"Don't ever let someone tell you that you can't achieve your dreams."
Author and Resturantuer Atul Bhatara is a New York-based entrepreneur. Although he was born with cerebral palsy and has been dealing with this disability all of his life, Atul never let being disabled hold him back from achieving his dreams of being a successful entrepreneur. Atul has survived 14 operations in the course of his life and remains mobile with crutches and a wheelchair, periodically.
Unfortunately, his family’s restaurant business had to close during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, Atul remained motivated to achieve by his mentor, motivational speaker, and author Les Brown. He decided to reinvent himself and he developed his own skincare line called Atul Skincare, inspired by his grandmother.
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Table of Contents
Thank you for joining us today. Please introduce yourself to our readers. They want to know you, some of the background story to bring some context to your interview.
Atul Bhatara: I’m Atul Bhatara. Atul means “unique” or “incomparable” and these words form part of the product branding for my skincare line Atul Skincare. The line is based on the principles of Ayurveda, which I learned from my grandmother, with our Indian heritage and refined. l remembered all of the luscious and aromatic natural ingredients my grandmother used for skincare and put on her grandchildren’s faces to clean and moisturize them. I use these same natural ingredients in my skincare line.
You are a successful entrepreneur, so we’d like your viewpoint, do you believe entrepreneurs are born or made? Explain.
Atul Bhatara: My family is in the restaurant business. I always knew I would participate in this business from a young age. My grandmother always used natural ingredients for skincare. After things changed in the restaurant industry from the COVID-19 pandemic, I knew I had to change industries. I felt comfortable in skincare due to the innovation and what I learned growing up from my grandmother. I do believe entrepreneurs are made. For me, everyone inspired me in my friendship groups and my family to become who I am today.
If you were asked to describe yourself as an entrepreneur in a few words, what would you say?
Atul Bhatara: I use my faith in God, meditation, and positive affirmations to keep me grounded during my journey as an entrepreneur. The time I spend meditating and rejuvenating myself keeps me motivated. I am also a proud graduate of St. John’s University Peter J. Tobin College of Business. My education has inspired me on my entrepreneurial journey as well.
Tell us about what your company does and how did it change over the years?
Atul Bhatara: My company Atul Skincare provides quality skincare using natural ingredients. It has changed to allow me to focus on what I learned from my grandmother and our Indian heritage about natural ingredients, like Tumeric. I have incorporated this into my skincare line.
Thank you for all that. Now for the main focus of this interview. With close to 11.000 new businesses registered daily in the US, what must an entrepreneur assume when starting a business?
Atul Bhatara: Entrepreneurs must always assume that the customer comes first. I believe if I provide the ultimate in skincare using natural ingredients this will show my customers that I care about the quality of my products and their skincare.
Did you make any wrong assumptions before starting a business that you ended up paying dearly for?
Atul Bhatara: I made sure to be careful and avoided making a lot of mistakes by following the business mentorship I received from my family and friends.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what advice would you give yourself and why? Explain.
Atul Bhatara: I would advise myself to take it one day at a time. Patience is very key in any business. It takes time to build a business. I would say this because you have to believe in your process and that having faith will see you through.
What is the worst advice you received regarding running a business and what lesson would you like others to learn from your experience?
Atul Bhatara: The worst advice I received is revolved around negativity. Don’t ever let someone tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams.
In your opinion, how has COVID-19 changed what entrepreneurs should assume before starting a business? What hasn’t changed?
Atul Bhatara: COVID-19 may have you change your business, and business model the way I did. However, it won’t change your work ethic, determination, and drive. Keep the faith and move forward if your business changes.
What is a common myth about entrepreneurship that aspiring entrepreneurs and would-be business owners believe in? What advice would you give them?
Atul Bhatara: A common myth many entrepreneurs have is that your success is someone else’s responsibility. You will have to take and keep responsibility for your success and that of your business.
What traits, qualities, and assumptions do you believe are most important to have before starting a business?
Atul Bhatara: I believe the traits, qualities, and assumptions that are most important before starting a business revolve around faith and a positive mental attitude.
How can aspiring leaders prepare themselves for the future challenges of entrepreneurship? Are there any books, websites, or even movies to learn from?
Atul Bhatara: I was one of the entrepreneurs featured in the new motivational speaker Les Brown & JB Owen’s book ‘Ignite the Hunger in You’. I discuss my journey into entrepreneurship and my challenges and triumphs living with cerebral palsy. I hope it inspires everyone to never give up on their dreams and to always have faith!
You have shared quite a bit of your wisdom and our readers thank you for your generosity but would also love to know: If you could choose any job other than being an entrepreneur, what would it be?
Atul Bhatara: Being a part of the book, ‘Ignite the Hunger in You’, was so inspiring for me. I would love to author books that motivate others.
Thank you so much for your time, I believe I speak for all of our readers when I say that this has been incredibly insightful. We do have one more question: If you could add anyone to Mount Rushmore, but not a politician, who would it be; why?
Atul Bhatara: My grandmother, because she inspired me so much!
Jed Morley, VIP Contributor to ValiantCEO and the host of this interview would like to thank Atul Bhatara for taking the time to do this interview and share his knowledge and experience with our readers.
If you would like to get in touch with Atul Bhatara or his company, you can do it through his – Facebook
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