Home > Inspirational Women > Inspirational Woman: Priya Chavan | Founder, Priya’s Wellness

Inspirational Woman: Priya Chavan | Founder, Priya’s Wellness

priya chavan

priyaI was born in a typical, middle class Maharashtrian family from Mumbai. I am one among four sisters. My mother is a principal of school and my father a teacher. My parents believed in education and independence – financial and emotional – hence they encouraged all of us to pursue academics and higher education. As a result my sisters and I all excelled in our studies. My first sister is a doctor, the second is a teacher and the third has a senior post in the Indian army.

We were encouraged to pursue safe and stable professions like teaching and medicine – jobs which would give us a guaranteed salary every month. Entrepreneurship was considered a risk-taking challenge. The Arts as a profession, including dancing, singing, acting, fashion and event other professions such as finance or sport were never discussed or encouraged. We all grew up in a limited world thinking that only being a doctor or engineer would add value to our lives.

I was brilliant in academics in school achieving 89% in SSC, 91% in HSC from Ruparel College, a Bachelor in Pharmacy from Mumbai university and a gold medallist in MBA (Marketing) from Mumbai. I took a job in the corporate sector in marketing in the pharmaceutical industry. Because of my intellect, hard work, dynamism, results approach, people management skills and good leadership, I climbed the corporate ladder fast. But slowly the truth started dawning on me that in the corporate sector, women are not considered on a par with men. There were a lot of restrictions, no proper facilities, no equality in terms of pay package and less scope for promotion. Yet in spite of all these odds, I reached the level of all India Marketing Manager of a reputed MNC in a male dominated industry.

In this corporate journey, I discovered my true passion for entrepreneurship. I learnt more about it by becoming a member of entrepreneur organisations like TIE. I put on weight from a slim 53kg to a bigger 75 kgs. But the determined, strong-willed Priya lost 30kgs in one year and since then has maintained it at 47kgs. My weight loss story is a success story of hard work, exercise with proper nutrition, sleep, positive attitude and discipline. I also fell in love with fitness. I mastered yoga, functional training, kick boxing, dancing, nutrition, spirituality, meditation and mental health. Slowly I discovered that I wanted to be a fitness entrepreneur.

I was an excellent Kathak classical dancer. I did my Nritya Visharad in Kathak from Gandharva Mahavidyalay. I learnt from the best of gurus including Pt Gopi Krishna from Benares Gharana, Pt Bireshhwar Gautam of Lucknow Gharana and Pt kalinath Mishra from Benares Gharana. I gave fabulous performances in prestigious auditoriums, festivals and cultural centres. I also specialise in Bollywood and western dance forms.

I materialised my passion into a business venture and am now successfully running ‘Priya’s Wellness Centre’. We specialise in yoga and Zumba classes, functional training, kick boxing, nutritional counselling, health workshops and seminars. I am a motivational speaker conducting my own seminars of health, law of attraction, entrepreneurship and millionaire mindset. I continue to dance, doing my own shows in classical, western and folk dance dance. I am also exploring new avenues such as modelling and writing.
Mainly – I am keeping myself busy and having a great time doing it!

priya chavanTell us about any current projects you are involved in

I wish to expand Priya’s Wellness in India and internationally. One of the best forms of media to reach a global audience is through social media. I am therefore actively promoting myself, my business ventures and my seminars through Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn. I also want to promote myself internationally as a fitness entrepreneur, a motivational speaker, a dancer and an author.

What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?

My entrepreneurial journey has been a roller-coaster ride. But the biggest challenge I faced was from my family who strictly opposed it. They felt it was foolish of me to leave a cushy, well paid, comfortable job and embrace the uncertainties of business. They never supported me in any way be it morally or financially but instead constantly criticised me for my endeavor so much that in order to work peacefully I had to cut off from them completely as our conversations would lead to altercations and fights. The could never understand me. There is still a constant friction and tension in the house.

Another challenge I faced was from the conservative Indian society who define the role of an Indian woman as someone’s wife, mother, sister and daughter. They fail to accept a strong, financially, emotionally independent woman. Constantly the first question I am asked is about marriage as if being single is a crime. Indian society is very hypocritical for women. Yet I face this every day bravely and successfully win my battles.

What has been your greatest achievement personally?

Personally it has yet to come. But so far my biggest achievement has been to successfully pursue my passion of Priya Wellness entrepreneurship.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?

I’d have a job in the corporate sector.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

Me myself and I! I am totally in love with myself! I derive inspiration from my own deeds. I am also inspired by Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Dhirubhai Ambani, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs and Narayan Murthy as all of them have achieved success on their own without any support from their family. All of them were also born into a middle class family.

What does the future hold for you?

I am very optimistic about the future. I am very ambitious. I am seeing myself as a successful brand Priya, a successful entrepreneur, a multimillionaire, a very powerful, influential motivational speaker, a fabulous dancer and a model. I also see myself exploring new avenues like fashion.

Email: [email protected]

This article was provided by WeAreTheCity Delhi Committee Lead Ashish Bhardwaj.

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