Born in Banga Punjab India, Reema Virdee is the Founder and Director of the health brand, Rvedaa, partner at the Indian travel app Drive13 and founder of a women’s entrepreneurial platform, Sangini. Being an active sportsperson in school in Delhi, she went on to study at the Indian Fashion Institute in Dehradun. Moving to the UK after her marriage, Reema was working 9 to 5 in a High Street bank. However, she always had bigger aspirations and at some business networking events, she was spotted by the CEO of an Austrian MNC and offered the post of Corporate Trainer in an MNC in India.
The Covid-19 lockdown affected her career and offered her an opportunity to reflect. Whilst in India, she founded an organisation for women entrepreneurs called Sangini and launched her own business, Rvedaa, focussing on health products based on the ancient philosophy of Ayurveda. Rvedaa is an upcoming brand in India and is replacing the more traditional brands. She is also a partner in a Travel app, DRIVE13 connecting 20,000 drivers and businesses throughout north India with plans to expand throughout India.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
I live in the UK and have been here for the large part of 18 years, however, I am still deeply connected to India. I celebrate Indian festivals throughout the year, I listen to Indian music, I love dancing to Bollywood and I perform traditional Punjabi folk dance for cultural events for the High Commission. I spend a lot of time each year in India and I like the fact that many Indians (in India and abroad) still live by certain traditions that mean so much more than the pursuit of wealth. Our emphasis on family relationships and charity is increasingly being recognised in the west too.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Appointed corporate trainer of an MNC in India; Setting up my own brand Rvedaa and making it successful both in India and UK; Being an inspiration to the members of Sangini - a program for women entrepreneurs which I founded.
3) What inspires you?
When someone has big dreams and decides to take action. I am inspired by struggle and when someone sees their struggle as the reason to do something and not the reason to do nothing. I am inspired by a positive attitude despite the odds.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
Covid-19 lockdown. When India went into lockdown in 2020 it caused mayhem. Medical services in India were overstretched. Furlough did not exist in India. People we knew lost their jobs and loved ones. It affected both my career and personal life. The obstacle of Covid reset my career and it caused me to question what is most important in life. My answer to that was health and time with loved ones. Rvedaa allows me to discover healthy lifestyle choices and running my own business gives me the freedom to choose how I spend my time.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My husband has always believed in me and always rallies to my support. My father taught me to never give up on my dreams and to face up to challenges.
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Best aspect of Rvedaa is that I am able to promote a healthy lifestyle and make a positive difference to people's health. I am able to promote herbs that are familiar to many Indians to other communities and internationally.
7) And the worst?
Importing products from India is governed by a lot of red-tape and sometimes unnecessary bureaucracy. Whilst it is essential to keep on top of this, it is not something I particularly enjoy doing.
8) What are your long term goals?
Introduce a larger product range and go global in as many countries as possible. Everyone in the world should benefit from the wisdom of Ayurveda and the purest and best combination of herbs and ingredients.
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would remove VAT and duty on health supplements that cannot be easily replicated locally. The government should be promoting good health and well-being of the nation.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Lord Krishna so that I can get answers on life's big questions and truly understand how to live by the laws of nature and understand how karma works. Sri Krishna can play melodious tunes on his flute while I contemplate on his teachings.
