The place erupts in claps and applause once again as he hands the mic back to the host and returns to his seat beside me.
“That planning was crystal clear, wasn’t it?” the host remarks. “Now, let’s welcome the Finance and Corporate Strategy Lead, Mr. Reyansh Thakur, to address the gathering.”
“All the best,” I whisper as he rises. He caresses my wrist lightly, offering a gentle smile before walking toward the podium and taking the mic. He always acknowledges my presence even when it’s his moment to shine. It’s overwhelming to receive that kind of attention so effortlessly.
“Thank you to all individuals involved in the successful launch of B-Live Aura. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to my colleagues for their unwavering support and for the autonomy afforded to me within the finance division.
From a financial perspective, B-Live Aura has been engineered with scalability and sustainability as fundamental principles. Each product category, encompassing wellness consumables to sleep and aroma accessories, illustrates robust unit economics, healthy profit margins, and significant repeat-purchasepotential. This strategic approach enables us to maintain a premium positioning while also ensuring operational efficiency.
We anticipate achieving break-even within the established timeline, supported by strategically controlled launches and targeted expansion. Our roadmap initiates with a flagship store in a metropolitan area, followed by expansions into Tier-1 cities, ultimately progressing toward global e-commerce access in the foreseeable future.
B-Live Aura embodies not only emotional appeal but also financial resilience and strategic positioning, designed to evolve into a high-value sub-brand within the company’s ecosystem. It is worth noting that effective promotion and marketing of this product are crucial to its success. On that note, I invite my esteemed colleague, our dynamic and essential Marketing and Brand Strategy Lead, Ms. Amyra Bajaj, to address the audience.”
In response to my name being called, I feel a mix of surprise and anticipation. The applause that follows underscores the moment's significance, heightening my awareness of the attention.
“Please remember to remain composed,” Karan advises quietly from my left. I acknowledge his support with a nod, rise to my feet, and reach for the microphone. Instead of simply handing it over, Reyansh leans in for a brief, professional embrace before stepping back.
His unexpected gesture momentarily disrupts my thoughts, leaving me unsettled as I adjust to this public display. Nevertheless, I politely tap his back, take the microphone, and address the audience.
“Good morning, everyone.
B-Live Aura was conceived upon the foundational belief that luxury should evoke a sense of calm rather than overwhelm. This brand seamlessly integrates wellness and elegance through meticulous design, tactile elements, and purposeful experiences. Every product, ranging from our adaptogenic teas to silk sleep accessories, is meticulously crafted to encourage consumers to slow down and cultivate balance in their daily lives.
Our visual identity embodies this philosophy, featuring muted tones, natural materials, and lifestyle moments that resonate as both aspirational and profoundly personal. Inside our flagship stores, the customer journey is immersive, crafted to create an environment that feels like a pause rather than merely a purchase.
B-Live Aura represents more than a product line; it is a presence, a state of mind, and a lifestyle that we are honored to present today. We extend our sincere gratitude to the company management for their trust in our team and for the creative freedom they granted. I offer my heartfelt thanks to my colleagues, Mr. Reyansh Thakur and Mr. Karan Mahajan, for their consistent support. Thank you.”
A loud applause erupts, and I feel immensely happy to see my father and uncle clapping along with others. I also feel amused to see both Reyansh and Karan standing up and clapping, too. I bow slightly and return to my seat as the event continues with speeches from the branch head, Chairperson, and CEO, each showering us with compliments and expressing excitement about the new product line’s potential.
“Proud of the young team and wishing them the very best for the future,” Suryaveer Uncle concludes, as the host announces the next phase of the event, the flagship store launch at the branch. The officials and staff disperse from the hall, heading toward theground floor via the stairs, while I, along with my teammates and our fathers, take the elevator.
“You guys are truly amazing,” Dad says, his eyes moving over the three of us. Our faces instantly light up with delight.
“Exactly!” Surya Uncle adds warmly. “We expected you to give your best, but never imagined something this well-planned. Everything is solid, intact, and impactful. I’m sure we’ll taste success very soon.” His words feel like a long-awaited acknowledgment of the hard work we poured into this project, the sleepless nights, the learning curves, and the relentless push to do better.
I feel genuinely proud of us.
The elevator doors slide open on the ground floor, and we follow the co-founders’ footsteps as the flagship store comes into view. The entrance is adorned with a bright red ribbon, cameras flashing as staff and media surround us. We prompt our fathers to do the honours.
My eyes turn glossy as I finally see the tangible result of our strenuous efforts. I steady myself, clapping as the ribbon is cut, and we step inside the store for the very first time. Everywhere I look, I see precision, thought, and quiet excellence, credit to the branch staff.
The products are arranged based on different needs of mind: sleep, stress relief, focus, and reset. Essential oil blends linger softly in the air; teas are offered for sampling; candles glow in designated quiet zones. Silk sleep accessories rest in softly lit displays, emphasizing comfort and understated luxury. Trained consultants to guide customers gently, without hard-selling.
This has turned out beautifully. After a brief store tour, we step back outside as the host announces the product launch party scheduled for the evening. The staff cheers, relief and excitement evident as we’ll finally get some rest after exhausting days.
The event concludes, and everyone returns to their cubicles. Our fathers take their leave after one last round of proud smiles and goodbyes. The moment they’re gone, Karan, Reyansh, and I rush into our allotted cabin, lock the door, and stare at each other in stunned silence until—
“We did it!” we exclaim in unison, bursting into laughter and wrapping each other in a tight group hug, our smiles genuine and overflowing.
“This feels unreal,” Karan breathes as we finally pull apart.
“Absolutely. It still feels like we’re in a dream,” I reply, covering my mouth in disbelief.
“Guys,” Reyansh says firmly, bringing us back down to earth. “From the anxiety of leading a high-pressure project to successfully launching it today, this is the biggest achievement of our careers so far. Let’s soak in this moment and create memories we'll cherish forever.” Karan and I eagerly nod, cheering him on.
“I can’t wait for the launch party tonight,” Karan adds, excitement lighting up his face. “We’ll be in front of the national media!” The thought fills me with a mix of nervousness and joy.
“This is our moment in the spotlight, everyone. Cheers to us!” Reyansh exclaims, raising his fist triumphantly.
