Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you are proud to live.

In an exclusive interview to Poultry Trends, Mrs. Surekha Venugopal, the only Indian woman working in the Poultry Feed Additives/Medicines/ Vaccines Distribution, shares her journey, challenges and accomplishments.

Introduction:
Mrs. Surekha Venugopal is a self-made woman and a veteran in poultry industry, having worked with Kasila Farms Pvt. Ltd. and AHP Manufacturing BV (Fort Dodge) which was later merged with Pfizer Animal Health. She is also the recipient of Fort Dodge “Best Sales Manager Award” for the year 2004.

A science graduate with diploma in marketing, she has a cumulative experience of 33 years in the Poultry Industry. She is highly respected in the industry for being the only Indian woman working in the Poultry Feed Additives/Medicines/ Vaccines Distribution in India.

It is noteworthy to mention that SV Marketing is the brainchild of Mrs. Surekha Venugopal. She has chosen this path based on the inspiration derived from her idol Mrs. Anuradha J Desai, the honourable Chairperson of VH Group of Companies.

During the interview, we asked her regarding her journey in the poultry industry, excerpts of which are reproduced in the succeeding paragraphs.

Poultry Trends: What inspired you to become a Poultry distributor?
Mrs. Surekha V: With the zeal and passion to work in Biologicals inspired me to start on my own as an Entrepreneur and that’s when SV Marketing was established in the year 2010. Ever since then, it has been a part of my professional and personal life.

Poultry Trends: How was your journey and challenges you faced
Mrs. Surekha V: My journey in poultry industry started with Kasila Farms. It was a desk job and was later elevated to administration, purchase and marketing parent chicks. After a tenure of 11 years with Kasila Farms, I moved to work for Fort Dodge as Veterinary Sales Officer in the year 1999 and was primarily promoted as AREA SALES MANAGER followed by another one as the REGIONAL SALES MANAGER. Initially I was very hesitant to take up this offer as there was no women predecessor in the field working to guide me through the working environment. It was my husband (K. Venugopal Rao) who motivated me to accept the challenge and be unique in the field which really inspired me to kick-start my career. With women excelling in all fields, I’ve initiated to pave the path into the Poultry Sales field too.

Needless to mention my decision and the journey was not a cake walk as I had to travel to farms to meet farmers which were located in isolated parts of the city. Initially, meeting them, convincing them and taking orders from them was a challenge. But, when all my efforts were being recognised at the Annual All India Sales Meet, with various awards and promotions at par with all other men counterparts has really driven me to accept all the challenges that came my way. Customer relationship, marketing strategies, organisational alignment and implementation at market level, have helped me gain experience. After working in the Sales division for more than a decade, I decided to become an Entrepreneur.

Poultry Trends: Could you please share about your present profile, market and accomplishments
Mrs. Surekha V: SV Marketing is a prominent Distributor of Poultry Vaccines and Feed Supplements Products in Telangana region. The company engages in the sales of Biologicals, Feed Supplements and Bio Sentry Products for the poultry industry. SV Marketing reaps the benefit of being appointed as the “SUPER DISTRIBUTOR” for the products manufactured by Venkateshwara Hatcheries Pvt. Ltd. in Telangana region.

The company was established in the year 2010. It was initially a part of co-working spaces and a godown with just one small refrigerator and now, has grown exponentially. Today, the company operates independently from an office-cum-godown located in Karkhana spread over an area of 500 sq. yards.

SV Marketing started as a distributor for Stanex Drugs and Chemicals Pvt. Ltd. which was soon followed by Distributor agreements with Hester Pharmaceuticals, Pranav Bitek and Venkateshwara Hatcheries for their divisions- Ventri Biologicals, Venky’s India Ltd. and BV Bio Corp Division. In 2015, SV Marketing was appointed as the Super Distributors of VH Group of companies for Telangana region. Determination coupled with hard work has honoured the company with the “Best Poultry Healthcare Products Distributor Award -2018.” The motto of SV Marketing is customer focus and an approach driven by prompt service. We strongly believe that customers are the heart of our organisation and their request is fulfilled with minimum Turn Around time. We are differentiated in the industry for our quality of services provided.

Poultry Trends: How you see the future of Poultry Industry? Any suggestions for upcoming people joining the industry?
Mrs. Surekha V: Poultry industry globally has become the most formidable source of Food Basket ensuring food security of the world. Indian poultry industry has grown tremendously over the years and it is the need of the hour for the industry to continuously align with the changing consumer requirements and environmental concerns to maintain the growth momentum. The industry provides food, nutrition and employment to billions of people in the world. I feel privileged and proud to be a part of it. I encourage many youngsters to join the industry and bring significant changes in terms of operations and incorporate emerging technology which will ease the working of various people working for various divisions of the industry.

Poultry Trends: Any message to other women entrepreneurs:
Mrs. Surekha V: “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”

Entrepreneurship needs three important traits. Firstly, Self-confidence: Others will trust you only when you trust yourself. Secondly, Patience: Success is often very challenging and it requires a lot of patience for sustenance. And lastly, Learning: Every day is a new experience and every experience is a learning platform which builds confidence and capacity to think beyond. Never stop learning because life never stops teaching.

I wish to see women joining our industry and excelling just like any other industry.

Last but not the least, I would like to take this opportunity in thanking the entire Poultry Fraternity, my mentors, team and well-wishers who have been very welcoming and for their continuous support which helped me grow in the 3 DECADE journey.