Vanya Goel - Mahabharata Is Not Just a Religious Text but a Book on Socio-Political Discourse (Founder - GigDeGlobal)

The hunger to learn and expand my knowledge, the love for listening, and finally, using my voice.

1. 1. What inspired your journey as a keynote speaker and entrepreneur?
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3. Both my role as a keynote speaker and an entrepreneur stem from a desire to have a voice and effect change. Life has come full circle for me - I was always a rebellious kid at heart, but my middle-class Indian upbringing of a girl made me soft-spoken and often shy.

However, as I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I realized that to be successful, I needed to speak up, ask questions, debate, and simply have a voice. Not everyone is as fortunate as me to have the support of their family.

This realization reopened the doors of public speaking for me. I leveraged the power of social media to express my views and opinions, which resonated with the audience. Consequently, I received opportunities to represent my country and company at international forums as a keynote speaker.

My journey as an entrepreneur and keynote speaker is driven by a hunger for learning, a love for listening, and ultimately, using my voice to drive change.

2. 2. How do you balance being a speaker and entrepreneur effectively?
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4. Balancing my roles as a speaker and entrepreneur is relatively straightforward - I speak and act following my beliefs. This approach allows me to maintain honesty with myself, my clients, and the audience.

As a mother, I've learned two invaluable lessons: time management and prioritization. Typically, I dedicate early mornings to writing and researching my speeches when my mind is fresh and brimming with ideas. The rest of my day is dedicated to managing work and attending calls. Later, I revisit my research, putting myself in the speaker's perspective - tired, fatigued, and still interested in the content.

Prioritization is crucial. If I have an impending deadline, I devote all my time to meeting it. If I have a speaking engagement the next day, I dedicate the day to preparation. Flexibility and adaptability are key to effectively balancing these roles.

3. 3. How do you advise individuals to discover their passion for business?
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5. My advice is simple: try. Entrepreneurship, like any art form, requires practice, resilience in the face of failure, openness to feedback, and self-reflection. It's essential to understand your core strengths and how you can leverage them to drive change.

As an entrepreneur, your responsibilities include delivering quality work and ROI to clients, ensuring your team is compensated, and fostering continuous learning and growth.

1. 4. How do you stay innovative in your fields?
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3. Curiosity is the cornerstone of innovation. Whether in software development, content creation, or digital marketing, maintaining a curious mindset is essential. Just as Alexander Graham Bell wouldn't have invented the telephone without curiosity, embracing curiosity allows for continuous innovation and growth.
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5. 5. Key lessons learned from your successes and failures?
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1. Failure is inevitable.
2. Persevere in the face of failure and learn from it.
3. Surround yourself with a supportive team.
4. Embrace honesty, whether in success or failure and strive for improvement.

6. What is your favorite book and why?

The Mahabharata is not just a religious text; it's a socio-political discourse. Each time I revisit it, I discover new insights. Some key lessons include the importance of the company you keep, the consequences of actions, the supremacy of truth over family, the futility of revenge, and the path to salvation through Dharma.

Bio:

Entrepreneur, Feminist, and Mother of a Daughter, I hail from Noida and hold a degree in Engineering. I began my career in human resources and operations before embarking on my entrepreneurial journey. Currently serving as the COO at App Sierra Group and Pitch N Hire, and co-founder of Gige, I am passionate about empowering women in the workplace and being their voice. Our team created the Voice of Woman platform to provide a safe space for women to express themselves. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, exploring different cultures and cuisines, and immersing myself in new experiences.

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Interviewed by: Mishika Goel