South Asian Success

South Asian Success
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South Asian Success celebrates professionals, builders, creatives, and thought-leaders who are building on their own terms, with culture at the forefront. We want to showcase the rich diversity of our communities, and how learning collectively can drive growth and empower us all. We are born out of a community, and are growing to meet the needs of our times. This podcast is hosted by Parul L. Bhandari, author, speaker and experience consultant who has built a career on creating inclusive spaces. She is the founder of CustomerXSuccess, a company which sponsors this work. You can learn more about Parul on instagram @parul_bhandari_author and at www.parullbhandari.com. Follow us on Instagram: @southasiansuccess For guest inquiries: Complete this form

  1. Aug 12

    Ep 13 - Infertility, Motherhood and Breaking Generational Trauma | Julie Pandya Patel

    #Infertility #SouthAsianWomen #GenerationalTrauma From infertility and motherhood to becoming an author, entrepreneur, and advocate for women’s voices, Julie Patel shares the powerful story behind her journey. In this episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Julie Patel to talk about infertility, the pressure of silence around difficult conversations in South Asian families, motherhood, writing, representation, entrepreneurship, and breaking generational trauma. Julie Bio:- Julie opens up about her personal fertility journey, why she decided to share her experience publicly, and how her story eventually inspired her memoir What Will Be. She also shares how her daughter’s experiences inspired their children’s book Dear Friend, and why representation of South Asian characters in books matters. Julie Website:-    Website Julie Book:-   Amazon Julie Instagram:-  Instagram What You’ll Learn:Julie Patel’s journey through infertility and motherhoodWhy infertility was difficult to discuss in South Asian familiesHow sharing personal experiences can help others feel less aloneThe story behind Julie’s memoir, What Will BeHow motherhood inspired her journey as an authorThe inspiration behind Dear FriendWhy representation matters for South Asian childrenHow Julie is working to break generational traumaHer transition from finance to entrepreneurship and fashionWhy communication with children is so importantJulie’s message for raising confident, kind, and brave girlsHow creativity, books, and storytelling can create change⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction 01:24 – Julie Patel’s Journey Begins 02:45 – Marriage, Fertility & Starting a Family 03:37 – Struggling With Infertility 05:00 – Writing Through Her Fertility Journey 06:00 – From Journaling to Becoming an Author 07:22 – The Journey Behind Dear Friend 08:21 – Talking About Infertility in South Asian Families 09:03 – Miscarriage, Isolation & Breaking the Silence 11:25 – Why South Asian Families Avoid Difficult Conversations 12:12 – The Importance of Sharing Your Story 13:01 – Breaking Generational Patterns 13:32 – How Dear Friend Was Born 16:27 – Helping Children Process Their Emotions 18:23 – Communication & Raising Emotionally Strong Children 19:48 – Breaking Generational Trauma 21:27 – Why South Asian Representation Matters 23:48 – Julie’s Fashion & Entrepreneurial Journey 25:31 – Leaving Finance & Following Her Passion 27:18 – Building Her Fashion Boutique 28:59 – Honoring Culture Through Fashion 30:07 – Julie’s Message to the World 30:23 – Raising the Next Generation 31:22 – Her Father’s Legacy & Strength 32:32 – Using Social Media for Purpose 33:49 – Grief, Growth & Moving Forward 35:08 – Julie’s Final Thoughts 35:40 – Where to Find Julie’s Books 36:03 – Closing

  2. Jul 29

    Ep 12 - From Immigrant Kid to Stanford PhD & Professor with Dr. Vijay Mehrotra

    #FailureToSuccess #Resilience #ImmigrantStory #CareerAdvice In this inspiring episode of South Asian Success, Dr. Vijay Mehrotra shares his incredible journey from growing up as one of the few South Asian families in America, facing racism and bullying, to becoming a Stanford PhD, entrepreneur, professor, and founder of the world's first MBA Customer Success program. This conversation explores how failure, resilience, mentorship, identity, and courage shaped his life and career. If you're navigating career uncertainty, balancing family expectations, or trying to find your own path, this episode is for you. Guest Bio: Dr. Vijay Mehrotra is a Professor of Analytics at the University of San Francisco and a globally recognized expert in analytics, AI, and Customer Success Management. A former tech CEO and business analytics executive, he has spent over 20 years helping organizations turn data into real business value. Named one of the Top 100 Customer Success Strategists in 2023, he holds a PhD from Stanford University and has published research in leading journals, including Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review. Vijay Website:                 Website     Website Vijay Linkedin:                    Linkedin  What You'll Learn ✔️ How racism shaped Dr. Vijay's childhood  ✔️ Why failure is the biggest teacher for success  ✔️ How immigrant parents influence career choices  ✔️ The importance of mentors in your life  ✔️ From Stanford PhD to entrepreneur and professor  ✔️ Why your career doesn't have to be linear  ✔️ Building confidence despite rejection  ✔️ How to redefine success on your own terms  ✔️ Advice every South Asian student and professional should hear  ✔️ Why resilience matters more than perfection Timestamps00:00 Introduction 00:40 Meet Dr. Vijay Mehrotra 02:26 His father's immigration journey 06:15 Growing up with racism in America 09:04 Finding identity and confidence 11:30 Choosing an unexpected career path 15:15 From Stanford PhD to entrepreneurship 20:18 Building the world's first Customer Success MBA program 27:30 Challenges and lessons from leadership 30:10 Why failure is the secret to success 32:30 Redefining success for the next generation 34:13 Final thoughts -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at http://www.customerxsuccess.com #SouthAsianSuccess #DrVijayMehrotra #SuccessMindset #FailureToSuccess #Resilience #ImmigrantStory #CareerAdvice #Leadership #Entrepreneur #Podcast

  3. Jul 15

    Ep 11 - Modern Medicine plus Ancient Wisdom can Optimize your Health with Dr.Keshav Grover

    #Health #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine Discover how to build a healthier, happier life by combining the power of ancient wisdom with modern medicine in this inspiring conversation with Dr. Keshav Grover, an expert in Integrative & Functional Medicine. In this episode of South Asian Success, Dr. Keshav Grover shares practical strategies to improve your health, increase longevity, prevent disease, and create sustainable daily habits that actually work. From nutrition and exercise to sleep, mindfulness, wellness routines, and preventive healthcare, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to live a longer, healthier, and more fulfilling life. Guest Bio:- Dr. Keshav Grover, DO, MS, IFMCP, is the founder of Aesthetica, PLLC d/b/a Grover Health and Aesthetics and Grover Health and Wellness, PLLC. He is a physician, keynote speaker, and champion of functional/integrative medicine and of eating a whole foods, plant-based diet. He has spoken to leading organizations including Penske Automotive, Detroit Athletic Club, Farbman Realty, the Plant Based Nutrition Support Group, and Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has been featured on CBS and Fox News as a wellness expert. Wellness bridge Book:               Wellness bridge Book   Dr. Keshav Grover Website:         Dr. Keshav Grover Website Dr. Keshav Grover Instagram:      Dr. Keshav Grover Instagram In the news:  http://www.publishersweekly.com/9798891386327 👇 What You'll Learn:  The difference between modern medicine and functional medicine  Why prevention is better than treatment  Ancient wellness practices backed by science  The biggest health mistakes people make  How nutrition becomes medicine  Daily habits that improve long-term health  Why movement and exercise matter at every age  The importance of sleep, mindfulness, and stress management  How to build a wellness routine you'll actually stick to  The secret to healthy aging and longevity Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Meet Dr. Keshav Grover 01:00 Why He Wrote Wellness Bridge 02:45 The Philosophy of Living Well 05:35 Growing Up with Ancient & Modern Medicine 13:05 Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Healthcare 17:58 Fitness & Movement for a Longer Life 24:08 Food as Medicine 29:03 Why Dr. Grover Wrote This Book 34:05 The Biggest Health Misconceptions 37:20 Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways —------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com #Health #Wellness #FunctionalMedicine #IntegrativeMedicine #HealthyLiving #Longevity #Nutrition #FoodAsMedicine #Mindfulness #HealthyHabits #SouthAsianSuccess #DrKeshavGrover #Podcast #HealthPodcast #SelfImprovement

  4. Jul 1

    Ep 10 - How Culture and Circumstances Met to Build a Business for Kanika Batra

    #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #FounderStory #Startup In this inspiring episode of South Asian Success, Kanika Batra, Founder of Sukoon, shares her incredible journey from a corporate career in India to rebuilding her life in America and creating a purpose-driven home and lifestyle brand. After moving to the United States, Kanika had to start her career from scratch, adapt to unexpected challenges, and embrace uncertainty. What began as buying handcrafted décor for her own home unexpectedly turned into a thriving business serving customers across the U.S. This conversation explores entrepreneurship, resilience, spirituality, purpose, mindset, business growth, and the courage to keep moving forward when life doesn't go according to plan. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creative professional, immigrant, small business owner, or someone searching for purpose, this episode is filled with practical lessons and inspiring stories. Guest Bio: Kanika Batra, Founder of Sukoon After moving to the United States, Kanika had to start her career from scratch, adapt to unexpected challenges, and embrace uncertainty. What began as buying handcrafted décor for her own home unexpectedly turned into a thriving business serving customers across the U.S. Visit Website:                 SUKOON Evgenia instagram     Kanika Batra 👇 What You'll Learn In This Episode: ✔️ How to start over in a new country with confidence ✔️ Why unexpected setbacks can become your biggest opportunities ✔️ Building a purpose-driven business from scratch ✔️ Transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship ✔️ How spirituality influences leadership and decision-making ✔️ Lessons from building the Sukoon brand ✔️ Finding product-market fit by listening to customers ✔️ Balancing career, business, family, and motherhood ✔️ The power of meditation and mindfulness for entrepreneurs ✔️ How courage, faith, and persistence create long-term success Timestamps00:00 Introduction 00:26 Meet Kanika Batra & The Story Behind Sukoon 02:05 Life Before Entrepreneurship 03:00 Moving From India to America 05:15 Starting Her Career From Scratch 06:55 How Sukoon Was Born 09:20 The First Pop-Up That Changed Everything 12:45 Growing From Home Décor to a Lifestyle Brand 15:35 Selling Spiritual Products to Non-Indians 18:15 Finding Product-Market Fit 19:50 The Success of Copper Water Bottles 22:30 Balancing Business, Career & Family 24:10 Meditation, Mindfulness & Mental Clarity 26:05 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 28:20 A Customer Story That Changed Everything 30:05 Final Thoughts —------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com #KanikaBatra #Sukoon #Entrepreneurship #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusiness #FounderStory #Startup #BusinessSuccess #SouthAsianSuccess #PurposeDrivenBusiness #ImmigrantSuccess #Leadership #BusinessPodcast #Motivation #SuccessStory

  5. Jun 17

    Ep 9 - Overcoming Postpartum and Mom Guilt | Conscious Motherhood With Urvi Shah

    How I Overcame fertility challenges, Postpartum Anxiety & Mom Guilt | Conscious Motherhood with Urvi Shah In this powerful episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Urvi Shah certified coach, spiritual healer, and founder of Inner Serenity Life Coaching. Urvi shares her raw and inspiring journey through a long fertility struggle, IVF, pregnancy pressures, postpartum anxiety & depression, and how she discovered Conscious Motherhood. She shares her tools and techniques, including a book and podcast, which she uses to coach other women like her. Guest Bio: Urvi Shah is  a certified mindfulness coach and spiritual healer supporting women who are on their motherhood journey (from fertility to postpartum). I have been running my coaching practice for 5 years now - evolving over time as I evolve spiritually and expand my consciousness. I also am a mindfulness teacher - certified in teaching meditation, breathwork, and EFT tapping. I also have other certifications for spiritual healing like Reiki, energy healing, 👉 Follow Urvi Shah:        Linkedin • Website:                           Inner Serenity Life Coaching • Instagram:                        Urvi Shah • Book on Amazon:           Soul Diaries Urvi Shah 🔥 What You'll Learn: • The real emotional struggles of IVF and pregnancy in South Asian culture • How to regulate your nervous system as a new mom • Practical ways to overcome mom guilt and perfection pressure • The power of intuition and self-advocacy in the medical system • Why "chapters" in motherhood are the secret to not burning out • How to reframe guilt and be present for yourself and your children ⏱ Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 00:44 - Urvi Shah's Journey into Conscious Motherhood 02:10 - The Pivotal Moment: Long IVF Journey & Feeling Alone 03:35 - Postpartum Anxiety & Depression Struggles 04:32 - Cultural Pressures on South Asian Moms 06:10 - What Does Success Look Like After Motherhood? 07:45 - The Power of "Chapters" in Life as a Mom 09:40 - Nervous System Regulation Explained (Must Watch) 13:08 - How to Handle Mom Guilt & Emotional Outbursts 15:52 - Reframing Guilt & Apologizing to Your Kids 18:57 - Urvi's Podcast "Soul Diaries" & Her Book Story 23:22 - Advocating for Yourself in the Medical System 26:13 - Trusting Your Intuition as a Mother 29:22 - 3 Daily Questions to Design Your Best Life Subscribe for more inspiring South Asian success stories  —------------------------------------------------------------- This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

  6. Jun 3

    Ep 8 - From Corporate Overachiever To Building a 10M Reach Community With Ash Grewal

    In this powerful episode of South Asian Success, Parul Bhandari sits down with Ash Grewal, a high growth tech strategist and founder of The OverachieveHers, a thriving community for ambitious women. Ash shares her inspiring journey from growing up as one of the only South Asian kids in small-town Nashville to building a 10 million reach community that’s empowering high-achieving women across the world. Many women are ambitious, but struggle to build the career and community they want.  Ash is building this in her career and helping others build theirs, one OverachiveHer at a time.  Guest Bio:-Ash Grewal is the founder and CEO of The OverachieveHers, a community and media platform for ambitious women that reached 10 million people within its first six months. Born from her own experience rising through the ranks as an ambitious woman of color, it has become a leading resource for women finding balance between power and pause. Ash brings over 15 years of experience across adtech, marketing, and executive leadership, having played pivotal roles scaling high-growth tech companies to billion-dollar valuations and most recently leading the buildout of a creator economy ad network spanning more than 32 billion annual impressions. That career gave her a sharp understanding of how brands and individuals capture attention at scale, and she now channels that into building a movement that reflects the lives and ambitions of women like her. Visit Website:                 Website Ash Linkedin:                    Linkedin  Follow on Instagram:     Instagram What You’ll LearnHow Ash built a community that reached 10 million people in just 6 monthsThe real challenges of being a South Asian woman in corporate techMoving from burnout and identity crisis to building a purpose-driven portfolio careerWhy community > competition for high achieving womenNavigating cultural identity, mentorship, and the “young brown woman” bucketPractical advice on balance, somatic practices, and making aligned decisionsThe importance of persistence and follow-up in your careerTimestamps00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 01:30 - Ash Grewal’s Background & Career Journey 03:00 - Growing Up South Asian in Small-Town Nashville 06:30 - Identity Struggles & Feeling “International” 10:45 - Founding The Overachievers & The 10M Reach Story 13:50 - Who are The Overachievers For? 17:20 - Getting Laid Off & Choosing Entrepreneurship 22:40 - Mentoring Young South Asian Women 28:30 - Career Advice for Burnout & Boredom 32:00 - Balance, Somatic Practices & Self-Awareness 35:00 - Closing Thoughts This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com

  7. May 20

    Ep - 7 Exploring Multi Hyphenate Path of Growth Evolution & Mental Health Taboos With Mrinal Gokhale

    In this powerful episode, Parul Bhandari sits down with Mrinal Gokhale a true multi-hyphenate entrepreneur, author, business analyst, and mental health advocate. Mrinal shares her inspiring journey from marketing and journalism to becoming a full-time Business Analyst while running a successful side business in digital marketing, writing, and editing. She opens up about her two bestselling books on South Asian mental health raw, real anthologies filled with true stories of trauma, neurodiversity, intergenerational stigma, model minority myth, domestic violence, and breaking silence in the diaspora. Guest Bio: Mrinal Gokhale is the author of two anthologies on South Asian mental health, a full time Business Analyst, and the founder of a boutique digital marketing, writing & editing service. She is a passionate advocate for mental health, neurodiversity, and breaking cultural taboos. Links: Buy Mrinal’s Books → https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B09PJQ9YZY Mrinal Linkedin → https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrinal-gokhale-14a19b46 Follow Mrinal on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/mrinalg_/ What You’ll Learn: How to embrace a multi-hyphenate career without guilt or imposter syndromeThe reality of entrepreneurship vs full-time job (honest pros & cons)Why South Asian mental health conversations are finally changingHow writing and storytelling can become powerful tools for healing and advocacyPractical advice for budding authors and entrepreneursOvercoming fear, stigma, and family pressureTimestamps: 00:00 - Introduction & Welcome 00:35 - Mrinal Gokhale’s Journey 01:05 - From Marketing to Business Analyst 02:05 - Dealing with Imposter Syndrome 03:26 - Her Two Books on South Asian Mental Health 04:44 - The Story Behind "Taboo" 06:59 - Common Struggles in South Asian Families 09:31 - Self-Stigma & Generational Trauma 10:45 - Community Reception & Feedback 14:05 - Upcoming Events & Future Plans 18:23 - Her Digital Marketing Business 19:37 - Honest Advice for New Entrepreneurs 24:28 - Final Thoughts & Where to Find Mrinal This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com #MultiHyphenate #SouthAsianMentalHealth #BreakingTaboos #MentalHealthMatters #MrinalGokhale #SouthAsianSuccess #WomenEntrepreneurs #GenerationalTrauma #ImposterSyndrome #Entrepreneurship #TabooBook #DesiMentalHealth #MultiHyphenateLife #Podcast #SouthAsianPodcast

  8. May 6

    Episode 6 - Culture Led Fashion with Neetika Gupta of Kaira Kollection

    Join Parul Bhandari in this episode as she sits down with Neetika Gupta, founder of Kaira Kollection, for an inspiring conversation on building a culture rooted fashion brand while balancing a tech career and family life. Neetika shares how her daughter Kaira inspired the brand name and vision modern, stylish, and deeply connected to South Asian roots. From starting as a multi-designer store to pivoting to original designs, made-to-order pieces, and block-print fusion wear, this episode is full of real talk on small business challenges, production in India, customer expectations, tariffs, and community building. Whether you're a fashion lover, aspiring designer, or South Asian entrepreneur, this episode is packed with practical insights and beautiful fusion fashion inspiration. 👗 What You'll Learn: How Kaira Kollection was born from family passionTransition from sourcing to original design & made to order modelBalancing pop ups, production timelines & customizationFinding the right audience (millennials & Gen Z who want fusion wear)Handling tariffs, shipping delays & difficult customersPower of community, networking & influencer collaborationsFuture plans with big retailers like NordstromGuest Details: Neetika Gupta is the founder of Kaira Kollection, a Chicago based South Asian fusion fashion brand. A tech professional by day, she co-created the brand with her Masi in India. Her designs focus on modern silhouettes with traditional Indian crafts like block printing, perfect for everyday wear, vacations, and special occasions. 📌 Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro & Neetika’s Outfit Reveal00:41 - Journey of Kaira Kollection & Inspiration from Daughter Kyra02:36 - From Sourcing Designs to Creating Originals03:11 - Made to Order Model & Pop up Strategy06:00 - Plans for Big Retailers (Nordstrom & more)07:50 - Production, Timelines & Scaling Team09:39 - Customization Process & Customer Expectations11:32 - Challenges with Festivals, Delays & Communication15:09 - Handling Tariffs & Absorbing Extra Costs19:10 - Finding the Right Audience & Shifting from Indian Melas to Fusion Events25:33 - Community, Collaborations & Influencer Love (Nisha from Love Mirch, Mama Jot’s, etc.)28:40 - Advice for New Designers & Small Brands33:45 - Upcoming Events & Closing 🔗 Shop Kaira Kollection: Website: https://kairakollection.com/ Follow Neetika & Kaira Kollection: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kairakollection.in/ —------------------------------------------------------------ This podcast is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess, a consultancy which helps drive Company Growth through a focus on Customer Success. Follow along at www.customerxsuccess.com #SouthAsianFashion #KairaKollection #FusionWear #IndianFashionDesigner #BlockPrintFashion #DesiFashion #CultureLedFashion #SouthAsianSuccess #WomenInBusiness #SmallBusinessStory #DesiEntrepreneur #MadeToOrderFashion #ChicagoFashion #IndianBlockPrint #ModernIndianWear #NeetikaGupta #ParulBhandari

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About

South Asian Success celebrates professionals, builders, creatives, and thought-leaders who are building on their own terms, with culture at the forefront. We want to showcase the rich diversity of our communities, and how learning collectively can drive growth and empower us all. We are born out of a community, and are growing to meet the needs of our times. This podcast is hosted by Parul L. Bhandari, author, speaker and experience consultant who has built a career on creating inclusive spaces. She is the founder of CustomerXSuccess, a company which sponsors this work. You can learn more about Parul on instagram @parul_bhandari_author and at www.parullbhandari.com. Follow us on Instagram: @southasiansuccess For guest inquiries: Complete this form

Information

  • Creator
    South Asian Success
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 South Asian Success