Devita Saraf’s 9-Word Advice to Young Entrepreneurs

The founder and CEO of Vu Technologies on staying motivated, energised and mindful

Thrive Global India: How did you find purpose in your life and how do you continue to use purpose to stay motivated everyday?

Devita Saraf: I am passionate about leadership, business and gender equality and my business allows me to contribute in all these areas, therefore it is easy to stay motivated.

TGI: As someone who has started working at a young age, how have you saved yourself from exhaustion and burnout?

DS: Being physically active (swimming, cycling, running), travel and hanging out with friends and family is essential to balance oneself and not make life all about work.

TGI: How do you personally unplug and recharge?

DS: Shopping!

TGI: What are your company’s ideas about the well-being of your employees?

DS: We have a strict 9-6 culture and don’t expect employees to stay beyond work hours, unless it is really busy at work. This allows them to schedule their personal time without planning their lives around work.

TGI: Can you tell us about your daily routine and your relationship with technology? How much time do you spend with your phone/computer on emails and social media? How do you deal with the ensuing feelings?

DS: Personally, I only use social media as a news flash. Anything that I post on Facebook or Instagram is deleted within a week and this ensures my privacy while keeping me relevant in my job and my social life.

Instagram is great for fashion, Facebook is for friends and the Wall Street Journal is my daily dose of business news. I end my day with some interesting design and architecture videos on Netflix or Amazon on my TV. 

TGI: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed and the last thing you do in the day?

DS: I usually wake up and roll out my yoga mat for some hatha yoga. Sometimes, I like to listen to music and fall asleep.

TGI: How do you stay productive and focussed?

DS: I am incredibly organised and that allows me to arrange my time and my thoughts.

TGI: How do you deal with stress?

DS: Being a CEO for over a decade comes with many stressful moments, so I usually take out my phone and headphones and go for a 3K run when there is too much on my mind.

TGI: Are there any ancient Indian or other practices that you follow to stay mindful?

DS: I absolutely love yoga and it’s a great start to the day. Personally, while I am hyperactive outside, I am quite a relaxed and happy person by nature so I don’t spend too much time trying to wind down.


DS: Being a leader, it is important to keep a calm face to keep your troops motivated. Managing myself physically and emotionally is a very important part of my job performance.

TGI: What is your personal philosophy?

DS: To be an iconoclast—always question the common ideas and break through old beliefs.

TGI: Finally, a word of advice to young entrepreneurs?

DS: Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it.
