DARE DREAM DAZZLE
I was born into a humble family in the serene hill station of Matheran. My father, a classical singer and fervent human rights advocate, instilled unwavering values in us. My mother, a talented tailor, added creativity to our home. Though financial struggles were constant, our house overflowed with love and happiness. My father’s dream was to provide his daughters with the best education, so despite the hardships, he sent us to an English medium school.
The first transition came when we moved from Matheran to Pune. Despite earning admission to one of the best schools through merit, I faced bullying due to my appearance. Wearing the same torn shoes and loose socks for three years, I felt isolated and struggled with low self-esteem. Our small house with a tin roof in a chawl was often suffocating, yet these challenges made me resilient.
The second transition was college in Pune’s main city. Again, I faced bullying but found friends who stood by me. Financial issues forced me to start working at age 16 paying my college fees. After graduating in 2002, I faced mounting family pressure and deteriorating finances. My mother worked tirelessly, and I took up home tuition to support my BSc studies. Pursuing a B.Ed., I scored second in the Pune division but struggled with admissions due to high fees. A friend suggested BPO job interviews, and I joined Infosys BPO.
My third transition was landing my first job at Infosys BPO, a dream come true. I learned professionalism and gained confidence, earning awards and recognition. While working night shifts, I pursued my MBA in HR and met Swanand, the love of my life. We got married, and the next phase of life started.
Balancing motherhood and career aspirations was my fourth transition. Teaching English communication in institutes allowed me flexibility, but as soon as my son grew 1 year, I returned to the corporate world, joining Wipro and later Credit Suisse. Despite the challenges of odd shifts and a young child, these eight years were transformative.
My fifth transition came when I quit Credit Suisse to pursue my passion for training and facilitation. During COVID, our business faced huge losses, and I helped Swanand at the factory. An email from IIM Bangalore’s Women Start-up Program led to our incubation, providing invaluable mentorship. Though we struggled with loans and losses, we bounced back, as resilient as ever.
Today, as an entrepreneur, life coach, leadership mindset coach, and DEI consultant, I draw strength from my life’s transitions. Each phase has made me stronger and taught invaluable lessons. I’ve achieved dreams once thought impossible: completing my B.Ed. in 2020, earning NLP certifications in 2022, and winning the Mrs. Maharashtra Mrs. Intelligent title in 2019. I’m an IIM B, InFed IIM Nagpur NSRCEL alumna, a published poet, and a painter embarking on a journey of commercial artistry. Each accomplishment reflects my resilience and growth, shaping me into the person I am today.
Alongside my professional work, I have actively contributed to various roles and volunteer activities, including:
