“Continue to create stuff that’s valuable and that makes you happy.”  – Sandeep Gill Sandeep Kaur Gill, better known as TheSandyLion, is a stylist and image consultant with the simple goal of helping people look and feel the best about themselves. With over 102k followers on Instagram, 3.21k on YouTube, and 8k on Twitter, Sandeep uses her social media platforms to support brands, raise awareness, showcase designers and build her brand in a way that both reflects her love of fashion and her...

“Always look for components of a good story – character, conflicts, intimacy, access.”  – Gotham Chopra Gotham Chopra is a Sports Emmy award-winning director of “Tom vs Time,” Kobe Bryant’s ”Muse,” and the Sports Emmy-nominated  documentary series “Shut Up & Dribble” in partnership with NBA All-Star LeBron James, Springhill Entertainment, and Showtime Networks. Currently, Chopra directed “Stephen vs The Game” in partnership with NBA All-Star Stephen Curry and his company, Unanimous, and...

“Look inward to serve your purpose outward.”  Kiran Gandhi Kiran Gandhi, who performs as her stage name Madame Gandhi,  is a Los Angeles-based musician, activist and music industry thinker who was recently listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2019. She has drummed for M.I.A, Thievery Corporation, TV on the Radio, Kehlani and Lizzo and currently DJs, drums and produces music under her own name.  Madame Gandhi holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Women’s Studies from Georgetown and...

“The Tiger at Midnight did not shy away from cultural identity. Diverse storytellers sometimes feel the need to make their story more palatable for a general audience. ” – Swati Teerdhala.  Swati Teerdhala is the author of the brand new book The Tiger at Midnight published  by Harper Collins. This is the first book in an epic heart-pounding fantasy trilogy inspired by ancient Indian history and Hindu mythology. After graduating from the University of Virginia with a B.S. in Finance and...

“Within my first three months as SpaceX, I was in charge of rocket engine electrical cables. My heart was pounding and I wanted to run and come home – it was a huge responsibility. ” – Melony Mahaarachchi Melony Mahaarachchi is a prolific mechanical, robotics, and rocket engineer. She came to the United States with her husband and two young children from Sri Lanka, and built her career completely from scratch after graduating from UCLA with a degree in mechanical engineering. Melony has...

“Cancer is an extremely smart disease. It’s one of the reasons we’ve battled it for so long.” – Dr. Hasini Jayatilaka. Dr. Hasini Jayatilaka (@hasinijt) is an acclaimed cancer researcher, scientist, and TED speaker.  She grew up in Colombo, Sri Lanka and pursued her BS and PhD in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. At 28, Hasini made it the 2018 Forbes 30 under 30 under the science category for her extraordinary research work. She discovered a signaling...

“Be grateful for what you have and ambitious for what you want.” – Raj Jana Raj Jana (@rajer_thatt) is an impact-driven entrepreneur, podcast host, & keynote speaker who’s passionate about using capitalism and business as a vehicle to make the world a brighter place. He has been featured in Inc, Entrepreneur, and Forbes Magazines while mentored directly by Daymond John. After his mentor died of a heart attack just three months short of retirement – Raj felt compelled to step up and do...

“Believe what you want to achieve.” – Raj Bhavsar Raj Bhavsar (@Rajnastics) is Olympic Athlete, world-class gymnast, entrepreneur, and artist. His accolades are simply outstanding: Bronze medal in 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, World championship silver medals, 3 world cup medals, 3 U.S. national titles, 3 NC Double  A national titles, 11 years on the senior national team, and the creation of 2 new gymnastics skills, now called “The Bhavsar” on rings and parallel bars. In 2004, Raj missed...

“There are moments where you can’t hide from what you want to do.” – Arsalan Shirazi Arsalan Shirazi (@entitldartist) is the quintessential multi-hyphenate artist: he’s an actor, writer, rapper, and founder of ENTITLD ARTISTS. It’s a media and entertainment company that develops film, series, and music for millennials with a focus on first-generation stories.  Arsalan’s debut project was the feature film “On Again Off Again” which had two sold- out screenings at the Mosaic Film Festival and...

“Writing completely soothes me and is form of healing.” – Shabnam Samuel Shabnam Samuel (@panchganiwrites) is a writer, coach, social media trainer, and the founder of the Panchgani Writers’ Retreat. Shabnam just released a memoir A Fractured Life this year in September 2018. The retreat incorporates mindful living along with creativity and wellness following Ayurveda principles, with yoga, meditation and writing workshops. Shabnam has been writing ever since she can remember. Her essays...

“You’re never too old to set another goal or a dream.” – Hema Kundargi Hema Kundargi is a registered dietitian, culinary artist, and TV host. Hema went from being an accountant to hosting and producing her own TV show called Indian Vegetarian Gourmet. She simplifies Indian cuisine and aims to remove the myths and mysteries associated with it. Then, as her youngest child went to college, on her fiftieth birthday, she went back to school to earn graduate degree in Nutrition and became a...

  “Bhangra is a dance that combines both energy and grace.” – Lavesh Pritmani Lavesh Pritmani (@LearnBhangraNow) is the founder and CEO of the Learn Bhangra. In less than three years, the App achieved over 70,000 downloads and 25,000 registered users. No small feat. Bhangra is an energetic, folk dance and music form that originated from Punjab, India. Today, it’s the newest dance, music, and fitness phenomenon spreading all over the world. Lavesh began teaching Bhangra in 2006, and for 10...

“My advice would be to ignore your parents. At some point you have to decide what you want to do for yourself.” – Asha Rangappa Asha Rangappa (@AshaRangappa_) is a former FBI Special Agent in the New York Division specializing in counterintelligence investigations.  Her work at the FBI involved assessing threats to national security, conducting classified investigations on suspected foreign agents, and performing undercover work. While in the FBI, Asha gained experience in electronic...

  Srihari Sritharan (@DrSrimix) aka Dr. Srimix is an extremely talented DJ and producer who blends South Asian music with Western influences. He is one of the most popular DJ’s in the Bollywood-Fusion Dance Circuit, and has produced thousands of tracks with millions of listeners with one of his most popular tracks being “Lean on Rangeela”. Sri has collaborated with singers such as Jai Matt, Aditya Rao, and Mugdha Hasabnis, as well as with Bhangra DJ Klasikhz and renowned Tamil composer...

Kovid Gupta (@kovidgupta) is an author, screenwriter, filmmaker, and social activist. At the age of 22, he moved from Texas to Mumbai to pursue his dream of breaking into Bollywood. Spoiler alert: He did it. He has worked on some of South Asia’s biggest TV brands as a content developer, creative consultant, and screenwriter.   In 2017 he was named on Forbes 30 Under 30. He has headed business development at Vinod Chopra Films, he has served as Assistant Director of Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, the...

Priya Krishna (@pkgourmet) is an accomplished food writer and author – with publications in The New York Times, The New Yorker, GQ, Taste, Saveur, and Bon Appetite to name a few. She’s also written two books – Ultimate Dining Hall Hacks and Indianish coming out in Spring 2019. She has some truly great stories ranging from her love of Indian food, how she got her break in the industry, and her inspiration behind her new book. Please enjoy my conversation with Priya Krishna. Listen to the...