Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Joyita Neerkaje. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Joyita thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I was born to two free-thinking and creative parents. My dad, a Pilot – Rum Connoisseur – Marketing expert, taught me by example the importance of following my dreams, to love with all my heart and take pride in myself and my work.
My mom, a writer-a teacher-a theatre artist, taught me that I did not need to fit in, the importance of hard work, creating memories and the ability to express my unique self.
I was brought up in a world where Art, literature, culture, and community participation laid the foundation of my life.
I made my first stage appearence at age 3, received formal training in music and dance. I got an amazing foundation to fine art through books and visits to museums, galleries and auctions. I was testing the waters for creative writing by age 8 and by the time I was a teenager, I was earning my pocket money by designing labels and planning marketing campaigns for my dad.
They raised me: to take risks, embrace creativity, and build a sense of belonging wherever I go.

Joyita, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am on a mission to find Joy in the everyday life. I am committed to continuous growth, shared success, and purposeful contributions. I am basically wired to be better, with an instinct for good design, a strong ambition to make a meaningful impact, and enthusiastic about spreading the good vibes!

While i have shied away from the term in my younger years, I now own being a Polymath. As a Polymath I have always been driven by a deep curiosity and passion for exploring many different areas of life and knowledge. This constant need of learning has helped me in the years to create visually lush art with various mediums, leading, developing and launching innovative products that have made a real impact on people’s lives.

I’m a product leader,, working with teams across a variety of B2C, B2B, and Platform industries. I lead teams to create experiences that people love, and that enable sustainable growth. In this role I crafting product vision and strategy, apply design thinking to resolve user and business issues, develop process design, User experience research & design. Essentially I am responsible for team development, product vision, execution, growth, and product culture.

A year back I founded ‘Fly Forty’, a culmination of everything I have done so far: my love for building something, and my desire to see local businesses soar. My core passion has always been the creative side of business. This is my slight pivot from a product-driven business. to working with select freelance clients, local businesses and artisans. My projects have been as diverse and dynamic as the clients I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with, and included: Brand Strategy, Product Development and Positioning, Web Design and Implementation, Environmental Experiences, Point of Sale and Packaging and operations.

And an Artist! A substantially self-taught as an artist. My art is about appreciating where I am, because thats exactly where I am suppose to be. As a multidisciplinary artist, it can be very obvious that I’m in a different period of expression based on what medium I’m working in. The medium is the message.
My work has changed over time, and I have certainly worked through several distinct expressive periods.The more work I do, the more I see how the successive, distinct phases in my work are all actually part of a single movement. They are part of one spiraling gesture that cycles up and up through phases of development. So it’s a different period of expression, but the periods aren’t linear, and the work is a continuation of past work more than a departure.

Currently I am in love with ceramics and my exploration has been focused around that.

Whenever I am asked who I am, my instant response is usually “Artist.” It’s a title that resonates deeply with me, woven into the fabric of my identity. And then, I follow it up by saying “Product Leader.” But how do these two seemingly different roles align?

Actually being a product leader is not so different from being an artist. In fact, they share a profound connection, a synergy that has shaped my approach to both roles.
The artistic mindset is all about thinking beyond the box

Paintings are like wild, untamed creativity on canvas. They’re unburdened by preconceived ideas, just like you should be.
As product leaders, we often have to challenge the status quo, and embracing the artistic mindset can be a game-changer. Break free from conventions, question norms, and explore the uncharted territory of innovation.

It is about agile thinking and adaptive decision-making

Ever watched a painter adapt their strokes on the fly?
Just like that, we need to be agile thinkers and adapt decision-making in real-time. Our landscape is ever-changing; Responding to customer needs, navigating market shifts – these require quick thinking and adaptation.

A culture of experimentation and risk-taking

Being an artist teaches you to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success.
We are all about experimenting.
In product leadership, fostering a culture where calculated risks are encouraged can lead to groundbreaking solutions.

It’s about trying, failing, learning, and trying again.

Unleashing the power of creativity

Creativity isn’t the exclusive domain of artists; it’s in all of us!

I strongly believe creativity isn’t just a talent; it’s a way of operating. It’s about continuously pushing your limits, thinking outside the box, and nurturing creative potential.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I am substantially self-taught as an artist My formal training is limited to a few months of wonderful classes back in high school with a local artist Narendra Rai Shrivastava, a much beloved teacher, and a lovely human being. I was a science major, getting ready for a career in engineering and architecture. But, I loved art classes and tried to take as many as I could, immersing myself in them fully.

His teaching had a huge impact on me. Not only did his lessons ground my work from a technical perspective, but he also provided deeper lessons about art and life: mark-making, intention, mindfulness,. that I recall frequently, even years later.

That experience has taught me Grit!

But what exactly is grit?

Grit is fundamental. Yes, sure. But what exactly do I mean by Grit?

It goes beyond mere determination; it’s the unwavering pursuit of long-term goals, especially when faced with challenging paths.

Grit, in my life, has been both a significant strength and a notable flaw.
I would have these long stretches of routines and consistency, only to abandon everything and revert to old habits.

Narendra Rai Shrivastava, changed that. Quoting Edison, he said, “Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration.” Week one he got me started with free hand drawing a perfect straight line , trying, till I got it right. Week 2 it was circles… you get the point.

But I learned something: Grit could bring me ahead of the competition.
And this just laid the foundation of not just my artistic skills, but how I approach challenges.

So if you have talent and good ideas, you are only 1% ahead of the others. The other 99% is pure commitment and repetition.

Perseverance is your ability to keep going even when you fail. It is your grit to show up every day and your need to demonstrate you can do everything you want.

If you always stand up after falling you become inevitable.

You become unstoppable.

Pretty powerful, no?

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

Creativity is often seen as a talent possessed by a select few. However, it’s essential to know that creativity is a not a mere talent, it’s a way of operating. Engaging in art as part of our daily routine provides a unique opportunity to tap into our creativity, and cultivate mindfulness.

I usually start my day with some yoga and a spontaneous painting; my daily does of vitamin A(rt). With its raw expression and uninhibited nature, its kicks off my day with a few reminders that makes me a better leader.

Spontaneous paintings emerge from a place of creative freedom, free from the constraints of preconceived ideas or expectations. It reminds me daily to let go of limiting beliefs and embrace a mindset that encourages thinking beyond the conventional. It embodies the artist’s ability to question assumptions and break free from limitations. A daily reminder to encourage a culture of curiosity and open-mindedness.

Some days it just doesn’t click, but I keep those aside and portions of these make their way into collages. Failure is an integral part of the creative process, embrace it. And sometimes what seems like a failure today, might end up being that right piece of a puzzle tomorrow.

Prize is in the process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://joyitaneerkaje.me/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyitaneerkaje/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyita/