We recently connected with Mekhala Hiriyanna and have shared our conversation below.

Mekhala, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

As a first-generation woman social entrepreneur, success for me was not defined by wealth or fame, but rather by my vision to create positive change in the world. My upbringing in a patriarchal society in India, where I was encouraged to be brave and not limit myself because of my gender, played a significant role in shaping my outlook. At 22 years old, I left my lucrative job in software engineering to become an educational entrepreneur, driven by a desire to provide quality education to underprivileged children.

Today, I am proud of the impact I have made. Through my work, I have published over 120 books, with half a million copies sold, and 30% of these reaching under-resourced and low-income families. A significant number of my readers were first-generation school-goers, and over 30,000 girls have benefitted from my books.

For me, success is about creating positive social impact and empowering those who are underserved or underprivileged. It’s about using my skills and resources to make a difference in the world, even if it means sacrificing personal gain. It’s about striving towards a vision that is bigger than myself and continuously working towards it. Success is not just about achieving a specific goal but also about the journey and the impact it creates along the way.

Mekhala, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a firm believer that following one’s passion can lead to extraordinary things. My passion for education led me to start an educational foundation for children. However, my journey wasn’t without its challenges. In my maiden year, I found myself lost, searching for resources and struggling to convince people of the value of our product.

Despite these challenges, I refused to give up. I knew the impact that our foundation could make in children’s lives, and I was willing to put in the hard work to make it a success. I travelled across the country, meeting with 50,000 students and immersing myself in their culture, language, and values. It was an intense and grueling experience, but it also filled me with a sense of exhilaration that I will never forget.

Throughout my journey, I have never lost sight of the importance of community and connection. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I understand the moments of self-doubt and the need for extra effort to overcome obstacles. That’s why I have made it my personal mission to support other women entrepreneurs through networking events that provide guidance, assistance, and companionship.

As an immigrant in the US, I have also used my abundant experience in strategizing marketing and business development to help small business owners achieve their goals. But above all, my favorite initiative is STEM-for-Girls, which provides young girls with the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and math. Seeing these girls light up with curiosity and excitement is what makes all the hard work worth it.

I believe that following one’s passion is the key to achieving extraordinary things. My journey has been filled with challenges, but it has also been an incredible adventure that has led me to create a positive impact on the world. I am passionate about education, women’s empowerment, and supporting small businesses, and I will continue to use my skills and experience to make a difference in people’s lives.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience is the backbone of successful business development. As a business development professional, I have seen firsthand the power of resilience in shaping the destiny of businesses.

An example of resilience comes from my own journey as a business professional. I faced numerous rejections and setbacks when I was first starting out. But instead of giving up, I used each failure as an opportunity to learn, grow, and become better at what I do. I invested time in building my skills, network, and knowledge base, and eventually, my hard work paid off, and I was able to achieve my goals.

Resilience is not just about pushing through tough times. It’s also about having the courage to take risks, try new things, and step outside your comfort zone.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Unlearning is a critical aspect of personal and professional growth. Unlearning is the process of letting go of old beliefs, assumptions, and habits that no longer serve us.

I know from personal experience that unlearning can be challenging, but it is necessary for growth and success.

For instance, I had always believed that hard-selling was the key to success in business development. However, over time, I realized that this approach was outdated and ineffective in today’s business landscape. Therefore, I had to unlearn this approach and adopt a more consultative and relationship-based approach to business development.

Another example of unlearning is the traditional model of working from 9-5 in a physical office. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many businesses to unlearn this old model and adopt new and flexible working arrangements. This unlearning has led to improved employee well-being, increased productivity, and reduced operational costs.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.mekhalahiriyanna.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mekhalahiriyanna/