The Biggest Challenge Is Experience

The attitude for gratitude always brings in positive results in achieving success in anything.

AN INTERVIEW WITH HEMALI ACHARYA ZAVERI, A FEMIGRANT FROM INDIA.

Tell us a little bit about yourself (where are you originally from? When did you come to the USA?)

I am from India, Born and Raised in Mumbai. I came to USA in 2003 to pursue my Career in Photography and get a Master Degree

How did you decide to open your business? Tell us about your business please.

When I came to study here, I discovered and learned about various artist, specially female successful photographer – that’s when I decided that I will have liberated voice as a Female Artist than in my own orthodox country.

What is the most difficult situation you have faced when you opened your business and how you solved it?

The most difficult situation I faced was to get commercial clients and have a trust that I can accomplish what others (photographer) can do, It took me years to realize that no business is “bed of roses” if you want to be successful entrepreneur as a sole proprietor – I was losing focus as an artist and became very competitive only to realize and start from square one. I went back to be an artist and find my vision …

Now I empower others through my art – I am working as an philanthropist and a photo therapist for women who face Cancer through Heaven’s Door Cancer foundation -I provide free high fashion photoshoot for women who lose their hair and body parts in Breast Cancer , I give voice to Transgender community and now my current project on Immigrant and donating 50% of net sales to ACLU

Reading is not only informed by what’s going on with us at that moment, but also governed by how our eyes and brains work to process information. What you see and what you’re experiencing as you read these words is quite different.

What’s an accomplishment that you are proudest of?

When I graduated – I was told that I can pick a genre of my style of photography and follow that.  My belief to not be a follower is my proudest moment – Today , I have won awards photographing People, Still life, Action,Landscape, Architecture and Aerial.

Describe one of your biggest failures. What lessons did you learn, and how did it contribute to a greater success?

My biggest failure was my over confidence after I graduated that I can have a great business module and follow the recipe of success from the books I read. As every person learn from their mistakes again and again – you just have to have a faith and repeat till you success.

‘Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently as’ Henry Ford said

How do you motivate yourself and stay motivated? 

 Read , learn and Manifest – The attitude for gratitude always brings in positive results in achieving success in anything.

Read – about the person who resonates your values, Read and Reread that makes you think twice anything from practical to spiritual.

Learn – Learn new skills, something new that you have never done ( I learnt how to swim at age 34)

Manifest – set a goal and write about it every night.


If you had to start over from scratch, knowing what you know now, what would you do differently?

 If I had to start over I will be more giving and more exploring – what matter today may not matter 3 months from now and that will make you a bigger person with larger vision at your success timeline.


What do you think is the most significant barrier to female immigrant entrepreneurs? 

I do
n’t think there is any barrier – It is in our head – once you take a stand and let others know you are here to stay and not quit : people will respect it !!! If you love what you do – and have a passion for it – No one can stop you.

What do you think will be the biggest challenge for the next generation of women?

The biggest challenge is experience

If you were a Mentor, what is one piece of advice that you would give to readers?

I will tell my readers to go out and try, follow your passion and don’t live in the cloud of judgments and assumptions

Do you have any favorite quote that you think might inspire Femigrants? 
Instead of being your biggest critic, you need to be your own biggest fan.”

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