“I didn’t question life when it moved too fast, I simply kept up. Married at a young age, I accepted it because it felt normal, because it was what everyone expected of me. Even as I pursued my undergraduate degree B.Tech in IT, I held back from giving it my all, convinced that my life would soon follow a path already decided.
I grew up as a pampered child, raised with strong values by my parents, who have been running schools for over three decades. Expectations were naturally high, and I lived up to them, scoring 91% in my 12th exams despite the difficult transition from matriculation to CBSE. After school, I had two very different choices, which were nutrition or engineering. But since I secured engineering on merit, I followed that path.
My college years, however, felt like a waiting room rather than a journey. I was simply counting down the days, knowing marriage would come before I even graduated. And it did. I agreed to the first proposal that came my way, believing it was the right thing to do.
Few years into marriage, I felt the need to build something of my own. Before marriage, I had even completed baking courses, hoping to start a home baking business, but nothing felt like the right time. Eventually I chose to have a baby as I believed that would change my life and it surely did. We were soon blessed with our baby boy.
Then came the pandemic. When I contracted Covid during lockdown, my in-laws stepped in wholeheartedly to care for my son, showing me what true support looked like.
Life moved forward – building a house, buying a luxury car, and settling into routines. But deep inside, I knew I wasn’t meant to just exist. I was meant to become something more.
And somewhere in that quiet realization, the first spark of change was born.
That spark turned into action the day I stopped waiting and started choosing myself. Tired of living a routine life revolving only around responsibilities, I stepped into my father’s business, searching for a sense of purpose.
Soon after, a simple visit to a play area with my sister and son changed everything. I didn’t just see a space, I saw a possibility!
Driven by that vision, I began searching for a place in Adyar and found a building I instantly connected with. Despite being told it could only be rented as a whole, I took the risk. I pledged my jewelry, took a loan, and moved forward on my own belief.
What started as a plan for a play area soon evolved when a friend suggested starting a school. Around the same time, I discovered Montessori education. I didn’t know everything about it, but I knew one thing, it was meaningful.
That belief gave birth to Sikshana Montessori, and from day one, it felt right.
With 13 admissions on our opening day without any marketing, I knew I was on the right path. I built a team of qualified teachers, never compromising on quality, and with the guidance of my mentor, Mr. Paraman, we grew steadily.
Even as I navigated through obstacles, I refused to pause my journey. I went on to create Tots Village, a mindful play space focused on hygiene and healthy experiences, and later launched Lil’Idhal, a babywear brand using organic fabrics designed for delicate skin.
Within a few months, I partnered with an amazing team to launch ‘Adore-a-boo’, a kids and maternity wear offline store in Chennai which has become a go-to for so many parents.
I had a lot of friends and investors who supported me throughout this journey. They stood by me every step of the way. Even the parents of my students became investors for my clothing brand looking at how I ran the school. That was when I realised I must be doing something right!
It took me seven years to rediscover myself, to rebuild, and to rise. Today, I stand not just as a businesswoman, but as someone who chose courage over comfort.
Because life doesn’t wait for the perfect moment, it transforms when you finally decide to create your own.”