Life in Focus: Kapil Pathare, Deputy Managing Director, VIP Clothing

Kapil Pathare, a B.Com graduate with an MBA degree, has been a part of VIP Clothing for more than two decades. An entrepreneur known for making game-changing decisions and an author with a revolutionary voice in his books, Kapil has played a key role in various aspects of manufacturing, with a strong emphasis on quality control and service. With his vast knowledge and experience, he continues to drive innovation, operational excellence and market expansion at VIP Clothing Ltd. Beyond business, Kapil has also authored three books: Cricket to Corporate, A Tall Order and Maiden Innings: An Inspiring Account of How Indian Women Scripted Cricketing History.

Define Success
Success, to me, is inner peace and the ability to positively impact lives while staying true to one’s values. It’s not a destination but a journey of growth, contribution and continuous learning.  It’s not just about the bottom line — it’s about the legacy you leave behind.

Travel and Exploration
Travel inspires me. From remote villages to global cities, each place offers a new perspective. I often travel for business, but I make it a point to explore local culture and cuisine. Travel fuels my creativity and reminds me of the diversity of human experiences.

Favourite Food
A simple, well-cooked home-style food brings unmatched comfort – though I enjoy global cuisine, I always return to Indian roots.

Role Models

• My father and our founding team at VIP — their entrepreneurial courage built an iconic brand
• Sir Ratan Tata for his values-driven leadership
• APJ Abdul Kalam for his humility and vision
  Rahul Dravid for his consistency and calmness under pressure

One Superpower You Wish You Had
Time manipulation – the ability to pause or rewind moments. There’s so much to learn from hindsight and so much we could do with a little more time.

Thoughts on AI
AI is both a powerful tool and a responsibility. It can revolutionise efficiency and learning, but it must be steered with ethical frameworks. Human intelligence combined with artificial intelligence can solve some of the world’s biggest problems – if used wisely.

Advice to Young Professionals
Build depth before speed. Focus on learning rather than just earning. Don’t chase titles—chase value creation. Be patient, stay curious and never compromise on integrity.

Life-Changing Event/Incident
When I took on the responsibility of VIP Clothing at a relatively young age of 21, it was baptism by fire. It taught me resilience and the importance of trusting your instincts.