Candids With Ms Alka Ladhani, Founder Of Soon-To-Be Launched Hard Rock Cafe Delhi
Alka Ladhani has always been fortunate when it came to running her businesses with a free hand. Having grown up watching her father run his own business and then getting married into a business family meant she was naturally drawn towards entrepreneurship. And, there was never any drag of home and hearth for her in her business journey. Thats why she could become the sort of mother who would pack her child’s tiffin to school every morning. And, still be on time for every official meeting. She did ease up on her career to be with kids. But soon made her way back to the board room with panache. Excerpts from a candid chat with Ms Ladhani, ED, Taj Hotel & Convention Centre, Agra, spousal chair, EO Noida and founder of soon-to-be launched Hard Rock Cafe Delhi:
1) Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey?
I have always been lucky with my easy entry into my father’s business and then my husband’s. In both the families business was never seen as a male bastion. After marriage, I joined HR department at my husband’s family business of Coca Cola bottling and later moved to his hotel business -Taj Hotel & Convention Centre Agra- where I handled F&B. Thats where I found my calling and decided to pursue my interest in the dynamic Food and Beverage industry.
2) From where do you draw inspiration for dining concepts and food for the hotel?
I draw inspiration from my travels. I keenly observe food plating, ambience and décor of restaurants that I visit. All the concepts that I develop are after thorough discussion with our chefs, General Manager and F&B managers. I discuss ideas that I pick up from my travels in India and abroad with the team and implement once we all are on the same page. I think I am blessed with a great palette and an evolved culinary sense as I grew up watching my mother cook and present restaurant-style meals, even though back then she didn’t have access to YouTube videos or fancy cookbooks. I think it is the in the lineage.
3) Tell us about your upcoming venture- Hard Rock Cafe?
HRC a dream venture for me and credit goes to my husband for handing me that to helm . I have been toying with the idea of opening a restaurant in Delhi for quite some time. However I have been a little skeptical as most outlets do well initially and then the hype fades away. Then covid waves also dampened the spirits of restauranteurs taking a colossal toll on their revenues. Both my husband and I have been avid rock music lovers since childhood. So when the opportunity to open a Hard Rock Cafe in Delhi came up, we lapped it up. I am excited that we are opening HRC in the heart of Delhi — Connaught Place. Its a great location and of course American food goes so well with rock music. I am really looking forward to the opening.
4) As spousal chair of newly launched EO Noida, what is your role and responsibility?
It is a great feeling to be the Spousal chair of a young and vibrant chapter like EO Noida . Besides basic functional responsibilities, my role as Charter Spousal Chair is to bring value to all the spouses as EO is as much a spousal platform as it is for members. I am sure for all the members it will be about lots of learning, bonding and of course fun.
5) How do you maintain work-life balance, considering both being an entrepreneur and a mother can be taxing?
While it is important to maintain a balance, work-life balance can also be overrated. I am lucky to have a partner, who along with being a successful entrepreneur also is an equally responsible parent. I have never felt like I am the only one responsible for bringing up children. Just like he maintains a balance, I also try and do both— dispensing my mom duties and working towards my entrepreneurial goals. The key is to set your priorities right.
6) Has the pandemic changed your outlook towards life and career?
Definitely, I feel pandemic has been a learning experience. It has taught us how fragile life is and that one should be grateful for all that we have. There were many plans that remained on the drawing board for nearly 15 months.
Career-wise, now that there is an economic upsurge and businesses are crawling back to normalcy, I plan not to let go off any opportunity.
7) What message would you like to give to women who are straddling both the challenging worlds of entrepreneurship and motherhood?
The key is to delegate responsibilities. Never shy away from asking for help from your spouse or friends or parents. If you are both an entrepreneur and a mother, never let the guilt creep in.
