August 8, 2025 • 48 mins
In this heartfelt and wisdom-packed conversation, Nikita sits down with entrepreneur and community builder Pallavi Pande, founder of Dtcos and Dtcos Consulting. Pallavi shares how growing up in India, navigating chronic pain, and honoring her cultural values led her to build not one but two purpose-driven businesses while parenting and caregiving in a multi-generational household.
Whether you're living with chronic illness, burnout, or you're just tired of traditional hustle culture, this episode will remind you that rest is not retreat—it’s strategy.
You’ll walk away with:
- A new lens on productivity that centers chronic illness, cultural nuance, and real life—without sacrificing impact or purpose.
- Tangible ways to honor your body and capacity while still showing up for your business and your people.
- Courage to stop performing “strength” and start building with community, creativity, and authenticity at the center.
This episode is for you if you’ve ever asked: “How can I build something meaningful without burning out?”
🪴 Resources, links, and guest goodies are in the show notes below.
Connect with Pallavi:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pallavi-pande-bb5abb1b/
https://www.instagram.com/dtocsplates/
Send Me A Text & Share Your QA's or Thoughts
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
If you've been showing upexhausted, pushing through pain and
calling it productivity, thisepisode is your reminder that it
doesn't have to be that way.I'm joined by Paula V. A founder,
a mom, a community builder whoshares how chronic pain, cultural
expectations and burnout ledher to completely redefine how she
(00:21):
runs her business and how shelives her life. We talk about the
unspoken pressure to keepperforming, strength and even when
our body is begging for rest,and what it actually looks like to
choose harmony over hustle.This isn't about giving up. It's
about giving yourself a chanceto build differently. I say this
all of the time. We can havebusinesses, they just might look
(00:44):
different than what mainstreamsays it should look like. So if you've
been questioning the pace, thepressure, or the way you've been
doing business while livingwith chronic illness or constant
fatigue or constant pain, thisconversation will meet you where
you are and support you inseeing how you can show up and be
different while givingyourself space and grace and maybe
(01:07):
even shift what you believe ispossible. Let's go. Stay tuned.
Welcome to Business withChronic Illness, the globally ranked
podcast for women living withchronic illness who want to start
and grow a business online.I'm your host, Nikita Williams and
I went from living a normallife to all of a sudden being in
(01:29):
constant pain with no answersto being diagnosed with multiple
chronic illnesses and tryingto make a livable income, I faced
the challenge of adaptingtraditional business advice to fit
my unique circumstances withchronic illness. Feeling frustrated
and more burned out than Ialready was while managing my chronic
illness to becoming an awardwinning coach with a flexible and
(01:50):
sustainable online coachingbusiness, I found the surprising
simple steps to starting andgrowing a profitable business without
compromising my health or mypeace. Since then, I've helped dozens
of women just like you learnhow to do the same. If you're ready
to create a thriving businessthat aligns with your lifestyle and
well being, you're in theright place. Together, we're shifting
(02:12):
the narrative of what'spossible for women with chronic illness
and how we make a living. Thisis Business with Chronic Illness.
I am so excited for thisepisode of Business with Chronic
Illness. I'm having a guest onthe show and we're going to talk
(02:34):
about lots of differentthings, but I want you to know that
this guest, Pahlavi hasalready like changed a lot of the
ways I think already and I'veonly talked with her twice and that
was just the green screen. Andlike now please tell us who you are,
where you're from and we'lljump into more of your story.
(02:56):
Thank you for giving me thisopportunity. I'm glad to be here.
I'm Pahlavi, like Nikitarightly introduced me. Pallavi from
my Indian culture actuallymeans leaf. So you can also remember
me as Leaf Lady. I am fromPortland, Oregon, the beautiful Pacific
Northwest. If you've neverbeen here, you're welcome. And if
you're planning to let meknow. And my business is Detox D
(03:18):
T O C S. I love that.
Yeah. The beautiful thingabout what I've been researching
and learning about you isyou've taken something and this is
a like a testament to thecreativity you bring. I can already
tell when I first met you, Iwas like, she is bringing creativity
in the whole different level.And your business, like, literally,
(03:42):
I really do think this, yourbusiness really is a manifestation
of that. I believe, like yousaid, your company has taken something
that you do in your culture tosomething that is really helping
the environment, helping womenaround the world. You've raised,
you know, you've delivered 10million something plus in tableware
(04:04):
units in the US and Canada.You've been recognized as a top business
in America. So there's so muchthat you have done with this creative
use of eating on leaves. Canyou tell us a little bit more about
your business before we hop in?
Yeah, I'd love to. Like yourightly said, Detox, it is the brand
name and it echoes with themeaning Cleansing Journey, but with
(04:27):
leaves. And if you'rewondering why it is because every
time we think about cleansing,we always think about inside of our
body. And we're very mindfuland thoughtful on what we are putting
inside our bodies. So I justwanted to go to couple of layers
deeper down and I wanted topass this messaging to the people
(04:47):
that we can be cleansinginside, outside. Why not? And it
is because I lived with themotto that what is not only on my
plate is important, but whatis also in my plate is equally important.
And that's where I hone intomy Indian culture of eating on banana
leaves. And that was a pieceof my culture I dearly miss after
(05:08):
becoming a mom, after raisinga family, after living in the US
for 19 years and ideally missthat piece. And I was so nostalgic.
And that's when I had the ahamoment when I was like, Okay, I have
10 years of experience inwarehousing and mentoring. I know
what manufacturing looks like.I know what wholesale looks like.
I know how to find suppliersand vendors because that is something
(05:28):
I was Working for in myprevious job. And I was like, why
can I not create a businessfor my family where I can utilize
all this knowledge and at thesame time advocate for something
that I believe in, something Igrew up with. And I'm so passionate
about it that now I want toshare this piece of culture of my
childhood and my memories withother people who want to perhaps
(05:51):
enjoy this experience ofeating on leaves or perhaps who miss
India and the whole feeling ofusing your hands and eating on a
leaf. And that's how I startedmy brand, Detox, which was literally
in 2019, right.
(07:25):
Before COVID I mean, talkabout, take your story and, like,
create an amazing experience.It is so amazing to hear you share.
Like, it started from thisnostalgia, this thing you missed.
And it was also because I hosta lot. I forgot to tell you that
(07:46):
I'm a fun person.
Yes, you are.
Just from the two meetingswe've had, we've had a lot of fun.
And I said, I advocate for.Yes, I advocate for People Planet.
But at the end, it's alsoparties that I advocate for. And
keeping that cadence, when Iused, I still party. So whenever
I hosted, I found that therewas. There were not very stylish,
(08:07):
sustainable options fortableware when it comes to putting
on the table, your food on.And there were cheap paper, there
were toxic plastics, There arethose expensive bamboos, and then
there are those heavy, boringchinaware, which I didn't wash the
dishes. So if you're the chiefdishwashing officer, you got to keep
in touch, close friendshipwith me. That's what my job now is.
(08:31):
I am here to give you theconvenience of cleanup without the
landfill guilt. And that iswhere my South Asian Indian roots
combined with my businessacumen, and I was like, let me. Let
me start a business. And thisbrand is something I'm going to offer
to the world.
Well, I mean, we could justtalk all day long about how amazing
this company is and whatyou're doing, and then I'm sure we'll
(08:53):
hear more about it. But also,I know just from connecting with
you that you've also done thisin the journey of becoming a mother
living with chronic illnesses.Like, what has been the biggest thing
that has been the challengefor you in this journey, creating
this beautiful, fun partylife. But what's been the real.
(09:17):
Of course, the world sees thefun part, which is, yes, I love to
host. Yes, I'm very happy whenI'm doing the parties. But believe
it or not, after every party,I actually went to bed crying because
Pain. My body was hurting, myback was hurting. And here's the
thing with me. I thrive offthis energy when it is, when I'm
there, but when it's notthere, take those people out of my
(09:38):
life. Take that fun out of mylife. Take those parties out of my
life. That's when the focusused to come back to my own body
and explain what. I can't dothis anymore. It's getting hard and
hard. And talk about chronicpains, living with it 247 and feeling
it to bed every night. When Iused to go to bed, there was my planktophysitis,
my pain on the feet or my bodyor my fibromyalgia and my stress.
(10:01):
So I. I was feeling it, and itbecame so real. And that's when I
was like, you know what? Timeto make a change, a switch, which
is be kind to your own body.Listen to it. It's trying to tell
you something. This is thetime to honor it before I really
die. So that is where the realinstances came real. And my kids
were like, mom is tired allthe time. She doesn't want to hang
(10:22):
out. She doesn't want to dothat. She has all the energy for
our friends to party. And Iwas like, this is all getting real
in my head, and I'm not makingthis up. This is happening in my
life, and this needs to stop.There needs to be a change, a very
intentional, meaningfulchange, and I need to make this more
of a conscious living. That'swhere the whole idea of, like, taking
slow and really being aware. Iwasn't even aware. I didn't even
(10:42):
know something likefibromyalgia exists. Something like
depression exists, because allof these words were taboo growing
up in the Indian culture, andthey were represented for something,
and they were segregated andsegmented, and we never had that
knowledge.
Yeah.
Yeah. There's something thatyou said when you started sharing
(11:03):
this, which was like, I likethe parties, and I like showing up
for the parties. And then Iwould go home and be in this pain.
I wonder if you could sharethat duality of the invisible pain,
like being in this invisiblesituation while also building something
(11:24):
like this.
So I think it became more realafter my kids were born, both of
them, And I was moving fromOhio to Oregon, which was 2016, and
that was the time when itreally shaped my path because I was
moving into a differentcommunity. I had all the time, and
I was focusing more on myhealth because I knew I was coming
(11:45):
out of postpartum depression.Chronic pains like fibromyalgia doctors
they told, I have symptoms ofthat, I have got nerve issues and
it aggregates with my stresslevels. So definitely like a lot
of other women and jugglingthrough a lot of multiple roles.
Like you said, caregiver formy kids, caregiver for my in laws.
Because our Indian culture, myin laws live with us. Being an entrepreneur
(12:07):
of two companies now and thatemotional labor, it was very, very
intentional. And I reallywanted to support my family through
lifestyle related healthchallenges. And that's when I felt
the pressure of being thatstrong mother who can solve everybody's
problems. But what if youcan't solve your own problem? Then
(12:29):
what are you going to give tothe others? And that's the mantra,
right? You have to be at yourbest self to give to others. Because
if you're not there, if yourstarting point is not grounded, peaceful,
intentional, like on focusingon yourself to make your version
the best version to give toothers, how can you be, how can you
do justice to others? Andthat's when I learned early on, take
(12:51):
care of yourself. Not in aselfish way. Like, I don't need to
feel guilty because that's howI grew up. Or even if my mom sees
today I'm doing something formyself sitting on the couch and she's
like, how can you do this? Areyou not, you're not a good mom. And
I was like, stop that. Firstof all, that's the barrier we need
to break. That mindset needsto change. And just because you didn't
do it doesn't mean I'm notgoing to do it. But I don't have
to follow it because I need tolisten to my body. So that shaming
(13:14):
needs to stop. It's present.And we don't think it to be abnormal,
but it is. When you see froman eagle eye, I don't want my kids
to talk to me like that or Idon't want to talk like that to my
kids, vice versa. Right. Sothat taught me that I need to just
make, well, being a part ofmy, my legacy, starting for myself,
(13:34):
I need to role model it. Andthat's when my kids will do. And
that's how I was like, let'sstart the hurdles right here from
the starting point.
Yeah, I mean, what you justsaid there made me think what you
implemented with acknowledgingwhat was going on, becoming more
aware. Also, you made theinvisible visible with your boundaries,
(13:56):
with your family, with yourchildren. Like it sounds like. I
love what you said. And Ithink we do this all women. And I
think especially Women ofcolor, we tend to do all of our best
work for everyone else, and wegive everyone else the excuse for
grace. Trust me, I'm workingthrough therapy myself, Grace and
(14:16):
all of those things forothers. But when it comes to ourselves,
we have that challenge. And Iheard you say, you know, even within
your, your home with your mom,it's like, hey, no, we're not gonna,
we're not gonna do that. We'renot gonna reinforce this narrative
that I can't have peace andrest for myself.
(14:37):
Culturally, we are taught notto put ourselves first. And that's
where that awareness piececomes, that, no, I want to put myself
first because I can do this.Now for others, it's the same concept.
When you're in an airplane,you put your mask first, right?
Yeah. How has that been areflection in the way you've built
your businesses? Because youhave two businesses and they're both.
(14:58):
I mean, when I was getting toknow you, I was like, your first
business is a getting peopletogether, creating community, having
parties. And then this productbased e comm business, they are,
could be considered polaropposites. They're actually very
intentionally marriedtogether. I wonder, how does that
(15:18):
come into play with thelessons you've learned living with
your different challenges withchronic illness and just in general,
how's that played a role inhow you built? Maybe differently
than when you've been told tobuild a certain way.
Yeah. So as a mom and as afounder, I really wanted to create
businesses or business thatwere meaningful to my life. Like
(15:39):
that serves me a purposeagain. We do businesses for a purpose.
Right. My purpose was to havea lifestyle so that I don't have
to keep running when I'm 50,so that I don't have to do and stretch
my body and listen to it, sothat I can take that pause at one
point of time. And I thinkthat's where Detox, which is my product
based business where I makesustainable tableware out of palm
(16:01):
leaves, was really shaped andthen came along with that. After
fast forwarding the businessfive years, this is our sixth year,
by the way, this is our sixyear anniversary.
Congratulations.
So fast forwarding five years,this is last year I started my second
business where because of myexperience, because of my accolades,
because of where I hadreached, which was a bootstrap, positive
(16:24):
cash flow business, profitablebusiness, being a thought leader
in the industry, being able toadvise and mentor other founders
now, being able to win a lotof pitch and grant money, like almost
more than 100k, beingresourceful, being able to Connect
people. That is when thesecond business was born, which was
about Amazon Consulting.Because even today, my bread and
(16:48):
butter or most of ourconsumers, whether they're new, seasoned,
veteran customers, they dofind us on Amazon. The first thing
people ask us, are you onAmazon? They wouldn't have a website,
but they would definitely askus, are you on Amazon? And that is
what I kept on hearing againand again in five years. And I kept
on telling this to otherfounders, that no matter how great
(17:11):
you're doing as a brand andretail and this and that you need
to be on Amazon. Amazon is oneof my strategies that worked. And
I have plethora of data and Ihave trends that I've studied and
now I can pass that to otherfounders. That is how the Detox consulting
was born, where I was like,okay, now without being an agency,
without charging an arm andleg like an agency, how can I be
(17:34):
more impactful than agenciesreally bring something to the table
that's unique, whether it'sgoing to D.C. for an advocacy as
an Amazon seller, or reallysafeguarding your tax policies and
tariffs, or whether talkingabout your climate justice, whatever
those things are, I can helpyou tap into those resources. So
these five years, I really wastapping into this whole big ecosystem
(17:57):
that Amazon has without havingto start everything on my own, without
having to reinvent the wholewheel. And that's what I advocated
for, that every business ownershould be there. And that's what
I actually I offer in DetoxConsulting, which is monthly services
where we help people orconsumers get on Amazon and sell
and grow and scale. And thenthose were the two businesses. And
(18:20):
apart from that, I was stillin pain, I was still aching. I still
have labral tear on both myhips and I was still functioning
all these businesses. And whathappened was I was like, okay, I
had to lead with somethingmore. And outside of that, I started
a community here in Oregoncalled Portland Brown Mommies. And
(18:43):
that group or thatcommunities, it is a private community
of moms, specifically SouthAsian moms, here in Oregon. And it
has today 2,000, more than2,000 local moms. And this is something
I started when I had justmoved to Oregon from Ohio in 2016.
And it had the sense ofcommunity and I had to lead it because
(19:06):
I was a real person with painsand aches, running life, taking care
of in law. So if you thinkabout the lifestyle, this is what
generally a South Asianhousehold woman looks like. And I
just reflect that as apowerful reminder that if I can do
it, so can you. Buildbusinesses, lifestyles Whatever you
need. But it's just we need touplift each other. We need to rise
(19:28):
together and we need to shareour stories. That was my main purpose
because when you share, yougive others the permission to share
theirs. And that is rebuildingcomes together. And that's what I
started seeing in the last,what, nine years. We've shared amazing
stories of moms who aredealing with X, Y and Z. And it also
includes pains and how to dealwith mental wellness and health and
(19:49):
families. So it's been anamazing journey.
I mean, there's so much therewe can unpack. I have a question
that just popped in my mind,which is while you were talking,
which is within building thesedifferent spaces for what you want
to create in the world. Youknow, there's this aspect of having
(20:10):
community that's alwaysimportant. I think within women that's
just something we need. Butoften I think many of us hold ourselves
back from reaching out forcommunity in different ways. And
because of being in a multigenerational household, I grew up
that way myself. Like therewas everybody in my house, my grandparents
(20:31):
in my house, my mom. Like ourwhole family is multi generational
living. That's how I grew up.You, we think that that is our community.
Like that's all we have. Whydid you feel a need to create something
outside of that?
So again, remember I said Icame from postpartum depression.
I was going through thesechronic pains. I could not even stand.
(20:54):
I wasn't even happy frominside. So I think I was looking
for something which wasbigger. It was harmony. I was looking
at harmony. Many over hustleand all the time running around which
we were taught in oursocietal, cultural values that you
have to do, do, do, do, do.But nobody told us it's okay to take
that pause, it's okay to slowdown. Those were the things that
(21:17):
I had to learn. I had to redoeverything that I learned in my culture,
scratch it off and then takeelements what were important from
the culture which made senseand take it from other cultures.
Like, no, this is. I'm notbeing selfish, but I still need to
do this for myself. So thatharmony was what I was looking for.
And you did bring a goodthing, which was like a lot of us
(21:37):
try to balance a lot ofthings, juggling all these. And I
really never believe inbalancing. I have always believed
in blending because I see, Isaw my mom juggling and try to balance
and it was an utter failurebecause she was in pain. She today,
I mean, she's what, 60s? Butshe still has Pain there. She's gone
through so many surgeries, andI'm like, what's the point? So blending
(21:58):
as much possible. And somedays I'm a mom, some days I'm a CEO,
some days I'm nobody. I'm justsitting on the couch. So it's all
okay. It's. It all has to beokay. And first it has to be okay
with you. And then you traineverybody around you to soak it up
in that mindset, because whenyou feel it's okay, everybody has
to feel it's okay. But whenit's you yourself feeling that person
(22:19):
in the room, like, oh, what isthat person going to think? What
are they going to judge mewith? Like, forget it. Like, that's
what you need to do. Youreally need to not have that fear
of public, or what are theygoing to think? Or, oh, I don't know
if I'll be able to do not. Youjust have to be there. You have to
just try it before it reallyhits you hard. Yeah.
Did you experience that fear?Did you experience the fear where
(22:43):
you were like, I don't know,what am I doing? Like, how, How.
What did the fear look like to you?
I did because I had all theseexpectations. Like, I got married
at a very young age, like 22,so everybody had these expectations
on me all the time. And Ididn't know that that was not okay.
I kept on fulfilling thoseexpectations until it came to my
(23:03):
body, until it came to a timewhen I broke down. And that was too
late for me. I don't want thatfor my daughters. So I really believe
in organizing the supportsystem and then just leading other
women. And if it has to startwith me, I'm not ashamed of sharing
my story. I was postpartumdepression, severe. I could not even
get up from my bed and take ashower. I would stay in my pajamas
(23:25):
for three days. I wasn'tenjoying life. And then there's no
point. But then somethingchanged in my life, and I found that
I was pregnant with my secondkid. That changed the whole hormones.
I got happy. And then thatgave me a purpose, a sense of purpose
that this needs to change. Itdid hit me hard. I came off all my
medications because I was onsome steroids. I was literally taking
(23:46):
injection steroids for thepain because I gave up. I gave up
on myself. I wasn't ready toeven go to the gym or even for a
walk. But it all changedbecause I had to make up my mind
when this strengthened mybody, got the confidence, and I had
to just get out and do it formyself and now my kids and. Yeah,
but put yourself first.
(24:06):
Yeah. I mean, like, what wasthat moment beside. I know. Like,
we know. I've had a few womenon the show talk about postpartum
depression, which is very mucha chemical imbalance in our bodies.
It's not something that youusually experience outside of postpartum.
Right. However, something'svery interesting that you said that
(24:27):
I've noticed in thisconversation about this is that there's
a moment of somethingshifting. Either it was support that
someone reached out and, like,showed you, like, hey, I went through
this too, and this has changedfor me. Or it was a doctor that took
you seriously and gave you thesupport that you needed, or it was
a moment in their life thatkind of transcended everything, that
(24:48):
transformed them into this.Okay, I need to figure this out.
Even if no one else isbelieving what's going on with me.
I'm curious to know. What wasthat? What. What was a moment? Where
was the moment for you?
So there were two that I. Iremember very clearly. The first
one was letting go of theperfections, like, I would not do
if I couldn't get them toperfect. Even, like, cleaning, for
(25:10):
that matter. Everything had tobe shiny, dark, clean, and even.
Like, you could call memental. Like, I lose it sometimes.
Not anymore. I used to even,like, it's okay.
If you're still workingthrough it. We all are.
You're vulnerable, and I'mgiving permission to everybody to
share and listen. So thatbeing said, even, like, a cushion
cover, if I put it in arhombus shape, and if somebody tilts
(25:31):
that cushion cover to asquare, I'm like, ah, it needs to
go back to a rhombus shape. Sothat's how that is how I was. So
I had to learn it the hardway, let go of these perfection moments.
And I used to think,everything needs to be polished and
clean. And I was like, no, itcan be messy, and I am okay sharing
it with the world like that.So that took a lot of time and reflection
(25:53):
and just in a messy way. And Ijust started doing more of it, practicing
more of it, sharing more ofthe process and not just the final
product. Even today, if myhouse is messy, I'm making a video,
but I don't care. My kitchenis dirty. Fine. But we're having
this moment live in thepresent. And that is when Covid even
taught me more of that. Like,you never know what's happening tomorrow.
So, you know, just havingthose people around you, those moments,
(26:16):
it, it strengthened my goal.And then I saw this community of
women that I built watchingthose moms in the group called Portland
Brown Mommies, or in short wecall it pbm, and those moms, when
I saw them and when I saw themshare their stories that you gave
me that power or because Iheard you say this or I heard your
(26:38):
story, that is what keeps megoing, that gives me, that inspires
me. And I feel like I haveresponsibility. And if I can give
that confidence to people justby sharing, why not?
I mean, just along, I hope youguys really paid attention to that.
There was a lot ofvulnerability and a lot of just space
of being human and not beingperfect. And that it's okay that
(27:04):
we ask for help, we seek forhelp, and we open ourselves up to
it. And I think that's what Iheard most in that story. How has
that same process helped youin building, I'm going to say your
empire because I truly believethat's, that's where you're growing
with this. But how has it ledyou to lead differently in a very
(27:26):
male dominated space,especially when it comes to E commerce?
I feel like it's a very maledominated space. How has that, the
lessons you've learnedsupported you in that?
So I'm definitely inspired bypeople in general, people who build
and who give. So not justbuilding is important, but at the
(27:47):
same time giving is equallyimportant. And I think I come across
a lot of men and women who aredoing this. And especially now, after
being in a women communityleading the Portland Brown armies,
I'm more inclined to, becauseI've never heard men cheer and talk
like this. But that's anotherfact, right? Women communities, they
do end up sharing because theywant to learn, they're curious, they
(28:09):
want to know, am I alone inthis? And that's where the imposter
syndrome kicks. Like, youknow, what is it just me? Am I the
only person? So that's whyit's important for women to share.
And when I come across thesewomen who are quietly running empires,
building businesses, raisingkids, organizing communities, it's
like such a pump. It's like aboost for my energy.
(28:31):
Yeah, I think you're right.You're so right. My husband personally,
like, when we talk aboutbusiness and I ask him about like,
yeah, if you're going to starta business, who you reach out to?
And he's like, I don't know,I'm like, you got guys, friends,
Like, I have to remind him ofwho he, he could reach out to. To,
like, support him in this.He's like, oh, yeah, I guess. And
(28:51):
I think as women, we kind oftake that for granted, right? That
we kind of innately have, youknow, all the people we can reach
out to if we wanted to, toshare what we're doing, connect with
what we're doing. I mean, thereason why you and I are in this
chat is because one of mygirlfriends reached out to a community
I'm not even a part of and wasjust like, hey, this is a woman doing
this thing. And so I thinkhearing you say, like, again, community
(29:16):
is a huge part of this. Howhas that proved to be profitable
for you?
Great question again. Andprofitable could mean different things
to different.
Absolutely.
Well, for me, it means howrich am I in my connections? And
I believe it is. My profit iswhen I'm not in the room and there
(29:36):
are other women talking aboutme, mentioning me, bringing my name.
That is my real profit rightthere. Investment. It could be my
investment of time, money,whatever, to generate X. And that
X can be however you defineyour profit. So I feel. I feel that
it takes time, definitely.It's not like a wheel that you invented
and you roll it and you haveprofits spitting out. No, it is,
(29:58):
again, depending on yourvision, depending on the purpose,
depending on what you want outof it. It has served me very well
because again, like I said, Imeet people on the trail and they're
like, we know you. We knowwhat you've done. I got the local
news channel to come to myhome because somebody referred me
and said, she's building acommunity. We want to highlight her
in the community. So those aremy little wins and profit. So, of
(30:21):
course, when you say profit,am I getting money out of it? Oh,
absolutely not. It's. It's acommunity. But am I getting anything
out of it in terms ofconnections, positivity, people trusting,
credibility? Yes, all of thatis in my profit equation.
Yeah, that's such a powerfulthing, I think, especially right
now in the season that we arehere, let's just say in our locale.
(30:46):
Right. I am a true believer,and I feel like this instantly when
I met you. I'm like, she getsit. With this idea and belief that
community and deep connection,that's not always reciprocated in
here's. Here's. Here's mybusiness. Here's my, you know, introduction
(31:06):
to this person. Like, that'snot always the aspect of building
a profitable. Whether it'sfinancially or meaningful. Business
comes from this aspect ofreally connecting with people. And
when we're in seasons or timeswhere things are crazy, you know,
(31:26):
like, to your point, you havethe army, I like to call it the army
that's out there talking andsharing your truth, sharing your,
your values, your vision, yourmission. And that at the end of the
day, over time, of course,that adds to quote unquote, your
bottom line. But in all of themost important ways, it matters for
(31:47):
how you show up in the world,how people view you, and how you
are creating that rippleeffect for others. And I think as
business owners, if you firststart getting started, it's kind
of hard to see that, right?It's kind of hard to be okay with
that because it's difficult.So when you have been mentored or
(32:07):
coached and this has, it seemslike this is a huge part of your
approach of, like, growing inyour business. How has it butt heads
with some of the advice you'vereceived on how to grow your business?
Oh, yeah, absolutely. All thetime. At the end of the day, it's
your money, it's yourinvestment, so you get to make the
calling. But if you don't eventry that path, like a strategy, it
(32:28):
will never work. So the onlytip is do small experiments, even
if you're getting a small tiphere and there. And if you're not
sure, try it, because that'sonly how you will learn from it.
But again, do a smallexperiment. And if you know your
gut is saying no, it'sabsolutely your decision to make
as a business owner. So, ofcourse, there has been times when
the ultimate decision issomething I might have not listened
or taken, but then that's whenthose reflection moments are important,
(32:51):
and it's just not for yourbusiness, but even for your personal
growth, whether it's yourrelationships, whether it's being
a mom, your spouse, whatever,those reflecting moments in personal
life versus measurements inbusiness life. So different terminology,
but thing is, you're trying toget the same result, and in personal
life, it's you having thosereflection moments. What went well,
(33:11):
what didn't, and why. Inbusiness, you're looking at your
KPI, the metrics, and thenyou're measuring them. So same analogy,
right? You're trying to walkon the path and you're going to do
the same outcome, but indifferent ways. So for those, it
could be you sometimes don'tlisten and sometimes you do. So don't
regret. And if you'reregretting, which means go back,
do point one, and then do itall over again.
(33:33):
I love that. Just like if youare regretting, you can Fix that.
Just go back and do like, justdo the thing. Like, just do the thing.
Test it out.
Yeah. The Cry Game, baby. It'slike you're wasting a lot of time
on. And that's what I tell mykids. Like, how can you solve this
right now? Like, forget aboutshe didn't do this or I didn't get
it. I'm like, what is it thatyou need now? How can we fix, how
can we repeat that moment? Orhow can we recreate that moment so
(33:54):
that you don't have to waste alot of time again? Because that's
a tip I give to everybody. Thefirst best time to do something that
you did not do has gone. Thesecond best time is now.
Yeah. You said that to me inour chat and I was like, that is
a powerful one for sure. Yes.I mean, how, if you were to answer
(34:14):
this question, how has livingas a wife, a daughter, a community
leader, a multi entrepreneur,CEO, founder, advocate, where do
you find the time? And Idon't, like you said, I don't like
the word balance. I likeharmony. Right. Where do you find
(34:37):
the harmony and honoring. Hey,I'm having a pain, pain day. I need
to shift, I need to dosomething. Like, how do you honor
that while building all of thethings that you're building?
So I think the real talk,like, real talk with myself, like,
okay, today I'm acknowledgingmy body, acknowledging the pains
(34:57):
that I have. That real talkhas really helped to shape my day.
For example, say my energylevels are low, I'm not feeling so
good. So on my calendar I willonly have two things. So literally
acknowledging and then actingon that acknowledgement with your
actions, whether it's keepingyour calendar clean, whether it's
okay, I'm going to hold thisone hour to step inside my hot tub
(35:20):
and take one hour there or gofor going for a massage. So it's
been very organized for me.And it's not a task, it's like very
intentional on my calendar,what I want to do. Or today I'm not
going to do anything. Not evencook two meals in a day. We're going
to take out. So whatever thatthat is, that is how I was able to
harmonize life and business.
I hear a lot of permissionhappening. Yeah, a lot of self permission.
(35:44):
I think if you, if you were totell younger version of yourself
on this journey, what wouldyou say to her? What would you remind
her of now?
Slow down. I only did once Iturned 40. I didn't know what it
meant. And it's Funny youbring that up, because I just had
(36:05):
a call with my mom thismorning, and the topic that we were
talking about is. So mysister, my youngest sister, my baby
sister is getting married thisyear. Thank you. And her fiance is.
He's gone for a spiritual tripfor 10 days. And the funny thing
is, you just brought this. Wewere on this call saying, he's gone
(36:26):
for 10 days, and my mom isreally getting anxious because they
still haven't figured out thedate of the wedding, which is going
to be November. So we have allthese months, right? What is it,
April today? My mom wasfreaking out on the call, and she
was like, why does he need togo to the spiritual thing? What does
it do to him? What is thepurpose? And I'm like, you need to
stop there because you're notslowing down yourself and you're
(36:48):
putting that burden on us.That boundary is very important,
and we see it now. Growing up,when I was with her, I never saw
it. It never bothered me then.But I'm a different person now because
I myself do slow down. I don'tput that burden on my spouse or my
kids. I have learned that.Slow down. Take that moment. Those
(37:09):
breaks, those pauses are soimportant for everybody. You people
around you.
Yeah. So what would you say tothe person who is resistant to slowing
down?
Well, I tried with my mom.Didn't work. But let's put it out
here. So I told her this, mom,you need to put your judgment hat
(37:30):
outside of this conversation.Because if I told her, okay, this
means finding blah, blah,blah, she'll be like, oh, does he
have a problem? Then? Sothere'll be these conversations,
ripple questions andquestions. I was like, you need to
come out of this outside witha curiosity that, what is this? Start
from there. When you don'tknow about something, you can just
jump into conclusions that,oh, this person is doing this, because
(37:53):
blah. No, go back those layersdeep down. And again, go back to
like, what is this? I wouldlike to know more about this. Then
I was like, I am the wrongperson that you're talking to. Talk
to him directly. What doesthis serve him? How does this her
help him? So those are theconversations we need to have. And
that's what I would tell myyounger self. I'm much more grounded,
and I understand all of thisnow. But again, sometimes I feel
(38:13):
we don't have the need when weare young. I didn't. Or perhaps I
didn't know it, what Ipractice now in my life, it's because
I hang out with those Womenwho teach me this or who I see that
they practice and they talkabout things like this. And now it
makes sense to me. So, littleyounger self. I would just say I
wish I had done this when Iwas a little younger, to be kinder
(38:34):
to my body, to slow down, tohave a different approach to life,
what I have now. But I'm alittle old now and I feel I've missed
out on those years where Icould have been a little more mindful
about my body myself, which Ididn't get to. So let me love myself
more now.
Yeah, I love that. I thinkyou're, I mean, I got married young
too. I think we just carriedwhat we knew, right? We just carried
(38:57):
what we knew until for me, itwas my pain that hit me in the face
that said, we have to, we haveto talk about, like, why are you
in so much pain? It wasbecause we were carrying so much.
For me personally, I'll speakfor myself, I was carrying so much
of the things that my, myhistory, my, my genetics had been
carrying, and it affected mybody. And to that effect, it's like,
(39:20):
okay, we can't do what theydid anymore because we won't make
it. So I don't know if youcould relate to that, but that's
totally worth the moment Ihad. Just like, no, we can't do it
like that.
I totally can. It's like myfather has severe diabetes. My grandma
had severe blood pressure,like sugar. Like, she used to take
injections like twice a day.My grandfather had cancer. So it's
(39:44):
always there in my mind thatI'm going to die like that or I will
have those extra things on mybody from the things I already have.
So it is really time to pauseand really wait for that time when
that will actually come andtake it with an open heart and be
open with that idea. Okay, Imight have blood pressure. Okay,
I might have diabetes, but amI prepared for it? Am I mentally,
physically prepared for it?You know, getting yourself ready
(40:06):
for those stages, you reallyneed to slow down.
Yeah, I, I appreciate yousharing that too, because I think
we all need someone else tosay, me too. Yeah, I get it. I, I
know it. I, me too. I, I, Ifeel that.
But then just being me too isnot, is not going to help. That's
why we, this, because we wantpeople who are listening to this,
go beyond, put that inactions, put that in little actionable
(40:29):
steps. Whether it's just goingout for a walk in the morning for
30 minutes, start there, likeliterally tangible Things. That's
a question from me to you,Nikita. I know this is your podcast,
but how about we ask you,like, what was one change that you
did in your life after yourealize you have these pains and
chronics, or just to have adifferent mindset or just forget
(40:49):
about it?
At one point it was saying, no.
Get rid of this and have a newbody. But I can't.
No, it was saying no. It wassaying no. It was saying no without
guilt. It was saying no justbecause someone thought they had
the right to expect somethingfrom me, that wasn't really my responsibility.
It was totally saying no.Like, that was the most powerful
(41:11):
shift for me. Definitely.Like, nope, we're not doing that.
No. Yeah. So I love thatquestion. I liked. I've been testing
out some new fun ways to in.In the show with a question or something
funny or something real. AndI'm so always, like, so deep. My
friends joke with me, like,nikita, you're, like, always deep.
And I'm like, I know this iswho I am. If you had to answer this
(41:33):
question right now and tellyour past self this, let me know.
Okay, so what did you believeat one point was so true. It was
fact. This is how life is thatyou're now like, that is not true
that.
Women are the only caretakers,because Absolutely not. Your husband
(41:56):
can be a caretaker. Your inlaws can be your caretaker. Your
kids can be your caretaker.Because we are put on this equation
or this wheel of giving,giving, giving, giving, giving all
the time. What is not true, orwe need to break that circle is we
need to be on the receivingend as well. So that being said,
it's not just who's thecaretaker. There could be other people
(42:16):
who could be our caretaker aswell. So that means we can be on
the giving receiving end aswell. Because growing up, that's
all I was told, you're gonnatake care of this and that and that
and this person. That person.And never bothered to ask, who's
gonna take care of me.
That's a. That's a good one.That's a good one. Yeah. And I encourage
(42:37):
everyone too, who's listening.Like, find areas in your life to
ask yourself, is that reallytrue? Like, is that really true?
And also find those momentswhen you can ask. When you were like,
today, you guys have to takecare of me. I am not just my birthday,
not just my anniversary, butthat looks like. So I. I go with
(42:58):
my glass of wine in my hottub, and I'm like, now it's time
for me to Take care of myself.So now you guys are all going to
cook and take care for me. Oneof you is going to do the laundry.
So whatever that means.Delegating people around you so that
you can be on the receivingside. Go do it.
Love it. It starts with us. Ilove that. To end this. Like, it
starts with us taking what weneed. Yeah.
(43:19):
Yes. And that's something Ilearned, actually the hard way, that
I used to think I'm gonnachange people or everybody. No, we
all have to change. That shifthas to come from both the sides,
but you need to be able tocommunicate it and talk about it.
I had to literally cry downand be like, do you want me to die?
Because pain, with the amountof things that I do around, I'm gonna
(43:41):
die. I'm gonna literally die.Once I'm 45 or 50, would you want.
And I had to make my wholefamily sit. I had to ask them because
I wanted that change, thatactionable giving, receiving from
everybody, not just me. So ithas to be a reciprocative relationship.
Only then it becomes easier,because it's a journey, it's a process.
Everybody needs to be on thesame road, and you need to train
(44:02):
everybody.
Love this. Pahlavi, thank youso much for sharing your story, your
wisdom, your experience.Anything fun. Coming up. You want
everybody to know about howthey can support you, cheer you on.
You told me something fun. Idon't know if that's secret, but.
The fun thing I can add valueto our audience here today is keep
(44:27):
an eye on. There's somethingcalled C0100 awards. That is something
that's one of the highestaccolades or awards this country
gives to small businesses. Soif you are somebody who's a small
business owner or know ofpeople who are small businesses,
the applications will open upsoon at the. It's called CEO, the
(44:48):
Alphabet CEO. And then thenumber 100 because it's for top 100
businesses in America. And itis awarded by United States Chamber
of Commerce in Washington,D.C. and why I'm bringing this up
is because last year mycompany Detox, was one of those hundred
companies in America making adifference, making an impact. And
(45:10):
now it's my time to pay itforward. So I'm going to be a judge
for this award in 2025. So.Oh, w. And I want to elevate and
I want to hear your story. Soif people are listening, keep an
eye on those awards. JustGoogle it or we'll put it.
In the show notes too, so you.
Can check it out, connect withNikita or connect with me. And then
(45:31):
whenever those applicationsopen I will put it on my LinkedIn.
I want you all to apply andget that accolade so that you can
tell your story.
That is amazing. Well, thankyou so very much for being on the
show. We so appreciate you andcan't wait to see how you continue
to grow and thrive and do whatyou do. Girl, girl.
Thank you. I appreciate it.And it's always a pleasure when people
(45:54):
invest time in listening, inunderstanding and it's even more
appreciative when people reachout. So that is my only ask. If there's
anything that touched yourheart, if there's anything you want
to share with me and Nikita,please reach out. And I always love
communicating two way.
Yes, I look forward to hearingfrom you guys. You know how to get
all of the details you need.They are in the Show Notes. We also
(46:15):
have a special something foryou from Pahlavi that you will be
able to check out. But untilnext time. Time. See you soon.
That's a wrap for this episodeof Business With Chronic Illness.
If you would like to start andgrow an online coaching business
with me, head to the ShowNotes to click a link to book a sales
(46:38):
call and learn how to makemoney with chronic illness. You can
also check out ourwebsite@ww.CraftedToThrive.com for
this episode's Show Notes andjoin our email address us to get
exclusive content where Icoach you on how to chronically grow
a profitable business whileliving with chronic illness. Until
next time, Remember, yes, youare crafted to thrive.
If you've been showing upexhausted, pushing through pain and
calling it productivity, thisepisode is your reminder that it
doesn't have to be that way.I'm joined by Paula V. A founder,
a mom, a community builder whoshares how chronic pain, cultural
expectations and burnout ledher to completely redefine how she
(00:21):
runs her business and how shelives her life. We talk about the
unspoken pressure to keepperforming, strength and even when
our body is begging for rest,and what it actually looks like to
choose harmony over hustle.This isn't about giving up. It's
about giving yourself a chanceto build differently. I say this
all of the time. We can havebusinesses, they just might look
(00:44):
different than what mainstreamsays it should look like. So if you've
been questioning the pace, thepressure, or the way you've been
doing business while livingwith chronic illness or constant
fatigue or constant pain, thisconversation will meet you where
you are and support you inseeing how you can show up and be
different while givingyourself space and grace and maybe
(01:07):
even shift what you believe ispossible. Let's go. Stay tuned.
Welcome to Business withChronic Illness, the globally ranked
podcast for women living withchronic illness who want to start
and grow a business online.I'm your host, Nikita Williams and
I went from living a normallife to all of a sudden being in
(01:29):
constant pain with no answersto being diagnosed with multiple
chronic illnesses and tryingto make a livable income, I faced
the challenge of adaptingtraditional business advice to fit
my unique circumstances withchronic illness. Feeling frustrated
and more burned out than Ialready was while managing my chronic
illness to becoming an awardwinning coach with a flexible and
(01:50):
sustainable online coachingbusiness, I found the surprising
simple steps to starting andgrowing a profitable business without
compromising my health or mypeace. Since then, I've helped dozens
of women just like you learnhow to do the same. If you're ready
to create a thriving businessthat aligns with your lifestyle and
well being, you're in theright place. Together, we're shifting
(02:12):
the narrative of what'spossible for women with chronic illness
and how we make a living. Thisis Business with Chronic Illness.
I am so excited for thisepisode of Business with Chronic
Illness. I'm having a guest onthe show and we're going to talk
(02:34):
about lots of differentthings, but I want you to know that
this guest, Pahlavi hasalready like changed a lot of the
ways I think already and I'veonly talked with her twice and that
was just the green screen. Andlike now please tell us who you are,
where you're from and we'lljump into more of your story.
(02:56):
Thank you for giving me thisopportunity. I'm glad to be here.
I'm Pahlavi, like Nikitarightly introduced me. Pallavi from
my Indian culture actuallymeans leaf. So you can also remember
me as Leaf Lady. I am fromPortland, Oregon, the beautiful Pacific
Northwest. If you've neverbeen here, you're welcome. And if
you're planning to let meknow. And my business is Detox D
(03:18):
T O C S. I love that.
Yeah. The beautiful thingabout what I've been researching
and learning about you isyou've taken something and this is
a like a testament to thecreativity you bring. I can already
tell when I first met you, Iwas like, she is bringing creativity
in the whole different level.And your business, like, literally,
(03:42):
I really do think this, yourbusiness really is a manifestation
of that. I believe, like yousaid, your company has taken something
that you do in your culture tosomething that is really helping
the environment, helping womenaround the world. You've raised,
you know, you've delivered 10million something plus in tableware
(04:04):
units in the US and Canada.You've been recognized as a top business
in America. So there's so muchthat you have done with this creative
use of eating on leaves. Canyou tell us a little bit more about
your business before we hop in?
Yeah, I'd love to. Like yourightly said, Detox, it is the brand
name and it echoes with themeaning Cleansing Journey, but with
(04:27):
leaves. And if you'rewondering why it is because every
time we think about cleansing,we always think about inside of our
body. And we're very mindfuland thoughtful on what we are putting
inside our bodies. So I justwanted to go to couple of layers
deeper down and I wanted topass this messaging to the people
(04:47):
that we can be cleansinginside, outside. Why not? And it
is because I lived with themotto that what is not only on my
plate is important, but whatis also in my plate is equally important.
And that's where I hone intomy Indian culture of eating on banana
leaves. And that was a pieceof my culture I dearly miss after
(05:08):
becoming a mom, after raisinga family, after living in the US
for 19 years and ideally missthat piece. And I was so nostalgic.
And that's when I had the ahamoment when I was like, Okay, I have
10 years of experience inwarehousing and mentoring. I know
what manufacturing looks like.I know what wholesale looks like.
I know how to find suppliersand vendors because that is something
(05:28):
I was Working for in myprevious job. And I was like, why
can I not create a businessfor my family where I can utilize
all this knowledge and at thesame time advocate for something
that I believe in, something Igrew up with. And I'm so passionate
about it that now I want toshare this piece of culture of my
childhood and my memories withother people who want to perhaps
(05:51):
enjoy this experience ofeating on leaves or perhaps who miss
India and the whole feeling ofusing your hands and eating on a
leaf. And that's how I startedmy brand, Detox, which was literally
in 2019, right.
(07:25):
Before COVID I mean, talkabout, take your story and, like,
create an amazing experience.It is so amazing to hear you share.
Like, it started from thisnostalgia, this thing you missed.
And it was also because I hosta lot. I forgot to tell you that
(07:46):
I'm a fun person.
Yes, you are.
Just from the two meetingswe've had, we've had a lot of fun.
And I said, I advocate for.Yes, I advocate for People Planet.
But at the end, it's alsoparties that I advocate for. And
keeping that cadence, when Iused, I still party. So whenever
I hosted, I found that therewas. There were not very stylish,
(08:07):
sustainable options fortableware when it comes to putting
on the table, your food on.And there were cheap paper, there
were toxic plastics, There arethose expensive bamboos, and then
there are those heavy, boringchinaware, which I didn't wash the
dishes. So if you're the chiefdishwashing officer, you got to keep
in touch, close friendshipwith me. That's what my job now is.
(08:31):
I am here to give you theconvenience of cleanup without the
landfill guilt. And that iswhere my South Asian Indian roots
combined with my businessacumen, and I was like, let me. Let
me start a business. And thisbrand is something I'm going to offer
to the world.
Well, I mean, we could justtalk all day long about how amazing
this company is and whatyou're doing, and then I'm sure we'll
(08:53):
hear more about it. But also,I know just from connecting with
you that you've also done thisin the journey of becoming a mother
living with chronic illnesses.Like, what has been the biggest thing
that has been the challengefor you in this journey, creating
this beautiful, fun partylife. But what's been the real.
(09:17):
Of course, the world sees thefun part, which is, yes, I love to
host. Yes, I'm very happy whenI'm doing the parties. But believe
it or not, after every party,I actually went to bed crying because
Pain. My body was hurting, myback was hurting. And here's the
thing with me. I thrive offthis energy when it is, when I'm
there, but when it's notthere, take those people out of my
(09:38):
life. Take that fun out of mylife. Take those parties out of my
life. That's when the focusused to come back to my own body
and explain what. I can't dothis anymore. It's getting hard and
hard. And talk about chronicpains, living with it 247 and feeling
it to bed every night. When Iused to go to bed, there was my planktophysitis,
my pain on the feet or my bodyor my fibromyalgia and my stress.
(10:01):
So I. I was feeling it, and itbecame so real. And that's when I
was like, you know what? Timeto make a change, a switch, which
is be kind to your own body.Listen to it. It's trying to tell
you something. This is thetime to honor it before I really
die. So that is where the realinstances came real. And my kids
were like, mom is tired allthe time. She doesn't want to hang
(10:22):
out. She doesn't want to dothat. She has all the energy for
our friends to party. And Iwas like, this is all getting real
in my head, and I'm not makingthis up. This is happening in my
life, and this needs to stop.There needs to be a change, a very
intentional, meaningfulchange, and I need to make this more
of a conscious living. That'swhere the whole idea of, like, taking
slow and really being aware. Iwasn't even aware. I didn't even
(10:42):
know something likefibromyalgia exists. Something like
depression exists, because allof these words were taboo growing
up in the Indian culture, andthey were represented for something,
and they were segregated andsegmented, and we never had that
knowledge.
Yeah.
Yeah. There's something thatyou said when you started sharing
(11:03):
this, which was like, I likethe parties, and I like showing up
for the parties. And then Iwould go home and be in this pain.
I wonder if you could sharethat duality of the invisible pain,
like being in this invisiblesituation while also building something
(11:24):
like this.
So I think it became more realafter my kids were born, both of
them, And I was moving fromOhio to Oregon, which was 2016, and
that was the time when itreally shaped my path because I was
moving into a differentcommunity. I had all the time, and
I was focusing more on myhealth because I knew I was coming
(11:45):
out of postpartum depression.Chronic pains like fibromyalgia doctors
they told, I have symptoms ofthat, I have got nerve issues and
it aggregates with my stresslevels. So definitely like a lot
of other women and jugglingthrough a lot of multiple roles.
Like you said, caregiver formy kids, caregiver for my in laws.
Because our Indian culture, myin laws live with us. Being an entrepreneur
(12:07):
of two companies now and thatemotional labor, it was very, very
intentional. And I reallywanted to support my family through
lifestyle related healthchallenges. And that's when I felt
the pressure of being thatstrong mother who can solve everybody's
problems. But what if youcan't solve your own problem? Then
(12:29):
what are you going to give tothe others? And that's the mantra,
right? You have to be at yourbest self to give to others. Because
if you're not there, if yourstarting point is not grounded, peaceful,
intentional, like on focusingon yourself to make your version
the best version to give toothers, how can you be, how can you
do justice to others? Andthat's when I learned early on, take
(12:51):
care of yourself. Not in aselfish way. Like, I don't need to
feel guilty because that's howI grew up. Or even if my mom sees
today I'm doing something formyself sitting on the couch and she's
like, how can you do this? Areyou not, you're not a good mom. And
I was like, stop that. Firstof all, that's the barrier we need
to break. That mindset needsto change. And just because you didn't
do it doesn't mean I'm notgoing to do it. But I don't have
to follow it because I need tolisten to my body. So that shaming
(13:14):
needs to stop. It's present.And we don't think it to be abnormal,
but it is. When you see froman eagle eye, I don't want my kids
to talk to me like that or Idon't want to talk like that to my
kids, vice versa. Right. Sothat taught me that I need to just
make, well, being a part ofmy, my legacy, starting for myself,
(13:34):
I need to role model it. Andthat's when my kids will do. And
that's how I was like, let'sstart the hurdles right here from
the starting point.
Yeah, I mean, what you justsaid there made me think what you
implemented with acknowledgingwhat was going on, becoming more
aware. Also, you made theinvisible visible with your boundaries,
(13:56):
with your family, with yourchildren. Like it sounds like. I
love what you said. And Ithink we do this all women. And I
think especially Women ofcolor, we tend to do all of our best
work for everyone else, and wegive everyone else the excuse for
grace. Trust me, I'm workingthrough therapy myself, Grace and
(14:16):
all of those things forothers. But when it comes to ourselves,
we have that challenge. And Iheard you say, you know, even within
your, your home with your mom,it's like, hey, no, we're not gonna,
we're not gonna do that. We'renot gonna reinforce this narrative
that I can't have peace andrest for myself.
(14:37):
Culturally, we are taught notto put ourselves first. And that's
where that awareness piececomes, that, no, I want to put myself
first because I can do this.Now for others, it's the same concept.
When you're in an airplane,you put your mask first, right?
Yeah. How has that been areflection in the way you've built
your businesses? Because youhave two businesses and they're both.
(14:58):
I mean, when I was getting toknow you, I was like, your first
business is a getting peopletogether, creating community, having
parties. And then this productbased e comm business, they are,
could be considered polaropposites. They're actually very
intentionally marriedtogether. I wonder, how does that
(15:18):
come into play with thelessons you've learned living with
your different challenges withchronic illness and just in general,
how's that played a role inhow you built? Maybe differently
than when you've been told tobuild a certain way.
Yeah. So as a mom and as afounder, I really wanted to create
businesses or business thatwere meaningful to my life. Like
(15:39):
that serves me a purposeagain. We do businesses for a purpose.
Right. My purpose was to havea lifestyle so that I don't have
to keep running when I'm 50,so that I don't have to do and stretch
my body and listen to it, sothat I can take that pause at one
point of time. And I thinkthat's where Detox, which is my product
based business where I makesustainable tableware out of palm
(16:01):
leaves, was really shaped andthen came along with that. After
fast forwarding the businessfive years, this is our sixth year,
by the way, this is our sixyear anniversary.
Congratulations.
So fast forwarding five years,this is last year I started my second
business where because of myexperience, because of my accolades,
because of where I hadreached, which was a bootstrap, positive
(16:24):
cash flow business, profitablebusiness, being a thought leader
in the industry, being able toadvise and mentor other founders
now, being able to win a lotof pitch and grant money, like almost
more than 100k, beingresourceful, being able to Connect
people. That is when thesecond business was born, which was
about Amazon Consulting.Because even today, my bread and
(16:48):
butter or most of ourconsumers, whether they're new, seasoned,
veteran customers, they dofind us on Amazon. The first thing
people ask us, are you onAmazon? They wouldn't have a website,
but they would definitely askus, are you on Amazon? And that is
what I kept on hearing againand again in five years. And I kept
on telling this to otherfounders, that no matter how great
(17:11):
you're doing as a brand andretail and this and that you need
to be on Amazon. Amazon is oneof my strategies that worked. And
I have plethora of data and Ihave trends that I've studied and
now I can pass that to otherfounders. That is how the Detox consulting
was born, where I was like,okay, now without being an agency,
without charging an arm andleg like an agency, how can I be
(17:34):
more impactful than agenciesreally bring something to the table
that's unique, whether it'sgoing to D.C. for an advocacy as
an Amazon seller, or reallysafeguarding your tax policies and
tariffs, or whether talkingabout your climate justice, whatever
those things are, I can helpyou tap into those resources. So
these five years, I really wastapping into this whole big ecosystem
(17:57):
that Amazon has without havingto start everything on my own, without
having to reinvent the wholewheel. And that's what I advocated
for, that every business ownershould be there. And that's what
I actually I offer in DetoxConsulting, which is monthly services
where we help people orconsumers get on Amazon and sell
and grow and scale. And thenthose were the two businesses. And
(18:20):
apart from that, I was stillin pain, I was still aching. I still
have labral tear on both myhips and I was still functioning
all these businesses. And whathappened was I was like, okay, I
had to lead with somethingmore. And outside of that, I started
a community here in Oregoncalled Portland Brown Mommies. And
(18:43):
that group or thatcommunities, it is a private community
of moms, specifically SouthAsian moms, here in Oregon. And it
has today 2,000, more than2,000 local moms. And this is something
I started when I had justmoved to Oregon from Ohio in 2016.
And it had the sense ofcommunity and I had to lead it because
(19:06):
I was a real person with painsand aches, running life, taking care
of in law. So if you thinkabout the lifestyle, this is what
generally a South Asianhousehold woman looks like. And I
just reflect that as apowerful reminder that if I can do
it, so can you. Buildbusinesses, lifestyles Whatever you
need. But it's just we need touplift each other. We need to rise
(19:28):
together and we need to shareour stories. That was my main purpose
because when you share, yougive others the permission to share
theirs. And that is rebuildingcomes together. And that's what I
started seeing in the last,what, nine years. We've shared amazing
stories of moms who aredealing with X, Y and Z. And it also
includes pains and how to dealwith mental wellness and health and
(19:49):
families. So it's been anamazing journey.
I mean, there's so much therewe can unpack. I have a question
that just popped in my mind,which is while you were talking,
which is within building thesedifferent spaces for what you want
to create in the world. Youknow, there's this aspect of having
(20:10):
community that's alwaysimportant. I think within women that's
just something we need. Butoften I think many of us hold ourselves
back from reaching out forcommunity in different ways. And
because of being in a multigenerational household, I grew up
that way myself. Like therewas everybody in my house, my grandparents
(20:31):
in my house, my mom. Like ourwhole family is multi generational
living. That's how I grew up.You, we think that that is our community.
Like that's all we have. Whydid you feel a need to create something
outside of that?
So again, remember I said Icame from postpartum depression.
I was going through thesechronic pains. I could not even stand.
(20:54):
I wasn't even happy frominside. So I think I was looking
for something which wasbigger. It was harmony. I was looking
at harmony. Many over hustleand all the time running around which
we were taught in oursocietal, cultural values that you
have to do, do, do, do, do.But nobody told us it's okay to take
that pause, it's okay to slowdown. Those were the things that
(21:17):
I had to learn. I had to redoeverything that I learned in my culture,
scratch it off and then takeelements what were important from
the culture which made senseand take it from other cultures.
Like, no, this is. I'm notbeing selfish, but I still need to
do this for myself. So thatharmony was what I was looking for.
And you did bring a goodthing, which was like a lot of us
(21:37):
try to balance a lot ofthings, juggling all these. And I
really never believe inbalancing. I have always believed
in blending because I see, Isaw my mom juggling and try to balance
and it was an utter failurebecause she was in pain. She today,
I mean, she's what, 60s? Butshe still has Pain there. She's gone
through so many surgeries, andI'm like, what's the point? So blending
(21:58):
as much possible. And somedays I'm a mom, some days I'm a CEO,
some days I'm nobody. I'm justsitting on the couch. So it's all
okay. It's. It all has to beokay. And first it has to be okay
with you. And then you traineverybody around you to soak it up
in that mindset, because whenyou feel it's okay, everybody has
to feel it's okay. But whenit's you yourself feeling that person
(22:19):
in the room, like, oh, what isthat person going to think? What
are they going to judge mewith? Like, forget it. Like, that's
what you need to do. Youreally need to not have that fear
of public, or what are theygoing to think? Or, oh, I don't know
if I'll be able to do not. Youjust have to be there. You have to
just try it before it reallyhits you hard. Yeah.
Did you experience that fear?Did you experience the fear where
(22:43):
you were like, I don't know,what am I doing? Like, how, How.
What did the fear look like to you?
I did because I had all theseexpectations. Like, I got married
at a very young age, like 22,so everybody had these expectations
on me all the time. And Ididn't know that that was not okay.
I kept on fulfilling thoseexpectations until it came to my
(23:03):
body, until it came to a timewhen I broke down. And that was too
late for me. I don't want thatfor my daughters. So I really believe
in organizing the supportsystem and then just leading other
women. And if it has to startwith me, I'm not ashamed of sharing
my story. I was postpartumdepression, severe. I could not even
get up from my bed and take ashower. I would stay in my pajamas
(23:25):
for three days. I wasn'tenjoying life. And then there's no
point. But then somethingchanged in my life, and I found that
I was pregnant with my secondkid. That changed the whole hormones.
I got happy. And then thatgave me a purpose, a sense of purpose
that this needs to change. Itdid hit me hard. I came off all my
medications because I was onsome steroids. I was literally taking
(23:46):
injection steroids for thepain because I gave up. I gave up
on myself. I wasn't ready toeven go to the gym or even for a
walk. But it all changedbecause I had to make up my mind
when this strengthened mybody, got the confidence, and I had
to just get out and do it formyself and now my kids and. Yeah,
but put yourself first.
(24:06):
Yeah. I mean, like, what wasthat moment beside. I know. Like,
we know. I've had a few womenon the show talk about postpartum
depression, which is very mucha chemical imbalance in our bodies.
It's not something that youusually experience outside of postpartum.
Right. However, something'svery interesting that you said that
(24:27):
I've noticed in thisconversation about this is that there's
a moment of somethingshifting. Either it was support that
someone reached out and, like,showed you, like, hey, I went through
this too, and this has changedfor me. Or it was a doctor that took
you seriously and gave you thesupport that you needed, or it was
a moment in their life thatkind of transcended everything, that
(24:48):
transformed them into this.Okay, I need to figure this out.
Even if no one else isbelieving what's going on with me.
I'm curious to know. What wasthat? What. What was a moment? Where
was the moment for you?
So there were two that I. Iremember very clearly. The first
one was letting go of theperfections, like, I would not do
if I couldn't get them toperfect. Even, like, cleaning, for
(25:10):
that matter. Everything had tobe shiny, dark, clean, and even.
Like, you could call memental. Like, I lose it sometimes.
Not anymore. I used to even,like, it's okay.
If you're still workingthrough it. We all are.
You're vulnerable, and I'mgiving permission to everybody to
share and listen. So thatbeing said, even, like, a cushion
cover, if I put it in arhombus shape, and if somebody tilts
(25:31):
that cushion cover to asquare, I'm like, ah, it needs to
go back to a rhombus shape. Sothat's how that is how I was. So
I had to learn it the hardway, let go of these perfection moments.
And I used to think,everything needs to be polished and
clean. And I was like, no, itcan be messy, and I am okay sharing
it with the world like that.So that took a lot of time and reflection
(25:53):
and just in a messy way. And Ijust started doing more of it, practicing
more of it, sharing more ofthe process and not just the final
product. Even today, if myhouse is messy, I'm making a video,
but I don't care. My kitchenis dirty. Fine. But we're having
this moment live in thepresent. And that is when Covid even
taught me more of that. Like,you never know what's happening tomorrow.
So, you know, just havingthose people around you, those moments,
(26:16):
it, it strengthened my goal.And then I saw this community of
women that I built watchingthose moms in the group called Portland
Brown Mommies, or in short wecall it pbm, and those moms, when
I saw them and when I saw themshare their stories that you gave
me that power or because Iheard you say this or I heard your
(26:38):
story, that is what keeps megoing, that gives me, that inspires
me. And I feel like I haveresponsibility. And if I can give
that confidence to people justby sharing, why not?
I mean, just along, I hope youguys really paid attention to that.
There was a lot ofvulnerability and a lot of just space
of being human and not beingperfect. And that it's okay that
(27:04):
we ask for help, we seek forhelp, and we open ourselves up to
it. And I think that's what Iheard most in that story. How has
that same process helped youin building, I'm going to say your
empire because I truly believethat's, that's where you're growing
with this. But how has it ledyou to lead differently in a very
(27:26):
male dominated space,especially when it comes to E commerce?
I feel like it's a very maledominated space. How has that, the
lessons you've learnedsupported you in that?
So I'm definitely inspired bypeople in general, people who build
and who give. So not justbuilding is important, but at the
(27:47):
same time giving is equallyimportant. And I think I come across
a lot of men and women who aredoing this. And especially now, after
being in a women communityleading the Portland Brown armies,
I'm more inclined to, becauseI've never heard men cheer and talk
like this. But that's anotherfact, right? Women communities, they
do end up sharing because theywant to learn, they're curious, they
(28:09):
want to know, am I alone inthis? And that's where the imposter
syndrome kicks. Like, youknow, what is it just me? Am I the
only person? So that's whyit's important for women to share.
And when I come across thesewomen who are quietly running empires,
building businesses, raisingkids, organizing communities, it's
like such a pump. It's like aboost for my energy.
(28:31):
Yeah, I think you're right.You're so right. My husband personally,
like, when we talk aboutbusiness and I ask him about like,
yeah, if you're going to starta business, who you reach out to?
And he's like, I don't know,I'm like, you got guys, friends,
Like, I have to remind him ofwho he, he could reach out to. To,
like, support him in this.He's like, oh, yeah, I guess. And
(28:51):
I think as women, we kind oftake that for granted, right? That
we kind of innately have, youknow, all the people we can reach
out to if we wanted to, toshare what we're doing, connect with
what we're doing. I mean, thereason why you and I are in this
chat is because one of mygirlfriends reached out to a community
I'm not even a part of and wasjust like, hey, this is a woman doing
this thing. And so I thinkhearing you say, like, again, community
(29:16):
is a huge part of this. Howhas that proved to be profitable
for you?
Great question again. Andprofitable could mean different things
to different.
Absolutely.
Well, for me, it means howrich am I in my connections? And
I believe it is. My profit iswhen I'm not in the room and there
(29:36):
are other women talking aboutme, mentioning me, bringing my name.
That is my real profit rightthere. Investment. It could be my
investment of time, money,whatever, to generate X. And that
X can be however you defineyour profit. So I feel. I feel that
it takes time, definitely.It's not like a wheel that you invented
and you roll it and you haveprofits spitting out. No, it is,
(29:58):
again, depending on yourvision, depending on the purpose,
depending on what you want outof it. It has served me very well
because again, like I said, Imeet people on the trail and they're
like, we know you. We knowwhat you've done. I got the local
news channel to come to myhome because somebody referred me
and said, she's building acommunity. We want to highlight her
in the community. So those aremy little wins and profit. So, of
(30:21):
course, when you say profit,am I getting money out of it? Oh,
absolutely not. It's. It's acommunity. But am I getting anything
out of it in terms ofconnections, positivity, people trusting,
credibility? Yes, all of thatis in my profit equation.
Yeah, that's such a powerfulthing, I think, especially right
now in the season that we arehere, let's just say in our locale.
(30:46):
Right. I am a true believer,and I feel like this instantly when
I met you. I'm like, she getsit. With this idea and belief that
community and deep connection,that's not always reciprocated in
here's. Here's. Here's mybusiness. Here's my, you know, introduction
(31:06):
to this person. Like, that'snot always the aspect of building
a profitable. Whether it'sfinancially or meaningful. Business
comes from this aspect ofreally connecting with people. And
when we're in seasons or timeswhere things are crazy, you know,
(31:26):
like, to your point, you havethe army, I like to call it the army
that's out there talking andsharing your truth, sharing your,
your values, your vision, yourmission. And that at the end of the
day, over time, of course,that adds to quote unquote, your
bottom line. But in all of themost important ways, it matters for
(31:47):
how you show up in the world,how people view you, and how you
are creating that rippleeffect for others. And I think as
business owners, if you firststart getting started, it's kind
of hard to see that, right?It's kind of hard to be okay with
that because it's difficult.So when you have been mentored or
(32:07):
coached and this has, it seemslike this is a huge part of your
approach of, like, growing inyour business. How has it butt heads
with some of the advice you'vereceived on how to grow your business?
Oh, yeah, absolutely. All thetime. At the end of the day, it's
your money, it's yourinvestment, so you get to make the
calling. But if you don't eventry that path, like a strategy, it
(32:28):
will never work. So the onlytip is do small experiments, even
if you're getting a small tiphere and there. And if you're not
sure, try it, because that'sonly how you will learn from it.
But again, do a smallexperiment. And if you know your
gut is saying no, it'sabsolutely your decision to make
as a business owner. So, ofcourse, there has been times when
the ultimate decision issomething I might have not listened
or taken, but then that's whenthose reflection moments are important,
(32:51):
and it's just not for yourbusiness, but even for your personal
growth, whether it's yourrelationships, whether it's being
a mom, your spouse, whatever,those reflecting moments in personal
life versus measurements inbusiness life. So different terminology,
but thing is, you're trying toget the same result, and in personal
life, it's you having thosereflection moments. What went well,
(33:11):
what didn't, and why. Inbusiness, you're looking at your
KPI, the metrics, and thenyou're measuring them. So same analogy,
right? You're trying to walkon the path and you're going to do
the same outcome, but indifferent ways. So for those, it
could be you sometimes don'tlisten and sometimes you do. So don't
regret. And if you'reregretting, which means go back,
do point one, and then do itall over again.
(33:33):
I love that. Just like if youare regretting, you can Fix that.
Just go back and do like, justdo the thing. Like, just do the thing.
Test it out.
Yeah. The Cry Game, baby. It'slike you're wasting a lot of time
on. And that's what I tell mykids. Like, how can you solve this
right now? Like, forget aboutshe didn't do this or I didn't get
it. I'm like, what is it thatyou need now? How can we fix, how
can we repeat that moment? Orhow can we recreate that moment so
(33:54):
that you don't have to waste alot of time again? Because that's
a tip I give to everybody. Thefirst best time to do something that
you did not do has gone. Thesecond best time is now.
Yeah. You said that to me inour chat and I was like, that is
a powerful one for sure. Yes.I mean, how, if you were to answer
(34:14):
this question, how has livingas a wife, a daughter, a community
leader, a multi entrepreneur,CEO, founder, advocate, where do
you find the time? And Idon't, like you said, I don't like
the word balance. I likeharmony. Right. Where do you find
(34:37):
the harmony and honoring. Hey,I'm having a pain, pain day. I need
to shift, I need to dosomething. Like, how do you honor
that while building all of thethings that you're building?
So I think the real talk,like, real talk with myself, like,
okay, today I'm acknowledgingmy body, acknowledging the pains
(34:57):
that I have. That real talkhas really helped to shape my day.
For example, say my energylevels are low, I'm not feeling so
good. So on my calendar I willonly have two things. So literally
acknowledging and then actingon that acknowledgement with your
actions, whether it's keepingyour calendar clean, whether it's
okay, I'm going to hold thisone hour to step inside my hot tub
(35:20):
and take one hour there or gofor going for a massage. So it's
been very organized for me.And it's not a task, it's like very
intentional on my calendar,what I want to do. Or today I'm not
going to do anything. Not evencook two meals in a day. We're going
to take out. So whatever thatthat is, that is how I was able to
harmonize life and business.
I hear a lot of permissionhappening. Yeah, a lot of self permission.
(35:44):
I think if you, if you were totell younger version of yourself
on this journey, what wouldyou say to her? What would you remind
her of now?
Slow down. I only did once Iturned 40. I didn't know what it
meant. And it's Funny youbring that up, because I just had
(36:05):
a call with my mom thismorning, and the topic that we were
talking about is. So mysister, my youngest sister, my baby
sister is getting married thisyear. Thank you. And her fiance is.
He's gone for a spiritual tripfor 10 days. And the funny thing
is, you just brought this. Wewere on this call saying, he's gone
(36:26):
for 10 days, and my mom isreally getting anxious because they
still haven't figured out thedate of the wedding, which is going
to be November. So we have allthese months, right? What is it,
April today? My mom wasfreaking out on the call, and she
was like, why does he need togo to the spiritual thing? What does
it do to him? What is thepurpose? And I'm like, you need to
stop there because you're notslowing down yourself and you're
(36:48):
putting that burden on us.That boundary is very important,
and we see it now. Growing up,when I was with her, I never saw
it. It never bothered me then.But I'm a different person now because
I myself do slow down. I don'tput that burden on my spouse or my
kids. I have learned that.Slow down. Take that moment. Those
(37:09):
breaks, those pauses are soimportant for everybody. You people
around you.
Yeah. So what would you say tothe person who is resistant to slowing
down?
Well, I tried with my mom.Didn't work. But let's put it out
here. So I told her this, mom,you need to put your judgment hat
(37:30):
outside of this conversation.Because if I told her, okay, this
means finding blah, blah,blah, she'll be like, oh, does he
have a problem? Then? Sothere'll be these conversations,
ripple questions andquestions. I was like, you need to
come out of this outside witha curiosity that, what is this? Start
from there. When you don'tknow about something, you can just
jump into conclusions that,oh, this person is doing this, because
(37:53):
blah. No, go back those layersdeep down. And again, go back to
like, what is this? I wouldlike to know more about this. Then
I was like, I am the wrongperson that you're talking to. Talk
to him directly. What doesthis serve him? How does this her
help him? So those are theconversations we need to have. And
that's what I would tell myyounger self. I'm much more grounded,
and I understand all of thisnow. But again, sometimes I feel
(38:13):
we don't have the need when weare young. I didn't. Or perhaps I
didn't know it, what Ipractice now in my life, it's because
I hang out with those Womenwho teach me this or who I see that
they practice and they talkabout things like this. And now it
makes sense to me. So, littleyounger self. I would just say I
wish I had done this when Iwas a little younger, to be kinder
(38:34):
to my body, to slow down, tohave a different approach to life,
what I have now. But I'm alittle old now and I feel I've missed
out on those years where Icould have been a little more mindful
about my body myself, which Ididn't get to. So let me love myself
more now.
Yeah, I love that. I thinkyou're, I mean, I got married young
too. I think we just carriedwhat we knew, right? We just carried
(38:57):
what we knew until for me, itwas my pain that hit me in the face
that said, we have to, we haveto talk about, like, why are you
in so much pain? It wasbecause we were carrying so much.
For me personally, I'll speakfor myself, I was carrying so much
of the things that my, myhistory, my, my genetics had been
carrying, and it affected mybody. And to that effect, it's like,
(39:20):
okay, we can't do what theydid anymore because we won't make
it. So I don't know if youcould relate to that, but that's
totally worth the moment Ihad. Just like, no, we can't do it
like that.
I totally can. It's like myfather has severe diabetes. My grandma
had severe blood pressure,like sugar. Like, she used to take
injections like twice a day.My grandfather had cancer. So it's
(39:44):
always there in my mind thatI'm going to die like that or I will
have those extra things on mybody from the things I already have.
So it is really time to pauseand really wait for that time when
that will actually come andtake it with an open heart and be
open with that idea. Okay, Imight have blood pressure. Okay,
I might have diabetes, but amI prepared for it? Am I mentally,
physically prepared for it?You know, getting yourself ready
(40:06):
for those stages, you reallyneed to slow down.
Yeah, I, I appreciate yousharing that too, because I think
we all need someone else tosay, me too. Yeah, I get it. I, I
know it. I, me too. I, I, Ifeel that.
But then just being me too isnot, is not going to help. That's
why we, this, because we wantpeople who are listening to this,
go beyond, put that inactions, put that in little actionable
(40:29):
steps. Whether it's just goingout for a walk in the morning for
30 minutes, start there, likeliterally tangible Things. That's
a question from me to you,Nikita. I know this is your podcast,
but how about we ask you,like, what was one change that you
did in your life after yourealize you have these pains and
chronics, or just to have adifferent mindset or just forget
(40:49):
about it?
At one point it was saying, no.
Get rid of this and have a newbody. But I can't.
No, it was saying no. It wassaying no. It was saying no without
guilt. It was saying no justbecause someone thought they had
the right to expect somethingfrom me, that wasn't really my responsibility.
It was totally saying no.Like, that was the most powerful
(41:11):
shift for me. Definitely.Like, nope, we're not doing that.
No. Yeah. So I love thatquestion. I liked. I've been testing
out some new fun ways to in.In the show with a question or something
funny or something real. AndI'm so always, like, so deep. My
friends joke with me, like,nikita, you're, like, always deep.
And I'm like, I know this iswho I am. If you had to answer this
(41:33):
question right now and tellyour past self this, let me know.
Okay, so what did you believeat one point was so true. It was
fact. This is how life is thatyou're now like, that is not true
that.
Women are the only caretakers,because Absolutely not. Your husband
(41:56):
can be a caretaker. Your inlaws can be your caretaker. Your
kids can be your caretaker.Because we are put on this equation
or this wheel of giving,giving, giving, giving, giving all
the time. What is not true, orwe need to break that circle is we
need to be on the receivingend as well. So that being said,
it's not just who's thecaretaker. There could be other people
(42:16):
who could be our caretaker aswell. So that means we can be on
the giving receiving end aswell. Because growing up, that's
all I was told, you're gonnatake care of this and that and that
and this person. That person.And never bothered to ask, who's
gonna take care of me.
That's a. That's a good one.That's a good one. Yeah. And I encourage
(42:37):
everyone too, who's listening.Like, find areas in your life to
ask yourself, is that reallytrue? Like, is that really true?
And also find those momentswhen you can ask. When you were like,
today, you guys have to takecare of me. I am not just my birthday,
not just my anniversary, butthat looks like. So I. I go with
(42:58):
my glass of wine in my hottub, and I'm like, now it's time
for me to Take care of myself.So now you guys are all going to
cook and take care for me. Oneof you is going to do the laundry.
So whatever that means.Delegating people around you so that
you can be on the receivingside. Go do it.
Love it. It starts with us. Ilove that. To end this. Like, it
starts with us taking what weneed. Yeah.
(43:19):
Yes. And that's something Ilearned, actually the hard way, that
I used to think I'm gonnachange people or everybody. No, we
all have to change. That shifthas to come from both the sides,
but you need to be able tocommunicate it and talk about it.
I had to literally cry downand be like, do you want me to die?
Because pain, with the amountof things that I do around, I'm gonna
(43:41):
die. I'm gonna literally die.Once I'm 45 or 50, would you want.
And I had to make my wholefamily sit. I had to ask them because
I wanted that change, thatactionable giving, receiving from
everybody, not just me. So ithas to be a reciprocative relationship.
Only then it becomes easier,because it's a journey, it's a process.
Everybody needs to be on thesame road, and you need to train
(44:02):
everybody.
Love this. Pahlavi, thank youso much for sharing your story, your
wisdom, your experience.Anything fun. Coming up. You want
everybody to know about howthey can support you, cheer you on.
You told me something fun. Idon't know if that's secret, but.
The fun thing I can add valueto our audience here today is keep
(44:27):
an eye on. There's somethingcalled C0100 awards. That is something
that's one of the highestaccolades or awards this country
gives to small businesses. Soif you are somebody who's a small
business owner or know ofpeople who are small businesses,
the applications will open upsoon at the. It's called CEO, the
(44:48):
Alphabet CEO. And then thenumber 100 because it's for top 100
businesses in America. And itis awarded by United States Chamber
of Commerce in Washington,D.C. and why I'm bringing this up
is because last year mycompany Detox, was one of those hundred
companies in America making adifference, making an impact. And
(45:10):
now it's my time to pay itforward. So I'm going to be a judge
for this award in 2025. So.Oh, w. And I want to elevate and
I want to hear your story. Soif people are listening, keep an
eye on those awards. JustGoogle it or we'll put it.
In the show notes too, so you.
Can check it out, connect withNikita or connect with me. And then
(45:31):
whenever those applicationsopen I will put it on my LinkedIn.
I want you all to apply andget that accolade so that you can
tell your story.
That is amazing. Well, thankyou so very much for being on the
show. We so appreciate you andcan't wait to see how you continue
to grow and thrive and do whatyou do. Girl, girl.
Thank you. I appreciate it.And it's always a pleasure when people
(45:54):
invest time in listening, inunderstanding and it's even more
appreciative when people reachout. So that is my only ask. If there's
anything that touched yourheart, if there's anything you want
to share with me and Nikita,please reach out. And I always love
communicating two way.
Yes, I look forward to hearingfrom you guys. You know how to get
all of the details you need.They are in the Show Notes. We also
(46:15):
have a special something foryou from Pahlavi that you will be
able to check out. But untilnext time. Time. See you soon.
That's a wrap for this episodeof Business With Chronic Illness.
If you would like to start andgrow an online coaching business
with me, head to the ShowNotes to click a link to book a sales
(46:38):
call and learn how to makemoney with chronic illness. You can
also check out ourwebsite@ww.CraftedToThrive.com for
this episode's Show Notes andjoin our email address us to get
exclusive content where Icoach you on how to chronically grow
a profitable business whileliving with chronic illness. Until
next time, Remember, yes, youare crafted to thrive.
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