What is your role? Describe what you do briefly.

I’m the Senior SDR Manager for the APAC (Asia-Pacific) and EMEA (Europe-Middle East-Africa) regions at SpotDraft. Nirali and I co-lead the sales development team, which has grown rapidly. Currently, I manage 8 SDRs for the APAC region and 5 for the EMEA region, which is a total of 13. We also have an additional LDR function of 5 reporting to me. 

I have completed 2 incredible years at SpotDraft, where I’ve had the opportunity to build and scale our SDR team while driving meaningful growth.

How did you venture into sales?

Sales wasn’t part of my original plan. I started with an engineering degree in computer science but quickly realized it wasn’t my passion. During my MBA in Marketing at Symbiosis, I began exploring storytelling, presenting, and connecting with people with a career in sales.

My first step into B2B sales happened at Whatfix, where I learned that sales isn’t just about being extroverted or outgoing. It’s about building trust, solving problems, and telling the right story. Even in college, I unknowingly honed these skills as part of the admissions committee: “selling” the college experience to prospective students. It turns out I enjoyed the thrill of presenting and connecting with others, even if it scared me a little.

Growing up, what were your passions or interests?

I grew up surrounded by art and music. My parents enrolled me in everything from Bharatnatyam to Carnatic singing. Although I stopped both as a student to focus on studies, music remains a source of joy. Singing is one of the few moments where I feel fully present.

I was also a bookworm, deeply engrossed in fiction. Books like The Kite Runner and The Forest of Enchantments were favorites, though I admit my attention span for reading has dwindled over the years. Now, I unwind with music, and I am about discovering and sharing songs I love. My favorite artists include Adele, Hozier, and Daniel Caesar. 

What inherent qualities help you thrive in your everyday role?

Two qualities that define my approach are empathy and a growth mindset. Managing a team of SDRs, many fresh out of college, means I often get to be their first manager. Helping them grow, overcome challenges, and progress in their careers gives me immense satisfaction. It is actually the part of my job that excites me the most.

I also believe that a strong manager must balance objectivity with understanding. Sales is target-driven, but we’re all human, and bad months happen. If the effort and inputs are there, I focus on helping my team course-correct rather than pressuring them.

Lastly, I’ve learned that building a great team means hiring people who are better than you in some ways. My team brings unique strengths, and I get to learn from them as much as they learn from me. That’s what drives collective growth.

How do you unwind? How do you find balance?

Unwinding for me is about simple joys: listening to music, binge-watching a Netflix series (I have to finish it once I start!), or spending time alone to recharge. I need one day a week to be completely by myself, just resting and resetting.

Music is a constant, whether it’s my morning walk with Adele or sharing my favorite tracks with friends. I’m particular about music, if we’re in a car, I am usually the one to control the playlist!

I’ve also realized that preparation is key to my confidence, whether in work or life. I hate impromptu plans, and the same goes for work. I perform best when I’m prepared and ready.

How did you plan your growth at SpotDraft?

For me, growth starts with self-awareness. Understanding my strengths and weaknesses helps me to consistently work on improving those weaknesses. Feedback plays a massive role in this, and I’m fortunate to work in a team where giving and receiving feedback is encouraged and valued.

Collaboration has also been instrumental in my growth. My equation with Nirali has been a huge part of this journey. We’ve always elevated each other and worked together to find solutions.

Now, as I manage team leads and a growing SDR team, I’m constantly learning. Management is all about people, and there’s no fixed playbook. It’s a process of figuring things out, adapting, and evolving every day.

What sets SpotDraft apart from other places where you haveworked?

This has been my longest stint at any company, and that’s no coincidence. SpotDraft gives me the space to think, take ownership, and contribute meaningfully. From day one, I’ve felt empowered to be myself here.

The flat hierarchy and transparent culture mean that every opinion is valued. I love that I can share a differing perspective, and it’s genuinely considered. That openness fosters trust and innovation.

Another standout is the leadership: Akshay Doshi and the team have always inspired confidence. Akshay often says, “If you do well, it’s on you. If you don’t, it’s on me.” That level of support empowers me to do my best every day.

What advice would you give to those starting in sales?

Sales can be tough when you’re starting out. It’s target-driven and can feel overwhelming, but persistence is key. Focus on your inputs, if you’re doing the right things, the results will come.

Surround yourself with people who love what they do. Their energy is contagious. Take feedback, not just from managers but from peers as well. Most importantly, remember that everyone is navigating similar challenges, and it gets better as you grow.

How have you seen SpotDraft evolve? What cultural changes should we sustain?

The growth has been incredible. When I joined, we were a small team, and now the sales function alone has scaled rapidly. Despite the growth, the culture of transparency and ownership has remained intact.

One of the things I love is how we hire people with a “figure it out” mindset. Problems don’t sit idle, people take initiative to find solutions, and that keeps the team dynamic and collaborative. Sustaining this mindset as we scale will be key to SpotDraft’s continued success.