Sangeeta Oak is the co-founder of IndicThreads, a technology-media firm. IndicThreads.com is an online magazine on software development and hosts international technology conferences on subjects like Java, Cloud Computing and Software Quality. She was earlier a project lead with Cognizant Technology Solutions and worked on several technologies like Enterprise Java, Broadvision and Webmethods. She has worked at client sites in the US, deploying and enhancing projects. She occasionally takes up teaching and writing assignments.

Tell us about your family?

I am married. I have a son, aged 1 year 7 months. We are a family of four, which includes my son Tej, my husband Harshad and my father-in-law.

What do your activities involve? (Work + family + other/ social)

I am the co-founder of IndicThreads, a Technology-media firm. We run an online technology magazine, IndicThreads.com and we host IndicThreads conferences on various technologies like Java, Cloud Computing, etc. We recently announced short-term certificate courses pertaining to technology+business as  IndicThreads Education. I am also working on building a more mainstream business idea, but it’s too early to talk about it.

As for social activities – I have been involved with a couple of NGOs active in the eco-conservation space. I have also recently taken up another initiative where I am visiting a municipal school near my place to teach English and Maths to underprivileged children.

Journey so far – How did you come about doing what you do?

Regarding work – well, I got placed on campus at Cognizant Technology Solutions while doing my Masters in Computer Management. I worked there for five years during which time I worked with various technologies. I moved from the developer role to leading teams and projects. I then felt the need to break out and to reflect on what I wished to do. I took up teaching post-grads at Symbiosis and designed a Java course for distance learning. I enjoyed these new challenges as I had never done any teaching or writing before. I then joined forces with my husband who was already an entrepreneur and we launched the 1st IndicThreads Conference on Java Technology in 2006. Since then, we have continued working towards making IndicThreads a top technology-media brand.

You have done your graduation in Chemistry? What was your motivation to change information technology?

I loved Chemistry and enjoyed almost all the different Chem branches. So I definitely did consider doing the MSc ( Environmental sciences) course as per my original plan. However, computer science at the time seemed to provide great career opportunities. So I tried my hand at programming and found myself enjoying it. Motivation came from the fact that there were few industries that had taken off in the way that the IT industry had – If you got placed in the biggies of the IT world, it was assumed you had made it in life!

How many hours do you give to your work per week?

As of now, while Tej is still a baby, I manage to put in about 30-35 hours per week. I mostly work when Tej is at the daycare from 1PM to 6PM everyday and I occasionally manage to get some work done in the mornings as well.

Did you take any time off with your children/ marriage?

Yes. I took time off when my son was born. I returned to work when he was seven months old.

What is the most challenging thing about being a working mum i.e. running a business & being a home-maker?

Being focussed is a big challenge. I am the only woman at my house, so there are always many activities that require my attention – guests, day to day household activities, etc. Not getting too caught up and being disciplined about work is always challenging.  As a rule, I try to not interfere in the routines.

Do you get any me-time? How often and what do you do?

I take my fitness very seriously and so exercise is something that I always try and accommodate into my schedule.  I go for jogs every morning and I also practise yoga.

Please complete the following:

I am great at…… Being Positive – I prefer to focus on the goodness in people and the beauty in life. I don’t dwell on disappointments and sadness. I like to move on.

I would like to improve upon….. time management.

What are the things if any that you have to let go?

If I am to lead a life where I can do things other than be a mum, I have to trust the other care-takers (husband, father-in-law, maid, daycare) of my child and let them be the best they can be. So unless I feel something is completely unacceptable (dangerous or encouraging bad habits), I try not to interfere.

Is work-home balance something that you have achieved to your satisfaction?

I think so. I am happy most days with what I manage.

Do you ever suffer mother’s guilt? How do you deal with it?

I believe the trick to not feeling guilty is to think of the motive for any action. When I decided to keep my child in a day-care for half day, I engaged in a lot of self-talk – Why do I want to do this? Is work so important? No one can care for your child like you can, so should I keep him in a day care?.. I and my husband both went through the grind of such questions.

I believe that a child and subsequently a house cannot be happy unless the mother/wife/woman is happy. So who fed him, changed his nappies and rocked him to sleep, was not as important as him having a happy & confident mom. If the caretakers are kind and clean, that is good enough. It was more important for my son to have a mother who was happy and loving and not raving and ranting and exhausted. Caring for a child is a very emotionally and physically demanding job. You can enjoy it more when you can get some breaks now and then. That is how it is for me. I have understood this and I am fine. Choose what you are fine with, not what you think you should be fine with.

Have there been times when you’ve considered giving up your work to be full time mum? What makes you go on? Where do you find the motivation & inspiration?

When Tej is ill, I do hate to have work commitments as I am quite unable to think of anything else. Those are the times that I wish I could just stay put and look after him without any work stress at the back of my mind. Other than that, I am quite happy to be working and wouldn’t want it any other way. Also, as any working mum would agree, family support is critical. My father-in-law is a chilled-out and liberal person. So luckily for me, not only does he think I should mould my own identity, he even takes care of many household activities that a woman is usually “supposed” to do. My husband, though equally liberal, brings a different angle to it. According to him, household chores should be nobody’s business!

What’s the best part about your work?

Having the freedom to fix my own deadlines such that I am rarely forced to sit late in office. Having the freedom to explore new ideas and implement new processes.

What do you think are the downsides (if any?) of being a woman in an entrepreneurial environment & what are the advantages?

I do not think I faced issues different than those any working mum would face, whether she is in a job or an entrepreneur. There aren’t any advantages either except that it is easier to stand out as there are so few  women trying to be entrepreneurs.

Was it a difficult transition from doing a job, to being an entrepreneur? How did you manage?

There is a huge difference between living the life of a professional in well paying job and that of an entrepreneur. What motivates you to do what you do? In a job, one hardly thinks beyond the project on hand and the deadlines to be met. The motivation factors usually are – bonuses, appraisal ratings, onsite assignments, etc… In a job, if one becomes demotivated, one still can go on as there is the fat pay packet at the end of the month anyway, which is so important to sustain your lifestyle.

In an entrepreneurial scenario, there are no bonuses or pay packets waiting. The only thing that can motivate you is your passion about some idea. Even then, it is very difficult to remain motivated because often, an exciting idea is not good enough. You have to live and fail with ideas before the idea works as a good business. So in the face of failed ideas and no money-guarantees, you have to keep yourself motivated. You have to keep going and keep working. The biggest mind change required I feel is to let go of the image – in a job, your designation, your company, your lifestyle all become a part of what defines you. Once you are out on your own, you are stripped of all that, it’s just you and your faith in yourself and your guts to do what you believe you should be doing.

What’s the best part about being mother?

A mother goes through so much and so many emotions that it is difficult to pinpoint. But I must say I am constantly amazed and overwhelmed by how magical children are.  I love to simply revel in my son’s innocence, his mischievousness, his joy at discovering new things, his happiness at achieving new milestones and his unquestioning trust in me. I feel very blessed and grateful.

Do you like to cook? What is your signature dish?

Very much, but not everyday and definitely not the everyday daal-roti-rice! . Hmm.. not sure , but probably the Hot Milk Sponge Cake, the way my mum makes it.