NAME: Sulochana Betwala
INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @sulochana_betwala
JOB TITLE: Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at TOTLÂ
Sulochana is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer at TOTL. Her journey into entrepreneurship with amazing Co-founders kicked off during the chaos of the pandemic, leading them straight into the world of payment solutions. Sulochana is all about rolling with the punches and keeping a cool head—whether it's tackling business challenges or just navigating life's twists and turns.
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Sulochana is a firm believer in the power of teamwork and perpetual learning. Feedback fuels her growth, and she’s always up for a good chat to learn from others' experiences. From her father, she learned the value of honesty and integrity; those principles guide everything she does, both personally and professionally.
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In essence, Sulochana is a product of the invaluable wisdom imparted by her parents. She embodies integrity, the spirit of collaboration, and a commitment to ethical conduct. She remains steadfast in her dedication to fostering growth within herself and the communities she serves.
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Let's hear her biggest life lessons today:
#LIFELESSON—1: Adversity can be your greatest teacher.
Direct exposure and practical encounters offer invaluable lessons that surpass the confines of classrooms and textbooks. In navigating challenging circumstances, one confronts a pivotal choice: succumb to victimhood or seize the opportunity for growth and innovation. Whether within familial bonds or corporate teams, unity in adversity often yields smarter, enduring solutions.
My upbringing epitomises this ethos. Despite my modest educational background, my mother's unwavering encouragement ignited a drive for improvement within me. Observing the trials within our conservative family milieu spurred a fervent quest for change, propelling me toward personal development and fostering a harmonious familial climate.
Embarking on entrepreneurship with TOTL, I faced initial hurdles armed only with a concept and mock-ups. Enduring setbacks and obscurity, our persistence in pitching our idea to retail partners yielded invaluable feedback. We honed TOTL's user experience through iterative refinement, transforming early rejections into fuel for progress. Today, TOTL stands as a testament to our resilience and adaptability.
These experiences underscore the resilience inherent in navigating adversity, reinforcing the belief that perseverance breeds transformation even in dire circumstances.
#LIFELESSON—2: Prioritise learning about money management.
Imparting financial literacy early on is crucial, irrespective of one's financial status. Distinguishing between needs and wants fosters accountable decision-making. Financial well-being transcends income; it hinges on mindset and adept resource allocation. These principles empower individuals to navigate financial complexities adeptly, ensuring a secure future.
Growing up, my mother adeptly managed our family's finances despite limited resources. She prioritised essentials, providing quality education and comfortable living. This taught me that financial security isn't tied to income but to maximising resources. I witnessed effective budgeting trumps a high income, shaping my balanced lifestyle.
Mastering money management unlocks possibilities regardless of income. I became a homeowner at the age of 23 despite earning merely ₹24,000, just over AED 1000 per month, highlighting the value of early financial discipline. This upbringing instilled in me a lifelong approach to prudent money management.
Leveraging loyalty and cashback apps like TOTL helps you make the most of your spending. By planning your expenses and taking advantage of cashback opportunities, you can manage your outside experiences eating and shopping more effectively. TOTL is built with the understanding that everyone, regardless of income level, can benefit from maximising their savings.
My experiences showed me the importance of financial responsibility at a young age. Living within my means and making smart choices curbed unnecessary spending.
#LIFELESSON—3: Prioritise your health and personal well-being.
Catering to your personal needs in terms of your physical and mental health is extremely important. Without good health, everything else can lose its significance. Ensure you strike a work-life balance and ensure that you have the energy, spirit, and focus to excel in both aspects of life. Prioritising my health has taught me that self-care isn't selfish; it's a prerequisite for success.
By nurturing my physical and mental health, I've discovered a newfound capacity for productivity and resilience. This realisation reshaped my approach to life, emphasising the importance of holistic well-being as the cornerstone of a fulfilling existence.
I've always had a strong work ethic, much like my father. However, in my early career, I prioritised work heavily. Perhaps due to my age back then, I didn't fully appreciate the importance of prioritising my health. This changed when a health issue landed me in the hospital for four days. It was a wake-up call. This experience made me realise the impact my health has on my family. Seeing them worried about me wasn't something I wanted to repeat. Beyond my family, I understand that everyone is ultimately responsible for their own well-being. While work can be demanding for everyone, I used to define myself solely by my work. Now, I see things differently. As much as work-life balance is required, fostering a positive and supportive work environment is crucial. I believe this is equally important for individual and team success. In my experience, we achieve this by ensuring TOTL has a dedicated bonding time. We go on outbound activities like sports days, team lunches, or even volunteer outings. These activities create a space for colleagues to connect on a personal level, build trust, and develop strong working relationships.
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