Tara Singh Vachani’s Journey of Vision, Compassion, and Gratitude

In a riveting conversation, Tara shares her journey from a privileged upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, deeply invested in senior care and education. Her insights into leadership, parenthood, and the nuances of gender roles make for an enlightening read.

Early Life and Values:

Born and raised in Delhi, Tara grew up in a household where the emphasis was on becoming the best version of oneself. “There were no conversations about what that version needed to look like, but the values we upheld as a family,” she recalls. As the youngest of three siblings, she credits her parents for creating an environment of autonomy, irrespective of gender or interests. Today, these early lessons shape her parenting style with her two young daughters.

Entrepreneurial Beginnings:

Tara’s entrepreneurial journey began after studying abroad and returning to India. Inspired by the lack of formal services for the ageing population, she founded Antara, a senior living venture. “At the age of 23, I approached my family and stakeholders with this idea. Thirteen years later, Antara has become synonymous with high-quality senior care,” she shares.

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Challenges were inevitable, particularly as a young entrepreneur. “Lack of experience and my age posed hurdles, but my gender surprisingly didn’t,” Tara notes. However, she acknowledges the gendered challenges she faced later as a mother balancing entrepreneurship with caregiving responsibilities.

The Gender Equation:

Despite societal progress, women still face significant barriers. “Education disparity persists in many households, and caregiving roles often disproportionately fall on women,” she observes. Tara believes that for women to truly succeed, men must play an equal role in caregiving. She adds, “Change begins at home, with conversations with our sons about shared responsibilities.”

Balancing Work and Life:

Acknowledging that women can’t have it all at the same time, Tara underscores the importance of prioritisation and saying ‘no.’ “I’ve learned to identify what doesn’t serve me and to openly communicate my boundaries,” she shares. Her gratitude for a supportive ecosystem of family and caregivers is palpable.

Tara’s disciplined and organised approach, coupled with her gratitude practice, has been her cornerstone. “Gratitude helps me stay rooted, even during challenging times,” she reflects.

Empowering Young Women:

Tara advises cultivating purpose, financial independence, and emotional resilience for young women embarking on their personal and professional journeys. “Financial literacy should start early,” she insists. Hosting a recent discussion on financial literacy revealed alarming gaps, even among privileged women. “Independence starts with understanding budgeting, saving, and investing—no matter the amount.”

On Mental Health and Community:

Tara believes women are generally more open to discussing mental health challenges and creating a supportive network for each other. She lauds platforms like AboutHer for fostering dialogue. “Collective conversations inspire change. Learning from others’ stories has been a gift in my life,” she says.

Midlife Rebooting and Aspirations:

Tara appreciates the growing trend of midlife career shifts. “This constant sense of renewal should begin much earlier in life,” she opines. For her, professional aspirations include scaling Antara and expanding its impact. Personally, she is focused on parenting and contributing to her community.

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Rapid Fire Insights:

1. Actor to play her in a movie: Julia Roberts.
2. Favourite book and podcast: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran and Dr Rangan Chatterjee’s podcast.
3. Celebrating success: With gratitude.
4. Leadership style: Compassionate.
5. Unwinding after a long day: A good night’s sleep.

Conclusion:

Tara’s journey exemplifies resilience, purpose, and the power of gratitude. Her ability to balance diverse roles with authenticity is inspiring. Through her ventures, parenting, and philanthropy, she continues to impact lives and foster change, one thoughtful step at a time.

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