We don't know too many people who don't lose all hope when they get hit with the C-word. Kanika was diagnosed with cancer when she was 22, what's amazing about her is not that she beat it, but that she did so in a year only with even more vigor to resume starting up JetSetGo, an online private jet concierge service.
After launching in 2013, JetSetGo claims to have the largest private jet fleet in India. It's all about increasing transparency of how to charter an aircraft for private use and also bringing back luxury and class to the flight experience. Kanika and JetSetGo shells out airport escorts, ground staff and trained cabin crew to make sure their clients feel oh so VIP.
Most of the Kanika's clientele has a net worth of at least 10 million dollars. A private jet for a birthday party start can be anything north of Rs 60,000 an hour to Rs 2.5 lakh per hour, depending on the aircraft.
Another famous example is the seven course meal set for a romantic date aboard a jet. The ostrich eggs, crabmeat risotto, parma ham, pâté and the entire experience was for a cool Rs 5.5 lakh.
Kanika and JetSetGo are jetsetters all the way. Their investors include Yuvraj Singh, Puneet Dalmia and advisors like one of Singapore's richest, Karan Singh Thakral, executive director of the multi-billion dollar Thakral Group.
The JetSetGo profile for Kanika says she, "A fighter all the way, she claims to have jet fuel running through her veins while breathing and eating planes."
It's not only that Ms. Tekriwal can woo influential investors it's also that Ms. Tekriwal had enough sense to create a business in a domain she has over a decade of experience and knowledge in and above all had a passion to for.
It started as a child, when Kanika grew up wanting to be a pilot. Coincidentally there was even an emergency landing helipad on the roof of her home in Bhopal.
And as a young woman, she served as assistant vice president at Indiabulls - Airmid Aviation Services Pvt Ltd.
In 2009, she left to follow her MBA at Coventry University in UK, and there she worked at Aerospace Resources, a UK aviation consultancy firm.
If all of this makes it looks like Kanika's job is such a breeze, then let's change veins. It isn't all easy. Not only is aviation a capital intensive industry but roping in those rich clients is not a walk in the park. It takes courage and enough grit to sleep through business-dry days.
As Kanika has been quoted as saying, "Today, when I am unable to sell a plane after investing 6 months of time and considerable resources in a customer - just because the economy is not doing well and he's had a change of mind - I don't give in. I don't get demotivated; I look for more customers. I look for solutions to make these planes cheaper for my customers, and I go to sleep thinking very soon I am going to be on the list of 100 most powerful women in the world."
Her indomitable spirit marks her as leader for all times rain or shine and much of JetSetGo's success will be because of Kanika. In a tribute to their lady founder supreme, the JetSetGo team says on its website, "Her determination to never give in will help JetSetGo charter new territory."
BW Reporters
Regina is a reporter for BW Businessworld. In her previous assignments, she has worked with Independent television Network as a news anchor and reporter in Sri Lanka
