Set foot in Savera, Chennai and one is immediately hit with a wave of nostalgia. The familiarity the place begins parallelly pleases one as does the hostess for the evening, Nina Reddy heiress and hotelier – Joint Managing Director. With an unmatched poise she tells us her story; Married at the age of 19, she shifted base from Hyderabad to Chennai, had quite the stint as an interior decorator before settling into the role she functions as now.
What has the journey been like?
“It seems like ages ago. About 25 years or more. One thing has been consistent over the years, that is my passion; Makings of me. I think because of the way I have been working, the way I think, I am able to achieve more than what I set to. People who meet me know I certainly walk the talk!”
How do you like being a hostess?
“I have always had a keen sense of responsibility. I am the eldest in my family and my parents instilled it into me. My influence has also been my maternal and paternal grandmother who had the strength to manage an entire joint family yet not dissolute their identities whatsoever. Such strong and inspirational women influenced me heavily. The passion to dress and carry myself well has come from my mother. Also, my father gave me plenty of life lessons which I hold dead even now.
How do you keep yourself level-headed?
“I exercise a lot. Every time I feel bogged down I go to the gym or go for a walk. I feel like most of the answers are within ourselves and in fact, I even have conversations with myself. The environment becomes inclusive when you keep practicing it.”
How has the family you married into welcomed you?
“It felt almost like a repeat of my childhood. I am the elder daughter in law and I quickly took on to ensuring the well being of my husband, his parents, and his younger brother. They were more than happy to leave decisions to me and give me all their love as well. I was completely at home with them. My father in law gave me several projects and assignments as well. It started off with organising my brother-in-law’s wedding, that’s when I had an epiphany regarding my knack for planning and management.”
Nina Reddy’s initiative as part of Savera brand’s CSR activities include working with National Association for Blind and organising activities such as car rally, cricket for the blind, etc.
What are some of the first changes you made at the hotel?
“The first policy I established is that more care had to be taken of the guests. We needed more personal interactions with the guest and each and everyone went through rigorous training to be the most accommodating and friendly. Since I am a very sociable person, I incorporated it all in the hotel. Also, because the property is more 25 years old it needed the upgradation I bestowed.”
What are the challenges you’ve faced as an entrepreneur?
“Most of the challenges I’ve faced has been gender-based! I’ve noticed that if the job is on a cuckold somewhere, my husband or my father-in-law has better chances at sorting it out than I did. It took some time for people to understand that I mean business. A lot of frustrating times and you have no way to show it as vulnerability backfires on you. It was tough not to get perturbed about things and carry on with my head held high!”
What are the plans for expansion?
“Most of my ideas are born out of necessity such as O2 Fitness studio; the need to take care of health that is where the idea stems from. I love to travel so Wanderlust the travel segment of the hotel came out of it. Duchess club stemmed out of the need to make a friend (laughs). I wanted a platform wherein women can feel the need to be what they want to be and I felt like the club is the perfect place for that.
How has Chennai been to you over the years?
“This city is an opportunity to grow and it has been so welcoming to me and my family that I hardly remember the life I left behind in Hyderabad. I think the only con with the city itself is the limitations to marketing its own self. How many people are proud of the state? The language? The culture? Chennai has plenty to offer, we just have to be welcome to receive it.”
You are so well known for your sarees, tell us about your style quotient!
“You have to believe in what you wear, confidence is key to carrying off with panache. My fashion sense is basically fusion but with a lot more slant towards traditional. For accessories, I do a lot of street style shopping!
The Savera family is now into franchising with the establishment of their restaurants city-wide including Amaravathi (Andhra Cuisine), Dakshinapuram (South Indian-Veg), Karaikudi (Chettinad), Malgudi, The Brew Room (Cafe) and Go South (Veg-Tiffin).
(Photos by Rajsekar Balan)