Interview with Moushumi Pal – Founder of Woodpecker Media, Core Member – WEE
Q: What inspired you to start your own business?
A: Entrepreneurship in itself is a great journey. From my college days, I always took great initiative in organising events and had always dreamt to be an entrepreneur when I grew up. I also had a great natural flair for communication and marketing. After having worked in various multinational companies (MITSUBISHI, WIPRO, IBM, GOLDSHIELD, ICICI BANK etc.) I realised that I was not able to put my skills to full use and I thought it was time to pursue my dream – launch my own media services company. However, that right time came only about four years ago.
Q: What hurdles came across in beginning?
A: It isn’t easy to convert one’s dream into reality if one is afraid to take risks and doesn’t get the right advice. Undoubtedly, my husband has been the wind beneath my wings and Life has been a great teacher for me. I strongly believe that when one is passionate and puts in the best, nothing can stop one from achieving one’s dream.
When I started on my own I got my first clients from my ex-colleagues and my friends. Working in a known circle was quite comfortable and easy but the challenge was to develop the business and create the brand presence in unknown circles. With loads of market research, networking and exposure to various courses, I soon got insight on taking my company to the next level.
One thing I learned in this journey is that gaining varied experiences across the media field is of paramount importance. Marketing communications itself is a huge dynamics. Being in this learning dynamics today I have transformed as an individual, changed the way I look at life and manage people and situations.
Q: What is Your Struggle Story?
A: I think my struggle story is not very different from the typical Indian woman who sets out to make a mark of her own. When I got married I was a working woman. A few years down the line, however, motherhood came calling and I had to quit my job. Very soon, before I knew few years had passed and I had the great urge to get back. I knew I could only take up a part-time job and that’s when I became an educational consultant with Educational Technologies, an MNC. It was very satisfying – although challenging, juggling between being a mother and a working-woman. However, I had to take a break again to devote more time to family. It was then that I took up coaching, counselling, curriculum design with various NGO’s and educational institutes. While in this role I realised that I had great potential in me to be an independent entrepreneur myself – I just had to wait for the right time to make it happen.
I also realised that many talented and highly qualified women often stayed back home since they were unable to strike a work-life balance. I knew that if I could make a successful comeback, I could also do something different and help to create opportunities for other women as well. That’s when I finally decided to launch my own company Woodpecker Media and engage with other women who were willing to work as freelance professionals with my company.
Q: What is your business into?
A: Woodpecker Media is a consulting company catering to conceptualised events, transformational digital marketing strategies and creative brand design. We specialise in new age content marketing and drive presence on key social media platforms. We provide experienced marketing support to help businesses grow through in-depth understanding of the marketplace and foster a good relationship with our clients. We are an end-to-end media services company providing marketing solutions, PR and promotional tie-ups for various events.
We are also a digital media and events partner for the Indian subcontinent to Singapore based company Cherishma Consulting.
Q: How would you like to help your fellow members / or contribute towards society?
A: I am the core member of Women Entrepreneurs Enclave (WEE) since it’s inception which is formed with an objective of Grow Together. I am always willing to help the community and the other women grow by offering my experience and services at any point of time needed to accelerate their business.
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