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- March 20, 2023
- 5:01 pm
Redefining Success: From Dentistry to Happy and Human
Too many of us grew up only seeing one kind of pathway to succeed. But what happens when that pathway doesn’t feel right?
We have the honor of connecting with many brilliant leaders in our Austin community and we’ve highlighted some amazing stories in this new series- Champions!
We asked them our question of the month: In your opinion, how can businesses best combine online and offline strategies to reach and engage customers effectively?
We encourage you to check out the business leaders we’ve highlighted below, follow them on social media if you find their work or story interesting and celebrate their greatness #champions.
Dr. Seema Desai, Transformational Success Coach
Can you tell us a little about your business and how you got started?
I’m a recovering perfectionist and life coach, and my mission is to help outwardly-successful, overachieving women feel successful from the inside out. I was raised by hard-working, well-intentioned Indian immigrant parents to think that “success” meant being a doctor, making good money, and being married with kids. So I checked off all those boxes. I was “successful.” On the inside, I felt unfulfilled and stuck.
While my life looked Instagram perfect to the rest of the world, I felt like it belonged on the Pinterest fails website instead. I had sold myself a version of success that wasn’t mine. I found a life coach to help me with my parenting and my whole life changed. I saw first hand how powerful shifting perspectives can be, and my relationship with my kids improved dramatically. But what I didn’t expect was experiencing life-changing successes in every area of life, not just in motherhood–all because I was no longer seeing life in ways that didn’t serve me.
Coaching was so powerful for me that I decided to get certified myself, and was able to retire from dentistry because it no longer brought me purpose and joy. In the process, I wrote a book called, “Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides.” Helping women just like me is a passion. It’s my purpose in life. And being able to help them learn how to stop allowing themselves to be overwhelmed by their to-do lists, be a deeply connected parent, draw healthy boundaries, and have compassion for themselves so they can be their best at work and at home is an absolute gift.
I am soon to launch a podcast with my colleague and friend, Dinesh Melwani, called “Happy and Human” on March 28th. Its purpose is to help overeducated, high-achieving professionals create the simple mindset shifts they need to think, do, and be better and create success, happiness, and ease sustainably in every area of life.
What have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a business owner in the Austin area?
As a solopreneur, it can feel siloed and lonely, so it’s helpful to meet other women in the area who can serve as a network and support system.
How have you been able to overcome those challenges and continue to grow your business?
In addition to my answer above, lots of self care and self compassion, and the knowledge that there is a gift or opportunity in every situation helps immensely. Having the right mindset to see when my thoughts are not serving me allows me to avoid roads I don’t want to go down, and it also helps me to see where and how my energy is better-spent.
What advice would you give to other business owners who are facing similar challenges?
Recognize when your brain is running on its “default setting,” which means you are more likely making decisions based on sub-optimal choices that you see in the moment, rather than more optimal choices that are actually present. Work on building your mindset that will serve you by serving others first.
Can you share a specific piece of data that you are proud of and why?
In 2022, I published my first book, “Connected: Discovering Your Inner Guides” as a means to help kids (ages 8-80) and their families build meaningful, healthy relationships so that they can create ease in life, even in challenging situations. The tools and tips in the book are ones that help build healthy communication skills as well as self-awareness, so that we as parents can lead in a way that will teach our children to be empathetic, solution-seeking leaders themselves.
In your opinion, how can businesses best combine online and offline strategies to reach and engage customers effectively?
Speaking engagements and online trainings or experiences, networking, and being authentic across the board.
Finally, what does being a community champion mean to you?
Living life with an abundance mindset as you support others as and when you can.
🥳 Dr. Seema is truly an inspiration for many! Congrats on your success!
Want more inspiration from Dr. Seema?
What if your life could be filled with more success, ease, happiness–and you could have the time to enjoy it all with the people you care about? What if you could meet that version of you NOW? Head over to Seema’s website and grab your FREE centering session and bonus worksheet designed to help you do just that: www.drseemadesai.com.
Want to get featured in our Champion Series? Click here to learn more.
About MFG-Agency:
We help find & create growth opportunities. Most businesses are doing some form of marketing but, they lack a true marketing strategy and aren’t able to attribute value to their marketing efforts leading to failed ROI which quickly becomes demoralizing. Sounds familiar? Browse our marketing services.
