South Asian Success

South Asian Success

South Asian Success is a podcast celebrating the stories, experiences, and journeys of South Asian professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and changemakers who are building meaningful careers and businesses on their own terms. Hosted by Parul L. Bhandari, author, speaker, and experience consultant, the podcast explores career growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, identity, culture, inclusion, community, and the experiences that shape South Asian success. @Parul Bhandari Author Through honest conversations with inspiring professionals, founders, creatives, and thought leaders, South Asian Success highlights diverse perspectives and the lessons behind building successful and fulfilling lives while staying connected to culture and community. Our goal is to create a space where South Asian voices, experiences, and ideas are heard, shared, and celebrated while exploring how we can learn from one another and create opportunities for collective growth. Whether you're interested in South Asian entrepreneurship, career development, leadership, personal growth, business, diversity and inclusion, or inspiring real-world stories, South Asian Success brings you conversations designed to educate, inspire, and empower. Parul L. Bhandari is an Author and Speaker, and CEO of CustomerXSuccess you can find out more about her at www.parullbhandari.com Follow South Asian Success for conversations with professionals, entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders making an impact across communities and industries. Follow South Asian Success and join the conversation: YouTube: @South_Asian_Success Instagram: @southasiansuccess TikTok: @southasiansuccess Subscribe, follow, and stay connected for new podcast episodes, clips, and inspiring conversations.

  1. 5d ago

    How Diwali in America Has Become a Cultural and Commercial Festival

    Diwali is no longer just a traditional festival celebrated at home. It has become a major cultural celebration across America, bringing together communities, businesses, and generations. In this special episode of South Asian Success, host Parul Bhandari explores how Diwali has evolved from intimate family traditions into a widely recognized celebration in the United States. From Diwali decorations at Target, Walmart, and Costco to celebrations in schools, museums, and communities, we explore how South Asian culture is becoming increasingly visible in American life. We also dive into the growing Diwali economy, how major retailers are recognizing the purchasing power of South Asian consumers, and how small businesses, designers, and creators are building opportunities around this festive season. ✨ In This Episode, You'll Discover: 🪔 How Diwali became America's new Christmas🛍️ Why major brands and retailers are embracing Diwali💰 The growing Diwali economy and South Asian buying power🌎 How Diwali celebrations are expanding across the United States🎨 The importance of supporting South Asian creators and small businesses📚 Why preserving traditions matters for future generations❤️ How food, family, and cultural identity keep Diwali meaningful🪔 TIMESTAMPS / CHAPTERS 00:00 – Hook: How Diwali Became America's New Christmas 00:18 – South Asian Success Intro 01:15 – Welcome to the Diwali Special Episode 02:15 – The Meaning and History of Diwali 04:00 – How Diwali Celebrations Have Changed in America 06:00 – The Rise of the Diwali Economy 08:00 – Why Major Brands Are Embracing Diwali 10:00 – The Growing Power of South Asian Consumers 11:15 – Sponsored Message 12:45 – Diwali Traditions: Then vs. Now 14:30 – How Diwali Became Part of American Culture 16:30 – The Importance of Supporting South Asian Businesses 18:30 – Preserving Diwali Traditions for Future Generations 20:30 – Food, Family & Cultural Identity 22:00 – The Future of Diwali in America End – Final Thoughts & Outro Diwali is more than lights, gifts, and shopping. It's about celebrating our heritage, sharing our culture, and passing our traditions on to the next generation. As Parul reminds us, we didn't make Diwali less Indian. We made America love Diwali. If you enjoyed this episode, LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE to South Asian Success for more inspiring conversations about South Asian culture, entrepreneurship, identity, and success. This podcast episode is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess. We're building customer experience and building better businesses. www.customerxsuccess.com 💬 Join the Conversation: How has your Diwali celebration changed over the years? Share your favorite traditions in the comments! #Diwali2026 #SouthAsianSuccess #DiwaliInAmerica #DiwaliCelebration #SouthAsianCulture #DiwaliEconomy #IndianAmerican #FestivalOfLights #CulturalIdentity #ParulBhandari

  2. Oct 21

    What It's Really Like to Be a Food and Travel Creator with Sapna Dalal of Vegetarian

    In this episode of the South Asian Success Podcast, host Parul Bhandari sits down with Sapna, the creator behind Vegetourist, to explore her inspiring 14 year journey from starting a vegetarian travel blog to building a recognizable food and travel brand. 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST: Sapna Dalal Sapna shares how her passion for helping vegetarians find great food around the world evolved into restaurant partnerships, travel collaborations, and opportunities to work with brands. She opens up about the reality of content creation, the effort behind producing engaging reels, and why authenticity matters more than ever in the creator economy. 🔗 CONNECT WITH SEEMA  Website: Website Instagram: Instagram They also discuss growing a loyal audience, navigating changing social media algorithms, knowing when to turn down brand partnerships, and staying true to your values while building a business. Whether you're an aspiring content creator, entrepreneur, foodie, or someone passionate about travel, this conversation offers valuable insights into building a brand around what you love. 💡 What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow Sapna turned her passion for vegetarian food and travel into a content creation career.How food creators attract brand collaborations and decide which partnerships to accept.Why authenticity and audience trust are essential for long-term success.The behind-the-scenes work involved in creating professional social media content.How changing Instagram algorithms affect creators and their businesses.Why understanding your audience and identifying your niche matters.Practical advice for aspiring content creators starting with a small following.How food, culture, and family traditions shape personal identity.⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 00:00 – Opening Hook / Episode Highlights 00:25 – South Asian Success Podcast Intro 01:15 – Meet Sapna: The Creator Behind Vegetourist 02:16 – How Sapna Started Her Food & Travel Journey 03:48 – Challenges of Traveling as a Vegetarian 06:02 – The Turning Point in Growing Her Audience 07:42 – Why Authenticity Matters in Content Creation 09:15 – How to Get Brand Partnerships and Collaborations 11:21 – Behind the Scenes of Content Creation 14:13 – Instagram Trends and Changing Algorithms 16:39 – Building an Audience Across Different Communities 19:31 – What Brands Get Wrong When Approaching Creators 21:12 – Advice for Aspiring Content Creators 23:30 – Vegetarian Thanksgiving and Family Traditions 25:31 – Celebrating Culture Through Food 26:32 – What's Next for Sapna and Vegetourist 27:38 – Final Thoughts and Podcast Outro This podcast episode is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess. We're building customer experience and building better businesses. www.customerxsuccess.com 📌 Subscribe to South Asian Success and join us as we explore the stories, journeys, and people redefining what success can look like. #SouthAsianSuccess #ParulBhandari #Vegetourist #ContentCreator #FoodBlogger #SouthAsianEntrepreneurs #CreatorEconomy #FoodAndTravel #PersonalBranding #WomenEntrepreneurs #VegetarianTravel #Podcast

  3. Oct 14

    Women Should NOT Stay Quiet at Work: How to Find Your Voice with Seema Bhansali

    #WomenInLeadership #FindYourVoice #HitTheBuzzer  Women stay quiet more often than men. Why? For fear of being labeled as aggressive or insensitive. But this has to change. In this episode of South Asian Success, Parul L. Bhandari sits down with Seema Bhansali, former Chief of Staff to a U.S. Congressman, former VP of Employee Experience at a Fortune 500 company, and author of the upcoming book "Hit the Buzzer". Seema shares her journey from pre-med to religious studies to law school, from Congress to corporate boardrooms, and why she believes confidence is the end result, not the starting point, of finding your voice. 👤 ABOUT THE GUEST: SEEMA BHANSALI Seema Bhansali's path to becoming one of Corporate America's most distinctive voices began with a bachelor's degree in religious studies and a law degree, an unusual combination that gave her both the intellectual framework to understand systems and the human lens to understand their impact on people. 🔗 CONNECT WITH SEEMA  Website: Website LinkedIn: LinkedIn Book: Hit the Buzzer anticipated 2027 💡 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN  - Why women stay quiet at work and why it's not a confidence problem  - How early messaging (movies, books, culture) teaches girls that using their voice is risky  - What "Good Indian Girl" conditioning does to South Asian women, and how to unlearn it  - The "Silence Tax": what companies lose when voices aren't heard  - How to build an "open voice" culture: meetings, speaker selection, public speaking support  - Seema's mantra for fear and imposter syndrome: you either do the thing or you learn  ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 0:00  Hook 0:35 Welcome to South Asian Success Season 2  1:25 Meet Seema Bhansali  2:34 From pre-med to religious studies to law school  2:53 Working for a Member of Congress  4:05 Joining a Fortune 500 company ("Nobody looks like me")  5:48 Why Seema's parents encouraged risk-taking  9:05 Why she wrote "Hit the Buzzer"  11:39 Why confidence isn't the first step  13:20 Unlearning the "Good Indian Girl" messaging  14:30 Be careful what influences you take in  16:49 Entrepreneurship, writing and imposter syndrome  19:41 Fear, purpose and why Seema keeps going  23:01 The Silence Tax and open voice cultures  26:31 Fashion moment: the suit jacket with a sari  27:26 Where to find Seema and her book club  28:52 Outro This podcast episode is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess. We're building customer experience and building better businesses. www.customerxsuccess.com 📌 Subscribe to South Asian Success and join us as we explore the stories, journeys, and people redefining what success can look like. #SouthAsianSuccess #WomenInLeadership #FindYourVoice #SeemaBhansali #HitTheBuzzer #SouthAsianWomen

  4. Oct 7

    One story, one idea is all it takes | Welcome to South Asian Success Season 2

    #SouthAsianSuccess #SouthAsianPodcast #SuccessStories Welcome to Season 2 of South Asian Success. This season, Parul Bhandari is going beyond the surface to explore the real stories behind success, the risks people took, the pivots they made, the doubts they faced, the lessons they learned, and the moments that changed everything.  South Asian Success was created to connect people with inspiring creators, founders, writers, entrepreneurs, dreamers, and community builders who are carving their own paths. Season 2 takes those conversations even deeper, bringing in more diverse stories, new perspectives, and topics that often don’t get talked about enough. Parul also shares a little of her own journey, including the launch of her new book, Good Brown Girls, and why trying something new often means leaning on community, resources, and the people around us. Whether you’re thinking about starting a business, writing a book, building a creative career, exploring a new path, or simply looking for inspiration to take your next step, this season is for you. What You’ll Learn in This EpisodeWhy South Asian Success was created and the mission behind the podcastWhat makes Season 2 different from Season 1Why sharing diverse South Asian stories and experiences mattersHow community and the right resources can help you take your next stepWhy success can look completely different for different peopleWhat Parul learned while stepping into a new creative journey with Good Brown GirlsWhat to expect from Season 2, including the risks, pivots, doubts, lessons, and stories behind the successTimestamps    00:00 – 00:35 – Opening Hook     00:35 – 01:25 – South Asian Success Season 2 Intro     01:25 – 04:25 – Why South Asian Success Was Created & What Season 2 Brings     04:25 – 05:25 – Going Deeper: Stories, Risks, Pivots & Lessons     05:25 – 06:35 – Inspiration, Community & Taking Your Next Step     06:35 – 07:02 – Sponsor Message – CustomerXSuccess     07:02 – 07:32 – Closing Message & Outro This podcast episode is sponsored by CustomerXSuccess. We're building customer experience and building better businesses. www.customerxsuccess.com Subscribe to South Asian Success and join us as we explore the stories, journeys, and people redefining what success can look like. #SouthAsianSuccess #SouthAsianPodcast #SuccessStories #Entrepreneurship #SouthAsianCommunity

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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About

South Asian Success is a podcast celebrating the stories, experiences, and journeys of South Asian professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, leaders, and changemakers who are building meaningful careers and businesses on their own terms. Hosted by Parul L. Bhandari, author, speaker, and experience consultant, the podcast explores career growth, entrepreneurship, leadership, identity, culture, inclusion, community, and the experiences that shape South Asian success. @Parul Bhandari Author Through honest conversations with inspiring professionals, founders, creatives, and thought leaders, South Asian Success highlights diverse perspectives and the lessons behind building successful and fulfilling lives while staying connected to culture and community. Our goal is to create a space where South Asian voices, experiences, and ideas are heard, shared, and celebrated while exploring how we can learn from one another and create opportunities for collective growth. Whether you're interested in South Asian entrepreneurship, career development, leadership, personal growth, business, diversity and inclusion, or inspiring real-world stories, South Asian Success brings you conversations designed to educate, inspire, and empower. Parul L. Bhandari is an Author and Speaker, and CEO of CustomerXSuccess you can find out more about her at www.parullbhandari.com Follow South Asian Success for conversations with professionals, entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders making an impact across communities and industries. Follow South Asian Success and join the conversation: YouTube: @South_Asian_Success Instagram: @southasiansuccess TikTok: @southasiansuccess Subscribe, follow, and stay connected for new podcast episodes, clips, and inspiring conversations.

Information

  • Creator
    South Asian Success
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 South Asian Success
  • Show Website
    South Asian Success