Elisa Gupta - Don’t Fear Rejection and Never Over-Exhaust Your Mind (Co Founder: The Voice - Get Heard and Project Manager )

I always knew that I was an extrovert and learning and speaking with people is my passion and that is when I got the clarity that management of work and people is something I wanted to pursue as a career.

Tell us about your background, journey, and upbringing.

I am Elisa Gupta from the “City of Joy” that is Kolkata. I have been born and
brought up here since my childhood days. I have done my schooling at Carmel
high school and my graduation and post-graduation from Calcutta University and St Xavier’s College respectively in the domain of finance and foreign trade. 

Since childhood, I was always very eager to learn new skills and implement them and hence started my career at the age of 19 along with my master’s. I am from a nuclear middle-class family which comprised me, my mother, and my father. 

Since the very initial days, I was taught by my parents to be humble and kind to myself and others around me. My upbringing always encouraged me to use the available resources to their best and never misuse any opportunity that came along my way. 

I always wanted to be independent and travel around the world to learn about new cultures and human behavior. At the age of nineteen, I began working by juggling two masters along with it. 

My day started at 7 am in the morning and ended at 11 pm. These two years really taught me survival skills and to remain grounded to my roots forever. I started my career as a business development intern with a startup called “Foodstree" and soon was promoted as a manager. 

I continued working here and pursuing my master's in commerce along with a PGDM in foreign trade management. I worked here for two and a half years and learned a lot about ground-level management and operations. 

Post this I worked with a few other amazing companies like Swiggy, Times Intern, and currently working as a project manager with Click Labs. These five years of corporate life have shaped me into a better person. 

Today I am more confident and comfortable in my own shoes and try to be there for others who need help to start their career path. Apart from my professional life, I have always been passionate about writing and helping others. 

So a year ago I co-founded my own platform to help people cope with the taboo related to mental health awareness along with my friends. I have been actively associated with a number of NGOs and organizations like UNICEF, CRY, Youth Foundation, etc to be physically involved in catering help to society. 

I run my own food blog and write for online magazines and pages and speak in many events related to body positivity and equality.

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When and how did you get clarity on what you wanted to do?

As an Indian girl child, I was always confined to pre restricted boundaries which
never gave me the opportunity to understand the outside world and its perspective.

During my graduation days, I used to watch a lot of travel shows which raised the
urge for me to explore and I knew this can only be achieved through financial
independence. 

I always knew that I was an extrovert and learning and speaking with people is my passion and that is when I got the clarity that management of work and people is something I wanted to pursue as a career.

What does your typical workday look like?

A typical workday for me starts early in the morning with some yoga to calm
myself down, concentrate on that day’s goals, and make a plan forward. Post this I have to manage my time between work, home, and myself. 

I start my work at 10 in the morning which continues till 8-9PM. Post work I try to indulge in some writing, reading, or learning a new skill for an hour. I actively practice Buddhism and end my day with the same for mental well-being.

How do you handle someone who has lied on their resume?

I try to evaluate the skills beforehand in the interview and ask situational questions related to that. If someone is lying it automatically reflects in their answers and solutions to a particular problem. Their naiveness in the counter answers proves that they are not aware of what is mentioned in the resume.

What are some of your typical challenges and how have they evolved over time?

One of the common challenges that one will face is the hindrance in their personal life. I have personally faced a lot starting from losing my mother and aunt to cancer and accident, going through severe depression, financial instability, etc. 

The one thing I always remembered that kept me motivated is that you will never have control over your life. It is important to take one day at a time rather than focusing on the bigger picture. 

If you don’t carve your future and make it strong no one else will help you. At the end of the day, you will be the lender of last resort for yourself and your career and profession will be the only tool giving you the strength to move forward.

                                  

What advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs or those eyeing the

top job?

My advice for aspiring entrepreneurs or job seekers will be that don’t run after
money, do something that will help you to be a better version of yourself and
money will follow. 

Explore different aspects before settling down with one. This will not only give you the knowledge but the experience to deal with failures and situations. Never be hard on yourself because time will teach you every survival trick. 

Don’t fear rejection and never over-exhaust your mind. Try to strike a balance between the different departments of life and start investing early.

Which is your favorite book and why?

One book that changed my perspective and helped me during a low phase in life is “ The Power Of Positive Thinking” written by Norman Vincent Peale. This book
helped me through so many things I had encountered in my life. 

It was my daily guide and still is when I'm feeling down or discouraged."A Peaceful Mind Generates Power." - Norman Vincent Peale. I love this quote!

Bio -

I am Elisa Gupta from the city of Kolkata. I am a finance and foreign trade postgraduate and have also gained numerous leadership and management certifications from St Xavier’s College, London University, and Case Western Reserve University. 

I have corporate working experience of over 5 years and also working currently as a Project Manager. Throughout my working tenure, I have been associated with a number of NGOs and voluntary groups. I am a certified women empowerment life coach. 

A part of my soul is dedicated to the upliftment of society and women at large. I am a feminist and actively work and write through various platforms for issues
like equality and body positivity. 

I am the co-founder of THE VOICE – Get Heard, which is an audacious initiative for eradicating the stigma associated with talking about mental health issues. I aspire to expand my organization and continue the esteemed legacy of social welfare.