From Emotion to Financial Success: The Story of an EI Coach

Wanting to be a leader is a far cry from building a money making business. Or so you’d think. Vanitha Choudhari, an emotional intelligence coach, feels differently. We are built on emotions and if we could manage them well, success is bound to greet us every day. This is the inspiring story of Vanitha who left her corporate job and ventured into her own business, with a vision of becoming a super achiever. Here is Vanitha, Founder of RadicalEdge Learning Consultants, Bangalore, in conversation with HerMoneyTalks.

 

Being a woman with a vision is paramount for Vanitha. According to her, the one thing that holds back a woman from becoming a leader is her lack of interest in learning and researching. She firmly believes that all women should inculcate in themselves an openness to learn, be it in business or life.

 

However, Vanitha is a woman with a difference. “I have never succumbed to gender thoughts ever in life. Being a man or a woman doesn’t really matter when you have the true will to stand up for yourself,” says the Emotional Intelligence practitioner. She personally believes that a woman’s way of looking at things has a kind of an emotional twist, which brings in a feeling of humanness.

 

A self-made entrepreneur who chose to inspire people

 

A money making business was from her mind when Vanitha first started off with the idea of RadicalEdge. “I was the first person in my family to enter the domain of business. I didn’t have any one to connect with or seek guidance from,” reveals the savvy entrepreneur.

 

With no business background, she turned to Google and started connecting with people. “I learnt from my uncertainties and it made me who I am today,” chuckles Vanitha.

 

“My vision for money management is to be a business builder and not just an income producer,” confesses Vanitha with a smile. After 21 years of corporate life, she decided to live for her dreams and it has made her a motivational figure today. “I always felt I’m back in the kindergarten of life each time I started exploring myself. I dreamt of making a huge impact in the world of learning and development. Thus began my company RadicalEdge Consultants.”

 

I always felt I’m back in the kindergarten of life each time I started exploring myself.

 

Her greatest financial challenge after becoming an entrepreneur was in consistently earning money and sustaining her profits. “I sometimes had to use my personal savings to pay the rent and staff. It was indeed a huge task as a beginner,” reveals Vanitha.

 

Thinking for yourself

 

Vanitha opines that women have a mental block in assuring themselves that they are good with money. “I have been associated with the banking industry for a long time. Even within my own organization, I have seen women who say, ‘let me check with my husband or brother for their wise opinions and then decide’. I still wonder why our finances are often linked to a man and what is the reason behind this,” grins Vanitha.

 

I still wonder why our finances are often linked to a man and what is the reason behind this.

 

Vanitha continues: “I have seen many women who completely transfer all their business finances to a renowned chartered accountant or a third party person to handle them efficiently. These people really fail to understand that only they could bring out the best from their firm.”

 

So how does Vanitha herself manage in her business? Proper planning and efficient management of money is her magic spell in business. As she doesn’t have any partners, she is the only decision maker in her company. This only makes her stronger.

 

Money management hacks for women aspirers

 

Vanitha mentors women globally with people management skills and is also associated with Cherie Blair Foundation in UK. She has some sage words for those wanting to start their own money making business. She points out that financial well-being is a woman’s strongest forte in life and inspires us to dream big and strive hard. “Mistakes teach you something new every day. Learn from them and be wise in making choices,” explains she. 

 

“Don’t shy away from handling money. I still remember my grandmother who had a very good sense of handling money. Her secret tip was to keep money in different boxes for various needs. When you have a vision, keep believing in your strength, and trust me, there is nothing that you cannot learn.”

 

Vanitha’s signs off with some practical pointers for women heading a money making business:

 

(1) Money is a part of the success you build for an organization; Work hard and save everything

 

(2) Plan for the worst and meet the best

 

(3) Invest wisely in different baskets such as mutual funds, loans, and real estate (or in your friend’s company!)

 

As a parting shot, Vanitha pops up a fabulous idea: the need for a mentoring network in our society. With this, newbie entrepreneurs could connect with industry professionals as soon as they register their firm.

 

So, take Vanitha’s advice. Have a vision, make some mistakes, and get better every day!