At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Neha Shrimali for an exclusive interview with us. Neha is a Leader, Entrepreneur, Certified POSH Expert, Trainer, Consultant and Founder at Parth Excellence. Let’s learn more about her incredible journey, background, and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Neha:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
Well, to start with, my life has been diversified. I started my career as a banker. Working with brands like Axis Bank & Deutsche Bank has been an enriching experience for me. After a decade long experience in corporate, in Dec’2016 I stepped out of corporate life and started my journey in training as an entrepreneur.
I worked as a soft skills trainer with organizations & education institutes. And, my journey went on in training. A Dale Carnegie trained Trainer and Oscar Murphy Life Strategies certified Psychometric Interpreter, Certified Anti Money Laundering Investigator (CAMI). A certified POCSO enabler (Protection Of Children from Sexual Offence Act 2012).
As far as qualification is concerned, I did Graduation. Then Masters’s in English Literature. I did Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Applications. And then MBA in Marketing & finance.
Have played many roles in life. A graduate turned into a housewife. A housewife managed to move out of an abusive marriage to lead a life of dignity & respect that she deserved.. Needed to be self-dependent.
So became a student again. A student was then selected in corporate and became a professional. After a decade, this professional turned into a trainer. A trainer into an entrepreneur and now an upcoming author as well.
Yes, you heard it right. I am in the process of launching my first book on my Niche i.e. POSH. This book will help readers to understand one of the most powerful acts with the help of case studies and a lot more.
Currently, I am working as a POSH Consultant. A Mindful Strategic Certified POSH Expert Helping Brands to Create Safe Workplace for Women. Resource person with the Ministry of Woman & Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. Influencing more than 1 Lac individuals.
As a part of my business diversion, I established Sohana’s Homestays in the year 2019. A warm welcome to my guests, facilitating their stay to be comfortable is my key to success. Going the extra mile to make them delightful is the secret to my excellent reviews & ratings.
A leisure & work-friendly stay. I get thrilled while meeting new people. I like to interact with them, help them & learn about different cultures. I am welcoming & friendly as a host. I believe in going the extra mile if required to make the guests comfortable, safe & happy.
How did you discover your passion as a ‘Trainer’?
I have always been very fond of teaching since my childhood. After my MBA, I chose corporate as the path that life laid before me. With the help of my mentors in academics and in corporate life, I discovered my skills of convincing and being connected with people thereby, influencing their lives.
After exploring myself, I realized my true potential and a natural flair for influencing others life. And since then my purpose became to empower others making training- a methodology for this change.
Then, fortunately, found my business mentor. Under his guidance, I identified my niche as POSH Act. It clicked with me as this matched to my purpose of helping women folks so that they can grow in careers without having fears of being exploited in the work life.
With this intent, I moved on to have assignments based on POSH Act 2013 awareness sessions for Employees, Internal Committees. I am excited about the opportunities to work in the field of women empowerment with my knowledge on the POSH Act 2013.
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
My ‘Never Give Up’ spirit and my quest to learn new things helps me get going despite my challenges. Even when I had no direction, I simply knew somewhere deep with me… I can do it. Don’t know how..But I will figure out.
And, eventually, I figured out ‘How’. Which is very much evident on my LinkedIn profile that reflects my work. This gave me fire to be consistent in my approach.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
Here comes the most important part of my life. This changed my life completely. Everyone has a time in life when he/she is not able to stand and walk. Parents hold his finger. Help him stand. He might fall down several times. But they never leaves him fallen. Again gives their hand to hold on. Make him stand again and make him walk.
Everybody has this phase once in his life that is his childhood. But in my life, this phase occurred twice. Once, when I was a child and second, when I got married and was undergoing an abusive marriage. Wanted to get out of it desperately, but didn’t know how. After all, how resourceful a simple graduate housewife could be?
This was the time when my parents gave their hand once again to their fallen child. So that she could stand again, and learn to walk on her own feet. They supported me physically (coz I was very weak medically), emotionally, psychologically and financially.
Financially coz, it was not me alone, I had a newborn baby also in my lap. I studied again, did my PGDCA, & MBA, got job in Bank. Father being a banker, banking was my DNA. And, from there, began my journey as a professional with my head held high and never looked back.
I must say, I owe infinite to my parents & my brother who were always there with me. And, after a few years, added a new member to our family, his wife. When she came, I realized, I always needed a sister and I got it.
Not every ball is no ball or wide ball. Life gives you some fours- & sixers also. My very loving & caring son made all these years very happening & cheerful for me. Finally, I just say, today I am looked upon as a bold, strong & educated woman. The ground on which I stand as a confident woman is my family.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
There are a few:
> Being Mindful
> Forgive, Forget & Move On, That’s life
> Get going, Never Give Up
> Be Thankful
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
(a) Be inquisitive
(b) Stand up for yourself
(c) Being Consistent
(d) Positive Attitude
What advice would you give to our readers?
Instead of lamenting for what you do not have, we should rather enjoy what we have. Because what all we have today might be a dream for many.
Also, I believe, be grateful to those who all supported you in your journey. Be even more grateful who did not stand with you in your journey, coz had they been there, you might not be where you are today. How can you grow, if there is no resistance? Even a plane needs resistance in air to take a flight. And, always have a mentor.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
– Getting great feedback from my clients, and repeat business.
– My comparison to myself, where I see myself learning and growing.
– I am capable of helping other women in their journey and being an inspiration for them.
– I help them live their work life with dignity & respect.
After all, for me, Dignity is a non-negotiable virtue.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
