There's a quote that Kadambari Sabharwal Talwar, General Manager at Courtyard by Marriott Bengaluru Hebbal, lives by and it shapes everything she says about leadership:

"Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path  and leave a trail for others to follow."

It's not just a motivational line. For her, it's personal.

Kadambari's journey to becoming a General Manager wasn't just about hard work and performance, it was also about someone, at some point, choosing to believe in her and opening a door. That experience is what drives her belief that leadership isn't just about the seat you occupy. It's about how many seats you create for others.

"Leadership is not simply about occupying a seat at the table, it is about expanding the table so more voices are represented and more women have the opportunity to lead, influence and redefine what leadership looks like."

India's hospitality sector has made real progress when it comes to women entering and growing within the workforce. Higher literacy levels, rising career ambitions, and more visible role models have all played a part. More women are now exploring diverse roles across functions and leadership tracks, than ever before. But progress and arrival at the top are two very different things. Structural challenges still slow down the pace at which women reach senior leadership. It's not always about performance, it's also about access. Access to sponsorship, to strategic assignments, to the right networks, and to leaders who actively advocate for emerging talent. These things still remain unevenly distributed.

The good news is that organisations are waking up to the real business case for gender diversity. Diverse leadership teams make better, more balanced decisions. They build workplaces where people feel genuinely heard and that has a direct impact on innovation, resilience, and long-term growth. Even in a hospitality market that's expanding fast while watching costs carefully, diversity and inclusion remain firmly on the agenda. The conversation has also matured, it's no longer just about representation in numbers. It's about meaningful inclusion, building leadership pipelines, and making sure different perspectives are part of key business decisions from the start.

When it comes to what practically moves the needle, Kadambari is clear. Cross-functional exposure, leadership training, and rotational assignments build the commercial and operational experience women need to step into senior roles with confidence. Structured mentorship and shadowing programmes help with the softer but equally important side, building confidence and navigating career transitions. But the most powerful combination, in her experience, is mentorship paired with sponsorship.

"Mentorship offers guidance, perspective, and support, while sponsorship actively advocates for talent, creating visibility and opening doors to opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach. When both work together, they create a powerful pathway for leadership growth."

It's a distinction worth paying attention to. Mentors help you grow. Sponsors help you get seen. Both matter, but together, they're transformative.

For women just starting out or navigating their way up, Kadambari's advice is simple -  don't wait for a defined path. Create one. And when you do, make sure you're leaving enough markers behind for the women who come after you. Women's Day, she says, is a good moment to pause, reflect on these journeys, celebrate the leaders who mentor and advocate, and recommit to building spaces where talent, regardless of gender, gets a genuine shot at the top.

India’s fitness industry is entering a high-growth phase as Jerai Fitness Limited and Plus Fitness India announce a strategic collaboration to expand 100 gyms across the country.

The partnership brings together global franchise expertise and over three decades of Indian manufacturing excellence, creating a powerful ecosystem for aspiring gym entrepreneurs. Built on a shared vision of fostering a healthier and fitter India, the collaboration aims to simplify gym ownership while accelerating the growth of organized fitness infrastructure nationwide.

A key highlight of the collaboration is the introduction of a bundled franchise and equipment model. By integrating franchise support with equipment procurement into one streamlined system, the partnership removes vendor coordination complexities and reduces setup delays for new entrepreneurs.

This integrated approach ensures scalability, operational uniformity, and long-term sustainability, making it significantly easier for franchise partners to establish and manage gyms efficiently.

Rajesh Rai, Chairman & MD, Jerai Fitness Limited, emphasized the company’s commitment to in-house production. He noted that domestic manufacturing enables quality control, cost efficiency, reduced import dependency, and active support for the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Jerai Fitness Limited is widely recognized as a pioneer in fitness equipment manufacturing, leveraging automated processes such as robotic welding, fully automated assembly lines, and advanced Turkish and Japanese machinery. Its operational strengths span manufacturing, inventory management, distribution efficiency, and customer service, foundations that now support this large-scale expansion.

Plus Fitness India, led by Master Franchisee Siraj Lalani, has positioned itself as one of the fastest-growing international gym franchise brands. The network operates over 350 clubs globally across markets including Australia, New Zealand, India, and several Asia-Pacific countries.

The brand’s 24/7 access model, standardized global infrastructure, and technology-driven operations have enabled consistent performance across regions.

According to Faiz Sopariwala, Business Development Head at Plus Fitness India, the collaboration aims not just to open gyms, but to build profitable and sustainable businesses for franchise partners while contributing to a healthier nation.

India’s fitness market is projected to witness significant growth in the coming years, driven by rising health awareness, corporate wellness initiatives, and evolving lifestyle trends. As per industry estimates, the Indian fitness equipment market, valued at approximately ₹2,500 crore in 2024 is expected to reach ₹4,600 crore by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 13%.

The 100-gym expansion strategy aligns with this rising demand for organized fitness infrastructure across Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 cities.

With Jerai Fitness Limited’s automated manufacturing capabilities and Plus Fitness India’s global franchise credibility, the partnership offers a comprehensive and scalable model for entrepreneurs.

As India continues its shift toward a more health-conscious future, this collaboration marks a strong step toward making world-class fitness infrastructure accessible, affordable, and operationally seamless across the country.

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, Sushma Khichar, General Manager of Sheraton Grand Bangalore Hotel at Brigade Gateway, shares her perspective on the evolving role of women in the hospitality industry and the significance of creating inclusive workplaces.

From the standpoint of a general manager, she believes Women’s Day offers an opportunity to reflect on the progress the hospitality sector has made while also acknowledging the work that still remains. The industry has long benefited from the qualities women bring to the workplace, including strength, sensitivity, adaptability, and the ability to build meaningful guest connections.

She highlights that in recent years, the hospitality industry has witnessed a growing number of women stepping into operational and leadership roles, which signals a positive shift for the future of the sector. According to her, this transformation is encouraging as it not only strengthens organizational culture but also brings fresh perspectives to leadership and service excellence.

In her view, the true spirit of Women’s Day lies in creating inclusive workplaces where women have equal access to opportunities, exposure to leadership, and clear pathways for career advancement. When organisations empower women to lead, it fosters a culture of collaboration, improves guest experiences, and contributes to long-term business success.

She further emphasises that real progress will be achieved when diversity in leadership becomes a natural and consistent part of the industry rather than an occasional milestone. As the hospitality sector continues to evolve, leaders believe that empowering women and encouraging inclusive growth will remain essential to shaping a stronger and more dynamic future.