At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Neha Chauhan Narang for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Neha is a Career and Workplace Transformation Coach, Speaker and Founder of Ascend with Neha. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Neha:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey has been anything but linear, and that’s what makes it powerful. I was sent to boarding school at the age of 9 -Mayo College Girls School, Ajmer, where I learned resilience and independence early on. From there, life took me across cities: Jaipur for high school, Delhi for graduation, Hyderabad for my MBA, Bengaluru for corporate training, and Gurugram for my internship with Oberoi Hotels – and later, most of my professional life before the pandemic.
I have experienced life in various parts of India, immersing myself in its culture, vibrancy, and the intricacies of human behaviour from every region. My career began in human resources, exploring the organised yet profoundly personal pathways of corporate India in sectors such as retail, luxury, technology, and consulting.
But the real transformation began when my personal life took an unexpected turn in 2018. I was navigating a marital separation, feeling emotionally depleted yet intuitively guided to rebuild – not just my career, but my self-worth.
Throughout the pandemic, I made a daring transition from fashion retail to fashion technology, taking on the role of People & Culture Manager at a tech firm within the APAC region. Most recently, I served as Senior Manager of HR at Tira Beauty in Mumbai, but I recognised that I sought more than just titles. I aimed to make a difference on my own terms.
Currently, I serve as a Career & Workplace Transformation Coach, the founder of Ascend with Neha, and I engage in speaking about clarity, reinvention, and aligned ambition. My goal is to assist professionals, particularly those navigating transitions, in rising with intention, confidence, authenticity, and self-trust.
How did you discover your passion?
I discovered it by living through my own turning points – not the shiny ones, but the gritty ones. Every time I reinvented my career, healed emotionally, or helped someone rewrite their story, I felt more aligned.
It wasn’t a single “aha” moment – it was a series of quiet confirmations. When women messaged me after one session saying, “You helped me feel seen,” or when a client landed a role after months of rejection and told me, “You helped me believe again,” I knew I was where I was meant to be. My passion is transformation, and the clarity that comes before it.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
My inner compass. Years of spiritual practice – from Vipassana and Inner Engineering to journaling, prayer, and solitude – have taught me to pause instead of panic. I’ve also lived enough cycles to know: This too shall pass.
What truly motivates me is the individuals I serve. I recognise that there are those observing me quietly, finding strength in my unwavering dedication, even in my silence. That unspoken responsibility helps me remain humble and appreciative.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) Your intuition is your inner compass -trust it before the world validates it.
Every time I’ve followed my gut, even when it felt risky or uncertain, it led me to growth, clarity, and self-respect.
2) Never let anyone’s inability to see your light dim your own faith in it.
People project their fears. You don’t have to make them your limits.
3) You are your best investment. The time, effort, and energy you put into your healing, learning, and mindset will never go to waste. Self-improvement isn’t vanity – it’s legacy work.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success, to me, is an inner journey first.
a) Authenticity – Because pretending is exhausting and unsustainable.
b) Vulnerability -Because the courage to be seen as you are is magnetic.
c) Curiosity -Staying open to learning, unlearning, and evolving is what keeps you relevant.
d) Personal development – Your career will only grow as far as you’re willing to grow yourself.
e) Meaningful connections – Success is not a solo pursuit. Who you surround yourself with shapes how far you go.
f) And above all, faith in a higher power – because when logic falls short, grace takes over.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Avoid pursuing job titles; instead, seek alignment. Understand your identity before crafting your resume.
Ask: What do I enjoy? What drains me? What values do I refuse to compromise on?
And remember: Your career is not a race – it’s a relationship. Nurture it with patience, curiosity, and boundaries.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
It’s the fact that nothing was wasted. Every heartbreak, every pivot, every “why me?” moment gave birth to a deeper “now I know why.”
It’s exciting because I get to turn my lived experience into light for others. Because I’m building something timeless, not just a brand, but a movement that says: You’re allowed to start again- and this time, from experience & truth.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
