Meet Kala Diwanji, a visionary entrepreneur and leadership coach, dedicated to inspiring transformative change in individuals and organizations alike.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your family?
I was born in GSB and married into a Gujarati family.
I transitioned from living in a nuclear family, consisting of my parents and my younger sister, to a joint family comprising my in-laws, brother-in-law, his family with two beautiful daughters, and my husband's grandmother, whom we fondly call Dadi Saas.
Have you had any formal training or been involved in a family business?
No, I haven't received any formal training, nor have I been part of a family business. My father was a banker, and my mother was a teacher.
How did you come up with the idea for your business, and what was the process of turning that idea into a reality?
I always aspired to run my own company. Being involved in my husband's family business provided me with the leadership skills I needed.
However, I felt a stronger inclination toward a more creative field than the chemical manufacturing sector.
So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and ventured into two initiatives focused on creative arts for kids and young adults.
During this phase, I still felt that my potential wasn't fully realized. My quest for more led me to find a mentor who helped me understand my true aspirations.
Being in the right place at the right time, and asking the right questions, played a crucial role in turning my dream into reality.
None of this would have been possible without the motivation and support of my husband.
How have you grown as a leader since starting your company, and what are some key lessons you've learned along the way?
I have learned several key lessons:
- If people have a problem, they likely have a solution, so create space for dialogue.
- Everyone has their own working style, so be empathetic.
- When people are unhappy or disengaged, identify their unmet needs.
- I have become more patient.
Can you tell us about a time when you faced a major setback or failure in your business, and how did you overcome it?
Fortunately, we haven't encountered any major setbacks except for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Instead of waiting for the situation to change, we pivoted our entire business online within two weeks.
We also offered training to other facilitators and trainers, helping them transition their sessions online.
To upskill and motivate people, we initiated free webinars and created a WhatsApp group with around 400 members to facilitate knowledge sharing—a project that is still thriving.
How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals, especially during challenging times?
I rely on three mantras to stay motivated: "What you think, you become," "This too shall pass," and "Just breathe."
How do you balance your personal life with the demands of running a business?
For me, it's not about work-life balance but work-life integration. Both personal and professional aspects are integral to who I am.
I fully engage with whichever space requires my time and attention, without feeling guilty about neglecting the other.
What are your plans for the future of your business, and how do you see yourself evolving as a co-founder and leader?
My co-founder and I plan to take our company, 60 Bits Consulting, into the international arena, facilitating powerful transformations in organizations.
We aim to empower more leaders to create spaces for dialogue and adopt a facilitative approach.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Don't hesitate to seek help and always ask questions. Avoid making assumptions.
What's the most unconventional thing you've done to grow your business, and what was the result?
I believe in the power of sharing knowledge and supporting others' growth by promoting their niche.
I have no fear of competition, as I embrace an abundance mindset.
This philosophy has helped build goodwill in the market and contributed to my company's organic growth, earning me many well-wishers.
What's the most important lesson you've learned from a failure, and how have you applied it to your business?
Be ready to take risks and be comfortable with discomfort.
I view failures as opportunities that I couldn't convert into business but which introduced me to new individuals and perspectives.
This perspective allows me to try new things and continue learning and growing.
What's the most meaningful compliment or feedback you've received from a customer, and why did it resonate with you?
The most meaningful compliment was, "You made me realize the importance of gratitude in my life."
I believe that adopting an abundance mindset and practicing gratitude can make our world a better place.
Well-being in the personal sphere influences peak performance in organizations, and this change begins with oneself.
If you had to choose one thing that makes your company truly unique and sets it apart from the competition, what would it be, and why?
Our company believes in the wisdom of people. We empower individuals to make small changes that lead to significant improvements in their personal and professional lives, ultimately facilitating the delivery of business outcomes through people.
Find Kala Diwanji on Social Media:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kala-diwanji-60bitsconsulting/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kala_diwanji/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kala.diwanji
Hope you enjoyed reading Kala Diwanji’s story!
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