It is not often these days that a college romance fructifies into wedlock. Corporate Citizen unlocks the story of love that has culminated into marriage, for we believe in the stability of a relationship and family unit. We bring to you real-life romances that got sealed in marriage
Married for three years, Jashank Bhandari and his better half Pooja Shah Bhandari are not just partners in life but also at work. Despite coming from two exceedingly strong business backgrounds themselves, the young and dynamic couple (both 30) have independent entrepreneurial ambitions. Together, they are not only nurturing their startup, Prendo, but also taking Pooja's family business of premium bespoke menswear, More Mischief a few notches higher
Ever since he was a little boy Jashank remembers his grandfather urging him not to rest on the family's considerable laurels (given their real estate and automobile business and not to forget Pune's iconic Mercedes showroom BU Bhandari). Instead, the venerable patriarch would urge Jashank to spread his own wings even as he contributed to the family business.
Years have passed since, but the advice has stayed on in the youngster's mind. What's more, he is ably and enthusiastically assisted by his wife Pooja Shah Bhandari in carving out a piece of sky to call their own. Thus was born Prendo–an online luxury handbag rental service that offers you the novel option of renting a luxurious brand of handbag instead of owning it.
In fact, says Jashank, the idea took seed during a family wedding they were attending a high profile do. "As the ladies at the party moved around, toting a luxurious handbag each, we realized just how much of an appetite the well travelled Indian had for designer handbags. At the same time, we realized that millennial and gen Z valued experiences over ownership in order to be able to have everything without being tied down to them. Considering that each brand could cost thousands of rupees or even lakhs offering the ladies a chance to rent the bags instead of buying them would be definite value for money," he shares. That you can unleash your inner stylist everyday of the week without breaking the bank.
As of now, Prendo exists in Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru and is going from strength to strength on the wings of careful nurturing and patience. "The one thing we both know is that brands take time and lots of hard work to grow," says Pooja. "There's no skipping the process and that's the first rule of entrepreneurship: you have to be passionate enough to wait."
It helps that both Jashank and Pooja have suitable credentials. Both have completed their BBA from Pune's Symbiosis Centre for Management Studies. While he went on to work in advertising and marketing before pursuing his MBA abroad from the world’s No. 1 School for Entrepreneurship - Franklin W. Olin Graduate School of Business, Babson College. Pooja pursued her Fashion Styling in Italy from Istituto Europeo di Design. (a natural choice perhaps considering her family owns the noted menswear brand, More Mischief)
"Jashank is a man who acts on an informed opinion in all aspects of life and business. This, to my mind, makes him a very trustworthy person. His thoughts and actions are in sync with each other. You can totally rely on such a person to be there for you"
- Pooja
"We both come from traditional setups despite the fact that I am Marwari and she a Gujarati. We realize the importance of taking family along in all we do. At the same time, we share a creative orientation and wanted to come up with something of our own"
-Jashank
The happy coupleThis love story was first scripted on the campus of Pune's Symbiosis College where both Pooja and Jashank were pursuing their BBA. It wasn't quite love at first sight though more a case of a friendship that gradually developed into romance over time, conversation and shared values. "We both come from traditional setups despite the fact that I am Marwari and she a Gujarati. We realize the importance of taking family along in all we do. At the same time, we share a creative orientation and wanted to come up with something of our own," shares Jashank.
The differences too were suitably complimentary. "She's a people's person whereas I am more of the analytical one," he continues. "Together we make a good team."
Nevertheless, Jashank's family felt they were too young at 23 to take the plunge. "They wanted me to complete my MBA first," he says. And so a few years would pass before they completed their post graduation and acquired their respective life experiences.
Thus, when they finally did tie the knot it was with their families blessings at "just the right time."
That this is evidently a marriage founded on friendship is evident from their mutual appreciation of each other in matters big and small.
The building blocks of a marriage "Jashank is a man who acts on an informed opinion in all aspects of life and business. This, to my mind, makes him a very trustworthy person," says Pooja. "His thoughts and actions are in sync with each other. You can totally rely on such a person to be there for you; he's rock-solid and dependable."
On his part, Jashank lauds her for her balanced outlook. "She's a person person who is utterly professional at work and very caring at home. No matter what the context, she seems to know just how to give the task on hand appropriate weightage."
Both root for honesty at all times. "First comes trust," says an emphatic Pooja. "When you trust your partner, everything else, including love and romance, follow. Unto that end, both of them believe in speaking their minds to each other openly and fearlessly. "You ought to be able to tell your spouse what's on your mind without worrying about upsetting them. When criticism and analysis are taken in the right spirit, there is nothing to worry about," says Jashank.
So how challenging has it been to adjust post marriage? "Adjustment is key to everything, actually," says Pooja. "Whatever the relationship, there is give and take. When you marry into a family, you realize that you have to form an equation with each individual member, Plus, no two families are alike-there are bound to be differences in their rituals and lifestyles. It's up to you whether you want to accept it or fight it," she expresses. "Actually, it's not that tough at all. When you make a bit of an effort for others, they reciprocate and welcome you within their fold."
Work life balance is a priority for the couple. This is all the more important given that they work together on Prendo and More Mischief. "While it's ok to discuss work at home, it's not ok to bring stresses and tensions to the dining table. That invisible but strong boundary line between the personal and professional must exist," she says.
Quality time consists of exploring new destinations and unwinding at the end of the day with their favorite TV and web shows together. "This really helps us reconnect and relax," says Jashank.
Like all married couples, they have discussed kids and the changes they will bring to their family and lifestyle. "By next year I think we should be all set to welcome a little one," says Pooja. "I think we are settled enough at work as well as within our relationship to be able to do justice to the child."
The couple is firm about being hands on parents. "Honestly, the idea of a child being brought up by a nanny isn't appealing at all," they say. What they plan to do is make a child friendly space at work so that they can manage both home and baby. "Growing up, I spent a lot of time at dad's place of work after school. This not only ensured I stayed close to my parents but helped me build a foundation in fashion and the ethics of business. Both Jashank and I want that for our kid," she rounds off.
By Kalyani Sardesai
