A forever ride for two

Techie entrepreneur Nilesh Sane from Pune is flying…no, riding high on the success of his app WingManX, a community driven motorcycle app which is slowly metamorphosing into India’s largest biking hub, with over 900 groups pan-India signing up for the same. In this, he is ably assisted by his significant half Krithika, who has let go of a promising banking career to help WingManX be the best version of itself—a platform for motorcyclists to connect and plan safe group rides. Watching it all unfold is their 15-year-old son Kian, quietly absorbing just how far and wide courage and creativity can take a dream. This is their story, and this is how they tell it

Nilesh and Krithika Sane live by a simple motto — Never be afraid. For life, and all that it has to offer, is on the other side of one’s fear. So, whether the duo is biking across the country or putting the finishing touches on one of the latest features of their app, or letting their son follow his own dream of karting—what stands out about this couple is their passion, commitment and yes, courage.

From Nilesh giving up his high-paying IT career to venture out on his own, to Krithika joining him a few years later, once again letting go of a flourishing banking career—neither of them has ever feared rough terrain, whether it’s on the road or in business. It helps that both are aligned for the purpose. “When your life partner is on the same page as you, it is easy to shut the noise out and concentrate on the ride,” smiles Nilesh. “Everything becomes meaningful and that much more fun.”

Back to the beginning

This love story was first scripted in the late 90s at a college social in Pune’s Nowrosjee Wadia College. “We were dance partners, syncing our way through the nitty gritties of the latest banger,” grins Nilesh. “It was a blast.”

Little did either of them know back then that their synchrony was for life. For one, they were both focused on their careers. Graduating with science, Nilesh took up IT as a career, while Krithika opted for banking.

Busy as they were, they kept in touch, and slowly but surely, love happened. Despite their disparate cultural backgrounds, he’s a Maharashtrian Christian, and she a Tamilian Brahmin— neither of the families had any objection. “Our values are similar, and that is a critical point. It overrides both personality differences and upbringing. At the end of the day, both of us are all about family, relationships, and following ones' passion,” shares Krithika.

They wed in 2003, and gradually built a family that celebrates, prays and has fun in a myriad of ways. “We celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, we celebrate Christmas, and we have our pujas,” expresses Nilesh.

The building blocks of a marriage

Considering they’ve been married for over two decades, and known each other longer, what according to both are the non-negotiables in a marriage? “Well, for one, you must understand that love and companionship are all about the small moments. A cup of Chai after a long day, a good laugh over a bad joke, this is what makes a marriage tick. Don’t wait for vacations and occasions to celebrate your lives together just savour every moment,” says Nilesh.

“Married life,” grins Krithika, “is about dancing in the storm.” (An unsurprising analogy that, since they first met as dance partners). “You must work towards finding balance and harmony.”

“However, silence is not golden in this case,” cautions Nilesh. “Communication is critical. Talk to one another and hear each other out. Above all, live by the Hindi phrase ‘Raat Gayi, Baat Gayi’ principle—don’t carry fights into a new morning.”

Along the way, both changed careers—while Nilesh was doing well for himself with various IT companies in Mumbai and Sydney. Pune was where his heart was, for his family lived here. But, just as he got a transfer to Pune, Krithika’s had her relocate to Mumbai. “It was a challenging phase, but when a relationship is founded on friendship, as ours is, it can absorb the bumps,” she smiles.

Either way, Nilesh wanted to strike out on his own, that’s how ReWise was founded in 2012: an analytics and AI solutions company that helps businesses turn complex data into smart, actionable insights across sectors like retail, telecom and healthcare.

"You must understand that love and companionship are all about the small moments. A cup of Chai after a long day, a good laugh over a bad joke, this is what makes a marriage tick "

— Nilesh Sane

On the wings of a dream

As ReWise went from strength to strength, Nilesh, ever the restless entrepreneur, wanted to come up with something that combined his 25 years of experience in IT with his love for biking. And, therein laid the germ of an idea. “Each time I wanted to go biking, I found myself calling up folks to find out who was available and who wasn’t,” he narrates. What’s more, it was also important to ensure the authenticity and suitability of those biking with him. So, he thought, why not build an app that takes care of all this and more?

In short, WingManX is a one-stop platform where motorcyclists can connect, plan safe group rides, and foster camaraderie on the road. The name WingMan was fitting—since it means a partner who looks out for the biker and his and her safety.

As Nilesh works on developing its potential further, Krithika takes care of the commercials thanks to her background in banking.

Given the rough and tumble of entrepreneurship what advice would they give aspiring entrepreneurs? “For one, take your partner into confidence. It is unfair to impose the vicissitudes of building a business on someone who did not sign up for such an unconventional existence. Secondly, be sure to have a years’ worth of savings in your kitty,” he says.

So, how challenging is to work with one’s life partner? Do they compartmentalise their relationships? “Is such a thing possible? I don’t think so,” says Nilesh. “After all, both are inter-twined.”

THE MANTRAS OF MARRIAGE

• Shared values and goals
• Celebrating differences
• Trust and respect
• Savouring the little moments

But, as Krithika would aver, it isn’t tough to maintain boundaries and decorum if one is particular about respecting each facet of the person. “Respect your spouse as a person; respect them as a professional. Trust their judgement, and it isn’t hard to work with your spouse.”

Especially not when you are building good things together. “We believe that the work we do, has to have a social dimension. In this, we are like-minded people,” says Krithika.

Bringing up another baby

With WingmanX hitting the road, here’s looking at the couple’s other baby—their teenaged son Kian. “Make that two sons, the second one being our Indie-dog, Frank,” laughs Nilesh.

What is important to the duo as parents is to give Kian a taste of life’s struggles along with the success stories. “We don’t believe in keeping him wrapped up in a bubble. He is seeing us take the highs with the lows; this way he gets the full picture of what it takes to build something,” he says.

Travel and exposure to assorted cultures is a priority for both mom and dad. That, and relationships. “Family is hugely important to both Nilesh and me. We are all for the strength and buoyancy, a support system affords an individual. And, kids must respect those ties. So, we make it a point to take him to family functions,” says Krithika firmly.

That said, both parents want Kian to chart his own course. “He loves karting; it’s a hugely competitive, aggressive and speed filled sport. But, this is what he wants, and he has reached the Nationals too. So, we respect his dreams,” she says.

And so, the riders continue their journey, for as Nilesh rounds off, “Riding is meditation, passion and business strategy rolled into one.”