We recently connected with Sonal Sheth Zawahri and have shared our conversation below.

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

Let me tell you a story about what my parents got right. They were dreamers in a rural Indian town, where my mom and dad entered an arranged marriage as teenagers, as was the norm in the 1960s. Despite the weight of caring for my dad’s eight siblings and her own nine siblings, my mom was a tireless worker with a vision beyond their circumstances. She dreamed of moving to the United States for a fresh start, with greater opportunities for her four children.

Their first triumph was their unwavering bravery and determination to make it to the U.S., whatever the cost. When my dad won a college lottery granting him the chance to study in America, my mom’s encouragement propelled him forward, even as she was pregnant with me, the youngest of 4 children. She promised to follow as soon as she could scrape together the means.

Her commitment, resilience, and unyielding effort saw her through numerous visa attempts and arduous train journeys with her four children. Eventually, she joined my dad in the U.S., beginning a new chapter with just $7, four kids, and ten suitcases.

They toiled tirelessly for the next 28 years, each working three jobs to make ends meet. From the streets of Brooklyn to purchasing a business in the Midwest, they instilled in us the values of dedication, resilience, and selflessness. Their sacrifice was a testament to their love for family and community, and it shaped me profoundly.

Despite their humble beginnings, they raised four successful children and nine grandchildren. Their journey taught me the power of courage, perseverance, and kindness. As I faced my challenges—divorce, health issues, becoming a mother in my mid-40s—I carried their lessons with me, sharing their legacy of love, courage, and resilience with my daughter and everyone around me.

Their story is one of triumph over adversity, of giving back to their community despite having little to offer. They are my heroes, and their example guides me every day as I strive to make them proud. Their greatest gift was showing me that dreams are worth pursuing, even if it means failing forward countless times. They are the reason I am who I am today, and I am forever grateful for their love, sacrifice, and unwavering belief in a better tomorrow.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Having immigrated to the United States and raised in Brooklyn, New York, I was exposed to a rich tapestry of life and its diverse communities. Life was hard for my family, but watching my parents show up with perseverance and determination paved the way for me to do the same. With limited resources and opportunities available to them, they started their life in America as hustlers-working many jobs and then transitioning into becoming entrepreneurs. And like them, I have relentlessly pursued excellence in everything I desired–and trust me, it hasn’t been an easy journey. With a passion for knowledge, I entered the education field as a high school science teacher. There I fell in love with sharing the knowledge I gained and my love of learning with others. After 9 years of teaching, earning a Master’s degree, and being tenured, a devastating health diagnosis caused a sudden change in my life. I was forced to pause and ask myself, “Where do I go from here?” I had two choices: find a corner and hide from the world or pivot. And so the next 17 years came with jobs I sought and jobs I lost due to LIFE happenings, but even when I was scared and discouraged, I knew I had to adapt and adapt I did. This is when I began to explore and realized that I wanted more–I sought to make a deeper impact on the world, so I shifted from the education and corporate world to launching my training and coaching business.

Empowering communities and allowing people to FEEL like they belong in the environment they work and live in, is the driving force behind my business launch. I knew I could do this by teaching Emotional Intelligence, believing it to be a fundamental tool in enabling individuals to attain self-sufficiency and reach their fullest potential.

It all began with a simple idea of stepping out of my comfort zone, prompted by the feeling of exclusion and lack of welcome in my previous job, which provided for my family. However, embarking on such a journey without a plan seemed daunting. Then, as fate would have it, I lost my job. My “Aha” moment arrived when I was let go the week my husband and I purchased our home, seven years ago.

In that pivotal moment, I realized this was my opportunity to pursue my passion, to make a meaningful impact on lives, and to offer support to individuals and organizations across different geographical communities. Sharing my aspirations with a friend, encouraged me to pursue a path as a professional speaker and trainer.

Since then, I’ve cultivated an incredible community of individuals who uplift and inspire one another. Today, seven years later, I continue to collaborate with others, engaging in building, designing, creating, and making a positive impact. Through teaching leaders within our communities and organizations, I aim to instill the values of empathy and active listening, empowering them to become advocates and allies for those around them.

As an Emotional Intelligence strategist, I focus on communication, leadership, and employee engagement. I teach managers and team members how to increase their Emotional Intelligence and use it to improve communication and productivity. I also specialize in showing individuals how to be leaders personally and professionally even when they do not have official positions of authority.

I’ve achieved significant milestones, having published a workbook, developed two online courses, and created a deck of cards designed for individuals to share how they value others. Additionally, I’ve established over 20 programs and courses, which I’ve delivered to more than 60 communities, pro-bono and for a fee.

At the core of my passion lies the belief that Emotional Intelligence (EI) is the cornerstone of individual and organizational success. With unwavering dedication, I strive to impart the invaluable lessons of EI to individuals and organizations alike, showcasing its profound impact on people, culture, and productivity. Through my transformative programs, I empower organizations to fortify their management teams, foster genuine connections with team members, and cultivate a company culture that authentically reflects their values. Moreover, I work hard to ensure that Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging transcend mere buzzwords, becoming steadfast principles embedded in the fabric of organizational life.

My efforts not only lead to success but also foster a culture of ongoing improvement among leaders and team members, playing a direct role in helping individuals and organizations achieve their goals.

Reflecting on my journey, I draw strength from the quiet courage it took to venture into my fourth career in my late 40s, fully aware of the risks involved. Despite setbacks, I stayed determined and supported by my husband’s unwavering commitment to our family’s well-being through his work in education. Together, we maintained a firm belief in the positive impact of my ongoing efforts to inspire, empower, and effect change, both for our community and our livelihood.

This journey is a humble tribute to my family’s unwavering patience and support as I pursued my dreams, building not just a business, but a nurturing environment where individuals thrive amidst life’s challenges. Looking ahead, I eagerly anticipate the opportunity to further develop and monetize my passion, allowing me to share the joy of success with those who’ve stood by me. I envision creating a platform, a podcast, or a talk show, where individuals can find solace and encouragement to explore their potential and evolve into their best selves. This vision is fueled by both ambition and a sincere desire to nurture a community of love and support.

One of my greatest joys is celebrating others and their victories, big and small. That’s why I’ve dedicated a section on my website to support the small businesses that have stood by me throughout my journey. I believe that fostering a sense of community is essential for mutual celebration and support. Embracing inclusivity, I strive to extend invitations and share resources and opportunities with others, connecting people and to valuable chances for growth. It’s in these acts of inclusion and connection that I find my true superpower.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

Back in 2016, I was juggling my senior sales role in publishing with a side gig as a stylist and jewelry boutique owner. Naturally, I needed help getting my inventory to be seen online, so I was introduced to Aisha Cargile, the photography and website guru. We clicked instantly, despite being total opposites. She’s introverted, direct, and a tech wizard, while I’m outgoing and have a gift for engaging in conversation and making connections.

One day, I shared a dream with Aisha—a dream born from waking up with a tight chest, hating my day job, and chanting about stepping out of my comfort zone. She asked all the right questions and saw something in me I didn’t: the potential to turn this dream into a TED talk and pursue a career as a speaker and trainer. To be honest with you, I didn’t think speakers made money, but Aisha had other ideas.

With her encouragement, we crafted my “Have You Stretched Today” story and turned it into a talk for Professional Development Day hosted by the Central Indiana Chapter of Project Management Institute. I was astonished when they asked me to speak—what did I know about project management? But Aisha believed in me, and with her help, I delivered my first talk on leadership.

From there, things gained momentum. Audience members approached me to recreate the energy and experience they had with me for their companies, and suddenly I was being sought after. Cue panic! How do I train Fortune 500 companies when I barely know the business world? That’s where Aisha came in again, showing me that I didn’t need to be an expert in everything—just in inspiring and teaching others.

We became a dynamic duo, meeting twice a week to brainstorm, create presentations, and tackle whatever came our way. When I got laid off, Aisha was there to push me toward turning this dream into my business reality. She even started her own marketing company, with me as her first client.

Fast forward to today, and Aisha Cargile isn’t just my strategy partner—she’s my friend and mentor. Our journey from 2016 to now wouldn’t exist without her unwavering support and belief in me. She’s the real MVP, and I’m forever grateful for her guidance and friendship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sonalshethzawahri.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonalshethzawahri/ @Sonalshethzawahri
• Facebook: facebook.com/truyou
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonalshethzawahri/
• Other: My Teachable course: https://personal-learning4.teachable.com/p/s-t-r-e-t-c-h-university Show people, you Val-U them: https://www.sonalshethzawahri.com/product-page/val-u-cards Recent News Profile: https://tinyurl.com/My-News-Interview Minority Business Review National Magazine: https://minoritybusinessreview.com/leveraging-personal-power-to-triumph/ 5 part Article Series: 1: http://tinyurl.com/EI-for-our-community 2: http://tinyurl.com/EI-and-Self-Awareness 3: http://tinyurl.com/The-Power-of-Self-Management 4: http://tinyurl.com/Empowering-our-communities 5:http://tinyurl.com/Managing-Relationships