Kanchan Singh Satpathy
Parallel Entrepreneur I Power networker Director: M. Design India P.Ltd. Founder Director: Reciprocity P. Ltd
Q1. What inspired you to begin your entrepreneurial journey?
I come from a service background, my father was an Army officer and also the first entrepreneur in his family. Watching him take the risk of stepping into entrepreneurship, navigating uncertainty, and eventually building a life of purpose and self- made progress left a deep impression on me. It shaped my belief early on that entrepreneurship is not just about business it is about courage, ownership, and accountability. After becoming an architect, it was important for me to strike a balance between being a strong professional and developing an entrepreneurial mindset. One principle that has always guided me is that values, ethics, and integrity are non-negotiable. They define who we are and build the credibility that sustains us over time. Along with this, consistency showing up every day with commitment has been central to my journey.
Q2. What was the biggest challenge you faced in the early days, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges has been working as a woman architect in a male-dominated real estate ecosystem, where women are often not seen as primary decision-makers. Many times, women are expected to support decisions rather than lead them. I overcame this not through resistance, but through persistence by being consistent, professional, delivering value, and holding firmly to my integrity. Over time, credibility replaces bias, and your work begins to speak louder than perceptions.
Q3. As a woman entrepreneur, what unique strengths do you bring to leadership?
Empathy, intuition, and the ability to see the larger picture are strengths women naturally bring to leadership. As an architect and also as a homemaker, I believe women approach work with a deeper understanding of functionality and lived experience. For me, design is not only about aesthetics; it is about how a space works, how it adds value to everyday life, and how sustainable it is to maintain over time. This sensitivity carries into leadership as well creating solutions that are practical, inclusive, and human-centric.
Q4. Have you ever doubted yourself? What helped you move forward?
Self-doubt is inevitable for anyone in a decision-making role, and it surfaces at every stage of growth. What I have learned is that not every decision will be right, and not every decision will be wrong but every decision will teach you something. What helped me move forward has been the faith my people my family and my team have placed in me. Knowing that they trust my intent and judgment, and that they would stand by me regardless of outcomes, gave me the conviction to keep moving
forward.
Q5. How do you balance ambition with personal life and well- being?
I do not believe there is a perfect balance it is more about conscious prioritisation. There are phases when ambition and goals demand more, and phases when personal life and well- being must take precedence. With experience and age, I have realised that personal well- being is not separate from ambition, it is essential to sustaining
it. Without health and emotional stability, long-term aspirations & ambitions cannot truly be fulfilled.
Q6. What does “Give to Gain” mean to you in your professional journey?
To me, Give to Gain means giving freely time, knowledge, experience, empathy, trust without expecting it back from the same source or measuring immediate returns.
This philosophy is deeply embedded in Reciprocity, a passion project that has shaped me profoundly. Reciprocity brings together my professional experience as an architect, my personal learnings, and my belief that giving first whether it is respect, opportunity, or belief is the only sustainable way forward.
Q7. What is one mistake that taught you a powerful lesson?
There have been many, but a few stand out blindly trusting people, taking on more responsibility than necessary, and believing that I needed to do everything myself to ensure quality. Learning to delegate was a turning point. Doing everything yourself may feel efficient, but it is neither scalable nor strategically sound. True leadership lies in empowering others.
Q8. How do you build and sustain a strong, supportive team?
It begins with identifying the right people and being clear about expectations. Fairness, transparency, and trust are essential. I empower my team to make decisions and reassure them that I will stand by them. Beyond roles, I invest time in understanding people as individuals. Mutual respect, accountability, and genuine human connection form the foundation of any strong team.
Q9. What advice would you give to young women aspiring to start their own venture?
Start before you feel ready because you never truly will be. You will learn far more by doing than by waiting for perfection. Stay ethical, hold your integrity close, ask for help when needed, and remember it is better to get meaningful work done than to wait endlessly for it to be flawless.
Q10. In one sentence, how would you define success?
Success is the ability to build meaningful work, strong relationships, and inner clarity without compromising your values or who you are. Success to me is the feeling of having made a difference. It is not an event or a goal but a journey lived true to yourself and your being.