Rachna Parmar is an award-winning blogger, a content editor and strategist who enjoys her work that lets her collaborate with clients from across the globe. She is an enthusiastic cook, wife, fitness freak, Yoga enthusiast, and mother to two naughty sons and a Labrador. She counts reading, writing, cooking, fitness, Yoga and social causes among her passions. She has strong opinions; is passionately committed to her work, family and friends and is a softie at heart.
Tell us about yourself, your background and what you do currently
I am a mom to two naughty boys and a Labrador. I live in Bangalore and have been working in the area of content since the last nine years. I was a Marketer in a previous life. I discovered my passion for words quite late in life and pretty much accidentally. I stumbled into writing, specifically blogging, when my younger son was two. That launched my career into content writing that has seen me win acclaim, work with international clients, collaborate with a number of brands and edit a corporate blog where I have a team of writers under me.
I have been brought up in Mumbai. The city shaped my values and moulded my character. I will always be grateful to Mumbai for its sterling education and for my friends. Bangalore is home now for me. It is a beautiful city, not only for its weather but for its people as well. I am a graduate in Chemistry and went on to do my MBA in Marketing. I have also dabbled in teaching and medical transcription to find that elusive work-life balance after I had my kids. Writing seems to be my calling now. I run three blogs and write every day. My other passions include rustling up tasty recipes, working out, reading and travel.
Tell us about any current projects or initiatives you wish to promote
I support charities that work for women’s causes and children’s education. I contribute regularly to them. I believe that education is our best accomplishment and would like to be instrumental in helping children study. I also help out with volunteering whenever possible. I currently work with a not-for-profit organization with their digital marketing initiatives, almost pro bono.
We all must give back to the society in whatever small way we can.
What has been your biggest challenge in achieving your success?
It has been a challenge to hold on to a satisfying career and bring up kids. Work-life balance is probably the biggest challenge that every married woman and mother faces. Somehow, it is so difficult to balance ambition and home. More so in India, where working hours are grueling and so is the insistence to be present at the workplace. I have been very fortunate to have had clients from around the world with whom I work virtually.
I can see why women continue to drop out of workplaces, as I don’t see companies putting in enough effort towards flexible working and work-from-home initiatives. It is really sad because women bring so much to the table in terms of their strengths and losing them from the workforce is an irreparable loss.
What has been your greatest achievement personally?
My greatest achievement personally is my children. I’ve been hands-on with their parenting from the time they were born. I juggled my career around them, and it is my greatest joy to see them grow up into confident, well-mannered and accomplished young men.
If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing?
If it paid me, I would have loved to travel full time. Jokes aside, I can see myself opening a small place where I fed people homemade food. My husband, who is an avid gardener, would contribute the produce that would go into this cooking. In fact, it is a dream, the two of us hold on to dearly.
Who has been your biggest inspiration?
My father, without a doubt! His life has inspired me immensely. I have imbibed many of his values and habits. His work ethic, honesty, his beautiful relationship with my mother and how he always stood up for his daughters is truly remarkable. I am blessed to have been born to him.
What does the future hold for you?
Well, who can say? But, I foresee myself continuing to work with words – blogging, writing, editing forever.
Blogs: Rachna says, Rachna cooks, Rachna’s Travel Tales.
Links: Facebook page, Twitter handle, LinkedIn profile.
