Today we’d like to introduce you to Prachi Bhanot Sharma.
Hi Prachi, 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?
I grew up believing that dreams had an expiration date.
Not because anyone explicitly told me so, but because I watched generations of women quietly place their ambitions on hold for the people they loved. Success looked practical. Responsibility came first. Dreams were something you pursued when everything else was done—and for most women, everything else was never truly done.
As a young girl, I was full of dreams. I loved being on stage. I loved expressing myself. I imagined a life that was bigger than the boundaries I could see around me. But as life unfolded, those dreams slowly found their way to the backseat. Education, career, marriage, motherhood, responsibilities—each chapter was beautiful in its own way, but somewhere along the journey, I stopped asking myself what I wanted.
Then I became a mother.
Like so many women, I poured myself into raising my daughters. Their dreams became my priority. Their happiness became my purpose. I don’t regret a single moment of it. But there were days when I would catch a glimpse of the woman I used to be—the girl who once dreamed fearlessly—and wonder if she was still there.
For years, I carried a quiet belief that some opportunities were meant for younger women. That certain doors closed after marriage. That motherhood somehow marked the end of a chapter rather than the beginning of a new one.
I was wrong.
The turning point wasn’t winning a title or stepping onto a runway. The turning point was deciding that I deserved to dream again.
That decision was terrifying.
I had to overcome self-doubt, fear of judgment, and the voice in my head that kept asking, “What if you fail?” But I realized something powerful: the greater risk wasn’t failing. The greater risk was never trying.
So I began showing up for myself.
One small step at a time.
I entered rooms where I felt out of place. I pursued opportunities that scared me. I invested in my growth. I allowed myself to be seen. And with every step, I rediscovered parts of myself that had been waiting patiently for years.
When I was crowned Mrs. India, people saw a woman wearing a crown.
What I saw was proof.
Proof that dreams do not have an age limit.
Proof that motherhood does not diminish a woman—it strengthens her.
Proof that reinvention is possible at any stage of life.
Today, I wear many hats. I am a mother, a professional, a radio host, a model, and a woman who continues to learn and grow every day. But my greatest accomplishment isn’t a title, a photoshoot, or a feature in a magazine.
My greatest accomplishment is the example I am setting for my daughters.
I want them to grow up knowing that they never have to choose between being loving and being ambitious. Between caring for others and believing in themselves. Between family and fulfillment.
I want them to understand that life is not about abandoning your dreams to fit into a role. It is about expanding into every role you are meant to play.
One day, when my daughters look back at my journey, I hope they don’t remember the awards or the accolades.
I hope they remember that their mother was brave enough to start again.
I hope they remember that she refused to let fear write the ending of her story.
And most of all, I hope they learn that no dream is too late, no goal is too ambitious, and no chapter is ever truly finished as long as you have the courage to turn the page.
Because the dreams we pursue are not just for ourselves.
Sometimes, they become permission for the next generation to dream even bigger.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it definitely has not been a smooth road.
Like many women pursuing unconventional dreams later in life, I faced judgment, criticism, and at times even racism. There were people who questioned why a married woman and mother of two would pursue modeling, pageantry, media, and personal goals instead of simply staying within society’s expectations. Some believed I was too old, some thought I should focus only on family, and others didn’t understand why I was choosing to step into spaces where I wasn’t traditionally represented.
As an immigrant woman, there were moments when I felt like I had to work twice as hard to prove that I belonged. There were rooms where I stood out because of my accent, my background, or simply because I didn’t fit the conventional mold. There were also moments of self-doubt when I questioned whether I was capable of achieving the dreams I had put on hold for so many years.
What hurt the most wasn’t criticism from strangers—it was realizing that sometimes the people closest to you struggle to understand your vision. Pursuing a dream can be lonely when you’re walking a path that few people around you have taken.
But every challenge taught me something valuable. The judgment taught me confidence. The criticism taught me resilience. The setbacks taught me patience. And the experiences with bias and exclusion taught me the importance of creating space for others who may feel unseen.
Today, I don’t look back at those struggles with anger. I look at them with gratitude because they shaped the woman I am today. They taught me that courage isn’t the absence of fear or opposition—it’s choosing to keep moving forward despite it.
Most importantly, they allowed me to show my daughters that obstacles are not signs to stop. They are opportunities to grow stronger and prove to yourself what you’re truly capable of.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Professionally, I work in the field of finance, credit risk, and business analytics, where I help organizations make informed decisions by analyzing financial performance, managing risk, and identifying opportunities for growth. My work combines data analysis, strategic thinking, and relationship management, allowing me to bridge the gap between numbers and business outcomes.
Over the years, I have built a career in corporate America while simultaneously navigating the challenges of being an immigrant, a wife, and a mother. Working in highly analytical and traditionally male-dominated environments taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. I became known for my ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights and for approaching challenges with both analytical rigor and empathy.
What makes my professional journey unique is that I never allowed myself to be defined by a single role. While many people know me today as Mrs. India 2025, a radio host, or a model, those achievements exist alongside a successful corporate career. I have spent years proving that a woman can excel in the boardroom while also pursuing creative passions outside of work.
The accomplishment I am most proud of is not a title or promotion, but the life I have built through persistence and reinvention. I have successfully balanced a demanding corporate career, motherhood, community involvement, media, and modeling—all while continuing to challenge the limitations that society often places on women.
What sets me apart is my ability to thrive across very different worlds. On any given day, I may be analyzing business risk, hosting a radio show, mentoring women, walking a runway, or helping my daughters with their homework. I bring the same discipline, professionalism, and authenticity to each role.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
I draw inspiration from many people in my life. My parents laid the foundation by raising me with strong values, resilience, and the belief that hard work can open doors. My in-laws have been incredibly supportive throughout my journey, and I am grateful to have a family that encourages me to grow and pursue my ambitions.
My husband has been my greatest pillar of strength. Through every challenge, career transition, and new opportunity, he has believed in me even when I doubted myself. Having that unwavering support has made all the difference.
My biggest inspiration, however, is my two daughters. They are the reason I continue to push boundaries and challenge limitations. I want them to grow up knowing that women can dream boldly, work hard, and create a life that is both meaningful and fulfilling.
I am also inspired by the people I meet along the way. Whenever someone reaches out to tell me, “I see what you’re doing,” or “You’ve inspired me to pursue my own dreams,” it reminds me that our journeys have the power to impact others in ways we may never fully realize. Those messages fuel my purpose and reinforce why I keep showing up, growing, and sharing my story.
At the end of the day, my inspiration comes from the love, support, and belief of the people around me—and from the opportunity to pass that inspiration on to the next generation.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/bhanotprachi
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PrachiBhanotOfficial
Image Credits
www.instagram.com/fashionframesby_aj
