In today’s business landscape, women are steadily rising to the forefront as the most accomplished and influential leaders. Breaking through traditional barriers and defying stereotypes, women are demonstrating their exceptional skills and capabilities in the corporate world. With their unique perspectives, diverse insights, and unwavering determination, women leaders are making a significant impact across various industries.
A qualified Environmental Engineer, MBA in Finance, and CFO (IIM, Kolkata), Mrs. Purva Gaur has actively participated in the entrepreneurial endeavors of Fine Equipments India Pvt. Ltd. and Fyn Technologies Pvt Ltd for the past 25 years. Recently, she has founded her latest venture called “Crest-up,” which offers virtual CFO services.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Purva is a multifaceted individual. She is trained in Bharat Natyam dance, holds qualifications as a yoga teacher, and enjoys singing. She is also an avid cyclist and is currently learning to play the piano. Purva firmly believes in continuous skill enhancement and lifelong learning, embodying the essence of a true “learner” in one word.
Embarking on Her Entrepreneurial Journey
Purva embarked on her professional journey as a management trainee, filled with ambition and a drive for success. For six years, she dedicated herself to her career, demonstrating her skills and making valuable contributions. However, her life took a beautiful detour when she chose to take a break from her professional pursuits to raise her children, prioritizing their upbringing and well-being.
Though her focus shifted temporarily, Purva’s entrepreneurial spirit remained alive and well. Not content with remaining idle for long, she soon found herself supporting her husband exploring the realm of start-up businesses. Together, as a determined husband-wife team, they founded “Fine Equipments India Pvt Ltd” from the ground up and began building a brand that would soon become a prominent player in their industry.
Within the business, Purva discovered her true calling. While her husband, Neeraj Gaur, took charge of strategies, product and market development, and forged alliances with international companies, Purva assumed responsibility for the financial aspects, treasury management, inventory control, import-export compliances, joint ventures, general administration, and the legal team of the company. Their complementary skill sets created a remarkable synergy, propelling their venture forward and fostering remarkable growth.
Today, “Fine” stands tall as a leading brand in hydraulic rock breakers, mini excavators, truck-mounted cranes, motor-graders, and concrete equipment, among other offerings. The company’s success surpassed expectations, resulting in the establishment of a group comprising four distinct companies, including a joint venture, with even more promising ventures on the horizon.
As time passed and their existing companies settled into a stable rhythm, Purva found herself at a crossroads. With their children venturing out of the nest to pursue further studies, she realized she had newfound time and untapped potential within her. Drawing on her extensive financial expertise and entrepreneurial drive, Purva decided to harness these strengths and establish her own firm, “Crest-up,” specializing in CFO services.
With “Crest-up,” Purva aimed to provide exceptional financial guidance and support to businesses, ensuring their sustainable growth and prosperity. Her experience and proficiency in finance, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, made her an ideal partner for companies seeking strategic financial planning, efficient treasury management, and adherence to regulatory compliances.
Recognizing the Void: Purva’s Mission to Empower MSMEs
In her entrepreneurial journey, Purva became acutely aware of a significant gap in the market. Many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), in their quest to minimize expenses, often lack the resources to invest in a full-time Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Instead, they rely on data entry personnel, and their accounts teams focus solely on meeting year-end compliance requirements. This approach leaves a vast void waiting to be filled.
Purva understood that these businesses were missing out on the substantial benefits that a professional CFO could bring to the table. Financial planning and analysis are key components that can steer a company towards success, yet the absence of a dedicated finance expert often hampers their growth potential. Moreover, with the growing emphasis on governance, larger companies now seek to collaborate with organizations that demonstrate good corporate governance practices and a commitment to social responsibility. This presents an incredible opportunity for MSMEs to stand out and attract valuable partnerships.
Recognizing the immense potential for her expertise to make a difference, Purva resolved to address this gap through her firm, “Crest-up.” Drawing upon her extensive knowledge and experience in finance, she envisioned providing MSMEs with the advantages of professional financial planning and analysis. By partnering with Purva and her team, these businesses could unlock strategic growth opportunities and establish themselves as entities that adhere to industry norms, corporate governance standards, and social responsibility practices.
Purva’s firm aims to be more than just a service provider. They strive to become trusted partners, working closely with MSMEs to understand their unique financial challenges and objectives. By adopting a tailored approach, Crest-up assists businesses in formulating effective strategies, optimizing financial resources, and developing sustainable growth models. With Purva’s guidance, MSMEs can navigate the complexities of financial decision-making, mitigate risks, and seize opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Driving Sustainable Progress in Construction and Demolition Equipment
FEIPL has established a prominent reputation in the construction and demolition equipment industry. The company has been instrumental in driving sustainable progress and bringing about positive changes in the field. A key factor contributing to Fine’s success is its highly proactive sales and service network, which operates seamlessly and enthusiastically even in remote areas across India. The company attributes its achievements to the diverse and dedicated workforce, whose commitment has consistently played a vital role in their accomplishments.
FEIPL’s continuous growth and success can be attributed to their profound understanding of customers’ requirements. They strive to deliver not only high-quality equipment but also accompanying services that enhance profitability and competitiveness for their customers. This customer-centric approach has been fundamental to the company’s foundation and has played a significant role in their ongoing achievements.
FEIPL takes pride in designing and manufacturing its products using advanced technologies. Their rock-breakers have one of the largest installation bases in India and are gaining popularity worldwide. The incorporation of modern technologies and advanced features into their products gives them a distinctive identity, making Fine the preferred choice for customers.
The company has achieved significant milestones in recent years. Notable among them are their association with Livers Holland in 2021, their partnership with VERT for Skid Steer Loader in 2022, the successful launch of their Fine Walk behind Roller in the same year, and their joint venture with Feel Engineering in 2023 for manufacturing Rock Breaker in India. These milestones showcase the company’s commitment to growth and innovation in the industry.
Inspiring Initiatives
In our daily lives, we often utter the words, “I am fine,” as a way to assure those around us that everything is well. However, beneath the surface, we may be wrestling with personal struggles that life throws our way. Recognizing this reality, the “I am Fine Foundation” emerged as a beacon of hope and healing.
The “I am Fine Foundation” stands as a remarkable effort and initiative within the “I am Fine group”, spearheaded by Neeraj and supported by Purva. Together, they lead a team of passionate individuals who are committed to tackling the challenges faced by those grappling with various mental disorders, including Bipolar disorder, Depression, Schizophrenia, and addiction-related illnesses.
The journey of healing embarked upon on December 12, 2012 (12.12.12), a day that some believed would mark the end of the world. However, Neeraj (Founder and Director of “I am Fine Foundation”) looked beyond the doomsday predictions and envisioned a new beginning—a beginning dedicated to serving those who suffer. In the years that followed, numerous events were meticulously structured and organized to empower individuals across various aspects of life.
On August 7, 2018, the “I am Fine Foundation” took a significant stride forward by establishing the de-addiction and rehabilitation center. With a clear and noble purpose in mind, this center was designed to offer support to individuals who felt their lives had lost meaning due to factors disrupting their emotional balance.
At the core of “I am Fine Foundation’s” beliefs lie the understanding that mental health conditions, including addiction and alcoholism, manifest as outward symptoms of internal emotional turmoil. With this in mind, its treatment module is thoughtfully structured to guide individuals towards identifying the root causes of their challenges, initiating the vital healing process. The team firmly believe that any condition can be reversed when corrective actions are implemented and comprehensive support is provided.
Finding Harmony in Balancing Personal and Professional Life
Purva considers herself fortunate to have been raised in a family with independent thinking parents who have always supported her aspirations. Even after getting married, she has continued to receive unwavering support in pursuing her chosen path. While challenges may arise in balancing family responsibilities and personal goals, Purva believes that it’s important to find ways to navigate through them. As she mentioned before, when the goal is clear, one can always find ways and means to overcome obstacles. She firmly believes that talent and ambition are always recognized and appreciated, regardless of gender, and that ambitious women should never be concerned about others’ doubts regarding their capabilities.
Purva believes that achieving a balance between personal and professional life is a subjective matter that varies for each individual based on their own priorities. For instance, she made the decision to quit her job when she felt her children needed her presence, even though it posed financial challenges since her husband Neeraj had just started his entrepreneurial journey. While her decision may not have aligned with practical logic, she followed her instincts and did what she believed was necessary at that time.
She acknowledges that others may find alternative ways to handle similar situations and maintain their own balance. The important aspect is that everyone strives for equilibrium and avoids disrupting it in any way. The approaches to achieving balance may differ, but the ultimate goal remains the same for all individuals. Each person must find their own unique path and make choices that align with their personal circumstances and priorities.
Breaking Barriers in a Male-Dominated Industry
Purva, despite working in a male-dominated industry such as construction equipment, has never experienced any limitations or obstacles due to her gender. She confidently interacts with professionals from various backgrounds and has never encountered a situation where she felt her progress was hindered because she is a woman. According to her, when the objective is clear and the determination is strong, finding ways to navigate forward becomes feasible, regardless of gender. Purva’s personal experience highlights that competence, dedication, and a focused mindset can overcome any perceived gender-related barriers in the industry.
Striving for Excellence
At FEIPL, Neeraj-Purva and their dedicated team are tirelessly committed to achieving customer satisfaction and aspiring to be a comprehensive solution provider for all construction equipment needs. They are actively working on developing a strong dealer network across India and even expanding their reach internationally to serve a broader market.
The company’s existing associations and joint ventures are instrumental in enhancing their ability to deliver high-quality products to customers. By offering reliable and top-notch equipment, FEIPL aims to contribute to faster project completion, minimizing major breakdowns, and ultimately saving valuable time and resources for their customers.
Furthermore, FEIPL has an innovative research and development team that is diligently working to introduce new products in the Indian market. These upcoming additions to their product line-up will further diversify their offerings and meet the evolving demands of the industry.
Unlocking Success
Purva imparts her success mantra to emerging leaders, emphasizing that the only path to success is through hard work and dedication. She firmly believes that there are no shortcuts to achieving true success in any endeavour. It requires consistent effort, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of one’s goals.
She advises aspiring leaders not to solely measure their success by financial achievements. While financial success may follow, it should not be the sole measure of their accomplishments. Instead, Purva encourages them to focus on personal growth, making a positive impact, and striving for excellence in their chosen field.
Her advice to emerging leaders is to stay motivated, remain resilient, and keep pushing forward despite challenges or setbacks. By maintaining a strong work ethic, staying committed to their goals, and continuously striving for improvement, they will increase their chances of achieving both personal and financial success in the long run.
