We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sonia Daptardar. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sonia below.

Sonia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Risk was never my comfort zone. Even as a child, I thrived on structure and predictability. My world was meticulously organized with color-coded folders, daily calendar updates, and an unwavering commitment to knowing what came next. For me, risk was the opposite of security—a leap into the unknown I wasn’t eager to take.

When someone once asked if I’d ever consider a career in business, I laughed, genuinely amused. Business seemed chaotic, unpredictable, and far too risky for my orderly world. So, when a close friend invited me to an interest meeting for “Future Business Leaders of America” (FBLA), I was hesitant. I agreed to attend, not because I was interested, but to support my friend. My plan was simple: sit quietly, listen politely, and walk away unchanged.

But life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. As a teenage speaker passionately described the opportunities within FBLA, the rigid walls I’d built around the idea of business began to crack. For the first time, I saw business as more than numbers and uncertainty—it was a world of possibilities, innovation, and growth.

Against my natural instincts, I joined the club. I didn’t overthink it, nor did I know where it would lead. I simply took the leap. That spring, I competed in my first business conference and, to my amazement, won first place. Encouraged, I went on to nationals that summer and earned second place.

This experience didn’t just change my perception of business; it changed my outlook on risk. It taught me that stepping outside of my comfort zone could lead to unexpected growth. It was through this journey that I discovered my passion for becoming a corporate attorney, combining my love for structure with the dynamic world of business.

Risk, I learned, is not the absence of safety but the foundation of opportunity. Dreams, much like spring flowers, grow at their own pace—often blossoming into something more beautiful than we ever imagined.

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?

Hi, I’m Sonia, the founder of Seeds of Reading, an initiative inspired by my lifelong love of books and a passion for creating equal educational opportunities. My journey in service and leadership has been recognized through multiple prestigious awards, including being a three-time Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) recipient—twice in gold and once in silver. I’ve also been honored with two Commissioner’s Awards and a Mayor’s Award, reflecting my commitment to making a meaningful impact in my community and beyond.

Seeds of Reading began as a small effort to share accessible reading content on Instagram and YouTube and has since grown into a global movement spanning four countries: the United States, India, England, and Vietnam. Our initiatives, like the global ambassador program—now active across 10 U.S. states—and projects such as 30 Books, 30 Days, have helped us reach over 60,000 views and create tangible change in underserved communities.

What sets me and Seeds of Reading apart is a shared drive for innovation and community impact. We’re not just a literacy platform—we’re a movement dedicated to empowering young learners and fostering a love for books. As a three-time national honoree and leader passionate about creating opportunities for others, I’m excited to continue growing Seeds of Reading to make education accessible and impactful for children everywhere.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

When I first launched Seeds of Reading, I was just 12 years old. I had no idea what I was doing, and with little to no guidance, I felt isolated. At that time, I didn’t know anyone my age who was creating something similar, and I faced skepticism and even mockery for my efforts. For a few years, I continued this journey largely on my own, until a pivotal moment during the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of high school.

Travelling to India for a religious ceremony marked a turning point. The experience gave me a sense of courage and resilience. It was there that I began to actively network with other youth-led organizations, and I discovered the immense value of connecting with likeminded peers. While it may seem like an obvious piece of advice now, finding this community was transformative. I met other young leaders who were just as passionate about social change as I was, and their constant support and encouragement helped me grow in ways I hadn’t imagined.

This newfound network led to some incredible collaborations, including the Empower Learning fundraiser with Reading Rainbows Milton, where we raised over $500; a financial literacy workshop with Financially Aware Scholars; and a playlist and article I curated with Playlists for a Change. These experiences have been some of the most meaningful of my journey, and I’m deeply grateful for the partnerships I’ve formed along the way. Moving forward, I’m excited to continue working with others to amplify the impact of Seeds of Reading and beyond.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building my audience on social media was a gradual process that began with seeking out new experiences where I could experiment and learn about the digital world. One of the most pivotal moments was being selected as one of the youngest members on the executive board of the Cary Teen Council, one of North Carolina’s largest volunteering councils with over 700 teens. I was entrusted with managing all of the content curation and graphic design for the council, which gave me a hands-on opportunity to experiment with different types of digital content, including videos, stories, and posts. It was a tremendous learning experience that also helped me grow as a leader and public speaker. I’m thrilled to continue serving in a media and marketing role with the council this year, further refining my skills.

That experience became a foundation for Seeds of Reading, where I applied what I’d learned to build and amplify the platform’s online presence. Over time, this helped my audience grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and it’s been exciting to see how that journey has unfolded.

As for advice, my biggest piece of guidance would be to never stop learning. While it might sound cliché, knowledge truly is power. Alongside my hands-on experiences, I committed to strengthening my understanding of digital marketing by earning over 30 certifications from companies like Google, Microsoft, and IBM. I firmly believe that theory and application go hand in hand, and it’s the combination of both that’s allowed me to approach social media with confidence.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sites.google.com/view/seedsofreading/home
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeds_of_reading/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/seeds-of-reading
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUtgruZAuC-RdjRtzoxICzg

Image Credits

Amruta Daptardar