This week we speak with Aashna Puri, a previous student at Lucy Cavendish College, who shares with us her journey, as well as provide advice for current students for the future..
The Futures Hub Series: In Conversation with Aashna Puri
Hi Aashna! Thank you so much for speaking with me today! To begin, can you tell me a bit about your educational background and early life?
I was born in India, but my parents were living in Zambia at the time, so I moved there shortly after my birth. My childhood was a full of different cultures and experiences as we moved around quite a bit! I lived in Zambia until I was about ten, then moved to Canada, Tanzania, and South Africa.
For university, I then headed to the United States, attending the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Initially, I was quite undecided about my major, so I decided to explore studying everything from English to International Relations. Eventually, I settled on a double major in Economics and Environmental Sciences. The connection between these fields really fascinated me, especially how quantifiable data from economics could make environmental issues more compelling and actionable to business stakeholders.
That does sound interesting! Can you tell me about what you did after university?
After graduating, I moved to New York and joined JLL, a company working on the energy retrofit of the Empire State Building. This project was a huge turning point for my career. The Empire State Building, which was built in the 1930s, was being transformed into one of the most sustainable buildings in the world, and the project not only aimed at reducing operating costs but also at enhancing the building's appeal to high-quality tenants.
Being part of this project allowed me to see firsthand how sustainability could be integrated into large-scale infrastructure, and it was incredibly challenging but equally rewarding. Over the next few years, I worked on expanding these best practices to other buildings across the globe, which was an incredible learning experience.
That sounds like such an incredible experience to work on a project of that scale! How did you find yourself in Cambridge?
Following working in New York for four years, I moved to Johannesburg and after spending two years in Johannesburg, I felt a strong pull towards further education and personal growth. While I was passionate about my work, I also recognized a desire to improve my entrepreneurial skills, which led me to apply to the University of Cambridge.
I chose Cambridge specifically for its programme in Entrepreneurship. The requirement to have an ongoing business while studying was a perfect fit for me and I thought the programme provided a rich, practical learning environment where theory and real-world applications intersected with one another. It was during this time, I was running my own startup also, and I thought this would be the perfect time to give this programme a try!
Can you tell me about some of your past experiences in entrepreneurship?
When I went to Penn, I was really struck by how few students there were from Tanzania at the university despite international students making up about 15% of the student body. So, I started a tutoring company in Tanzania that would cover SAT prep, application essays, and financial aid applications to make it easier for Tanzanian students to access higher education opportunities abroad. We got students into Yale, Princeton, and other universities, which was great.
When I lived in South Africa, I started my second company called Sogather. This company found passionate home cooks and empowered them to host a meal in their home. Diners could make a reservation at their table instead of a restaurant and enjoy a more authentic and intimate meal while meeting new people. We started in Johannesburg and eventually scaled to Cape Town. Personally, this was really rewarding because I didn’t know anyone when I moved to South Africa, so it helped me make friends too.
My most recent company was WishLiner, which I started while at Cambridge. This allowed international travellers to sell their unused luggage space and carry packages for shoppers wanting products from other countries. We delivered products across the US, UK, parts of Africa, and the Middle East. Since I lived in so many different places, this business had basically been my whole life! We went through the Cambridge accelerator, which was a helpful experience.
How exciting! How did the programme shape your career path now and what are you currently working on?
Currently, I work at a data centre company, a field I had little knowledge of before joining! However, the challenges and opportunities here quickly captured my interests as they are directly related to AI and sustainability. My role is twofold: focusing on company’s strategic growth and its sustainability initiatives. Companies often consume significant amounts of power, and with the rise of AI, their energy demands are skyrocketing. Part of my job involves finding sustainable power solutions and minimizing the environmental impact of these operations. It's a complex balance between driving technological advancement and ensuring that we are not detracting from local communities. It's challenging, but I find it hugely fulfilling to contribute to a field that has such a critical impact on our digital and physical worlds.
What advice would you give to students currently interested in entrepreneurship or startups?
My primary advice would be to follow your passion relentlessly. It's essential to work on something that genuinely excites you and resonates with your values. The journey of entrepreneurship is full of challenges, and your passion will be the fuel that keeps you going through tough times!
Additionally, don't underestimate the power of confidence. Throughout my journey, I've realized that having confidence in your ideas and your ability to execute them is crucial. This confidence often comes from experience, but also from continuously educating yourself and staying curious.
Networking is another key aspect. Reach out to people, knock on doors, and don't be afraid to ask questions. When I was at JLL, I made it a point to speak with different people in the company to understand their roles and see how I could contribute. This not only broadened my knowledge but also opened new opportunities.
Lastly, always be open to learning and adapting. The world of startups is dynamic, and what works today might not work tomorrow. Keep an eye on emerging trends, be adaptable, and always be ready to pivot if necessary.
Just remember, the path to entrepreneurship is not linear and often involves a lot of learning and unlearning. Embrace the journey, stay curious, and let your passion guide you!
