Rukmini Banerji : Leading An Inspiring Journey From Lawyer To An Entrepreneur
Rukmini Banerji
Founder
In this interview, Rukmini shares insights into her wonderful career journey and tips to succeed in the competitive market.
Can you share a brief overview of your career journey?
The journey began at the age of 18, when I left home to pursue a law degree at Symbiosis Law College, Pune. After completing my graduation, I returned to Calcutta to practice law for a year and a half before heading to UCL for further studies. Upon returning to India, I worked at some of the most reputed law firms in Bombay, balancing a demanding career until the birth of my child.
Becoming a mother brought a new perspective to my life. I realized the market lacked 100 percent clean and healthy snack options for children. This inspired me to create The Growing Giraffe, a brand dedicated to providing snacks made entirely from clean ingredients. Starting in 2018 as a homegrown initiative, the brand underwent significant R&D and transformation during the COVID period, officially relaunching in December 2020.
My motivation stems from the belief that everyone, especially children, deserves access to nutritious, clean label snacks, and this drives my commitment to making a difference in the food industry.
How has your experience at University College London (UCL) shaped your profes
sional journey and personal growth?
My time at University College London (UCL) was transformative in many ways. Living away from home in a different country taught me independence and resilience, as I had to adapt to a new culture and coexist with people from diverse back grounds. This international exposure not only broadened my perspective but also instilled in me the confidence to dream big and pursue unconventional paths.
The skills I gained, both inside and outside the classroom, have been invaluable. The exposure I received at UCL taught me to think outside the box and approach problems with a global mindset, which has directly influenced my ability to innovate in my current role. While studying law was the foundation, it was the environment and experiences at UCL that made me believe I could achieve some thing unique and meaningful.
Additionally, the accessibility of UCL's faculty greatly enriched my learning. Professors, many of whom were esteemed professionals from reputed law firms, brought a practical and engaging approach to teaching. They encouraged open communication, readily responding to queries through emails or calls. This level of support and their practical teaching methods were unlike anything I had experienced before, making the learning environment truly exceptional.
My journey at UCL not only prepared me for the challenges of the professional world but also shaped me into a more confident and globally-minded individual.
Can you share your leadership approach and the principles you follow to effectively guide your team?
As a leader, the first and foremost principle is to approach leadership with humanity. It’s crucial to understand where your team members are coming from and what challenges they may be facing. Empathy and awareness are key to building a cohesive team.
A leader doesn’t need to personally connect with every team member on a deep level, but it’s essential to work collaboratively with everyone, regardless of differences. Recognizing and leveraging each individual’s strengths, while being mindful of their limitations, fosters a positive and productive environment. The focus should
My time at University College London (UCL) was transformative in many ways. Living away from home in a different country taught me independence and resilience, as I had to adapt to a new culture and coexist with people from diverse back grounds. This international exposure not only broadened my perspective but also instilled in me the confidence to dream big and pursue unconventional paths.
My journey at UCL not only prepared me for the challenges of the professional world but also shaped me into a more confident and globally-minded indi- vidual
The skills I gained, both inside and outside the classroom, have been invaluable. The exposure I received at UCL taught me to think outside the box and approach problems with a global mindset, which has directly influenced my ability to innovate in my current role. While studying law was the foundation, it was the environment and experiences at UCL that made me believe I could achieve some thing unique and meaningful.
Additionally, the accessibility of UCL's faculty greatly enriched my learning. Professors, many of whom were esteemed professionals from reputed law firms, brought a practical and engaging approach to teaching. They encouraged open communication, readily responding to queries through emails or calls. This level of support and their practical teaching methods were unlike anything I had experienced before, making the learning environment truly exceptional.
My journey at UCL not only prepared me for the challenges of the professional world but also shaped me into a more confident and globally-minded individual.
Can you share your leadership approach and the principles you follow to effectively guide your team?
As a leader, the first and foremost principle is to approach leadership with humanity. It’s crucial to understand where your team members are coming from and what challenges they may be facing. Empathy and awareness are key to building a cohesive team.
A leader doesn’t need to personally connect with every team member on a deep level, but it’s essential to work collaboratively with everyone, regardless of differences. Recognizing and leveraging each individual’s strengths, while being mindful of their limitations, fosters a positive and productive environment. The focus should
always be on bringing out the best in people and helping the team succeed collectively.
What have been the major challenges in your professional journey, and what is your success mantra for overcoming them?
My success mantra is simple yet profound, which is 'resilience'. Life and work come with inevitable ups and downs, but the key is to stay determined and keep moving forward, especially during challenging times. Giving up is not an option when setbacks arise.
As for challenges, transitioning from law to the food industry was a significant hurdle. Coming from a completely different field, I had to learn everything from scratch about the food business. The steep learning curve was compounded by a lack of funds, which was one of the most pressing challenges.
When I started my brand, I had just three lakh rupees, and to sustain and grow the business, I had to continue working as a lawyer until April of this year to provide the necessary financial support. My legal background and professional experience were instrumental in helping me fund the business while navigating this unfamiliar industry. Overcoming these challenges has taught me the value of persistence, adaptability, and leveraging existing strengths to achieve new goals.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for your brand over the next five years?
In the near future, we are set to secure funding from a venture capital firm, which will be a significant milestone for our growth. With this funding, our primary focus will be on expanding our marketing efforts, diversifying our product range, and building a robust nationwide distribution network.
Over the next five years, we aim to scale our operations significantly. This includes onboarding more talent, particularly leaders who can drive key areas like distribution, marketing, and product development. Our ultimate vision is to establish our brand as a leader in the market, recognized for its quality and innovation.
Rukmini Banerji, Founder, The Growing Giraffe
Rukmini Banerjee is a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of The Growing Giraffe, a brand offering 100 percent clean-ingredient snacks. A graduate of Symbiosis Law College and University College London, she combines resilience and innovation to bridge gaps in the food industry, driven by her passion for providing healthy, nutritious options for families.
What have been the major challenges in your professional journey, and what is your success mantra for overcoming them?
My success mantra is simple yet profound, which is 'resilience'. Life and work come with inevitable ups and downs, but the key is to stay determined and keep moving forward, especially during challenging times. Giving up is not an option when setbacks arise.
As for challenges, transitioning from law to the food industry was a significant hurdle. Coming from a completely different field, I had to learn everything from scratch about the food business. The steep learning curve was compounded by a lack of funds, which was one of the most pressing challenges.
When I started my brand, I had just three lakh rupees, and to sustain and grow the business, I had to continue working as a lawyer until April of this year to provide the necessary financial support. My legal background and professional experience were instrumental in helping me fund the business while navigating this unfamiliar industry. Overcoming these challenges has taught me the value of persistence, adaptability, and leveraging existing strengths to achieve new goals.
What is the future roadmap you have envisioned for your brand over the next five years?
In the near future, we are set to secure funding from a venture capital firm, which will be a significant milestone for our growth. With this funding, our primary focus will be on expanding our marketing efforts, diversifying our product range, and building a robust nationwide distribution network.
Over the next five years, we aim to scale our operations significantly. This includes onboarding more talent, particularly leaders who can drive key areas like distribution, marketing, and product development. Our ultimate vision is to establish our brand as a leader in the market, recognized for its quality and innovation.
Rukmini Banerji, Founder, The Growing Giraffe
Rukmini Banerjee is a lawyer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of The Growing Giraffe, a brand offering 100 percent clean-ingredient snacks. A graduate of Symbiosis Law College and University College London, she combines resilience and innovation to bridge gaps in the food industry, driven by her passion for providing healthy, nutritious options for families.