South Asian Trailblazers

Simi Shah | Trailblazers Media
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On Trailblazers, we dive deep into the journeys of trailblazing South Asians. To date, Simi Shah, our founder and host, has welcomed ClassPass Founder Payal Kadakia, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, 49ers President Paraag Marathe, and other world-renowned South Asian trailblazers. Learn more at southasiantrailblazers.com.

  1. AAVRANI has been Acquired: Founder Rooshy Roy on Exiting her Beauty Brand

    FEB 10

    AAVRANI has been Acquired: Founder Rooshy Roy on Exiting her Beauty Brand

    AAVRANI has been acquired — and founder Rooshy Roy shares the full story for the first time on South Asian Trailblazers. Six years ago, in Season 1 (2020), Rooshy first sat down with Simi as a freshly-funded, newly-married Forbes 30 Under 30 founder building one of the first beauty brands rooted in Indian heritage. Today, she becomes the first trailblazer to ever return to the podcast — here to share the end of her nine-year journey bringing Indian Ayurveda-inspired beauty to the world. In this raw, deeply personal conversation, Rooshy walks through the complete arc of building in beauty — from meeting her co-founder on the second day of Wharton, to raising $10M+ in venture funding, to pivoting from skincare to hair care with Sephora, to partnering with Lilly Singh, to the moment she realized she was playing a game she no longer wanted to win. She reveals why she decided to let go of the brand she spent nine years building and her process in finding the ultimate acquirer. This episode is essential listening for ambitious women, founders building in consumer brand, and anyone wrestling with when to hold on and when to let go. KEY TOPICS: AAVRANI's acquisition announcement and what's nextThe truth about launching in Sephora in 2024How celebrity partnerships work (Lilly Singh)Fellow South Asian beauty founders in Sephora: competitive or collaborative?3 things Rooshy would do differentlyChoosing family, chasing dreams, and knowing when to let goAbout Rooshy: Rooshy Roy is the founder and former CEO of AAVRANI, a premium beauty brand inspired by ancient Indian beauty traditions rituals. She co-founded at Wharton in 2017. A first-generation Indian American, Rooshy previously worked at Goldman Sachs and Warburg Pincus before launching AAVRANI to bring Ayurvedic beauty rooted in Indian traditions to the global stage. She was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in 2020 in Retail & E-Commerce. AAVRANI expanded from skincare into hair care at Sephora in partnership with Lilly Singh, and was acquired at the end of 2025.  PREVIOUS EPISODE: Rooshy Roy, Season 1 (2020) Follow Rooshy & AAVRANI: Rooshy on InstagramRooshy on SubstackAAVRANI WebsiteAAVRANI on Instagram South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    1h 10m
  2. U.S. Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, & Suhas Subramanyam

    09/25/2025

    U.S. Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar, & Suhas Subramanyam

    U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Representative Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) join South Asian Trailblazers Host Simi Shah for a timely and wide-ranging conversation live from the Impact Summit 2025 in Washington, D.C. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. On this special panel concluding Season 8, we dive into: 💬 How increased political violence is shaping their leadership 💬 The urgent need for immigration reform and protections for our community 💬 Combating disinformation, hate, and cuts to healthcare 💬 U.S.–India relations, tariffs, and the $130B in trade at stake for small businesses 💬 The path ahead for South Asian representation in Congress — and beyond About the U.S. Congressmen: Raja Krishnamoorthi, who previously joined us on South Asian Trailblazers, is in his fifth term representing Illinois’ 8th District. He is the first South Asian American to lead a Congressional committee, serving as Ranking Member of the Select Committee on Strategic Competition with the Chinese Communist Party. Shri Thanedar, representing Michigan’s 13th District since 2022, is a former chemist, entrepreneur, and immigrant from southern India who rose from poverty to public service. He is the Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability. Suhas Subramanyam, elected in 2024 to represent Virginia’s 10th District, is the first Indian American elected to Congress from Virginia. A former Obama White House technology advisor and Virginia state legislator, he now serves on the Oversight and Science, Space, and Technology Committees. 🎧 This is South Asian leadership in action — inside the nation’s halls of power. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    52 min
  3. Ani and Ayan Sanyal, Founders of Kolkata Chai Co.

    09/09/2025

    Ani and Ayan Sanyal, Founders of Kolkata Chai Co.

    Brothers Ani and Ayan Sanyal, Co-founders of Kolkata Chai Co., join Host Simi Shah ahead of National Chai Day for a conversation around building one of the most iconic South Asian brands in America. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. What started as a side hustle in 2018 is now an 8-figure empire spanning viral NYC cafés, a booming e-commerce arm, and a cult following. The Bengali-American brothers have build a fast-growing food & beverage brand bringing authentic masala chai to the Western world, winning checks from investors like CPG Guru — and our previous guest — Nik Sharma and Celebrity Investor Hasan Minhaj, who went from loyal customer to the company’s second-largest stakeholder. Before Kolkata Chai, the brothers co-founded a creative agency called Green Room Creative, inspired by their roots in an immigrant household in Massachusetts.  In this episode, we dive into: ☕How a trip to India sparked the idea for KCC ☕The realities of being co-founders and brothers (including therapy!) ☕Bootstrapping through COVID before raising a $1M pre-seed ☕How to sell without selling out (your culture) ☕Their organic partnership with celebrity investor Hasan Minhaj ☕Overcoming impostor syndrome From pushing chai to have its $15B global “matcha moment” to intersecting community and commerce, this is the story of two brothers redefining South Asian culture in America — one cup at a time. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    1h 2m
  4. Karishma Mehta, Founder of Humans of Bombay

    08/19/2025

    Karishma Mehta, Founder of Humans of Bombay

    All the way from Mumbai 🇮🇳✈️ our latest LIVE ✨podcast features Karishma Mehta: Founder & CEO of Humans of Bombay, India’s largest storytelling platform. This memorable live conversation from June 2024 is finally here.  WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. Born and raised in Mumbai, Karishma launched Humans of Bombay at just 21. Over the past decade, she has grown it into India’s largest storytelling platform — spanning a photo blog, YouTube series, podcasts, books, and an agency — sharing thousands of stories that have inspired, mobilized, and connected millions. We talk about: 💬 The origin story of #HumansofBombay and its 10-year journey 💬 Navigating the highs and lows of building a media company in India 💬 Lessons on #manifestation, balance, and detachment as a founder 💬 The challenges of living and creating in public 💬 How storytelling — from Marine Drive to global boardrooms — is evolving 🎧 Tune in for a candid conversation with one of India’s leading storytellers. Thanks to our partners in this event: DesiGalli, Rupee Beer, The Third Place Co, and Photographer Dhaval Shah. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    43 min
  5. Ali Sethi, Musician

    08/05/2025

    Ali Sethi, Musician

    Globally-acclaimed Singer, Songwriter, and Author ‪Ali Sethi sits down with South Asian Trailblazers Host Simi Shah for a deeply personal podcast conversation on the heels of his debut solo album #LoveLanguage. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. Born in Lahore, educated at Harvard University and currently based in New York, he studied under acclaimed mentors across musical genres before rising to international acclaim with his viral hit “Pasoori,” which has surpassed a billion streams. From ghazals to reggaeton, Carnegie Hall to Coachella, he blends the classical with the contemporary in ways that transcend borders. A vocalist, composer, and published author, Ali is a TIME100 Next honoree whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and Pitchfork. His debut novel The Wish Maker received international acclaim, and with Love Language, he offers his most personal work yet. In this deeply personal conversation, we unpack:  💬 Growing up in a household of dissenters in Pakistan  💬 The story behind Pasoori — and how the most hummed song of 2022 became a cultural flashpoint 💬 The symbolism of the color red in his new album 💬 How a Harvard class on Sufi poetry and a collaboration with Mira Nair transformed his creative path 💬 What it means to be a queer South Asian artist making art in a climate of fear Tune in for a rare and resonant conversation with one of the most compelling artists of our time. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    1h 10m
  6. Vir Das, Comedian & Actor

    07/20/2025

    Vir Das, Comedian & Actor

    On the night his new Netflix special Full Volume hits screens, global comedy icon Vir Das sits down with South Asian Trailblazers Host Simi Shah for an unforgettable podcast live-recorded at the ‪Asia Society of New York.  WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. 🎧 This is Vir Das off-script — raw, real, and as per always, hilarious. Born in Dehradun, raised in Lagos, and educated everywhere from Delhi to Knox College in Illinois, Vir Das is definitionally global. He has traversed Hindi cinema and inspired India’s comedy scene – from crowd favorites like Delhi Belly to performing stand-up at Carnegie Hall. In his career, he has worn the hats of actor, director, writer, comic, and soon-to-be author.  To date, he’s released five global specials – winning an Emmy for his special: Landing in 2023. In 2024, he hosted the International Emmy’s. Vir was the first Indian comedian from India to launch a special on Netflix. The night of this conversation, he launched his 5th special – VIR DAS: FOOL VOLUME with the streamer. This year, he’s back with his boldest work yet — not just this special – but a memoir entitled The Outsider: A Memoir for Misfits and a host of other inspired projects.  Hosted in partnership with Neerja PR and Asia Society. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    1h 6m
  7. Sandeep Acharya, Founder and CEO of Octave Health

    04/01/2025

    Sandeep Acharya, Founder and CEO of Octave Health

    On today’s episode, I’m joined by Sandeep Acharya — Founder and CEO of Octave, a company that’s quietly but powerfully transforming how we experience mental health care in America. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. Under his leadership, Octave has partnered with major insurers to make high-quality, affordable therapy accessible across 23 states. It’s been named a LinkedIn Top Startup and one of the best places to work in the country. Before founding Octave, Sandeep wore many hats: investor at Bain Capital and Insight, consultant at Bain & Company, and executive at One Medical, where he helped scale the company nationwide and saw firsthand how deeply unmet our mental health needs are. In this conversation, we go far beyond the bullet points — talking about his battle with cancer, the role of spirituality and music in his life, and what it really takes to build a company that’s both mission-driven and sustainable. He shares unfiltered insights on leadership and navigating uncertainty. This one’s for the builders, those fighting their own battles, and the believers. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    43 min
  8. Dilawar Syed, U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Deputy Administrator

    03/21/2025

    Dilawar Syed, U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) Deputy Administrator

    On the nostalgic grounds of their shared alma mater, Wharton, Simi speaks with Dilawar Syed, the Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). A role he was nominated into by President Biden, Administrator Syed was the highest-ranking Muslim official in the U.S. Government at the time of this recording. WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. Syed came to the SBA from the State Department where he served as Special Representative for Commercial & Business Affairs. As the State Department’s top commercial diplomat, Deputy Administrator Syed advocated for U.S. companies to compete and win abroad and helped ensure U.S. competitiveness in markets across the globe.  Before joining the Biden Administration, Syed held the roles of CEO at Lumiata, an AI healthcare company, and President at software company, Freshworks.  Earlier in his career, Syed oversaw business operations for Yahoo!'s platforms and infrastructure and was a product manager at Siebel Systems and SAP.  His transition to public service is marked by civic efforts at the federal, state, and local levels. He was the founding Chair of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force with the Governor's Office, served on President Obama's White House Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), and chaired the White House Initiative on AAPIs’ Economic Growth Committee. In that role, Syed led the administration’s engagement with small businesses across the U.S. after the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. In 2020, Syed was tapped by San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo to help lead Silicon Valley’s pandemic recovery as a member of the Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable. Syed holds an M.B.A. from Wharton and earned a B.A. in Economics and Computer Science from The University of Texas at Austin. South Asian Trailblazers is an award-winning media platform, community, and agency dedicated to elevating leading South Asians. Join our community at SouthAsianTrailblazers.com. Subscribe to our newsletter to get new episodes and updates on our latest events in your inbox. Follow us @southasiantrailblazers on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube, and all major podcast platforms, including Apple and Spotify.

    52 min
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4.7
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About

On Trailblazers, we dive deep into the journeys of trailblazing South Asians. To date, Simi Shah, our founder and host, has welcomed ClassPass Founder Payal Kadakia, Coinbase Chief Legal Officer Paul Grewal, 49ers President Paraag Marathe, and other world-renowned South Asian trailblazers. Learn more at southasiantrailblazers.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Simi Shah | Trailblazers Media
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    83
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 South Asian Trailblazers
  • Show Website
    South Asian Trailblazers

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