Meet Rachana Nakil-Suryapeth, a dynamic leader who has seamlessly transitioned from the world of nanoscience to a pivotal role in the manufacturing industry. Her story is one of resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Rachana’s journey as a second-generation entrepreneur has been both challenging and rewarding. After earning a Bachelor’s in Nanoscience and a Master’s in Marketing from La Trobe University, Australia, she felt passionate about contributing to India’s development. She joined her father’s company, The Sky Industries, which provides fabrication and precision machining solutions to the pump and machine manufacturing industries. “Starting from scratch with engineering drawings was daunting,” she explains, “but my father’s mentorship and my commitment to self-learning helped me navigate this journey.”
Despite being raised in a conservative family where women were not encouraged to work, her father, Mr. Ravindra Nakil, ensured that Rachana and her sister had the same career opportunities as men. He believed in educating and empowering them to be independent while instilling strong values. With his unwavering support, they overcame under confidence and gained the skills needed to succeed. He has been an incredible mentor, teaching them leadership, problem-solving, and technical expertise, shaping them into the professionals they are today. Under his guidance, Rachana and her sister, Miss. Swarada Nakil, proudly serve as the COO and CFO of The Sky Industries.
Embracing the COO Role: A Leap of Faith
Rachana joined The Sky Industries because she saw immense potential in it – not just for the business, but for her own personal and professional growth. “Being part of a manufacturing industry that thrives on tailor-made solutions, every project comes with unique technical challenges, making each day a new learning experience,” she says. While her father’s constant support helps her navigate the technical aspects, this role also pushes her to step out of her comfort zone.
“I enjoy working closely with our blue-collar employees and middle management – learning hands-on lessons that no office desk can teach,” Rachana exclaims.
Wanderlust and Work: Striking the Perfect Balance
Since childhood, Rachana’s love for travel, sparked by her father’s vacations across India and abroad, has transformed her perspective on life and deepened her understanding of people and cultures. This passion became a guiding force in her professional journey, inspiring her to never let a busy schedule stifle her wanderlust.
“Achieving this balance meant building a strong, efficient team capable of managing operations in my absence,” Rachana explains. Fortunately, she shares this passion with her husband, Dr. Akshay Suryapeth, an equally avid traveler, they make it a priority to explore new destinations and create lasting memories, proving that personal growth and professional success can indeed go hand in hand.
Prioritizing Over Balancing: A New Perspective
Rachana prefers balancing priorities over “work-life balance.” She says that, it’s impossible to achieve work-life balance and that’s absolutely OK. Before marriage, she enjoyed a full life, thanks to her mom’s support. From fitness routines and self-care days to outings with friends, long work hours, solo trips, and adventures, she embraced every moment. Marriage brought new priorities and responsibilities.
“Thankfully, my mother-in-law’s unwavering support has given me the freedom to pursue my professional goals while still honoring my personal life,” she says.
Rachana’s husband, Dr. Akshay Suryapeth, understands her ambition and supports her in balancing both aspects, before and after marriage. “And of course, my dad continues to play a pivotal role, always helping me strike that delicate balance between work and life,” she adds.
Empowering the Team: A Passion for HR
At The Sky Industries, Rachana prioritizes creating a healthy work-life balance. Her deep interest in HR drives her to continually upgrade her knowledge and implement cutting-edge HR concepts.
“We empower our team by ensuring clear role definitions and reducing unnecessary burdens, aided by a customized ERP system that enables efficient, anytime-anywhere access to work,” Rachana explains. For women employees, they offer fully paid six-month maternity leave, among other perks, because they truly believe in treating their employees as family, fostering an environment where both personal and professional lives can flourish.
Breaking New Ground: Diversifying the Customer Base
One of Rachana’s most significant achievements at The Sky Industries has been diversifying their customer base beyond pump and machine manufacturers, a sector they had relied on since her father started the company. Recognizing the potential risk of dependence on a single industry, she leveraged social media and digital marketing—particularly LinkedIn—to explore new verticals that aligned with their existing manufacturing and fabrication capabilities.
“My persistence paid off when I secured two customers from completely different sectors, opening doors to new opportunities,” says Rachana, positioning them as pioneers in manufacturing something never done before in Maharashtra.
Overcoming Transitions: From Science to Business
Navigating multiple transitions—from science to business and then from academics to entrepreneurship—was one of the biggest challenges in Rachana’s career. Initially, she pursued a Bachelor’s in Nanoscience, aiming for a career in Japan, even learning the language. However, the challenges of mastering Japanese led her to rethink her path, and she discovered her interest in business management. Joining The Sky Industries without an engineering background meant she had to rapidly acquire technical skills.
“Through persistent effort and support from communities like TLC, I transformed these challenges into opportunities,” Rachana asserts, reinforcing her belief that attitude towards obstacles truly shapes growth as entrepreneurs.
Innovating Sales and Marketing: A Modern Approach
As the Sales and Marketing Head at The Sky Industries, Rachana identifies new market opportunities, expands the customer base, and strengthens brand presence through innovative strategies. “When I joined, our business primarily catered to Tier 2 and Tier 3 pump and machine manufacturers, but I recognized the need for diversification to mitigate risks,” she explains. Leveraging digital marketing and platforms like LinkedIn, she successfully onboarded new customers from different industries, opening a new vertical for their business.
“Innovation, for me, is about embracing change – be it in marketing strategies, customer acquisition, or technology-driven sales processes – to drive sustainable growth,” Rachana asserts.
Championing Women in Manufacturing
At The Sky Industries, they are committed to promoting women in manufacturing by fostering an inclusive, supportive environment. Their initiatives include offering fully paid six-month maternity leave. Additionally, they encourage skill development through training programs, offer flexible work options to maintain a work-life balance and empower women through targeted training.
“By fostering a family-like culture where every contribution is celebrated, we continue to pave the way for women to lead and thrive in the manufacturing sector,” Rachana asserts.
Words of Wisdom: Advice for Aspiring Leaders
Rachana’s advice to aspiring women leaders in manufacturing is straightforward — you can’t have it all, and that’s okay. “Priorities shift at different stages of life, and balancing them requires constant effort,” she explains. In conservative Indian families, having a supportive husband and family is crucial to pursuing your dreams while maintaining your sanity. “But it’s always a give-and-take – you can’t expect everything from the other person without making adjustments yourself,” she adds.
“Coming from a non-engineering background, I had to start from scratch – understanding technical drawings, machinery, and industry operations,” Rachana explains. With persistence, self-learning, and the right mentorship, she bridged the gap. “Surround yourself with the right community, like I did with TLC, to gain valuable insights and world-class business practices,” she advises.
“The manufacturing industry needs more women leaders, and with the right attitude and continuous learning, there is no limit to what you can achieve,” Rachana concludes.
Conclusion
Rachana’s journey is a powerful example of how determination, innovation, and a supportive environment can lead to remarkable achievements. Her leadership at The Sky Industries not only drives the company’s growth but also sets a benchmark for aspiring women leaders in the manufacturing industry. By embracing challenges, fostering a culture of creativity, and promoting a balance of work-life, she continues to inspire and empower those around her.
