Staff Spotlight: Seema Sarkar

Title:
Founder

Photos

Seema Sarkar is the founder of Envision Volunteering. She used to be a Computer Instructor for the Andaman Police Force for twelve years before starting her own IT and Volunteering company. She considers Envision Volunteering as her dream-come-true, and looks forward to making it even bigger in the future.

What is your favorite travel memory?

I adore the Andaman; I have been there several times now. I have been to Havelock, Port Blair, and several other places in the Andaman.

I have mentioned more than once that Port Blair is not worth a visit but how wrong is that! The saw mill is definitely worth a visit. On previous visits, I have seen the working elephants there which are used to move the tree trunks. Only an elephant can do that!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur. And since founding Envision Volunteering, I have made many changes within myself. I have become more independent, more confident, and more respectful about my position and job.

I never wanted to be the boss. I’ve always wanted to work alongside my employees to make them understand that I’m always there with them.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

There is no particular story which I remember but I do get quite excited listening to the stories of the return students – how they contributed, how they helped, and how they tried to make a small change to their lives.

It is both inspirational and thrilling. Their stories inspire other students to be a part of these activities which will translate into a big change in our society. I value each and every story of the return students.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose to go to the remote regions of Africa. Africa is one of those places that are still quite uncivilized. Many people are still unaware of modern technology and mindset. If I ever get a chance to serve them, it will be an achievement of a lifetime for me.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

My company is unique in many different ways.

First of all, we are the first volunteering company that considers Kolkata as our main destination. We believe that there is so much to see and explore in Kolkata. That’s why it is called the City of Joy!

Secondly, the accommodation and food which we are providing to our volunteers are top notch and of excellent quality. We understand the great perspectives of our beloved volunteers, so this is how we express our gratitude towards them. Lastly, our projects will help volunteers understand this country better as there is so much to learn from those projects. So it will be helpful for them too.

I am always very proud of my team. There are some times when my team shines up even more. During the launch of my company, my team worked around the clock flawlessly and without any complain. That is the time when they got even closer to my heart.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

While there are many factors that come into play when building a company, I believe that the most important ones have nothing to do with innovation, balance sheets, finance or marketing. The most important one is you.

Success, however you choose to define it, is a continual work in progress. Ask anyone who’s made lots of money if they are “there”. Even though we’ve been sold on the idea of making it big, most often you’ll find there is no “there” for truly successful people.

It’s not when I make my first million; it’s not when I get my fiftieth employee; it’s not when I land on the cover of the industry publication. Success is simply a road to travel in an attempt to create a more compelling and enriching future.

But, as with all roads, there is a direction you must travel to keep moving towards your destination even if, like the far-off horizon, that destination keeps moving away no matter how quickly you move towards it.