Supriya Shirsat Satam is deeply passionate about art and environment. In fact, the founder and creative director of FOReT – a Mumbai-based sustainable fashion brand that promotes eco-friendly and vegan products – left her cushy job to live dream. Ms Satam, an electronics and telecom engineer with an MBA in marketing, was doing quite well as the head of mobile commerce in a leading airline. But her desire to make a positive impact on the environment led her to leave her corporate job and start her entrepreneurial venture, FOReT. By empowering rural artisans and promoting local crafts, Ms Satam has transformed FOReT into a successful plant-based fashion brand. Sharmila Chand meets up with the creative director of FOReT to get to know the person behind the sustainable fashion brand.

How do you define yourself?        

A creative person, dreamer and thinker

What is your philosophy of life?
We all live this life only once. So, make the most of it, and live it with a purpose.

What is your passion in life?

Art is the driving force in my life.

What is your management mantra? 

Work smart, and be guided by continuous improvement.

What is your work philosophy?     

Having steadfast commitment to my work, coupled with a belief in the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance

A business leader you admire the most…
 Steve Jobs for his visionary approach to business

Your source of inspiration…
Whether it’s the thoughts I consume from books or the exchanges I have with my loved ones, I am constantly in a dialogue seeking sources of creativity.

You are a ‘tough’, serious boss or…
 Approachable, but tough when needed

What do you enjoy the most in life, generally?

Spending time with family, travelling to new places and exploring local culture and cuisines

How do you de-stress?
By spending time with my little one and engaging in activities like painting, paper-craft or cooking up something exotic in the kitchen                                                          

What is your fitness regime?
Yoga, a well-balanced food and emotional well-being

Your mantra for success…
Be passionate, but take calculated risks.

Ten years from now, where do we see you?                                                     

I would have been able to build a platform to lead and develop more initiatives that take care of our environmental issues.