As part of our endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from India and around the world, we invited Shikha Mishra for an interview with us to understand more about her inspiring entrepreneurial journey so far. She is a Fitness Trainer, Influencer, Wellness Consultant, Mentor, Coach and Founder of CraWo’S & CraWoZ. Let’s learn more about her journey and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shikha:
Talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur, please;
I completed my schooling from ASN Senior Secondary School (Mayur Vihar) and my graduation in English (Hons.) from Delhi University. I got married early in life.
By the time I was 35, life had become as hectic as it could have. Being a mother of two growing active boys, a professional with a demanding full-time job, and the wife of an equally busy husband who constantly travels was taking its toll…the space to be able to create a satisfactory work-life balance where I could spend quality time with my kids and family, and where I could still think about my own needs was decreasing day by day.”
I love dancing – and so one fine day I joined Zumba classes in an attempt to snatch some time out of life for myself and to lose all that weight that I had gained over time. What I got in those classes was much more than just weight loss – I noticed vibrant trainers who were fit and energetic irrespective of their age; I saw many other women like me coming there with stressed lives but leaving with a sense of fulfilment and confidence; I saw how fitness and happiness healed so many physical ailments and led people to a healthy life.
And that was it! In 2013, I transitioned from the corporate world to begin my journey in the realm of fitness. With some basic initial investment, some smart business decisions, and the support of loved ones, I got myself trained in various fitness styles from many big fitness academies from India and Abroad.”
Three years down the line, after attaining in-depth experience and significant certifications in multiple fitness regime formats (Pilates and Aerobics from Reebok University; Zumba, Bolly-X and Step Aerobics from some globally renowned institutes in the US, to name a few), I took the plunge as an independent life-changer and started CraWo’S, the first studio then operating out of Mayur Vihar.
Today, CraWo’S, along with its franchisees and its sister concern CraWoZ, toils endlessly towards enabling individuals to achieve their fitness goals across various locations in Delhi/NCR and beyond.”
This entire journey of mine has made me realize one thing very strongly… a woman is already empowered enough to change the world – her own and those of others – all she needs is to remind herself of the power within and have the will to unleash it. Dream big, believe in yourself, and keep moving forward – the universe will have no other choice but to comply!
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
When I started, I didn’t know I would go down the path of entrepreneurship. I just wanted to give fitness a new definition, where it would no longer carry the otherwise common impression of being monotonous, repetitive, and boring.
I wanted to create new forms of existing regimes that would instil joy and energy along with a healthy lifestyle.”
Talking about entrepreneurship, it’s fascinating how it can give you the opportunity to create something from scratch and build an ecosystem around it. As my work started taking the shape of entrepreneurship, I realized that it takes a lot of courage, planning, perseverance, hard work and teamwork, combined with good strategy & execution skills. However, my passion for my work was above all and gave me the perseverance to put in all that effort.
CraWo’S (and later CraWoZ as well) was a result of my dream to fuse my passion for dancing with my will to positively impact the lives of individuals around me, and to ’empower’ them with the joy of a happy, fit, and a more energetic and fulfilled life. Furthering on that thought, Academy 24 was incepted in partnership in Feb this year with an aim to propel employability for aspiring and practicing fitness trainers and to contribute towards making physical fitness a mainstream profession at a national level.
‘CraWo’S & CraWoZ’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving?
There is a self-proposed belief that I follow – ‘If you want to be sane, be crazy.’ Kids are able to enjoy every moment of life because they have an innate zest in them about the world around them, and all that happens in it, and a magical way of churning the positive out of everything.
As we grow up to become adults, our so-called gain of ‘wisdom and sameness’ makes us evaluative and sceptical as thinkers, and hence we start measuring the pros and cons of each action before we take it. This tends to suppress the sheer joy of living that one can get through energy and just plain impulse – in other words, we tend to lose out on the ‘craziness’ of life.”
I wanted to keep that spirit alive not only in form, but in name as well, and hence came up with the name ‘Crazy Women Studio’. Now, with us catering to a unisex population, we also have CraWoZ (short for Crazy Workout Zone – the unisex sub-unit if CraWo’S), which carries the same soul in its name as CraWo’S.
Our main focus has always been improving the physiological and psychological health and wellness of individuals, through group fitness activities. To enable that, we create a dynamic, high-energy, versatile environment each day, in each class, we take so that when people work out with us, they don’t just experience the thrill of the music, or the joy of losing calories, but also encounter the liberation of being able to shed all inhibitions and enjoy each moment with euphoria and confidence.
What does your company specialise in?
CraWo’S (short for Crazy Women Studio) is a chain of Group Fitness Studios which, along with its unisex fitness unit CraWoZ(short for Crazy Workout Zone), works with a vision to transform lives and cultivate communities of ‘Strong, Happy and Inspired People’.
Through our fitness routines primarily based on the formats of Dance Workout, Core Pilates and Functional Training, we toil endlessly each day towards enabling individuals to achieve their fitness goals across various locations in Delhi/NCR and beyond.
We primarily offer:
(i) Weight Management Training
(ii) Weight and Endurance Training
(iii) Diet Consultation
Our specializations:
– Floor Aerobics
– Step Aerobics
– Core Pilates
– Equipment Pilates
– Functional Training
– Bolly-X Bollywood workout format
– Beledi Belly dance workout format
– Zumba
– Diet Consultation
Through Academy 24, it’s Fitness Training Academy in partnership, CraWo’S also conducts certification courses and workshops on fitness and nutrition for practising and aspiring trainers.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
Each measure is taken to ensure that the model aligns with the challenges of the pandemic:
~ Classes were made online; current classes function on the Hybrid model
~ Creative menus, diet plans and tips for keeping good health and immunity are consistently designed, keeping in mind the availability of selective food resources starting from the time of lockdown, and considering the restriction of movement
~ Inspirational and motivational messages/videos are shared frequently to keep the spirit alive
~ Staying closely connected with clients to provide emotional support to emerge from the phase of the pandemic with positivity
~ Talks and sessions with empanelled doctors are conducted on COVID awareness and nutrition, Happiness workshops are conducted with college students and kids, to spread awareness and alertness towards how to handle the health challenges emerging during the pandemic
~ Workout is made effective, engaging and safe by designing routines using props easily available at home, and also keeping the space crunch at homes in mind
~ Online sessions are closely monitored to ensure avoidance of injuries and ailments due to incorrect postures
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
My passion for developing new, creative ways of achieving health and wellness goals, and the want to bring a transformation in people’s lives that empowers them to enjoy a happy, fit, and fulfilled life is what drives me each day at work.
No two days are the same – we consistently work towards challenging the myths around how wellness journeys can be, and break stereotypes every day about how the human body can achieve new levels of stamina and endurance.
The feedback that we receive from our clients is not only immensely gratifying but also a huge motivator for me and my team to constantly come up with innovative, fun ways of working out every day. When I see my clients having a moment and I get the privilege of witnessing their breakthrough, it’s the most powerful stimulant I can imagine.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
1) My spiritual journey and Guru
2) My husband Ashish, who has been a strong pillar of support and belief for me
3) My childhood friend and inherent part of my professional journey, Swati
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
(a) Being mindful
(b) Always being resourceful
(c) Taking extreme ownership and responsibility for my work
(d) Believing in the power of teamwork
(e) Ability to take risks & venture into uncharted territories
(f) Using client experience as the prime gauge in everything we do
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
Performing to the best of your capability and making the best out of the opportunities that walk towards you
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
My motivation comes from dance because I enjoy it. The motivation to work hard and practice and stay disciplined comes from the desire to master my skill and to keep learning something new, and my genuine enjoyment for my purpose.
I schedule a daily appointment for self-care, even if it’s just alone time. When I exercise or design a new crazy choreography, that in itself for me is a stress-buster. My favourite time spent is when I sing, or do mandala art, or express my inner self through my poems, or just impulsively go on a trip (I am an avid traveller).”
I also read works by people I admire, which reminds me of the power we all have within us.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
– Accepting & Loving myself.
– Responsibility for my actions
– Curiosity
– Acting with consistency and belief
– Discipline
– ‘Never Say Die’ attitude
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
> Believe in Yourself and Follow Your Dreams
> Do what makes you happy, not others.
> It’s not important to make big bucks – what matters is earning enough to keep you content and still have the time for those who love and value you
> It’s ok to make your passion your profession, even if it may seem like a mainstream choice
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.
