Anuj was frustrated.
"Nah... ", he thought to himself. He was pissed.
He came back to India after 25 years. His overseas business was booming and Mukku was now capable enough to handle it on her own. Even though he spent almost half of his life there, he started missing his homeland. He decided to move back to India and expand his business there. Additionally, he wanted to encourage small local businesses by providing them funding and mentorship, his own idea of philanthropy. Who knows, he will be able to find next Anuj Kapadiya there, give back to his nation.
And he ended up with Anupama Joshi.
When his team reached out to small businesses, offering funding and expertise, the response was overwhelming. They studied each business in depth, determining it's profitability in ever changing market. After shortlisting 15 businesses, he invited the owners for a meeting and interview, to finalise 10 businesses where he would invest.
Anupama Dance Academy was owned by a divorcee Anupama Joshi. She had a moving story, dreams suffocated under family responsibilities, Infedility of her husband and her wish to begin again at age of 45, to become independent.
She was running the business with her son. Impressively, they offered both online and offline classes, making a profit even during the pandemic. Their customer base was diverse, ranging from young children to middle aged women who just liked to dance.
However, not every member of the team was impressed. Interestingly, some pointed out about a few negative reviews about the academy. Classes disturbed because of anupamas in law's fighting loudly, Anupama leaving mid lesson to take care of something, classes being cancelled without notice because some issue happening in the family. Interestingly, she was still living with her former in laws despite having divorced her husband. Next day, she would waste a lot of time of the class by giving long speeches disguised as apologies.
But Anuj was impressed because of her passion and will. He thought with right direction this business can become lucrative, after all online services were high in demand, so why not dance?
After just 2 months of working with Anupama, Anuj was beyond frustrated.
Just passion is not enough to last in business world. You need to add dedication and consistency. Add a pinch of innovation and luck and then you have success.
Anupama on the other hand relied purely on passion. Her dedication to the academy was now being questioned by everyone. Her classes were becoming more and more irregular. Something or the other was always coming up at Shah house, either an argument or some obligation. Most of the days classes were delayed because she was busy cooking. In her absence, her son Samar tried to handle the academy, but he couldn't teach classical dance.
But what frustrated Anuj the most was Anupamas skewed sence of priorities. She had blown up 2 important meetings and numerous mentorship sessions to look after her former in laws. Most of the time the issue wasn't even serious or needed immediate attention. Once she even left mid meeting because her Baa was arguing with new daughter in law. When Anuj objected and asked her to focus on the business, she gave a good 10 min bhasan about family, relations and responsibility, ending with a sprinkle of "maa hu ne", before storming out of the meeting.
Anuj has decided to arrange a one on one meeting with Anupama, either she gets things straight, or he pulls out his support. Other businesses were taking things seriously and doing well under his guidance. He didn't want to waste his time anymore.
Anupama reached his office 10 min late. She hastily knocked on the door of his cabin.
"Come in. " Anuj replied, composing himself.
"Surry Mishter Kapadiya, ghar pe thoda kaam tha isiliye late ho gai. "
"Please have a seat Miss Joshi. I want to have a talk. "
Anupama sat down on the chair in front of Anuj, her face betraying her nervousness.
" Do you know Mrs. Divya? She is a dietitian. Just like you, I also invested in her business. She has two small school going kids. Her husband is in a wheelchair after a car accident. "
" Yes sir, I know her. We met during the meetings. "
" And mrs. Radhika, our human resources director. She has a 8 month old baby. Her husband is in the army. She lives with her in laws and works. "
"Yes sir. " Anupama answered.
" You know what do they have common with you? They are married, have children have additional responsibilities. Still, they are focusing on their work. "
"Hmmm... " Anupama was unsure where Anuj was going with this.
" Yet unlike you, they are not late for work. They don't neglect their clients because someone at home got cold. They don't leave during meetings because someone got in a fight. Most importantly, their family members are not toddlers in an adult body. "
Anuj spoke calmly, not raising his voice. Anupama was now squirming in her seat.
" Do you know how many complaints we have got in last 2 months about you? Did you read the notes and recommendations our team sent you? "
"Nahi sir, mujhe time nahi mila. " Anupama said, looking down at her lap.
Anuj laughed out loudly. " Of course you don't have time. All of your time is dedicated for cooking and cleaning. When was the last time you actually dedicated those task to somebody else. A maid perhaps? "
"But sir, maids don't cook as good as.... ", Anuj interrupted her before she could complete her sentence.
" It's just food, it sustains you. As long as food is tasty, hygienic and fresh, it shouldn't matter who cooked it. Additionally, adults are supposed to be in charge of their own food. Yesterday you left a class midway because your 24 year son almost ate lotus stem. Is he not capable enough to recognize the food he is allergic to? ”
"Wait what! "... Anupama was now angry. How dare he question her parenting.
Before she could go on her maa triad, Anuj continued,
" We went a bit off topic there. I am mentoring 9 other small businesses like yours. But there's one difference, they have cherished this opportunity, when they are working, their complete focus in on work. They attend all meetings, they listen to our suggestions and they prioritize their clients. In 1 year, their profits and client base is going to expand so much that they will start employing more people. "
" But anupama dance academy will not reach their goals anytime soon. Your son is at least sincere. His hip hop students have increased, no. Of his classes too. You on the other hand, treat your clients like they don't even matter. About 20% classical dance students have already left. Some expressed that you are completely unprofessional and you have wasted their time and money. "
"But sir, I have to look after my family too. They are depending on me. I have took care of that household for 26 years. I have an obligation to them. And I always apologize to my students. They are very understanding. "
Anuj sighed, " Your family is all adults. They are capable to look after themselves if you let them learn. Additionally, if you can't find a balance in work and life, you will never be good at work or at life. Our clients are our annadata Anupama. We can earn because of them. And you don't cherish your annadata. "
"Consider this my last warning anupama. I want a better performance over next 3 months. Otherwise, I will pull out my funding from your academy. My team has already sent you the list of changes you need to make. If you need additional support, they will also recommend a good maid agency for you. But its time you clean your act. Your bhasan does not match your karma. Either you prove yourself capable, or just go back home. "
"Mishter Kapadiya.. " Anupama tried to defend herself,..... But Anuj was at the end of his patience.
" Bye miss Joshi, I will see you at the next meeting. "
Anupama left the office on verge of tears. For the first time in life, someone dared to question her sincerity. She vowed to get better.
Meanwhile, anuj was looking at the sunset out his office window. He remembered when Mukku teased him after attending their team meeting online, saying anupama is pretty and single.
Anuj cringed hard.... Now he had an urge to run.
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