Today we’d like to introduce you to Anushka Gaikwad.
Hi Anushka, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio I thought my whole life would be there but I knew from an early age I was destined to be in a city where I would be able to find my community with an immovable independence. Moving and asserting my independence as a young South Asian woman was something that was out of the norm, especially in a family that always played it “safe.”
After graduating from college, I spent two more years in Ohio in order to increase my savings and finally be able to afford a big move to a city where I could find my community. I finally got that opportunity when I landed a new job in Austin, Texas and the past two years here in Austin have been magical. It’s allowed me to push my boundaries and try new experiences. In a way, I feel like my life has finally started.
One of those new experiences is becoming a content creator. Austin is home to a lot of amazing restaurants and food trucks that I enjoyed eating at, and I wanted to share my love of cuisine with other people in Austin who might have just moved or wanted new spots to try out. Gradually, I started to make content on more than just food and I have now started doing lifestyle content for the same reasons I had when I first started my journey as a food content creator.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Nothing in life is easy, so yes there have been a few bumps and potholes along the way, but that’s not to say that there haven’t been stretches of smooth road.
Growing up with conservative parents, they shielded me and never gave me the freedom to explore any hobbies or interests I wanted to pursue. They guarded my personality to the point that I never felt the prerogative to say what I truly felt. Even when it came time to pick a degree, I picked a major that my parents wanted me to do and not something I was truly passionate about.
After graduating college, I started to make own income which paved the way for me to have increased freedom and spend it on the hobbies and aspirations I’ve always been interested in such as content creation and acting.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I work in Finance as kind of a jack of all trades. I help manage the budget for our IT team’s department, am in charge of handling the audits we receive from PWC semi annually, and also help procure inventory/equipment for our team members at the various plants at my company. I am still new to the company and trying to get my footing. I am proud of the work and hands on experience I have gained through this entire process. I believe what sets me apart from others is my positive attitude and willingness to get my “hands dirty”. I am always looking to take on a new project or see how we can better improve our processes.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
While I am still growing, and striving to be the best version of myself I can be, I think there have been certain qualities that have gotten me to this point of where I am standing today. Something that has always resonated with me is empathy. Being able to understand and connect with others, whether it’s colleagues, friends, or customers- allows me to build stronger relationships, and create an environment where people feel heard and valued. It helps me navigate challenges with understanding and adaptability.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nusheatsinatx/
