GlowTouch's Vidya Ravichandran quietly pursues dual roles

In recent years, the family has visited Indonesia, England and Amsterdam, which is one of her favorite destinations.

The family also makes a trip to Boston each year to visit Ravichandran's brother, and they spend about six weeks in India each year.

Down-to-earth personality

The couple also enjoys social gatherings, often planning informal get-togethers at their house.

Longtime friend Naina Grover, a part-time lecturer at the University of Louisville, said Ravichandran meets many people who are new to town, and she is good at introducing them to other friends who share common interests.

As a hostess, Ravichandran is relaxed and laid back. She will go out of her way to strike up a conversation with someone new, and she makes herself very approachable.

"We never see how successful she is in her work atmosphere come into the social circle," Grover said, adding that Ravichandran is just as down to earth as she was when Grover met her 11 years ago.

And even though Ravichandran keeps a demanding schedule — Grover described her friend as someone whose "wheels are always spinning" — she is mindful of the importance of personal relationships.

For instance, Grover needed an emergency Caesarian section with the birth of her second child, and Ravichandran dropped everything to be with Grover at the hospital until her husband could get there.

"She's an extremely helpful, kind-hearted person," Grover said.

‘Results driven and people focused'

Russ Broomell, director of project management for GlowTouch, said Ravichandran's compassionate nature also is evident in how she manages the company.

"Vidya is a unique entrepreneurial personality because she is both results-driven and people-focused," Broomell said. "Most people lean one way or the other, and she does both pretty well."

On the people side, he said, she takes the initiative to mentor up-and-coming talent and to match skill sets among employees.

Ravichandran also is accessible. She's not one to sit in an ivory tower and roll out corporate policies, Broomell said, adding that she listens to others' ideas and is willing to admit when she is wrong.

But Ravichandran allows herself little room for error.

"I have high expectations of myself and the people around me," she said. "I'm somewhat unrealistic because I think I should do everything perfect all the time, which can't happen. I'm starting to be more forgiving of myself."

Even though she still battles feelings of guilt about the amount of time she must spend on her work responsibilities, she does not regret her decision to go into business for herself.

She loves the flexibility of being able make changes as needed and the satisfaction of creating jobs and supporting families, especially during such a difficult economic time.

"I'm happy about the place I am right now," Ravichandran said. "I'm doing what I want to be doing."