In Episode 7 of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra are joined by

dynamic business icons Shalini Sekhri and Vivek Gambhir. Together, they unpack

career pivots, moments of bold decision-making, and the true power of owning your

path, highlighting how personal agency empowers leaders to shape their own

futures.

Through heartfelt stories and hard‐won lessons, they discuss all about the tough

turns, unexpected opportunities, and the mindset shifts that redefine careers. Each

anecdote is packed with insight, sparking new ways to think about growth, ambition,

and purpose in today’s fast‐changing world.

If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or anyone in transition, this episode is a must watch

for you!

00:00 - Start

1:51 - Introduction

2:54 - Things They Did in Their First Jobs That Feel Irrelevant Now

7:14 - What Does Agency Mean to Them?

11:14 - How to Exercise Agency When You’re New

14:53 - How Has Agency Helped You

17:28 - Have You Exercised Agency to Your Benefit?

18:39 - How ‘Agency’ Applies to All Facets of Our Lives

19:29 - Collaborative Agency: Who Gets It Right?

20:17 - Important Tips for Organizations to Exercise Agency

21:29 - Amazon’s Two-Door Policy

22:11 - Exercising Agency in a Multi-Gen Family Business

24:24 - Personal and Career Pivots

31:08 - Hiring Decisions: What They Value in Talent

36:57 - Gender Bias in Hiring

41:53 - AI, Automation & the Future of Jobs

44:51 - Staying Relevant in a Fast-Changing World

46: 20 - Getting Unstuck Mid-Career

50:32 - Balancing STEM Subjects & Soft Skills

53:52 - Recruiting Process in India

55:07 - One Trait That Makes Founders Effective

HMU: Looks Salon

Location: Honeycomb Studio

In Episode 6 of Circle, hosts Gayatri Rangachari Shah and Jaya Mehrotra engage in a powerful conversation with Renuka Kirpalani and Pooja Choudary, two exceptional leaders who are redefining what it means for women to lead and excel in the traditionally male-dominated automobile industry.

Renuka shares her exhilarating journey as a car racer and journalist smashing speed records and challenging stereotypes, while Pooja opens up about the rise of her luxury car business in India, overcoming skepticism and societal expectations. They reflect on raised eyebrows, broken myths, and the determination it takes to take the wheel literally and metaphorically in leadership roles.

This episode dives deep into their challenges, triumphs, and the unique insights that come from steering careers in auto, offering inspiration to anyone striving to break barriers in male‑dominated fields.

Location: BMW Infinity Cars, Worli

HMU: Looks Salon

Chapters

0:00 - Start

1:51- Introduction

3:32- First car they drove

5:40- Teaching kids driving

6:25- The test Gayatri failed

7:17- Favourite cars

9:56- Pooja’s Pivot

13:04- Architecture & Automobile

15:38- Renuka’s Journey

19:01- Women & Automobile

20:44- Renuka’s critical point

22:52- Importance of Pivoting

23:55- Jaya’s Story

24:58- Women pivot daily

26:11- Expectations: Women Vs Men

27:21- Breaking Stereotypes

30:45- People Management

32:53- Women are underestimated

35:01- Women are safer drivers

41:36- Driving the fastest car

43:31 - Renuka’s fastest speed

46:58- Are EVs the future?

50:36- New Generation's buying behaviour

53:40- Sustaining an Automobile Business

55:41- Adapting to changing times

1:02:25- Building Collaboration & Trust

1:18:36- Closing Remarks & Takeaways

In Episode 5 of The Circle, we explore what it truly means to lead when no one else sees the vision — or believes in it.

We discuss why your vision doesn’t need permission to be powerful, how timing beats perfection, and why disappointment often means you're pushing in the right direction.

We also take a closer look at entrepreneurship in the Indian market — the challenges, the opportunities, and what it really takes to grow in a space that’s always changing.

Whether you're a founder, leader, or changemaker, this episode offers real

value for your journey.

Chapters:

0:00 – Introduction & Overview

2:15 – The Landscape of Indian Entrepreneurship

6:40 – Key Challenges Faced by Startups

11:05 – Government Initiatives & Policies

15:30 – Role of Technology in Business Growth

20:00 – Success Stories: Inspiring Entrepreneurs

25:45 – Funding and Investment Opportunities

30:10 – The Future of Entrepreneurship in India

35:00 – Expert Panel Discussion

40:20 – Q&A Session with the Audience

45:00 – Closing Remarks & Takeaways

Hosted by:

Gayatri Rangachari Shah– Journalist, Editor & Author: GRS Consultants

Jaya Mehrotra – Leadership Coach & Founder of WLC

Featuring Guests :

Minal Vazirani- Co-founder at Saffron Art

Mallika Parekh- CEO, Fluent Health; Owner, Physique 57

Venue Courtesy : Saffron Art

Hair and Makeup : Looks Salon