Tanya Khanna was always enamoured with designs. She finally turned her obsession into her vocation in 2011 by setting up Epistle. The New Delhi-headquartered company claims to be the first and largest communication consultancy for architects and designers in South Asia. Ms Khanna, who began her career as an architectural journalist in 2004, also had a stint in the United Kingdom. With Epistle, Ms Khanna has been bridging the gap that exists between design, practice and business. In a lively engagement with Sharmila Chand, Ms Khanna provides an insight into her personal life.

How do you define yourself?
I am an honest individual who is very passionate about what I do.

What is your philosophy of life?

Give your personal best in everything that you do, but don’t take things personally.

What is your passion in life?

My work is my biggest passion.

What is your management mantra?

Hard work and honesty go a long way. Never stop learning. Be replaceable, and train and mentor.

What is your work philosophy?

We approach work from the perspective of value. How can we genuinely help our clients?

A business leader you admire the most…  
All my ex-bosses and mentors have led a path in a way that I admire a lot.

You are a tough, serious boss or...

I detest the words ‘boss’ or ‘employee’. I am a co-worker who works and learns from the team every day.

Your source of inspiration…

I find inspiration in my team every single day.
I also find inspiration everywhere – family, friends, mentors, successful people all over the world and life in general. That includes my own children.

What do you enjoy the most in life, generally?

Travel 

How do you de-stress?

By catch up on sleep, reading, cooking and music

What is your fitness regime?

I go for a walk or a run as often as I can. My constant challenge is to do more in terms of my fitness routine.

Your mantra for success…

Be content, professionally and personally.

Ten years from now, where do we see you?

Hopefully, still thriving with Epistle