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.
Please tell us more about yourself.
Swati
Dayal: Being a
daughter of a self-made businessman who took the responsibility of three
sisters at the age of 19, I always had a mindset of doing something that will
make my parents proud for giving birth to a daughter instead of a son. Sagoon
gave me that chance and with my experience, expertise and acumen, I
successfully led our team to launch two versions and a number of updates.
Dayal: Being a
daughter of a self-made businessman who took the responsibility of three
sisters at the age of 19, I always had a mindset of doing something that will
make my parents proud for giving birth to a daughter instead of a son. Sagoon
gave me that chance and with my experience, expertise and acumen, I
successfully led our team to launch two versions and a number of updates.
![]() |
Swati Dayal, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Sagoon |
I believe in working hard. It doesn’t
have any substitute and those who look for short cuts often complain that their
success was short lived. I like to work and when it is for a company like
Sagoon that is shaping the future of social media, I work with even more
excitement and passion.
have any substitute and those who look for short cuts often complain that their
success was short lived. I like to work and when it is for a company like
Sagoon that is shaping the future of social media, I work with even more
excitement and passion.
ST:
Who is your biggest influence in life?
Who is your biggest influence in life?
Swati
Dayal: That would be
my father and Govinda, the architect of Sagoon. They both are self-made people
and their never-give-up attitude is something I have always admired. When it’s
time to work, they drink, eat and breathe just work. And when it comes to
having fun, they are second to none. Whatever I am today is because of these
two wonderful personalities.
Dayal: That would be
my father and Govinda, the architect of Sagoon. They both are self-made people
and their never-give-up attitude is something I have always admired. When it’s
time to work, they drink, eat and breathe just work. And when it comes to
having fun, they are second to none. Whatever I am today is because of these
two wonderful personalities.
ST:
What challenges do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
What challenges do you face in your day to day professional life, if any?
Swati
Dayal: Running a
start-up is in itself a challenge. Of all the challenges, the one I often face
is finding the right talent and convincing him/her to join Sagoon. Candidates
often hesitate to join a startup but when we explain them the immense learning
they will be experiencing during their tenure and the benefits they will be
entitled to, most of them agree.
Dayal: Running a
start-up is in itself a challenge. Of all the challenges, the one I often face
is finding the right talent and convincing him/her to join Sagoon. Candidates
often hesitate to join a startup but when we explain them the immense learning
they will be experiencing during their tenure and the benefits they will be
entitled to, most of them agree.
Another challenge that my professional
life dispenses is little time for family and friends. I have not attended a
family function for so many years due to responsibilities and duties I have to
fulfill.
life dispenses is little time for family and friends. I have not attended a
family function for so many years due to responsibilities and duties I have to
fulfill.
ST:
Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years down the line?
Where do you want to see yourself in next 5 years down the line?
Swati
Dayal: I see myself
1) representing India in the Global Market and 2) as the face of that Indian
company which people associate with innovation and is the dream company to work
for every young gun.
Dayal: I see myself
1) representing India in the Global Market and 2) as the face of that Indian
company which people associate with innovation and is the dream company to work
for every young gun.
ST:
What is your message to the readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
What is your message to the readers on ‘International Women’s Day’?
Swati
Dayal: I want to tell
that women who seek equality with men lack ambition. It’s time to make our own
identity and discover the new heights of success.
Dayal: I want to tell
that women who seek equality with men lack ambition. It’s time to make our own
identity and discover the new heights of success.
You could send your feedback at
startupterminal@gmail.com
startupterminal@gmail.com