Offbeat: Aditi Gandhi - A dancer at heart, choreographing business success

Aditi Gandhi, Business Director, ColourCraft Studio (CCS), had always harbored entrepreneurial ambitions, which would grant her more leadership challenges and put her consulting experience to the test in a high-risk, high-reward environment. When she heard about Ankit Jain dabbling in creative writing and design, she immediately pitched the idea of starting an agency together, as she felt that her people skills and business mindset would perfectly complement Jain’s creative vision.

Instead of focussing on bagging big clients, Gandhi chose to cement relationships with sustainable businesses that had a unique vision for their brand and the leadership to follow through on it. This has allowed the creative arm of the agency to flourish and produce a portfolio of unique and differentiated work in a very short time span. She coined the term “Client Experience Management”, which summarises her philosophy of business development and client servicing through personalisation and partnership.

Besides CCS, Gandhi is deeply passionate about dance, which she pursues even today. She has been training in and performing salsa and jazz funk for almost a decade now. She also spends her time – when not shuttling between Bangalore and Mumbai for work – going for treks, attending music festivals, or any activity that allows her to meet new and interesting people.

A precious childhood trait that you still possess?

My sense of curiosity.

Ever wished you had superhero powers?

Surprisingly not! I’m quite invincible as is ☺

What is your biggest fear and how do you face it?

Missing the woods for the trees. I try to combat this by surrounding myself with intelligent and evolved people, who lend perspective when I may be losing mine.

A secret that you have which no one knows about?

I’m a fabulous bathroom singer ☺

What would one find in your playlist?

A plethora of different genres. Some artists include: Dave Brubeck + ALT J + La La Land + Louis Armstrong.

Your go-to activity to relax?

Dancing and or running.

What is the greatest lesson that you have learnt from life so far?

Being mindful and empathetic.

A social cause that you are most passionate about?

The fight against sexual abuse.

What’s the one thing you would like to change about yourself?

My deep love for sleep! Don’t have enough hours in the day!

If not in your current position, what would you have been?

A jazz dancer.

What are the three apps on your mobile that you couldn’t live without?

Google Maps (very directionally challenged).

Reminders (they silence my OCD).

Apple Music (biggest consumer of music).

Any content/ film or book you saw or read recently and why?

‘The Founder’ – it’s a film about how McDonalds became one of the most innovative and successful fast food chains globally. Very inspirational!

Two things about this industry you don’t like or don’t understand?

Long hours.

Lack of planning.

Both are intertwined. With the right kind of planning and prioritisation, one need not have long hours.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you live?

Amsterdam. The perfect combination of a small town and a bustling city.