WADe's creator Vertica Dvivedi believes mad unwavering passion is what makes things happen

When Vertica Dvivedi came to Delhi in the last decade, she came with three things — a backpack, an entrepreneurial dream and a determination to ensure her family was better placed in life. In May this year, Dvivedi founded and launched WADe India, a platform for Women Architects & Designers of India. But before reaching this milestone, she had a long journey of hardships. She lost both parents while studying, had four siblings to support and no financial backing.

Dvivedi was not daunted by the challenges she faced. She says, “Sometimes, mad unwavering passion is what makes things happen. Life around me was lonely and dark but I never allowed that to impact my passion to become an entrepreneur. The fact that my sisters and brother needed my support kept me going.” Prior to setting up WADe, Dvivedi founded and steered the popular interior & architecture materials magazine Surfaces Reporter to an international level.

She also runs a design firm, and is director at the firm Big Sea Marcom India Pvt. Ltd. With her latest initiative — WADe — Dvivedi has received great support and appreciation. The organisation’s launch was attended by famous names like Kiran Bedi, Sussanne Khan, Zarine Khan, and more than 350 delegates. Bedi was quoted at the event saying, “I have come here as a symbol of respect for what you stand for. The country needs you.”

WADe aims at documenting and spreading female-led development. It encourages opportunities for mentoring and bridges the gap between leaders and aspirants. Dvivedi’s entrepreneurial journey has been covered in the book Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul at Work. The concept of WADe was born in 2012, when Dvivedi and team were looking for work done by women architects and designers from the past. However, they didn’t encounter significant documentation.


Image: Vertica Dvivedi (Twitter)

“Women find strength in numbers,” says Dvivedi. “I believe they have the potential to be more. A platform like WADe, which connects women, helps them hold each other’s hands and grow together.” The point from where Dvivedi started her career to where she has arrived today is inspiring for everyone, not just women. She started working when she was in Class XI and couldn’t study after graduation.

Fortunately, a few years ago, she was selected to join IIM Calcutta for a senior management programme. An ardent globetrotter, Dvivedi is also a self-taught photographer. Those who interact with Dvivedi like to describe her as such: a workaholic by choice, an entrepreneur by passion and someone who has an infectious enthusiasm for life.