From Turbulence to Triumph: A Journey of Rediscovery
I never envisioned becoming a flight attendant. It was a chance encounter, a serendipitous twist of fate, that shaped my identity for over thirteen years. Throughout my journey, I took several sabbaticals, driven by exhaustion and the repetitive nature of the job. In my 20s, concepts like career stability, financial planning, and long-term goal-setting seemed foreign to me. I craved recognition, instant gratification, and the thrill of new experiences. I wanted to live a life filled with excitement and adventure, not tied down by routines or predictability. This period was marked by instability, where I bounced from one pursuit to another—real estate, yoga instruction, modeling, public relations—each venture more fleeting than the last. They were like pit stops, exciting at first, but always fizzling out before they could truly take off. Yet, no matter the outcome, I threw myself into each endeavor with passion. It wasn’t until late 2016, when my marriage collapsed, that I realized the profound importance of financial independence and a stable career—especially for women. It was a revelation that marked the turning point from dreaming of marrying into wealth to understanding the necessity of self-reliance.
In 2017, I finally landed a role in business aviation, the job that would become my true calling. For the next five years, I soared to new heights, with my reporting boss and now business partner, Poonacha, seeing potential in me that I hadn’t yet recognized in myself. He entrusted me with the responsibility of establishing the inflight safety department, a task that transformed my understanding of personal growth. I came to realize that every individual holds a vast reservoir of untapped potential, skills, and talents waiting to be discovered. Our current abilities or achievements do not define our full capacity; we can always grow, learn, and evolve. For the first time, I truly believed that if we pursued everything we were capable of, we would astonish ourselves.
My career flourished during this time. I regained my sense of identity, self-esteem, and confidence. The job offered the perfect balance between work and life, allowing me to pursue my hobbies, invest in personal growth, travel, and support those I loved. It was the life I had always dreamed of. Yet, despite all the success, I still struggled with internal barriers, unable to plan beyond the comforts of my career. I became so accustomed to the money, the security, and the lifestyle that I never stopped to reflect: What would happen when this phase came to an end? Where would I be five years from now, at the age of 40?
When my aviation career ended in 2022, I found myself adrift. The years that followed—2023 and 2024—were a blur of confusion, denial, and desperation to return to the industry that had defined me. I woke each day with a sense of dread, not knowing who I was anymore. I had lost my sense of purpose. My parents and Poonacha tried to guide me toward new paths, but we faced disappointment after disappointment. It was a difficult realization: the universe was pushing me toward something greater, but my ego resisted, clinging to the identity I had built in aviation.
Then, in 2025, something within me shifted. I finally gathered the courage to tear down the walls of my comfort zone. Though it was terrifying, it was undeniably the right step. I announced my plan to start a loungewear brand—something entirely new. It was a leap of faith, a step into the unknown, trusting that action would lead to something positive. With conviction, I pitched the idea to my family, despite their initial skepticism. I created a PowerPoint presentation, reached out to vendors, manufacturers, and designers, and began the arduous process of bringing my vision to life. This new purpose ignited something within me, and I threw myself into the project with determination. I researched the market, explored fabrics, initiated company registration, and refined my business concept. Though my parents couldn’t offer financial support, their unwavering emotional support became my anchor. Poonacha, caught in his own challenges, couldn’t be physically present, but I reassured him, “I’ll lay the groundwork for us both. When you’re ready, you’ll simply step into it. I’ll sell whatever I can—gold, fixed deposits—just to make this work.”
For the next three months, I immersed myself in the world of business. I learned about my target audience, competitors, risks, and strategies for securing funding. The positivity and support I encountered in this new venture overwhelmed me, especially after the toxicity I had endured in aviation. It was a breath of fresh air. This journey has taught me the power of adaptability, perseverance, and self-discovery. It’s shown me that even in the face of setbacks, there is always potential for new growth and fulfillment.
Looking back, I realize how crucial this period of uncertainty was in my life. It’s through these moments of discomfort and change that we find our true purpose and direction. My leap into entrepreneurship wasn’t just a career shift; it was a journey toward rediscovering who I am and embracing the vast possibilities that lie ahead