You must have definitely seen Sneha Namanandi on your screens. Sneha Namanandi is a versatile actor and also won many hearts on the show Bade Achhe Lagte Hain 2. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she also ventured into the world of entrepreneurship.
With team Sociobits, she talks about how it feels to be an actor and an entrepreneur and also shared how she came up with her business by adding two of her favorites together; pets and coffee!
Team Sociobits: Did you always want to pursue acting? And is there any personality who inspired you to be one?
Sneha Namanandi: When I was in school, I was always a student who used to participate and was interested in extracurricular activities. I was a part of dramatics and played hockey. I was also good at dancing so since childhood I had in my mind that I wanted to do something out of the box. I started doing some youth-based shows while I was in college and I also started enjoying them. That’s when I started exploring the acting space more and I thought this is it. I don’t think I had an inspiration as such, it just happened.
I started doing some youth-based shows while I was in college and I also started enjoying them. That’s when I started exploring the acting space more
Team Sociobits: Could you also describe how is your journey going as an actor?
Sneha Namanandi: I have no complaints. Every profession comes with a lot of pros and cons. Everyone faces rejection, even I have. As actors, we audition a lot and that is the only way to get new projects. So, we audition, we get rejected, and we feel dejected and also depressed but that’s the challenge. If we get everything that we want and desire, then there’s no fun. I like to keep experiencing things and I personally like the journey more than the destination. It’s fun; you keep trying and building things and I love to do everything from the scratch. So, as I said, I have no complaints. Whatever projects I have done to date, I am proud of it.
Team Sociobits: We also know that you are an entrepreneur. Could you tell us a little about your business?
Sneha Namanandi: To give you a back story, I have always been a dog lover and we have always grown up with dogs around us. During COVID, everyone was going through a tough time. People were depressed, upset, and incurring losses in their businesses. Amidst this, I was figuring out what would I like to do in my life apart from acting. Then I figured out that the two things that are very close to my heart are pets and coffee ( I am a BIG coffee lover!) and that’s how I came up with my Pet Cafe i.e. The Pet Station.
At that time, I faced a lot of criticism because it was during the pandemic and people pointed out that I am taking a risk and I did everything on my own. I didn’t want a partner and I told everyone that if I incur a loss, so be it. I am ready to take the blame! Because once I set my heart to something, I make sure I make it happen. If it works, great and if it doesn’t work, I’ll make it work. I think that nothing is impossible. If I want to learn something, I just need to find the time and the right teacher to do it.
I am ready to take the blame! Because once I set my heart to something, I make sure I make it happen.
After that, I figured out how the industry works and since we had dogs in our house, I had the basic knowledge. I went into the pet grooming and pet treats business. I also started my in-house brand of treats and we sell it both online and offline. This year, I am planning to scale up the business and I could also break even in the first year which is a big achievement. Through my business, I figured out that there are a lot of pet lovers around! I am sure that the business will grow since the industry is booming and I am not at all sad that I chose this industry.
I was doing a show called Bade Acche Lagte Hain so I was simultaneously managing both. At that time I used to not get much time to do anything for myself and I managed both things simultaneously but I used to still sit in the vanity van and see what was going on in my cafe through the CCTV. It feels amazing!
Team Sociobits: Could you tell us about your future plans in the entertainment industry?
Sneha Namanandi: Apart from Bade Achhe Lagte Hain, I am in talks for some South Indian movies, Telugu and Kanada.
In the case of daily soaps, I am looking for something that is very substantial. I would not take up anything that comes my way. I would want to do something that makes me happy and keeps me satisfied in my job and for that, I can wait. I am not in a hurry and I will wait for the right opportunity because we get calls every day but it’s in our hands how we want to shape our careers. I am a very power-driven and goal-oriented person so I would want to shape my career in a specific way.
Team Sociobits: Could you also weigh in on your thoughts about women entrepreneurship?
Sneha Namanandi: I am not here to discriminate between men and women but as women, we are a little more mature and even the men that are around me believe in it. I feel that we are more intuitive and we have that quality or power in us that we don’t realize we have. Some people know they have it while others don’t. A lot can happen by trusting your instincts so I believe that women should come forward, explore and do what they want to because today, even men are pretty supportive.
A lot can happen by trusting your instincts so I believe that women should come forward, explore and do what they want to because today, even men are pretty supportive.
I don’t think equality/inequality comes into the picture. Anyone can do whatever they want to but to give you an example, I have an uncle who is well off but he always looks up to my aunt’s advice and trusts her intuition. And I think that is pretty sweet. We all have come from a woman and we should not forget that.
Sneha Namanandi seems to have a go-getter attitude and be it acting or entrepreneurship, she is strong-headed and is firm on shaping her career in the way she wants to.
