Shalini Vij who founded HangOut, a special initiative for young urban children talks to us about the initial challenges she faced and what she hopes to achieve professionally.
Can you tell us a little about yourself?
I have 13 years of experience in the Retail and Entertainment Industry from the US, with companies like Cole Corporation, Discovery Zone, Caldor and others. I am also the director of companies like M.F. Entertainment & Amusement, Hang Out and Bouncy Town.
I graduated in business management from Northern Illinois University, US with a second major in Human Resources. My zeal to do something on my own never took a back seat though. I was running my own business of personalized and bridal gifts through chain stores in the US.
How did the idea of Hang Out come about?
I am big on family interaction, bonding and spending quality time with my boys. I understood the importance of child development and learning through playtime. I wanted to promote family interaction as it is the stepping stones to family bonding. Playtime is a fundamental building block of who we are as adults. Physically, psychologically, emotionally and cognitively, childhood play, family bonding and quality time spent with our children shapes the person they become. Hang Out gives them the indoor playgrounds to spend quality time and have family fun that caters to all age groups while keeping parental needs in mind.
The dearth of family entertainment centres made me diversify and add a new line to our existing businesses.
What were the initial challenges you faced when setting up the venture?
Being a working mom can be challenging. Especially with children who are of a tender age. As they get older we must be friends to them, and friendship comes with understanding, communication, openness and spending quality time. It takes a lot of effort and hard work. I will be honest, I used to work till late and be up at 6am to send my little one to school. I worked after their bed time, because I didn't want to take away from their time with their Mommy. I juggled with tight schedules.
My team members often comment on the times they receive my e-mails and know I handle all my mail and correspondence work at night, after their bed time. I do all on-site work and go to office while they are in school and then take time out to teach them and help them with their studies. I have a nuclear family set-up as my in-laws are in the States and I need to take care of my three men, which means household chores too. My family and friends know I have a set schedule and are understanding of my time constraints. It’s all about time management and multi-tasking, I believe.
What are the core objectives of Hang Out?
Hang Out has been redefined by giving families a venue to spend quality time as a family. It encourages parental interaction as opposed to kids being left with nannies and babysitters.
The theme of Hang Out was inspired by local, lush, well-maintained parks. Hang Out is turned into a realistic park with trees, leaves, creepers over ceiling and walls, lush lawn carpets, tables covered with barks of wood with lamps of leopard prints and monkey fixtures hanging from the trees, bringing you closer to nature.
Hang Out’s motto is “where you too can be a kid”, unleashing the child in each one of us. Toddler areas are designed with soft foam toys, ball pools, edutainment panels touching the fine motor, sensory and cognitive skills required as building blocks in the early years.
Most of today's parents in cities are working couples. How does a place like Hang Out help them?
Hang Out wants to play a big role in keeping families bonded given the busy and tight schedules of most parents. Hang Out gives working parents the opportunity to spend quality time with their kids.
Can you leave our readers with a few thoughts?
A tip for other working mothers is to Never Feel Guilty because you are doing your best both at home and at work. Convert the guilt into your strength by your actions, rather than thinking & fretting that you’re unable to take as much time out, make a special effort to spend quality time rather than quantitative time with your children. . Family mealtimes are important, so ensure you eat one meal together at least and if your schedule doesn't permit it, make family nights a special affair.
Always remember, to your children you are a super mom who they will in time respect for all your juggles and misses too.