Rajshree Rathi Interview
Q. What is the biggest misconception people have about someone who appears to be “doing it all” in their twenties?
I think the biggest misconception is that if someone appears to be doing multiple things in their twenties, they must not be doing anything properly. I strongly disagree with that. Taking on different responsibilities at a young age teaches you how to prioritise, manage your time, switch between roles, and handle multiple dimensions of life simultaneously. These skills become extremely valuable later, particularly in leadership roles, entrepreneurship, or while managing a career alongside personal responsibilities.
For me, doing multiple things is less about trying to “do it all” and more about developing agility and learning how to manage different aspects of life. You may not always be doing everything yourself, but learning how to balance responsibilities early can help you adapt much better as you grow. Sometimes, dismissing someone else's progress simply reflects a limited perspective rather than the reality of what they are building.
Q. What is one lesson from your family that continues to influence the way you live?
One lesson I learnt from my brother continues to influence how I think about independence: you can depend on your parents for your necessities, but you should work towards improving your own standard of living. Your parents provide you with the foundation you need, but eventually, you have to take responsibility for building the life you want for yourself and your family.
For me, independence has never meant saying, “I don’t need my parents.” It means becoming capable enough to give them more than what they once had to give me. It is about working hard, creating opportunities, and building a life that reflects both your own aspirations and, in whatever way possible, the dreams your family has for you.
Q. What is one failure, setback, or uncomfortable phase that shaped the person you are today but your audience probably never saw?
One experience that significantly affected my confidence happened in Class 12, when I participated in a school debate conducted on Google Meet. I struggled to speak confidently without constantly referring to my notes, and someone from the audience made fun of me. Although it may sound insignificant today, the incident deeply affected my confidence and made me withdraw from public speaking for some time. My teachers noticed this change and deliberately encouraged me to participate and speak on stage again because they believed I had the potential to do it.
That encouragement helped me rebuild my confidence and rediscover my interest in public speaking. Today, I have hosted conferences with audiences of over 5,000 people, but very few people know that there was a time when a single online incident made me question my ability to speak in front of others. It taught me that setbacks can sometimes become the foundation for rebuilding confidence and becoming stronger than you were before.
Q. Do you think being independent can sometimes make it difficult to let other people take care of you?
Absolutely. Independence gives you strength, but it can also make you reluctant to depend on or receive care from others. When you become accustomed to handling everything yourself, you may start thinking that you do not want to inconvenience anyone with your needs. At the same time, there is still a part of you that wants to be cared for, and finding a balance between independence and vulnerability can be difficult.
Growing up also makes you more aware of people’s intentions and of how others respond to your growth. Sometimes, people who have known you for years may find your evolution uncomfortable, while in a completely new environment, people simply see the person you are becoming. I think true independence is not about becoming incapable of receiving love or support; it is about being strong enough to stand on your own while still allowing genuine people to be there for you.
Q. Do you ever wonder whether documenting your journey online makes you feel more accountable or makes you feel like you always have to have a journey worth documenting?
For me, documenting my journey online makes me feel more accountable, and I am genuinely grateful for that. Knowing that people are following your journey can encourage you to reflect on your goals, actions, and personal growth. However, I do not believe that your life constantly needs to become content or that every experience has to be “worth documenting.”
I think we should decide for ourselves what is worth sharing. If an experience feels meaningful and you want to talk about it, share it; if something is personal and you would rather keep it private, that is equally valid. Your life does not need to become content for it to have value. Sometimes you document the journey, and sometimes you simply live it.
Q. What is one question you wish people asked you more often?
The question I wish people asked me more often is, “What are you working on that nobody knows about yet?” There is so much that happens behind the achievements, announcements, and content that eventually becomes visible online. People often see the result, but not the smaller steps, experiments, and quiet efforts that happen before it.
I would much rather talk about what I am becoming than constantly talk about what I have already become. There is something exciting about the work that is still unfolding, the goals that are still private, the ideas that are still taking shape, and the possibilities that have not yet become visible.
BIO
Rajshree Rathi is a CA Finalist, finance professional, and content creator based in Kolkata. Alongside pursuing her CA Final qualification and working in financial planning and analysis (FP&A) at Tata Group, she holds a B.Com (Hons.) from St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. As a Managing Committee Member of EICASA (EIRC of ICAI), she actively hosts large-scale conferences and mentors young professionals, leveraging her platform to encourage students to design dynamic careers beyond traditional boundaries.
Interviewed By Anushka Agarwal
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