Infra.Market

Being nominated for the People Manager’s Award at Infra.Market reflects the resilience, adaptability, and leadership that I have poured into my profession. My career, which began in 2002 as a civil engineer, has always been driven by the belief that fostering a collaborative, growth-oriented workplace is key to success. Born and raised in Bengaluru, I earned my BE in Civil Engineering from VTU University at Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering. With limited job opportunities that coincided with the recession of 2002, I took unpaid work at an interior company before securing a role of Site Engineer, which strengthened my technical foundation. To build a sustainable career, I pursued Construction Management at XIME-Bengaluru, leading to my placement at a reputed multinational conglomerate. There, I had to transition into Ready-Mix Concrete (RMC) sales—an unexpected shift; nevertheless, I took up the challenge. Moving to Delhi, I built client relationships in an unfamiliar market and set up an RMC plant in Faridabad in 2005, managing both sales and operations. The 2008 financial crisis this time around left me jobless, but my expertise in RMC helped me bounce back as Operations Head for a Greenfield steel industry project in a reputed company, where I managed multiple RMC plants in Jharkhand. Returning to Bengaluru, I oversaw franchisee RMC plants that later expanded into AAC blocks, jointing mortar, and other allied products. In 2020, I pursued my dream and co-founded an RMC business, but the pandemic forced its closure soon after. At this turning point, my former mentor, Anil Kulkarni, then leading Infra.Market’s RMC division, brought me on board. Infra.Market stood apart with its rapid growth, vision, and disruptive approach to the industry. Joining in July 2021, my mandate was clear—build a high-performance team and drive expansion. I led the setup of lean start-up RMC plants based on the Build-Measure-Learn cycle, ensuring continuous innovation and scalability. In just three years, we established 20 RMC plants in Bengaluru, achieving a monthly volume of nearly 1 lakh cubic meters. Our success was driven by market intelligence, customer-centric solutions, and operational efficiency. From unpaid work to leading large-scale operations, my journey is defined by adaptability, resilience, and continuous learning. Now, as Regional Head – RMC Sales & Operations, I remain committed to growth. Having completed an MBA in Marketing, I am now pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration. I am deeply grateful to my mentors Anil Kulkarni, Pralhad Mujumdar & @B.N. Reddy, whose guidance has been invaluable. Infra.Market is more than just another milestone; it’s where my vision and expertise align with a larger mission. Success isn’t just about reaching the destination, it’s about embracing every challenge along the way.

Becoming the breadwinner at 18, I took charge of my family's finances when my father lost his source of income. Juggling roles from tutoring to performing in orchestras, I completed graduation. Learning in an educational setting became transformative, delving into performances through experimental theatre and drama. Post-graduation, I joined a leading retailer in customer service. Recognizing the importance of advancement, I pursued a part-time MBA, working during the day and attending night classes. Transitioning to marketing in the retail sector allowed me to enhance my skills in brand communication. Joining a reputable building material brand further expanded my experience. Amidst this, I partnered with an animation studio amid a trend of 2D animation outsourcing. Despite high expectations, it didn't take off as anticipated. Recognizing a scarcity of 2D animation talent, we pivoted to providing courses for skill development. Unfortunately, over time, the business faced a decline as the demand for this skill waned. Navigating career shifts, I entered real estate reshaping conventional approaches with digital marketing expertise. Despite challenges, strategic risks doubled flat sales in six months. However, the COVID-19 shutdown upheaved the sector, leaving me without income. After a two-year hiatus, I re-entered real estate and joined a top brand, contributing to international campaigns in Europe, the Middle East, China, and Brazil. Unfortunately, it shut, and my friend Gopal referred me to Infra.Market. With diverse experience in real estate and construction categories, I became the brand manager for IVAS Bath Fittings & Sanitaryware. Here, I applied my knowledge to excel in every aspect of brand building. Through the constant ups and downs, I knew change is inevitable, and the only constant. I have always believed that like any other profession, marketing is a skill that can only be nourished with consistent practice and passion.