Meet This Company Secretary Who Launched Her Own Firm In The 1990s And Is Still Going Strong

• Amita Desai wanted to become a company secretary but opted for law instead. And, just before she could give her law exams, she got married! But the desire to pursue CS never left her.
• Soon after, with a year-old son to take care of, she pursued the position of company secretary and cleared it in her first attempt.
• Amita now runs her own firm, Amita Desai and Co., in the commercial hub of Mumbai (India) and provides services under the Companies Act, LLP, FEMA, IBC, and general business practices that must be done legally.
• Here’s a story about determination, resoluteness, and an undying spirit to carve out a niche for oneself.

Starting small and starting early

It was 1980. Having scored pretty decently in my class 10 exams, my father wanted me to take science, but I took up the commerce stream! He was still happy with my decision.

While still in college, I used to tutor high school students so I could be financially independent. That was when I first started earning.

I also helped my father manage his business, which developed my business acumen.

In 1985, I completed my B.Com. degree. But that was not it; I was looking to study further.

My dad stood for education—he knew how transforming and empowering education is and encouraged me to pursue a professional qualification after my B.Com.

Changing Lanes

When it was time to decide what to do next after graduation, an MBA was one option. However, I wasn’t too keen on doing an MBA. So I dropped the MBA idea.

So, what next? I wasn’t particularly inclined towards accounting or typical finance, so going for chartered accounting or cost accounting was out of the question. That was when I stumbled across the company secretary.

At that time (and we are talking about the 1980s), there were a number of chartered accountants in the country, but only a handful of company secretaries.

People didn’t know what a company secretary was or did.

In fact, even I knew that it was a multidisciplinary profession and required a meticulous mindset. This interested me a lot.

And I decided to enroll in the CS course.

only that I didn’t.

So, my family thought that choosing CS meant government employment or personal secretary work, which, obviously, they did not want their daughter to do. Thus, my father suggested that I study law.

I went ahead with my law studies.

My first semester exams were due in May 1988. But, unexpectedly, my wedding dates (which were planned after my exams) got postponed to March 1988.

And I could not appear for my law exams.

Starting a Business and Losing My Dad

I got married.

My husband was very supportive and advised me to start a business instead of studying further. (At that time, this was considered a really progressive mindset. So, please, don’t raise your eyebrows!)

I took a loan of $500 from my father in 1988 and started a wholesaling business of everyday items like chocolates, biscuits, etc. called “AmiDeep Agencies” (derived from Amita and Sandeep, my husband).

The business started off really well. Within just six months of establishing it, my business was doing very well. (That was a big accomplishment!)

I would wake up early and get everything ready. I also used to take tuition for classes XI and XII. Working was my passion!

Did I get tired? Yes. Was I ready to give up? Never. Hustle was the answer.

And then, life gave me a beautiful gift. My son was born in May 1989. But, suddenly, my father fell severely ill and, after a week of high fever, passed away in early August 1989.

He was my strongest support; I was inconsolable and shattered. Just after, in September 1989, I wrapped up my business too.

A New Phase: Enrolling the Company Secretary

My father always wanted me to study further and have a professional qualification, so, after a year of his death in August 1990, I decided to study further as a tribute to him.

I registered for the Company Secretary course from the ICSI (The Institute of Company Secretaries of India).

My son had just turned one. Along with raising him, I was responsible for all household chores, entertaining guests, tutoring, and studying.

My husband was my biggest supporter throughout. If not for him, nothing would have been possible for me.

And you know what? My CS exams were passed on the first try! A dream come true.

So, even though it was only 5 years, the period from 1985 to 1990 was a long and eventful one. I married. I started and closed my business. became a mother. I lost my dad. and qualified as a company secretary.

Starting My Own Business, Again!

I was always fiercely independent (thanks to my father!).Working for a boss was an alien concept to me.

Also, having a professional qualification like CS empowered me.

So, at the age of 30, with only $70 in savings and a small 15 x 15-square-foot office, I established “Amita Desai & Co.” as an independent company secretary from my home.

My husband strongly advocated “discipline” in business. So, even though my home was my office, I was in “work mode” by 10:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.

My son had just turned 4, but he got used to seeing his mom in work mode, so he would ask for my permission before bothering me during work (I adore my cutie for this!).

When I first started, there wasn’t much work, but I still used to sit in my office religiously, reading up on the Company Act, preparing a checklist for various corporate actions, or devouring any CS book that I could lay my hands on.

And magic happens when you DO NOT GIVE UP…One day, my mentor called me, asking if I was open to taking on work. Of course I was.

And I took the assignment and completed it without any expectation of payment. No, I wasn’t stupid. Learning was my payment. I was looking at it long-term and had to get started somewhere.

And guess what? The client offered me a retainer for four visits a month.

And I got referrals. The CS of that company recommended me to another group too. Word-of-mouth helped expand my practice.

I always focused on adding value to my clients. So, when they paid my fees, it would be done happily and with satisfaction.

Most of all, they remembered me for my work. And they referred my services to others in their circle. Referrals don’t come easily. You’ve got to earn that with your amazing work!

The work kept coming.

2003. From a 15×15-sq.-ft. room in my house, the company shifted to an office of 500 sq. ft. with a dedicated team of 12 members.

2011. We moved to a 650 sq. ft. office and were 15-people strong.

In 2015, we started operating from a 1500 sq ft office located in a plush commercial building in the heart of Andheri (Mumbai).