The fine art of running a family business

Manasi Kirloskar, scion of the Kirloskar family, is a newbie learning the ropes of her family business while finding a niche to nurture her dreams. As Executive Director of Kirloskar Systems, she looks at large business investments and creation of new verticals.

The 27-year-old Manasi, daughter of Kirloskar Systems Chairman Vikram Kirloskar, joined her family business soon after graduating from Boston’s Rhode Island School of Design.

She handled the interiors at the Kirloskars’ first greenfield hospital project.

“Many thought my painting degree would be of no use when it came to running a business. But I would say it makes me a better businesswoman,” observed Manasi. Her art courses taught her to think without restrictions and pay greater attention to detail, she added.

“My imagination helps me innovate processes and systems, and keep up with the changing trends.”

Manasi is particular about preparation, wary as she is of people taking her for a ride. “So I do my homework thoroughly. This is one other thing I learnt from painting. During classes, we were always expected to be prepared,” she said.

During her first project, to compensate for her lack of technical knowledge, she spent time learning about construction, studying different types of construction materials. “I was on the field every day, monitoring what they were doing. I was like a self-proclaimed site supervisor,” she quipped.

As the sole heir, Manasi has much on her hands. “I grew up knowing what my responsibilities are. I do not want to detach myself from the family business. There is an emotional attachment to the company and I want to see it grow,” she said.

“But I also have my own interests and dreams. I try to balance both. I have different interests and that is my strength. I use them to diversify the business,” she added.

Manasi now heads two verticals — real estate and healthcare. Her first residential project in Bengaluru has been completed and she is now looking at developing office space there. On the healthcare side, the company is in the business of selling and servicing medical equipments for hospitals.

“We have signed a contract with three States — Rajasthan, Kerala and Punjab — for servicing and maintaining medical equipment in government hospitals,” she said.

Rural healthcare is another focus area. “Rural healthcare is something I care deeply about. Most villages do not even have access to basic medications like pain killers. My mission is to create accessibility,” she said.

Manasi is also working on ‘smart’ pharmacies — medicine vending machines that people can access through a government issued identity card like Aadhar. “I’m planning a similar project for distribution of sanitary wear,” she said.

Manasi also holds a deep sea diving licence and is a regular mountaineer.

As a social entrepreneur her interest lies in helping the less privileged through art. She has created a not-for-profit trust, Caring with Colours, for children aged 5-14.

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