Introduction
Are you thinking of starting a business? Maybe you’ve already launched your passion project, only to find yourself overwhelmed with the workload. Or perhaps you’re in a stable 9-to-5 job that pays the bills, but something deeper feels missing. I get it. I’ve been there.
Hi, I’m Neeti Keswani, your host at the Luxury Unplugged Podcast, where luxury meets spirituality and purpose. In today’s episode, I’m sharing powerful lessons from my journey—from corporate jobs in three countries to founding a global business rooted in purpose. These 11 essential tips will help you create a growth mindset, boost profits, and maintain your inner peace.
Let’s dive into the questions we’ll answer:
- How can you stay inspired while still in a 9-to-5 job?
- What is the first step to becoming successful as a startup?
- How do you discover your personal ‘why’?
- How do you fuel both purpose and profit in business?
- Is your business strategy aligned with your life purpose?
- What does an entrepreneurial mindset truly look like?
- How do you say “no” without guilt and protect your energy?
- What’s the real meaning of work-life balance?
- Why is personal time (not just family time) vital for success?
- What are the three business pillars you must master?
- How do you design a business that lets you take a break?
Q1: How can you stay inspired while still in a 9-to-5 job?
It starts with remembering why you took that job in the first place. For me, the 9-to-5 wasn’t the end goal—it was preparation. I worked in IT consulting, HR strategy, and digital marketing because each role taught me something about running a business. If you’re in a job right now, don’t see it as a trap. See it as training.
Use this time to absorb knowledge. Volunteer for new roles. Learn about different departments. View every task as an opportunity to sharpen your skills for the dream you’re building. The key is perspective. When you’re focused on your long-term vision, even mundane tasks feel purposeful.
Above all, don’t let the job define your entire identity. Pursue your passions on the side. Travel, write, volunteer—whatever fills your soul. These little joys become your fuel. Inspiration isn’t found; it’s cultivated.
Q2: What is the first step to becoming successful as a startup?
The first step is clarity. Before you even register a business name or design a logo, get crystal clear on what success means to you. Is it freedom? Impact? Financial growth? Knowing this will guide every decision.
Start by setting small, actionable goals. Don’t wait for the “perfect time”—start with what you have. I began freelancing in content marketing while still holding a corporate job. It helped me test the waters, build credibility, and gain confidence.
Also, embrace the learning curve. Your first draft will never be perfect. Your first product may flop. That’s okay. Entrepreneurship is not about perfection—it’s about evolution. Every mistake is a lesson that builds your foundation.
Most importantly, surround yourself with mentors, peers, or communities who understand your journey. It makes all the difference.
Q3: How do you discover your personal ‘why’?
Your ‘why’ isn’t something you stumble upon—it’s something you excavate. It lies beneath layers of experience, pain, joy, and passion. For me, it took years of trying different roles and feeling unfulfilled to realize my purpose: storytelling with soul.
Ask yourself: What brings you alive? What could you talk about for hours without tiring? What kind of change do you wish to create in the world?
Then, reflect on the pivotal moments in your life—the ones that shaped your values. Your ‘why’ often emerges at the intersection of your skills, your story, and your service to others.
Once you know your ‘why,’ everything else aligns—your branding, your decisions, your priorities. It becomes your north star.
Q4: How do you fuel both purpose and profit in business?
A business rooted in purpose becomes magnetic. Clients feel it. Your team thrives on it. And guess what? Profit follows purpose. That’s been my experience time and again.
When I left a company of 15,000 employees and started my own boutique agency, I was scared. But I knew I wanted to serve people authentically. I didn’t just want to market for people—I wanted to help them connect. That shift made all the difference.
To fuel purpose and profit, ask:
- Does my offer solve a real problem?
- Do I feel proud of my work?
- Can I stand behind my brand values—even when no one is watching?
Purpose gives your business heart. Profit gives it life. You need both.
Q5: Is your business strategy aligned with your life purpose?
Too often, we build businesses that look good on paper but feel empty inside. That’s because we build them to please others, not to fulfill ourselves. True success comes when your strategy aligns with your soul.
For example, if your life purpose is to empower others, your business shouldn’t just chase numbers. It should be built around impact—whether that’s through storytelling, coaching, or community work.
Start by writing down your top 5 values. Now check your business strategy: does it reflect those values in how you hire, price, serve, and market?
When purpose and strategy align, your business becomes more than a job—it becomes a calling.
Q6: What does an entrepreneurial mindset truly look like?
An entrepreneurial mindset is equal parts grit and grace. It means believing that your abilities can grow with time, effort, and feedback. It’s waking up every day ready to learn, fail, adapt, and rise.
It also means staying true to yourself in the process. Authenticity isn’t a buzzword—it’s a strategy. When you’re honest about your values, your audience trusts you. And trust is the new currency.
Entrepreneurs aren’t superhuman. They just show up consistently, ask the hard questions, and lead from the inside out. It’s about creating from a place of inspiration—not desperation.
When you see every challenge as a stepping stone, that’s when mindset shifts from fear to fuel.
Q7: How do you say “no” without guilt and protect your energy?
Saying no is hard—especially when you’re starting out. You want to grab every client, every opportunity. But overcommitting leads to burnout, not success.
I learned to ask myself: “Does this serve my higher purpose?” If not, it’s a no. Simple. Polite. Firm. If something drains you more than it excites you, it’s not aligned.
Remember: every “yes” to the wrong thing is a “no” to the right thing. Saying no isn’t rejection—it’s redirection. It’s a sacred boundary that protects your time, energy, and creativity.
So say it with grace. Say it with clarity. And most importantly, say it without apology.
Q8: What’s the real meaning of work-life balance?
Work-life balance doesn’t mean splitting your day into two perfect halves. It means finding a rhythm that supports both your ambition and your wellbeing.
Some days, work takes the spotlight. Other days, rest and reflection come first. And that’s okay. Balance is fluid, not fixed.
The key is communication. Be clear about your needs—with your team, your family, and yourself. Set expectations. Schedule personal time like you would a meeting. And honor it.
True balance is not about working less. It’s about working with intention so that your work fuels your life—not consumes it.
Q9: Why is personal time (not just family time) vital for success?
Entrepreneurs often blur the line between personal and professional life. In doing so, we forget one crucial thing: personal time is not a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Time with family is beautiful, but time with yourself is sacred. Whether it’s 15 minutes of meditation, a solo walk, or journaling over coffee—this is when you reconnect with your inner compass.
Personal time allows for mental decluttering. It’s where creativity is born, clarity is found, and burnout is prevented.
So carve out that space. Protect it fiercely. You’ll return to your business more grounded, more creative, and more aligned.
Q10: What are the three business pillars you must master?
Every sustainable small business rests on three pillars: Strategy, Leadership, and Automation.
- Strategy gives your business direction. It answers: Who are you serving? How are you different? What’s the vision?
- Leadership ensures that vision is executed. It’s not just about managing people—it’s about managing energy, ideas, and resilience.
- Automation frees your time so you can focus on growth. Automate where possible—emails, client onboarding, sales funnels—so you can lead with clarity.
When all three pillars are strong, your business becomes scalable, sustainable, and soulful.
Q11: How do you design a business that lets you take a break?
Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. If your business can’t survive without you for a day, it’s not a business—it’s a trap.
Start by building systems. Create SOPs (standard operating procedures), delegate tasks, and invest in tools that automate workflows. Train your team to handle operations in your absence.
Then, schedule rest like you schedule meetings. Plan for mini getaways or digital detox weekends. Your creativity needs breathing room. Your soul needs silence.
Design your business to support your life—not the other way around. After all, the point of freedom is not more work. It’s more living.
Final Thoughts
Success doesn’t mean sacrificing your peace. Purpose doesn’t mean giving up profit. Work-life balance doesn’t mean being everywhere at once.
It means being present—wherever you are.
Let these 11 tips serve as a compass as you build your dream. Because you do deserve a business and a life that feels like you.
Signing off, this is Neeti Keswani
Host of Luxury Unplugged Podcast, Author of Live Your Dreams
About Neeti Keswani
Neeti Keswani is a Business Storytelling Coach, Ho’oponopono Practitioner, and Host of the Luxury Unplugged Podcast—a space where luxury meets soul-led success. She helps purpose-driven entrepreneurs craft authentic brands, create aligned content, and live their dreams.
📘 Book: Live Your Dreams
🎙️ Podcast: Luxury Unplugged on Spotify
🌐 Website: www.plush-ink.com
📧 Coaching/Media Inquiries: info@plush-ink.com
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