We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Tanya Mitra a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Tanya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.

For over 15 years, I worked in luxury fashion in NYC, traveling the world – which was my dream growing up. But in the last 5 or so years before I left the industry, I was evolving, becoming a different version of myself, while the industry was also changing, and becoming, in my eyes – even more superficial. It didn’t align for me anymore. So when I was fired from my job as a VP in 2018, and my ex-husband walked out of the house 6 weeks later, unannounced, I saw it as a blessing and an opportunity to finally pursue what had been calling me. Through my own coaches & healers, I found the world of coaching and wellness in a way that felt like coming home to myself. It was as if everything I had experienced—the highs and the lows, the travels and the heartbreak—had prepared me for this shift. I knew that my true passion was helping others navigate the complex dynamics of relationships and personal growth. The work I did in fashion taught me a lot about people, communication, and culture, but over time, it became unfulfilling. Coaching allowed me to dive deep into what really matters—helping people heal, connect, and thrive in their relationship with themselves, and in their romantic relationship. That moment of being fired and left behind was a catalyst for my rebirth, pushing me to step into a new career that aligned with my evolving purpose and values. I turned the pain into power, using my personal story to inspire and guide others toward their own transformations.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I specialize in helping individuals & couples navigate the complexities of their intercultural relationships, whether it’s differences in race, religion, family structure or upbringing, through my business and brand – The REMIXED Relationship. My services include private & group coaching, workshops, and programs designed to help people repair and strengthen their relationships & marriages. I work with individuals & couples who are struggling with communication, navigating cultural differences, family dynamics, breaches of trust, trouble managing repetitive conflicts, or simply feeling stuck.

What sets me apart is my personal experience. I’m the daughter of Indian immigrants, and I’ve spent my life in interracial relationships. I deeply understand the unique challenges that come with blending cultures because I’ve lived it, everyday for the past 27 years. I also weave together practical coaching techniques from my training at The Gottman Institute, The Relational Life Institute and in Positive Intelligence, with cultural nuance. My clients appreciate that I get the challenges they’re facing on a relatable level – they don’t have to over explain cultural nuances & references to me, and they know I’ve had my own share of relationship difficulties – but also that I offer real, actionable steps to move forward.

I’m most proud of the transformations I’ve witnessed in my clients— individuals who need support entering or leaving a relationships, and couples who have gone from being on the verge of separation to rediscovering connection and finding each other again. I approach coaching with realness, relatability, and the belief that healing and growth are possible for anyone willing to do the work. My programs – RENAISSANCE, RESET, and REWIRED, are all designed to meet people where they are, and take them to where they want to be in their relationships. My goal is to help individuals & couples break up with old, toxic patterns and rebuild relationships that are easier, healthier, and happier.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

I literally started with nothing, in debt. Being in the midst of a very expensive divorce, and having lost my job, in hindsight it seems crazy to have started a business and not gone back to an easy 6-figure salary, but I knew that going back to the corporate world would have only delayed the inevitable. I was ready for something new, something that truly aligned with my values and passions. So, despite the financial strain, I took a leap of faith. I bootstrapped my business from the ground up, relying on whatever savings I had left, and I reinvested every dollar I made back into the business. I hired coaches that I believed would help me get the ROI I needed, and I also got creative—leveraging free and low-cost resources, building a network of support, and using my own story as a way to connect with potential clients. It wasn’t easy, but I believed so deeply in the work I was meant to do that I knew it was worth the risk. Little by little, things started to fall into place, and now my business is thriving in ways I could have never imagined.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I decided to leave fashion for good, I decided to build a business in an adjacent industry, because “it made sense” and played off my already built skill set — an interior design business for the short-term rental market. I poured my time and energy into it, hiring business coaches, building a website, creating design plans & networking for a client base. But as I got deeper into the business, I knew something felt off. While I enjoyed the creative side of it, I wasn’t passionate about the people I was serving or the problems I was solving. Again, it felt like I was chasing something that didn’t truly align with who I was becoming.

One day, it hit me: this wasn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want to spend my time decorating properties for investors and making them even more money. I wanted to help people in a more meaningful way, to work on what truly lights me up—helping people like me navigate their relationships and life challenges. So, in a moment of clarity, I threw it all away. I walked away from the design business completely, and pivoted into life coaching.

It wasn’t easy to let go of something I had invested so much time and effort into, especially because life & relationship coaching seemed so far removed from my professional experience (although I had more than 25 yrs of lived experience), but I knew deep down it wasn’t my path. Once I made the pivot, everything started to make sense. I found a sense of purpose I hadn’t felt before. Coaching has given me the opportunity to impact people’s lives in a way that’s fulfilling and deeply personal.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://theremixedrelationship.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.remixed.relationship/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanyamitracoach
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanya-mitra-64955b1/
• Other: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blindian-brown-girls-podcast/id1756343901

Image Credits

Tynaya Cossie