focus & strength can help you overcome
any boundaries without gender restrictions is what I believe. Your actions
should speak louder than your words.
courage, hard work, perseverance, focus & strength can help you overcome
any boundaries without gender restrictions is what I believe. Your actions
should speak louder than your words.
Women symbolises
Shakti, in all facets of her life, be it work or home, with many different
roles to play, her journey is long & roles many, from a daughter, sister, wife,
daughter in law, mother and the list goes on, even at work she brings in the
soft angles into the long work days. She is strong, bold, smart and yet humble,
I think the women is the muscle that holds the bones together if I put it
correctly the softer material but an important one. Never meaning to compare
between genders to create gender differences but there are of course some very
obvious characteristic differences that cannot be ignored. Using those in your
strive, understanding your Shakti & your abilities you can achieve anything
you desire at your domestic or work front that’s the kind of ability we all
have in us, each one of us.
Shakti, in all facets of her life, be it work or home, with many different
roles to play, her journey is long & roles many, from a daughter, sister, wife,
daughter in law, mother and the list goes on, even at work she brings in the
soft angles into the long work days. She is strong, bold, smart and yet humble,
I think the women is the muscle that holds the bones together if I put it
correctly the softer material but an important one. Never meaning to compare
between genders to create gender differences but there are of course some very
obvious characteristic differences that cannot be ignored. Using those in your
strive, understanding your Shakti & your abilities you can achieve anything
you desire at your domestic or work front that’s the kind of ability we all
have in us, each one of us.
If you only have
the ability to dream with your eyes open & can visualise your future,
your creation, your achievements, live them in your dreams & give it your
positive energies and work hard to achieve them & if you have the courage
to chase that dream, nothing can stop it from getting converted into
reality.
the ability to dream with your eyes open & can visualise your future,
your creation, your achievements, live them in your dreams & give it your
positive energies and work hard to achieve them & if you have the courage
to chase that dream, nothing can stop it from getting converted into
reality.
“More love &
power to all the women out there, Stay beautiful and blessed.”
power to all the women out there, Stay beautiful and blessed.”
You could send your feedback at
startupterminal@gmail.com
startupterminal@gmail.com
