BE YOUR OWN BOSS: LESSONS FROM AN ALUMNI ENTREPRENEUR

Date: 03.02.2026

Time: 10.30 am to 12.30 pm

Venue: Block V, Gallery Hall 1

Event Mode: Offline

Organizing Secretary

Dr.T.V. Ambuli, Head Department of Commerce,

Convenor

Mrs. U. Karthigai Selvi, Assistant Professor

Dr. K. Sushmitha, Assistant Professor

Profile of the Speaker

Ms. Swetha K, Batch:2015-2018

Operation Head/Senior Manager, Devi Industries

Ms. Swetha K is an accomplished industry professional and a proud alumna of SRM Institute of Science and Technology (Ramapuram), Batch 2015–2018. She is currently serving as the Operations Head / Senior Manager at Devi Industries, where she plays a pivotal role in managing organizational operations and driving business efficiency. With strong experience in operations management, process optimization, and team leadership, Ms. Swetha K actively oversees day-to-day business activities while ensuring smooth coordination across departments. Her professional responsibilities include planning and implementing operational strategies, improving productivity, maintaining quality standards, and supporting organizational growth through effective decision-making. Known for her leadership abilities, organizational skills, and result-oriented approach, she bridges strategic planning with practical execution. Her career journey reflects dedication, adaptability, and continuous learning, making her an inspiring role model for students aspiring to build successful careers in the corporate and industrial sectors.

Objective of the Event

The objective of this event, titled “Be Your Own Boss: Lessons from an Alumni Entrepreneur,” was to inspire students to explore entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding career option by learning from real-life entrepreneurial experiences. The session aimed to provide insights into the entrepreneurial journey, including idea generation, business planning, risk management, innovation, and resilience required to build and sustain a successful enterprise. An alumni entrepreneur was invited to share practical experiences, challenges faced, lessons learned, and strategies adopted in establishing and growing a business.The event also sought to encourage students to develop an entrepreneurial mindset by fostering creativity, leadership, problem-solving, and decision-making skills. By connecting academic knowledge with real-world entrepreneurial practices, the session aimed to motivate students to think independently, embrace self-employment opportunities, and view entrepreneurship as a powerful tool for personal growth, job creation, and sustainable economic development.

Summary of the Event

Mrs. U. Karthigai Selvi, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce welcomed the gathering. Dr. K. Sushmitha, Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce, Introduced the guest to the students. In her speech she warmly greeted the gathering and extended a heartfelt welcome to the guest, Ms. Swetha K. She expressed her appreciation to Ms. Swetha K for accepting the invitation to share her valuable insights among the student.

Session Report

The session on “Be Your Own Boss: Lessons from an Alumni Entrepreneur” was conducted offline for UG students and was led by an accomplished alumni entrepreneur, who has successfully established and managed a venture in a competitive business environment. The session aimed to motivate students to explore entrepreneurship as a viable and rewarding career option by sharing real-life experiences, challenges, and success stories from the entrepreneurial journey.

Drawing from personal experiences, the resource person provided practical insights into the process of starting a business, identifying opportunities, managing risks, and sustaining growth. The session emphasized that entrepreneurship is not merely about profit generation but also about innovation, resilience, leadership, and creating value for society. The interaction effectively connected theoretical knowledge with real-world entrepreneurial practices, offering students a realistic perspective on being self-employed and self-reliant.

Key Highlights of the Session

• Understanding Entrepreneurship and Self-Employment – The speaker explained the concept of entrepreneurship and highlighted the importance of self-belief, passion, and vision in becoming one’s own boss. Students were encouraged to think creatively and identify problems that could be transformed into business opportunities.
• Journey of an Alumni Entrepreneur – The resource person shared their entrepreneurial journey, including initial struggles, failures, learning experiences, and milestones achieved. This personal narrative inspired students by demonstrating that persistence and adaptability are key to entrepreneurial success.
• Skills and Mindset Required for Entrepreneurs – The session emphasized essential entrepreneurial skills such as decision-making, leadership, financial management, communication, and risk-taking. The importance of a growth mindset and continuous learning was strongly highlighted.
• Challenges and Risk Management – Real-world challenges such as funding issues, competition, market uncertainties, and work-life balance were discussed. The speaker explained practical strategies to overcome obstacles and manage risks effectively.
• Opportunities and Support Systems – The role of government schemes, incubation centers, mentorship, and networking in supporting startups was briefly discussed, encouraging students to leverage available resources.
• Interactive Discussion and Career Guidance – The session concluded with an interactive discussion where students raised questions related to startup ideas, funding options, entrepreneurial failures, and career planning. The speaker provided valuable guidance and encouragement to aspiring entrepreneurs.

The session was highly motivating and insightful, enabling students to gain a deeper understanding of entrepreneurship as a dynamic and empowering career path. By sharing authentic experiences and practical knowledge, the event successfully inspired students to think independently, develop an entrepreneurial mindset, and consider innovation-driven careers as future business leaders.

Vote of Thanks

The coordinators expressed their sincere gratitude to Ms. Swetha K. for delivering an inspiring and insightful session on “Be Your Own Boss: Lessons from an Alumni Entrepreneur.” Her valuable sharing of real-life entrepreneurial experiences, practical business insights, and lessons learned from her professional journey provided students with a clear and realistic understanding of entrepreneurship as a career option. The session significantly enriched the students’ learning experience by exposing them to the challenges, opportunities, and mindset required to become successful entrepreneurs. Ms. Swetha K.’s motivating approach and practical guidance encouraged students to think independently, develop self-confidence, and explore innovation-driven career paths. The coordinators also extended their heartfelt thanks to the faculty members, organizers, and students for their enthusiastic participation and cooperation, which contributed to the smooth conduct and success of the event. The session is expected to leave a lasting impact on students, inspiring them to embrace entrepreneurial thinking and consider self-employment as a meaningful and rewarding professional journey.