“I am from an arts background and was preparing for government exams, so I had to take certain classes to understand the mechanics and techniques. My learning journey is still continuing”, shares Vibhavari. She once spent 13 hours a day preparing for government exams, deeply immersed in her studies with an arts background. But life had different plans. Stepping into the manufacturing world was a challenge—an industry far from her comfort zone. Yet, with relentless determination, she put in the extra effort to learn, adapt, and lead. Even after seven years, she embraces every challenge as a lesson, proving that true success lies in the courage to evolve, the passion to keep learning, and the resilience to turn the unfamiliar into expertise.
Second generation entrepreneur Vibhavari’s world revolved around books, notes, and long hours of preparation for government exams. The Thane based company was established by Shriram Balkrishna Kale, father of Vibhavari in the year 1983. With an education background in Arts, she had aimed for a future of service, dedicating herself to a stable career in the public sector. She recalls the journey, saying “It is exactly 13 hours a day you have to study for government exams. It’s a complete contrast actually and the thinking is also completely contrasting because there you are like you want to do service, you want to serve and here you are there to earn money in the private field”. But fate had other plans. When circumstances shifted in 2017, she found herself standing at a crossroads—her aspirations for government service on one side and her family’s manufacturing business on the other.
Taking a year off for reflection, in 2018, she stepped into her father’s business, Shriram Balkrishna Engineering Work. The transition wasn’t easy—she was entering an industry where she had no prior knowledge, no technical expertise, and no experience managing a business, she says, “I was just focusing on government. I didn’t keep anything as backup and the backup was this family business. So, it was just that let us join this and let us see how I can help my father at that time”. Yet, she carried with her a simple yet powerful resolve, to help her father and see if she could make a difference.
From day one, every interaction, every transaction, and every challenge became a learning opportunity. Her father, her first mentor, patiently walked her through the intricacies of manufacturing—from understanding raw materials to negotiating with clients, from calculating rates to handling production workflows. Each day was like a ‘tuition’, except the lessons were unpredictable, the stakes were high, and the tests were real-world business decisions. She also had to take certain classes for marketing, online marketing. and had some challenges in technical things. “So, every time it’s learning and till today, I would say it’s a learning process only, even till today. But I have understood a lot. I have learned a lot, and I apply whatever I have learned. I apply wherever possible”.
As a woman in a predominantly male-driven industry, she encountered doubts. Some clients questioned if a woman could run the business efficiently, while others subtly asked if there aren’t any male members involved in the operations. But instead of being discouraged, she let her work do the talking. She built trust step by step, proving that dedication and knowledge hold more power than mere assumptions.
One of her biggest achievements was expanding the company’s reach into North India—an area that was previously a challenge to penetrate. According to her it was easy to expand the business in the southern part of India as compared to the northern side with perseverance, she successfully established a foothold in regions like Delhi, Noida, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh. Growing the business while maintaining quality and client satisfaction became her proudest accomplishment.
Attending manufacturing exhibitions like Mahatech and others, she noticed a stark reality—the presence of women in the industry was very minimal. It wasn’t just about running a business anymore. She firmly believes that success here requires patience, ethical practices, and an unwavering belief in oneself.
Today, Vibhavari stands tall as a woman who defied expectations, embraced the unknown, and turned challenges into opportunities. She attributes a part of her success to initiatives like Make in India initiated by Narendra Modi, which have empowered entrepreneurs like her. But for her, success isn’t just about business growth—it’s about breaking stereotypes and creating a space for more women in manufacturing.
Her journey is proof that even the most unexpected paths can lead to fulfilling destinations. It’s not about where you begin; it’s about the courage to take the first step and the perseverance to keep going.
