Psychologists argue that of all the things that make us human, it is our ability to communicate that truly sets us apart from all other animals. While many animals communicate through bark or calls, through growls and roars, and even through songs, none have the same ability to convey complex meaning quite like we do. Through speech we can express emotions, declare love, share ideas and even develop concepts and philosophies. Through speech we literally have the ability for minds to meet, to learn from each other and to further our understanding of all subjects. It can even be said that the human race’s greatest successes, such as medical break-throughs and increased understanding, have only been made possible through effective communication while our greatest failures, such as war and conflict, are the result of a failure to communicate.

But more important than speech alone, is our ability to record our speech in many formats. To make it available to others, separated by both time and distance even beyond the grave, making words from previous generations available for the benefit of future generations. As technology advances so do our mediums of communication, from ancient hieroglyphics to written text to modern emoticons. Just as the printing press revolutionized communications so has digital technology with streaming and perhaps more importantly, our ability to record such vast quantities of data that were once thought incomprehensible. And just as the ability to communicate through speech makes us human, it is our ability to record and share our words and thoughts that makes us civilized as we have evolved. An idea or concept developed in Frankfurt can be applied in Nairobi and knowledge and wisdom from one culture can be shared across the globe for the benefit of all.

And it is here, facilitating the sharing of knowledge across the world that Vancouver couple Sharad and Nisha Kharé have carved out their professional niche. As co-founders of Kharé Communications, Sharad and Nisha spend their working hours interviewing and recording some of the world’s most prominent figures and helping leading organizations develop their own message to further their success through video.

In the corporate world the Kharé’s have a truly impressive list of both public and private sector clients including several leading non-profits. They have worked with some of the biggest and the most innovative including Microsoft, MAQ software, Pharmacy BC and Blast Radius to name a few. Their non-profits range from the Vancouver Art Gallery to the Humanitarian Innovation Forum, the United Nations and the Curators of TEDx Vancouver. For their corporate clients, they handle all aspects of their communications strategy. From initial concept creation and interviewing to photography and finished video distribution through exclusive social media channels, the Kharé’s run a full service shop including content video creation and editing.

But perhaps their most significant contribution is as legacy journalists. Facilitating and spreading the message of some of the world’s most prominent figures and visionaries and the personal legacies of their private clients. This aspect of their lives has seen them document spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama and interview meditation teacher Bob Roth and leading philanthropist Mary Ann Thompson-Frenk amongst others. In this aspect of their work, rather than create and shape the message as they would with a corporate communications strategy, they facilitate the sharing of the message. In doing so they make a mass of information available to all. And by facilitating rather than creating the message, the message is delivered in its’ purest form creating a true legacy directly from the message’s creator as they tell their story.

So who are the Kharés? Both equally accomplished across many fields, the Kharés are an impressive duo. With over 20 years of experience in video journalism Sharad is the agency’s Creative Director. Building on years of experience at a range of media outlets including, The Huffington Post and the Curation Team at TEDx Vancouver, Sharad has produced over 300 journalist interview profiles of the world’s elite and conducted many legacy interviews. Having documented the Prime Minister of India, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and the CEO of Google, interviewed, Lululemon Founder Chip Wilson and conducted a Questions and Answers session with Deepak Chopra it is certainly an interesting life, not least given that the interviews are conducted across the world from Los Angeles to Dublin to Hyderabad and all points in between.

Whereas Sharad is a journalist by trade and education, completed a Masters of Arts Degree in Professional Communications at Royal Roads University, Nisha brings an entirely different set of skills to the table. It is often said that the best partnerships are created when different yet complimentary people come together and that is what has happened in Kharé Communications.

A qualified Clinical Counselor, Nisha has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, a Bachelor of Education Degree and a Masters Degree in Counseling Psychology, all from the University of British Columbia. And in addition to her education is an incredibly diverse professional profile. Starting out as a Power Boiler Fireman, Nisha has been a Social Worker, an Elementary and High School Teacher, a Counselor and a TV Host. However, some of her other experience is even more remarkable. As a producer, a comedian and a model, Nisha really has been there and done that. She has interviewed Olympian Ashleigh McIvor and facilitates and moderates dialogue. As a public speaker, Nisha has been asked to address audiences to raise awareness of a broad range of both light hearted and gritty issues. Able to speak on subjects as diverse as change management, personality types, leadership, generations in the workplace and having addressed the United Nations on Women’s Entrepreneurship Day and Powerful Partnerships, Nisha is able to relate to all manner of audiences giving her the ability to guide Kharé Communications in creating digital media that resonates with its’ target audience. Outside of Kharé Communications Nisha has several other noteworthy achievements. As a Career and Learning Consultant with Health Canada, Nisha unlocks and maximizes people’s full potential in a one-on-one counseling program. In recognition of her contribution the wider community Nisha was recognized as an outstanding achiever by the International Honor Society and was awarded the University of British Columbia’s Golden Key. Other Honorees include Former US President, Bill Clinton, South Africa’s Bishop Desmond Tutu and Canada’s first female astronaut, Roberta Bondar.

As with many couples that work together, there is no work life balance. But there is life and it is one that they are both passionate about. Sharad and Nisha started their agency in search of fulfillment. They both had separate careers, working in good companies but they both felt that they wanted more. Something more fulfilling, something that would enable them to make a difference and to create a legacy. And to do that, they created their own opportunity, Kharé Communications.

Now , working together in their own company they get to set their schedules and create their own boundaries around raising their media savvy children, Soran and Nola, both of whom are already working in the video media industry. Nola and Nisha recently did an international Johnson and Johnson’s Baby Wash  advertisement. Busy days creating world leading legacy media are often punctuated by and arranged around the school run and other family needs such as visiting their parents who are also based in Vancouver. And when the children are in bed, it’s back to the laptops. But what might sound like apunishing schedule, worthy of the harshest of employers, it is far from that for a couple that truly love what they do. Legacy journalism isn’t just what Nisha and Sharad do, it is what inspires and fulfills them, it is their legacy.
In giving their all to their own business, the Kharé’s are literally following their dream. It’s a choice they made, and although being entrepreneurs gives them many freedoms it also comes with great risk and accountability. There is no safety net and Kharé Communications can only succeed through their own efforts. It is here that the couple’s dynamic truly comes into play. Having first met in their younger days in Prince George, their paths crossed several times over the years before realizing that they were each other’s natural match on many levels.
As with all small companies and organizations there is no clearly defined division of labour and no formalized job descriptions written by an all seeing HR department. Instead both Nisha and Sharad gravitate to the roles that they are more naturally suited to whilst still being able to deputize for each other. While Nisha’s visionary and goal oriented approach sees her focusing on the horizon, Sharad is more process oriented. As Nisha looks to the future asking where should we go, what should we be, Sharad puts the wheels in motion and maps out the route to get Kharé Communications to where it needs to be at the leading edge of digital media. In true boutique fashion, the Kharé’s are involved in every aspect of their business with Sharad even doing some of his own camera work whilst ensuring that the interviewees are always comfortable and relaxed.
And it can be hard work. Despite their passion and love for their work. There is no manual or online course for how to create a world leading legacy communications agency. With each project both Nisha and Sharad strive to do better than they did on previous assignments. What worked well, what could have been better and what hit the ball out of the park? Which parts do we keep and what do we develop? It’s the ultimate ongoing, continuous improvement process, always seeking perfection while achieving excellence as they do.
While many married couples will find that both living and working together can be far more challenging than they initially anticipated, the Kharé’s have found quite the opposite. Rather than struggling to find their own space or their own bolt-hole, through working together both Sharad and Nisha have found that their relationship has been strengthened quite considerably. Although they often have no idea what each week will hold, Nisha says that working together has enabled them to get to know each other in ways that otherwise they would not have been able to. She also adds that the extra time spent together has added an extra dimension to their marriage and creates a level of energy that keeps not just them going, but also those around them. Through sharing common goals across all areas of their lives, both personal and professional, they have both gained a more in depth understanding of each other and a greater appreciation for each other.

And in addition to what they get from each other, through working with some of the world’s most gifted and knowledgeable visionaries and influencers, Nisha and Sharad are able to learn and draw from not just one role model or mentor but many, taking advice and inspiration from each of them, applying it where it is most appropriate. As Sharad remarks, ‘One of the great things about being an entrepreneur, especially in our line of work, is that it naturally enables you to build a network of advisors and role models. Over the years, Nisha and I have been able to assemble quite a village and we take learnings from each person in that community.’
With all of the challenges associated with building their own business, none can outweigh the rewards that come with building something incredible. While Kharé Communications is a Vancouver based boutique agency, it truly has global reach and is a world leader in its field. As they build their company around their family, Nisha and Sharad Kharé are making a significant contribution to furthering human understanding and developing knowledge and wisdom across time and distance and beyond borders as legacy journalists. And with not just working together but also having their children with them nd their parents nearby, the Kharé’s really have gone beyond achieving the work life balance that so many of us aspire to and have built a life that provides both tangible and emotional benefits on many levels, not just for them but also across the world.

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