Today we’d like to introduce you to Tejaswini Kumar
Tejaswini, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in a home that felt like the whole world.
Mornings smelled of Bru coffee, my mother’s voice calling out my name, my father’s daily news debates filling the background. Evenings were loud—the kind of comforting chaos where friends came unannounced, laughter echoed through the walls, and life felt steady, predictable, safe.
And for the longest time, I thought I’d never leave.
Like many kids in India, I took the well-trodden path – engineering. I studied Electronics and Communication (ECE), drawn to the way technology worked, but somewhere along the way, I started questioning if this was what I truly wanted. I wasn’t just interested in how things were built -I was fascinated by how they reached people, how they became part of their lives, how stories shaped products.
During my undergrad years, I met Roopesh – a friend who stood by me through thick and thin.
“Teju, you have a voice, use your incredible skills to build your brand.” He said it so often that I started believing it.
With his constant encouragement, I started LifeWithTeju—a small space on Instagram where I talked about food, travel, and the little joys of life. What began as a personal outlet turned into something bigger—people started connecting, engaging, resonating with my experiences. It was my first real taste of storytelling, of building something from scratch, of creating impact.
Roopesh isn’t here anymore. But his words never left me. And I won’t stop using my voice, because he made sure I knew it mattered.
That small blog ignited something in me. I realized I loved marketing, content, and strategy—the idea of taking something and making it seen, heard, and felt. I moved into digital marketing and product marketing, collaborating with over 100 brands—from Harvard to Pizza Hut to Harvard—helping shape their stories, making their products come alive.
But after years of doing that, I wanted more. I wanted to not just market products, but build them.
And so, I took the biggest leap of my life.
I had never left home before. I loved my family, my city, and the life I had built. But I also knew that comfort and growth rarely exist together.
So, I moved across the world to pursue my Master’s in MIS and Product Management in the U.S.
It was terrifying. The moment I landed, reality hit me—I was alone in a foreign country, with no safety net, no familiar smells or sounds to ground me. Simple things—figuring out public transport, grocery shopping, casual small talk—felt like mountains to climb.
But that’s the thing about leaving home: it teaches you how to build a new one.
The first few months were tough. I missed home in ways I never expected. But then, slowly, I started finding my people. Through late-night study sessions, shared meals, and friends who became family, I learned something important—in this country, people are everything. Connections are everything. These friendships became my anchor, the reason I kept going even on the hardest days.
As my career grew, so did my ambitions. I transitioned from product marketing to product management, blending my love for storytelling, strategy, and technology. I mentored aspiring product managers, helping them break into the industry, navigate career transitions, and find their own paths.
Today, I’m a Product Manager in Supply Chain at Walmart, solving complex problems at scale. I’m diving deeper into AI in product marketing, exploring how technology is reshaping storytelling. And beyond work, I’m building something deeply personal—leading the speaker lineup for an immigration conference for high-skilled immigrants in the U.S.
Because I know firsthand how hard it is to start over. The uncertainty, the endless hoops to jump through just to belong. I also know the power of community, of conversations that create change. I want to build a platform that brings together voices, insights, and real solutions for immigrants navigating this journey.
I look back at the girl who never thought she’d leave home.
And I see a woman who took the leap anyway.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the life you want is on the other side of fear. The right people will find you. The right opportunities will come. But you have to take that first step.
This journey is still unfolding. But no matter where it takes me, I carry Roopesh’s words, my friends’ support, and the belief that every risk is worth it.
Because in the end, we are the stories we create.
And mine is just getting started.
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?
The road has definitely been anything but smooth, and the journey has been filled with struggles that have shaped me into who I am today.
The first major challenge I faced was the loss of Roopesh. When he passed away, it left a huge void. I lost not only a friend but also a guiding light, someone who constantly pushed me to pursue my dreams. That grief was crushing.
The next challenge came when I decided to leave home and move to the U.S. for my Master’s in Product Management. The transition was jarring – I felt out of place, unsure of how to even begin building a new life. I spent countless nights feeling overwhelmed. The struggles became lessons in resilience.
At the same time, my professional journey was its own battleground. Breaking into product management while also trying to build a career in a new country was daunting. Visa limitations were always at the back of my mind. The fear of getting so close to something only to be told “no” because of my immigration status was a constant companion. There were days when I would receive a rejection letter and wonder if this would be the thing that set me back permanently.
But each rejection pushed me to dig deeper, learn more, and find new ways to prove myself. I had to work harder, network more, and be relentless in my pursuit of the opportunities I wanted. There were moments where it felt like no matter how much I gave, it wasn’t enough. But over time, I realized that it wasn’t about being perfect—it was about being persistent.
Building a career as an immigrant, balancing the struggle of finding the right job with visa restrictions, and facing the ongoing emotional challenges of living far from home—it wasn’t easy. But I learned to trust the process. I understood that each struggle, each roadblock, was just a detour, not a dead-end.
In my work, I began to merge my love for storytelling, technology, and strategy. I found my voice, not just through my blog, but also through the impact I could make in product management.
But the struggles didn’t end there. Every day brings new challenges, new hurdles, and new lessons. I’ve come to accept that life will never be smooth, but it’s the bumps along the way that give the journey meaning. The struggles have taught me to be patient, to trust the timing of my life, and most importantly, to never give up on the dreams that still feel out of reach.
The road has been full of obstacles. But with each challenge, I’ve grown stronger, more determined, and more sure of who I am and what I’m capable of achieving. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that I am ready for whatever comes next.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I specialize in product management with a strong background in product marketing and digital strategy. Currently, I work as a Product Manager in supply chain at Walmart, where I focus on launching automated warehouse solutions that drive business growth.
I’m also passionate about content creation, sharing insights on product management, career development, and marketing on Instagram and LinkedIn. This has helped me connect with a broader community and build my personal brand.
What I’m most proud of is being featured in Times Square, which marked a huge milestone in my journey. It wasn’t just a recognition of my work – it was a testament to the hard work, resilience, and people I’ve met along the way. What sets me apart is my adaptability, ability to thrive in high-pressure environments, and commitment to mentoring others. I believe in lifting others up, and through mentoring aspiring product managers and creating platforms for growth, I’ve made it a priority to help others succeed along with me.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Finding a mentor and networking effectively requires intentionality and genuine connection. It’s about building relationships based on shared values, interests, and goals, not just seeking someone for their title or status.
One strategy that has worked well for me is focusing on adding value first, rather than just asking for something. When you approach someone, think about how you can help them or support their work before making any request. This creates a natural foundation for a relationship based on mutual respect.
By offering something of value, we quickly built rapport. Over time, this opened the door for deeper conversations and eventually a mentorship relationship where they offered valuable career advice, insights, and guidance on product management.
The key takeaway here is that networking isn’t transactional—it’s relational. Start by offering value, ask thoughtful questions, and show a genuine interest in others. It’s not about expecting something right away but cultivating connections that can grow over time. People appreciate authenticity, and that’s what helps you stand out in a crowded space.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithteju
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tejaswini-k/
