Akilamathi, the IT Queen of Thanjavur

"I am not a person who can speak much and do not even know whether I am a person fit enough to be interviewed for a success story grid," starts the media-shy Akilamathi, CEO, Sigmah Computers, who excuses her one hour for an interaction with DQ Channels.

"I have no long tale to tell about my past, like other women in the IT industry. No one would believe after seeing what I am today, but the fact is that my education was stopped at the age of 16 at just class 10," says Akilamathi, who hails from Tirucherai, a small village near Kumbakonam, and got married quite early. "Generally for women initial days are a bit difficult after marriage, but for me, the fate got changed. With zero-knowledge of the outside world, my husband is responsible for what I am today," says Akila, who has changed her name Akilamathimathi, after marrying Mathiyalagan, who is an employee in a nationalized bank.

Initial days

"My hubby was always interested in electronics and gadgets. We initially started as a VCR conversion shop. In early nineties, this business was in demand and we did extremely well and earned customers. At one stage, with the rising computer awareness in our region, people started asking on accessories like key board, mouse and other stuff and hence we forayed into the business," says the lady recalling, "First challenge was to know the business. With me not so highly-educated, I had to be updated to tell others on the latest technology. Secondly, instead of just selling the product, I had to first educate the customers so as to sell them the technology."

‘Hubby is the secret of my energy'

For Akilamathi, her husband means her world. For every five minutes of this interaction, she recalls his name and attributes all her success to him. " It is he who motivated me to think big and grow," says Akilamathi who also adds that her two sons were adjustable in all her aspects. "I feel very blessed that my husband had confidence in me and was with me throughout my success and failure. He, being a bank employee, helped me in maintaining the company accounts perfectly which is also a reason for our success"

Hardwork is the success mantra

Akilamathi says that nothing is equal to hard work. "One of the specialties of our organization is, we have no holidays. We have no sundays, or other festival. We arrange people accordingly and we work." Her day starts at 10.30 am and dedicates her time completely till shutting the door at 11pm. "I feel God has given me this birth and so instead of wasting time by watching serials, I should share and gain knowledge with others." Akila also remembers all her employees who stood with her in all these days.

Why should guys have all the fun?

Akilamathi says that many women are yet to come out. "I do not want to name. But those channel partners who are all in the limelight are because of their life partners. Many channel partners start the entity in the name of their wives but do not bring them in the forefront." Akilamathi says that being a women, she can perform better in the industry. "This industry is cut-throat in many places. However, motherhood is every women's right. More than selling we care for the customer which is here called as post-sales support. Our organization is known for that", she opines.

Becoming a role-model

Today, Akilamathi is the only women CEO in the district association of Thanjavur. She also holds the treasurer post with the association. "I am very happy when I come to know that other fellow channel partners tell my name as role models and bring their wives into the picture and not just allowing them work only in the back-end," says Akilamathi who likes to spend quality time with her sons. For some time, before entering the IT, she was a beautician. She is a regular viewer of TV but does not have time for other things.

No compromises at personal front

Even though she has come up to this level, Akilamathi has not compromised on her personal life. "As a wife, mother, I have certain responsibilities and at any point of time, I am not ready to compromise on my personal life and more than that being a Tamil woman, I have certain duties to be done," says Akilamathi, who follows certain principals in life. Every one, including her, enters office without slippers. While getting and giving money, she stands and gives as a token of respect as told in the Tamil culture.

Future plans

Akilamathi wants to serve better and wants to bring overall awareness among the society. "Lot of people come and go in this business. We know people who have started business and gone without any foot-prints. We want to grow slowly and steadily", says Akilamathi who concludes the interaction and gets busy with her other routine work with the two young girls working with her.

Who knows, more ‘Akilamathis' are in the making!!!