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Digital Guru: Minal Anand, Founder & CEO, GuruQ

Minal Anand has inherited her workaholic trait from her grandfather. At the same time, she draws inspiration from former PepsiCo chief Indra Nooyi’s work-life balance. So, the founder and CEO of GuruQ – an integrated, digital-tutoring platform – works hard and also effortlessly manages to spend time with family and friends and travel to new places. A graduate in business administration from the School of Management of Boston University, Ms Anand has been associated with global corporate houses, like Franklin Templeton and Citigroup. However, glaring difference in education at home and overseas drove her to set up GuruQ and bring about a refreshing change in teaching and learning. In a lively chat with Sharmila Chand, the GuruQ chief provides interesting insights into her professional and personal lives.

How do you define yourself?
I consider myself to be someone who lives and breathes work.

What is your philosophy of life?
Live, and let live.

What is your management mantra?
Empowering people, empowering colleagues and empowering team members so that each person is self-sufficient, accountable and responsible for one’s work

A business leader you admire the most…
Indra Nooyi for her accomplishments at PepsiCo and the way she balances work and life

Your source of inspiration…
My source of inspiration has always been my grandfather. He began our family business, HPL Additives, in a little garage. His dedication to work was unparallelled, going to work directly after his chemotherapy rounds.

You are a tough, serious boss or…
A stern and lenient boss put together

What do you enjoy the most in life?
Besides my work, I enjoy spending time with my friends, family and my dogs. I watch a lot of TV shows. I love travelling and always look forward to going to new places and having a good time.

How do you keep yourself fit?
I work out at least three to four times every week. I practise Yoga, weightlifting and strength training frequently. I enjoy riding horses, cycling, climbing and other outdoor sports.

Your mantra for success…
Hard work – if you put in a lot of effort, you will succeed.

Your dream…
To be a self-made billionaire from India

Ten years from now, where do we see you?
In ten years, I hope to be content, healthy and to have reached the goals I have set for myself.

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