Representative Image / AI Generated

Fifty years ago, I came to America, with three things: an education, a suitcase, and a dream. 

I arrived from India with a master’s degree in English literature, a bachelor’s in computer science, and a bachelor’s in education. But the most valuable things I brought with me, were not my degrees. They were the values I learned growing up. Discipline, integrity, respect for education, and the belief that success means lifting others as you rise.

America became my laboratory of opportunity. This country did not ask me where I came from. It asked me what I could contribute to build America and myself. My struggles began at that very moment. Married to a stranger, an Indian American, portraying himself as a civil engineer, who I had never met or had even a moment to communicate with.

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Engaged within a week and married the following week all arranged and pretty much following the tradition of our Indian Culture, and very quickly ended in an abusive relationship, only for a simple reason that he had no education to his credit and I had enough and created a sense of jealousy and had also cheated my parents into believing that he was a civil engineer. 

I tried falling in love, mesmerized by the American culture, second time around and fell into another trap of someone ripping me off financially. Single mother of two, handled myself, responsibly and chose to make the dreams of my daughter and son come true along with those who crossed my path. 

I carried the values my parents and teachers had instilled in me: integrity, discipline, respect for education, compassion, and the belief that success is meaningful only when it uplifts others.

I began my career as a Systems Analyst, then became a Finance Controller, Director of Finance & Administration. Many of the American companies I joined, were struggling. I worked tirelessly to help rebuild them, strengthen their finances, and guide them towards growth with my strategies, concepts, and ideas. I was very successful in landing them to great financial heights. Through disciplined financial leadership, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment, I helped rebuild companies, organizations and guide them toward stability and growth.

Every success strengthened my belief that knowledge is only valuable when it improves the lives of others. America had invested in me and contributing to America’s growth became my way of saying “thank you.” Every time a company was recovered, every time jobs were saved, every time people regained hope, I felt I was repaying a small part of the opportunity America had given me. I must admit that I benefited tremendously in uplifting myself as well. True happiness is when you transform the lives of others. 

But my journey did not stop in the corporate world. I took the trouble to find the plight of those who had lost a job. Many young adults would get more education to secure the high paying jobs, thinking that they had chosen the wrong field, and yet struggled to find something they really wanted, like a job they passionately dreamed about, and not a job just to pay their bills. One thing was certain that they were all stuck with student loans and were never in a stable situation, to get back on their feet or live the life they had envisioned. As I watched young people struggle to find direction, I realized something important: we do not need more people waiting for opportunities. We need more people creating opportunities. 

That belief led me to establish Step2StepUp Inc., a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization, in 2016. My mission was simple: help young adults become entrepreneurs, innovators, and leaders, job creators and not just job seekers. 

Today, that mission is more important than ever. Artificial Intelligence is changing the world. Many traditional jobs will disappear. But creativity, leadership, courage, and entrepreneurship will become even more valuable. The future belongs to those who can imagine, build, and solve problems. Those who are willing to learn, unlearn and relearn.

Along this journey, I also became deeply committed to women’s empowerment. Each year, I honor 24 successful women across the nation, based on the principles of Ashoka Chakra, from approximately, 232 BCE, the 3rd century, which are still valuable in the AI world, not just to celebrate them, but to inspire the next generation and create a chain of mentorship and opportunity. Very few people have the courage to acknowledge the work of others.

Looking back, I am grateful for what I have been able to contribute. I must give credit to my parents who worked so hard to educate all of us siblings. Their dream was for us to live a better life, and they chose to send all 5 of us to a foreign country, miles away, to make our dreams come true. I also give full credit to India, the MIT schools, for giving education the greatest importance and all Indians who chose to migrate have contributed tremendously to uplift America along with themselves.

But I will also share, the truth with you. In my pursuit of excellence and service, I often sacrificed time with my family. I worked nonstop, believing I had a responsibility to help others. While I do not regret serving people, I have learned that success should never come at the cost of those waiting for us at home. That is a lesson I want the next generation to remember. 

Build your dreams. Build businesses. Build your communities. But also build family relationships. And above all, seek independence. 

Do not live a life entirely dependent on someone else’s decisions. Do not keep the key to your success in someone else’s pocket. Learn to create value. Learn to lead. Learn to stand on your own feet. Most importantly, do not compare or compete with others. Follow your own dreams and believe that you have a talent no one else does. Make your own choices, and do not ask others for their opinion to make valuable decisions. Follow your own conscience and intuition. 

Freedom and Independence are not just political ideals. They are personal responsibilities. I left one kind of freedom behind when I came to America. But America taught me another kind of freedom – the freedom to dream, to build, to contribute, and to transform lives. 

America gave me the opportunity to become the best version of myself. And my life’s mission has been to use that opportunity to help others rise. 

I have recently built Step2Impact, a global network, along with the founder, Viresh Patel of Mumbai, providing impact consulting for strategic growth, leadership and skill development programs, strengthening businesses to scale and grow, mentorship council for youth development and access to investors and venture capital. 

I must prepare our next generation for the challenges they will face. I have also launched Iconiq.Global magazine, for everyone to benefit from global publicity of the entrepreneurial businesses and write from their own conscience and share their personal stories that will inspire others. 

America gave me opportunity. India gave me values. My life’s purpose has been to turn both into service. 

The writer is the CEO and Founder of Step2StepUp Inc and Founder of GOPIO-Inland Empire

(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of New India Abroad.)

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