Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashwini Kherdekar.
Hi Ashwini, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Gosh, this is tough to answer because I feel like my professional life has not followed any one clear path. I used to be really jealous of the folks who seemed to have such a clear passion and path. But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate that I am someone who enjoys variety and fluidity. We need all kinds of people, right?
I’ve worked in a few different fields- higher education, social services, and now consulting- but I think my values and philosophies are what have remained consistent throughout my career. Here’s what I believe.
I believe compassion is a uniquely awesome human trait! Let’s center it in all the work we do! I believe that compassion and justice are intertwined. Practicing compassion means cultivating the understanding and strength you need to stand up to injustice when you see it. Notice I used the word “practice?” Just like playing the piano or learning to drive, skills like compassion and communication take practice! They aren’t a given. All the awesome things we want in life- wellness, happiness, productivity, success, prosperity– none of these are simply a product of luck or in one’s DNA. They take a collective effort to create and sustain for the good of us all. Finally, the work toward being better takes both courage and accountability. Not always easy, but always rewarding!
Ok, back to this story! I never started my career with an “end” in mind. Today I find myself with my own business! Can you believe that? Yikes. I can tell you that I never ever saw myself as a small business owner, but I genuinely felt called to try it. My business, Paisley Advising and Consulting, is a little over a year old! I named it Paisley for a few reasons. First, it’s a beautiful design, no? I am a proud Indian-American, and a child of immigrants. Paisleys adorned many of the fabrics in my childhood home. In my culture, the paisley represents nurturing, growth, and prosperity. There is something symbolic about the paisley print being rounded, with no straight lines. The journey to a more meaningful and productive work experience is not linear. Paisley’s mission today is to help businesses, organizations and individuals create a culture of understanding by building awareness, essential skills and a greater appreciation of the self and of the collective whole. These last few years have been devastating on our spirits. I believe it is more important than ever that we invest in building community. This is how we prosper together. We. Together.
Ok, how did I get here? Hmmm, well. I’ve always had a knack for connecting with people, I think. In college I was a paraprofessional at the University of Illinois Counseling Center. That job sparked my interest in human interaction. How do we talk to each other? How do we talk to ourselves? How can we improve? That kind of thing. So I went to graduate school at New York University where I studied Speech and Interpersonal Communication. Not quite sure what to do from there, I found myself working in a variety of settings, and eventually I took myself back to school to earn a degree in Social Work. I am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. I worked with adolescents for several years, eventually ending up at Youth In Need (YIN) here in town. A few years ago, YIN allowed me to expand my skill set by naming me a part of their Executive Management Team as the first-ever Equity and Inclusion Advisor. As I got to spend time with staff, it became obvious to me that we as a society are missing a key component at work: connection. We spend 8 hours a day with our co-workers! Doesn’t it make sense that we should know each other better? Wouldn’t we do better work and reduce conflict if we considered relationship-building a key job duty, as much as any other duty? And don’t we owe that to ourselves?
Oh my gosh, I’m coming to the end, I swear! Sooooo, I started developing more workshops at YIN that broadened our understanding of “DE&I.” Going beyond the “what” of DE&I. The concepts are important, but an academic understanding of inclusion, for example, only takes you so far. I felt it important to incorporate capacity-building opportunities that gave staff the chance to develop and connect. I was working in human services, yet the professional development felt like it had nothing to do with our humanity. Sit with that for a second! Whew!
I started Paisley because I wanted to offer my services to many organizations, not just one. I now get to partner with several individuals and organizations and I love love love that I learn new things within every new partnership I make. I don’t claim to know everything! What I do know is that I care and genuinely want to meet folks where they are. I believe that we can challenge ourselves, learn about “hard” things, make mistakes, AND have fun sometimes, too. I am very open about the fact that my desire to start Paisley has coincided with my desire to dive deeper into myself. Who am I? What do I need? How am I showing up for others? How do I contribute to the whole? I’ve been trying to model that taking risks, making mistakes, and being vulnerable are key to growth of any kind. I believe progress is more important than perfection.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I’m not sure that I can say much about this… yet. The business is still fairly new. I think the struggles I’m facing are the same as most new business owners. How do I get the word out? How do I tell (and sell) my story? Am I good enough? There’s that perfectionism and self-doubt creeping in! I just keep telling myself that I have to try and try all the way. I’m not particularly good at talking about myself! My career has always been about supporting others. So this is definitely challenging. I would like to take on even more business in 2023, so I’m setting that goal and I hope to expand!
The Paisley brand isn’t set in stone. It will likely change as I change, and that’s probably how it should be! I am trying to lean into the discomfort that this new territory brings. I am always looking for advice and mentoring! If you’re reading this and have some thoughts for me, I welcome those sincerely!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I think I specialize in people. Period. Simple. I offer a range of services but mostly I provide
1. Professional Development Workshops: they focus on building awareness and knowledge in DE&I
2. Skill-building: Communication and interpersonal skill-building that is ESSENTIAL for productivity, creativity, and harmony. I often couple these skills with DE&I education.
3. Relationship-building and Repair: It’s team building but better !! Maybe it’s because I’m a therapist, but I believe connection and healing is often cast as something to be done in private, not at work or in community. I think we can be connecting and healing in any space.
4. Leadership and Life Coaching: I seem to have a client base of folks who are leaders or who have unique roles in their organizations. Leaders and unique positions sometimes need an outside perspective or peer to thought partner with. I enjoy working with leadership very, very much! Leaders have great responsibility to invest in bettering themselves so they can best carry out their missions! If you’re in leadership out there, drop me a line!
I also have clients who come to me for Life Coaching, which is coaching that extends beyond the professional space. If you are someone who just needs a little push, a little organization, a little reflection, a little positivity– I’m here for you!
I believe I’m known as a compassionate facilitator and coach, who meets people where they are. I think folks who work with me know me to be down to earth, easy-going, open, present, genuine, dependable, organized…and fun! I am different from others in town because I have a clinical background that really helps me support my work with people. I am also a performer, doing community theater and improv in St. Louis, so I enjoy creating services that engage the creative and emotional parts of our brain. Lastly, I do work with a variety of groups. I’ve worked with traditionally structured organizations as well as local schools, churches, a restaurant, even a girl scout troop! I am thrilled to partner with all kinds of communities!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Oh goodness, so many resources have helped me along the way! I’ll just name a few that come to mind right now. My favorite news app is STL Public Radio. I enjoy their live stream as well as many of their podcasts. I love Valerie Kaur’s book, See No Stranger and Isabelle Wilkerson’s, Caste. I also love light reads that make me think and laugh, like Tina Fey’s Bossypants. More than a book person, I’m a film/tv/doc/theater person! Finally, my relationships are my most powerful resource. I am very intentional about making time to talk deeply, with family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Headshots: Elizabeth Wiseman Photography
