Kavita Pawar
My family has always been my pillar of strength, especially my father, who encouraged me to dream big. Though the plumbing industry was male-dominated, I took a Secretarial role, believing I could grow. After eight years, I asked for a marketing opportunity, only to be laughed at. "You won’t stand a chance. Why leave a comfortable job?" my superior said. It was my father who reminded me of my potential, fueling my belief that women can achieve anything they set their minds to.
Fate intervened when Mr. PRAVEEN TIWARI gave me the opportunity I had been waiting for. He trusted me to build everything from scratch and his belief fed my determination.
I joined the Pipes & Fittings vertical at Infra.Market, eager to learn and prove myself. From day one, I found myself visiting warehouses, taking stock of pipes, and handling tasks that were traditionally reserved for men. The stares and surprised looks I received were hard to ignore as being a woman in such a male-dominated field was rare; I often felt like I didn’t belong. Everything, no matter how unfamiliar, became an opportunity to learn and grow. What also made a difference was the work culture; I found myself surrounded by incredibly supportive colleagues and seniors who were always willing to lend a hand.
My efforts paid off when within the first year, I contributed to double-digit crores in revenue, receiving the Value-Creator Award. While it was a rewarding achievement, it was my family's encouragement that pushed me to aim higher. The turning point came when distributors and vendors began to trust me. My perseverance earned me a promotion as Category Manager, proving the naysayers wrong. Later, when I got nominated for the People Manager Award, I realized how much my team and colleagues placed their trust and admired me.
Reflecting on my journey, I’m proud to have shattered the glass ceiling in this male-dominated industry. The support and mentorship I received at Infra.Market gave me confidence to thrive. It’s clear that when women are provided with the right foundation, there are no limits to what we can achieve. With the right support, we don’t just break barriers, we build new ones, paving the way for others to follow.
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