Shalini Vij ( Owner, Hang Out)
Shalini Vij is the very first women entrepreneur to start a business like Hangout; which is one of its kind in India. She has revolutionized the concept of entertainment in India with her brand Hangout and her entrepreneurial skills and passion; that is the driving force behind the success of Hangout.
Moving back from the U.S with retail & entertainment experience behind her and as a mother of 2 young kids, she realized the need to start an inclusive entertainment joint for families where children & parents could enjoy together, spend quality time with their families & keeping in mind the sibling age differences, she created a perfect Hang Out for all age groups and families as a whole.
Thus began the journey of Hangout, a complete entertainment joint based in Select City Walk, Saket and DT Mega Mall, Gurgaon.
A quick moment to familiarize you with Hang Out, it is a family hangout, as the name states. It's not just about Kids entertainment, Hang Out promotes family interaction & understands the sibling age preferences of entertainment & family needs as a whole, they cater to ages 2 to U2.
Hang Out is not just another gaming zone or toddler area, it’s a comprehensive centre for family, party fun, play and operate as a party facility and promotes festivities and events. They understand the parental psych, the family needs and keep in mind the child's attention spans.
From toddlers to big kids, from young parents to grandparents, HANG OUT is the Ultimate destination for Party, Play and Fun. Regardless of the age, come and enjoy the exciting Arcade/Redemption/Skill Games, Amusement and High-Tech Rides, Virtual Roller Coasters, 3D/4D Motion Theatre, 360 Degree Virtual roller coaster, Indoor Playground with Monku’s show and mouthwatering snacks menu at the Hang Out Café & Hang Out Family Restaurant.
Shalini Vij answers the following questions ...............
1. What is the motivation behind starting Hangout?
When Shalini Vij, moved back from U.S with 14 years of retail & entertainment experience behind her and a mother of 2 young kids, she realized the need for comprehensive entertainment for families where children & parents could enjoy together, spend quality time with their families & keeping in mind the sibling age differences, she created a perfect Hang Out for all age groups and families as a whole.
With experience in Management and Human Resources from many US based Companies like Caldor, Discovery Zone, Things Remembered and Rainbow Shops, Shalini has revolutionized the concept of entertainment in India with Hangout and her entrepreneurial skills and passion. Her children inspired her to put together the concept of Hangout, which aims to be a one stop shop for complete amusement.
Shalini has a detailed understanding of the entertainment needs of children of the current decade. She has contributed a milestone to the Entertainment Industry with her brain child- Hangout, with a foray of technology driven entertainment experiences. She has contributed a milestone to the Entertainment Industry with her brain child- Hangout, with a foray of technology driven entertainment experiences. By bringing together technology and contemporary entertainment to children of the Capital and now in NCR, Shalini ensures a “Global Smile” of safe fun and complete customer satisfaction.
2. What are the startup challenges?
Hailing from a business family, it wasn’t a cake walk for Vij. Talking about the hurdles she had to face she says, “Making a place for myself in the male dominated sphere of entertainment industry, was a big challenge for me. Also, the risk of bringing a new concept, a different model and convincing people to believe in it was more demanding than I ever anticipated.”
As her first move to make her off-beat project a success, she travelled for two years,
“I kept my kids involved in the research work by making them go over my catalogues and videos. This helped me understand their expectations as children,” she shares.
Being a mother herself, she realizes the importance of healthy meals. That’s why she has carefully drafted the menu of her cafe. “I have put lots of veggies to make the meals healthy. The mother in me at work alternates white bread with wheat offers soya burgers as an option over potatoes. I have also added milk drinks like Milo and Hershey’s along with the milk shakes. Wheat pastas, veggie pizzas and wheat based kathis bring the flavour of home cooked food,” she adds.
Not just this, at Hang Out, Vij has made sure that the play zone caters to proper motor and sensory skill development of the kids as well. To achieve this, she has various edutainment panels in the toddler area, which concentrate on their cognitive, music, fine motor and sensory skills while they play. “There are many games to improve their hand and eye coordination. Games like virtual bowling, golf and basketball help them achieve this,” she explains.
3. Were there any challenges being a woman entrepreneur?
Being amongst the first few woman in the entertainment & retail industry, trying to make a place in the male dominated industry was a challenge.
The risks of bringing in a new concept, a different model & convincing others to believe in my passion project was more demanding than I anticipated but again with the Grace of God & support from my well wishers, Hang Out changed the face of Kids entertainment. There were no women in the entertainment industry when I started, but having experience from the US, I was confident that I will make my mark as a pioneer in this field in India.
Hang has been awarded as the best family entertainment center, northern Region for 2 years in a row by the Indian Association of Amusement Parks, also nominated as the Best retailer in entertainment & creative concept & Visual merchandising by the IRF & is an active member of the International Association of Amusement Parks (IAAPA & IAAPI). Shalini has attended many workshops in the US & been on the speaker panel for the IRF & continues to stay actively involved.
“I am happy that we have received recognition internationally in the Amusement & Family Entertainment Sector, it means a lot to me being amongst the very few women in this Industry."
4. How her family reacted on starting a business?
My Dad, Mr. O.P. Bajaj, is my mentor & my role model. He is a self made industrialist & director of M.F. Group of Industries. He has always been my inspiration & I have learnt a lot from him. It was my dads, my in-laws, & my husband’s promotion & support that I could shape my passion project.
My mother symbolizes love & values to me. She has made me the person I am. She has taught me the meanings of life. I can't thank her enough for this gift of life.
I have been married 25 years, to my husband Sundeep, he's my companion of all times, in good & in bad, he's stood by me & always motivated me & kept me going. He helped me whenever I got stuck as he puts it "we are partners for life". Even though he's from the steel forging industry, his curiosity, quest to educate him in my line of work is commendable.
I thank God & my invisible pillars of strength for the success of Hang Out. With Blessings of God, family & friends, I was able to convert my passion project, my dreams & my love for kids into a family hangout.
5. What are the future plans?
With 3 locations in Delhi NCR, Hang Out, a complete family entertainment joint, now spreads its wings into Ludhiana, opening soon at the Pavillion Mall, Ludhiana & west Delhi project in the pipeline.
"We plan to ensure a global smile on the children's faces by ensuring we can bring our Family Entertainment Center close to their homes & cover as many states, cities & localities as we can”, says Shalini Vij, Owner and Founder of Hangout.
All operations to date are company owned & operated, however we are looking into possibilities of an international merger or a franchise model down the line.
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