SUCCESS STORY

She is just 24-years-old and is already making waves in the field of innovation and safety equipment. She belongs to a humble business family from Gujarat, who believes in creating employment for all. Meet Hetika Shah, whose curious mind has led her on the path of innovation. At the recently concluded 5th edition of CII Women Nation Summit, Hetika, director and founder, Sanctuary Innovative Safety Equipment, mesmerised the online gathering with her story of the Industrial Chiller System, her official entry in the entrepreneurial world and much more. In conversation with the Corporate Citizen, Hetika candidly speaks about her curious childhood days, her entrepreneurial journey, and her love for long drives and family values that has now become her strength

"As a child, I had the bug of travelling. The destination did not matter. All I wanted was to get out of the house, travel and learn new things"

- Hetika Shah

“Papa, yeh machines kaise kaam karte hai (Papa, how do these machines function)?” asked a curious nine-year-old Hetika to her father, Harivadan. He wasn’t amazed or shocked with the question as he knew that back then little Hetika had the habit of understanding how all the things functioned. At an age when kids loved to play in the garden, Hetika insisted that she accompanied her father to work. It was then, that the tiny girl knew that she would make it big in the industrial work. And by the time she was 18, Hetika has visited more than 100 foundries of the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC). Sounds interesting, right? Wait till you read her first-hand experience below.

Love for machines

As a child, I had the bug of travelling. The destination did not matter. All I wanted was to get out of the house, travel and learn new things. My father owns a tool and machinery business. Growing up, I was fascinated to know as to what happens once my father is done with creating the machines. On weekends, I accompanied him to his factory. And later, I went with him to deliver the machines. And seeing how the dealers used my father machines simply amazed me. Of course, I couldn’t make sense of it, but that world was a dream come true.

As a kid during those escapades, I often had a word with the people working at the foundries. And I concluded that to start a business or to work in the industrial field, one needs to pursue mechanical engineering or complete a master’s degree. Which is precisely what I indulged in when I grew up. It came as a surprise to the rest when I took up mechanical engineering. Even while I was completing my graduation, I found time to visit the factories in and around Halol. Only this time, I completely understood what was happening. I tried to apply the knowledge that I had gained in college, and it was a piece of cake to make sense of what’s happening in the production life. One of the factory’s owner was my father’s close friend. He taught me things that were beyond the textbook.

Now, when I look back at my journey, I am thankful to my parents and the foundries, who gave me a push to my curiosity. What I am today is courtesy of my inquisitive nature as well.

Strong foundation

When I started my graduation, I very well knew that understanding all the subjects that mechanical engineering is made of, will lay a strong foundation for me. This branch of engineering has more than 50 subjects that give one an overview of the industrial vertical. I supported my textbook knowledge by visiting more factories during my free time. And that is how I kept up with the tradition. I believe that the practical implementation of any acquired knowledge widens one’s experience. The only difference this time when I visited foundries was, I completely understood what was happening on the production line. During the vacations, I completed a month-long internship in different modules that I studied so far. Watching videos related to the same kept me on my toes. We need in tandem with the theoretical and practical world.

Soon, I got placed with Inoxcva which is a globally acclaimed company offering comprehensive solutions in cryogenic storage, vaporisation and distribution engineering. I worked there for only three months, as I always wanted to start my business. The thing that I realised is, the knowledge of how to raise funds, how to market the products and a few others, does not come that easily to an engineer. But their domain knowledge is surely impeccable. To feed my inner fire of starting my business, I decided to set my foot in Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India (EDII). One of their aims is to help potential and existing entrepreneurs and then gradually ventured to train trainers and faculty members. Their master’s degree programme in Entrepreneurship, a fellowship programme and several entrepreneurship training programmes makes one wellversed with the ecosystem. And currently, I am in my second year.

"During the vacations, I completed a monthlong internship in different modules that I studied so far. Watching videos related to the same kept me on my toes"

Leap of faith

I was always taught to take risks in life and I reckon it is now or never. Processes like heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, always attracted me. And subsequently, I took up the initiative of Industrial Chiller System venture known as Thermcool Industries.

It is a fact the energy can not be created nor can be destroyed. It can just be transformed from one form to another. I knew that energy is the ability to various things, be it technology or the daily aspects of life, all the things are powered by it. When I came across the concept of renewable and non-renewable sources, I got interested in solar dryers. I found that in foundries, energy goes waste during the heating and cooling process. That is when an idea struck me. I thought, why not use the heat energy that was going to waste to cool a product. My bother, Adit and I always discussed commencing our venture together. It was nice that we shared the same passion. And somewhere between all this, Sanctuary Innovative Safety Equipment, my first venture came into existence. The Industrial Chiller System is still in progress and will soon see the light of the day.

While working on all this, it was evident that workers were exposed to various harmful gasses. And for us, the safety of our employees is our priority. At the beginning of this year, I began working on the safety equipment for our workers. But soon Covid-19 hit us. That’s when I thought of using this opportunity to create masks for our frontline workers, who are working round the clock to save people. Within no time, I created a mask known as the 4S SHIELD that covers all the four sensory organs - eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. It was well-received by the frontline workers. Currently, my startup has employed 25 workers. Our factory manufacturers thousands of masks every day.

Overcoming obstacles

Facing challenges is a part and parcel of life. A wise person once said I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination. I believe that, if you have the will to achieve your dreams, the universe will always guide you. Overcoming challenges in my entrepreneurial journey has transformed me into a strong person. Being an engineer, I somewhere knew that I had to work twice as hard to understand the marketing and sales part of the product. With my experience and the guidance of my well wishers, I did so!

Recently, when I was working day and night on the mask for the frontline workers, I faced several hurdles. I did falter a bit in the beginning, but later I pulled up my socks to achieve the goals. The mask that I was working on requires more than 30 types of inventories and raw materials. We were working around the clock to complete this project. And to procure these supplies during the lockdown was my biggest challenge. Even after gathering all the required permissions from the government, it was a task to get the raw material from the dealers. That’s because they were scared to get out of the house due to the stringent lockdown rules. But there are always a few who are ready to help you regardless of the situation. Some of the dealers helped us with the raw materials. And the prototype was completed.

I have a stronghold over the industrial knowledge. However, the protection aspect of the mask belongs to the pharmacy and medical field. I was sceptical whether I will be able to achieve it. But then, I knew a few doctors who informed me of the pinpoints about the protection aspect of my product. They gave me their full support for which I will be always thankful for. Which again brings me to the point that where there will, there is a way!

"When you work with your whole heart it will surely get noticed. I was on cloud nine when one of the doctor’s operated a patient using the mask that I had formulated"

Hetika with her family, who is her support system

Building relationships

Time and again, my family keep giving me pearls of wisdom which are coupled with real- life experiences that simply revolutionises my life. A family that eats together, stays together. We love our food, and while we enjoy our food, we bond over our experiences. Growing up, I saw my parents creating employment for all. And that has always stayed with me. They have empowered and touched several lives by providing employment. Most of us after completing our graduation become job seekers. I did not want to follow that trend. Rather, I followed the same path of my parents, while chasing my dreams. I made sure that my work becomes a ray of hope for many. In doing so, it provides my life with a purpose. By giving back to society, I see my life coming to a full circle.

Another thing that my parents advised is one should never approach someone with the sole intention of getting help. We live in a world where we need help to sustain. But if you build a healthy work or business relationship, there will be plenty who will stand by you when in need. Keep in mind, relationships are not built overnight, it is a work of art. Approach people to know them better. It is a give and take relationship. In the business world, if you expect help, you need to be there for others as well.

Talk of the town

When you work with your whole heart it will surely get noticed. I was on cloud nine when one of the doctor’s operated a patient using the mask that I had formulated. All I know is, your hard work will always bear sweet fruits of success. And getting recognised is like a cherry on top. Recently, the Indian Premier League team of Bengaluru appreciated my work in the field of innovation by donning a t-shirt with my name on it. It felt amazing. I have realised that money is not everything and if you feel or believe something with all your heart, you feel or believe it very strongly. And I let my work do all the talking.

"With so much work around me, I prefer to keep myself fit just for the mere fact that it helps me lead a disciplined life"

Paint the town red

The important thing in life is to have a dream and the will to achieve it. Some have amazing business ideas but the means to achieve them are bleak. Such people should look are for policies or schemes that can aid their project. It makes for a great impression when you support your work with market research. I will have you know that establishing your theoretical knowledge with real-life experiences will take you a long way. It provides you with a clear picture.

An internship provides one with a great experience and its exposure grooms them for the future. Anyone can take up an internship and see that life will be changed in no time. It also allows you to know more about your preferences and helps you network.

Having a goal gives your life a purpose. Decide your goals. Jot down on a paper where do you want to see yourself in the future. Identification of the goals makes things easy. Make sure that your goals are time-bound. Target on the short terms goals. Take every situation as an opportunity and convert your hard work into success. And in all this, prioritisation is the key.

Just remember, age is just a number. You can start a business or start exploring at any age. The only thing that matters is your hunger to achieve anything in life. Go, get your dreams, paint the town red with your experience.

Enabling stability

The never-ending work, long meetings, and juggling between studies and business takes a toll on me. And the only way to do great at work is to love what you are doing. When I am at the factory formulated products or devising a plan to overcome an obstacle, I feel I attain solace. And when I am not working, I love to do things that puts a smile on my face and makes me ready for the next day. Since the past seven years, I have been learning Bharatanatyam. It is one thing that helps me in being poised and calm. I make it a point to practice it regularly.

With so much work around me, I prefer to keep myself fit just for the mere fact that it helps me lead a disciplined life. No matter how busy my schedule is, I always find time in the day to work out in the gym. And the long drives in the night with my family just clears my mind and motivates me to look forward in life.