Be Your Own Boss

Hosted by Sachin Acharya

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195

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Aug 2026

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About the show

At some point in life, every employee aspires to be their own boss, to start a business, to follow their passion. Some take a leap and become successful, some try and fail while most never give it a try. Here at Be Your Own Boss, Sachin Acharya talks to entrepreneurs about their stories, some very practical tips and some inspiration. If you aspire to be an entrepreneur, to build your own business, and not sure how to get started, this show is for you.

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August 22, 202638 min

Episode 197 | Be Your Own Boss Podcast With Sachin Acharya

If you lost something precious in the garbage, how long would you search for it? In this episode of the Be Your Own Boss podcast, we sit down with Vinnie, a passionate piano instructor and the founder of Rhythm Music Academy. Vinnie’s story is anything but ordinary. From spending five days searching through the trash to find his first recorded music cassette, to becoming a 7-time powerlifting champion in just one year, and finally finding his true calling in teaching music—his journey is a masterclass in dedication and raw passion. Today, he holds prestigious certifications from the Trinity College of London and has taught hundreds of students who are now winning on national and international stages. Tune in as we discuss his childhood in Pune, the reality of transitioning from bodybuilding to the arts, the technical roadmap of learning music, and how staying authentic builds the most powerful connections. ⏱️ Timestamps: [00:00] - A 5-Day Search in the Garbage [01:03] - Welcome to the Be Your Own Boss Podcast [02:36] - The Story Behind the Lost Cassette Tape [05:21] - Childhood in Pune & Family Background [06:57] - Becoming a 7-Time Powerlifting Champion in 1 Year [08:28] - Quitting Bodybuilding & Reluctantly Starting Music [10:02] - Trinity College of London & Global Music Certifications [12:42] - Opening Rhythm Music Academy in 2010 [17:21] - Facing Backlash: The Parent Meeting That Changed Everything [20:54] - Surviving the COVID-19 Lockdown as a Physical Academy [24:18] - How Music Built Connections with Powerful People [27:16] - The Roadmap of Learning Music: Beginners to Trinity Exams [31:43] - What Comes First in Bollywood: Lyrics or Melody? [34:44] - Giving Credit: The Support of His Elder Brother Dinesh [35:35] - How to Join Rhythm Music Academy in Pune [37:10] - Vinnie’s First-Ever Podcast Experience Check out Rhythm Music Academy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhythm_music_acedemy_/ ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #RhythmMusicAcademy #MusicTeacher #SachinAcharya #BYOB #Podcast #BeYourOwnBossPodcast #TrinityMusic

August 15, 202623 min

Ep 196: Swati Khade: She Traded Code for Cake | BYOB Podcast Part 2

In Part 2 of this inspiring interview, Swati Khade shares her remarkable journey of transitioning from a 10+ year career in IT to starting and scaling her own baking business, Choco Castle. She dives deep into the realities of balancing family and ambition—from going back to college in Germany at age 35 to managing tight bakery shifts, navigating career gaps during the pandemic, and making the tough call to step away from IT for good. Swati also discusses how she automated her business operations, built a trusted team, utilized B2B/B2C models and WhatsApp Business, and transformed her passion into a thriving enterprise. Check out Choco Castle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chococastle_pune ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #SwatiKhade #ChocoCastle #SachinAcharya, #BYOB #Podcast, #BeYourOwnBossPodcast, #Cake #IT #Mother

August 1, 202642 min

Ep 194: Prantik Sir: From 53 Lacs Debt to Life Coach & Author | BYOB Podcast Part 2

Welcome to Part 2 of an incredibly candid and inspiring conversation with trainer, author, and mentor Prantik Panigrahi on the BYOB (Be Your Own Boss) Podcast with Sachin Acharya. In this episode, Prantik deep-dives into: Why physical books engage all five senses in a way audiobooks and summaries cannot. His personal collection of over 4,800 books and his daily reading rituals. Why traditional time management and corporate communication training often fail at the mindset/belief level. How a business failure left him in ₹53 Lakhs of debt—and the exact psychological shift he used to pull himself out of rock bottom. The story behind creating "The Secret to Breakthrough" workshop and scaling it across schools and corporate organizations. If you are looking for raw honesty on entrepreneurship, resilience, habit-building, and personal transformation, this episode is a must-watch! ⏱️ Timestamps [00:00] Highlights & Recap of Part 1 [01:26] Podcast Introduction [01:34] Distractions, Focus & The Myth of Quick Book Summaries [04:03] Involving All 5 Senses: The Sensory Science of Reading Physical Books [07:23] Reading as an Identity: "I Haven't Missed a Night in 17+ Years" [08:33] Reading Multiple Books at Once & Detailed Note-Taking Habits [11:00] Stand-Up Comedy vs. Reality: Debunking Book-Reading Memes [12:48] Inside Prantik's Library: Owning 4,800+ Books & Favorite Genres [14:18] Transitioning into Corporate Training & Personality Development [16:08] Why Traditional Time Management Tools Fail Without Internal Commitment [18:24] The Birth of "The Secret to Breakthrough" Workshop [24:30] The Iceberg of Preparation: 14 Hours of Prep for 90 Minutes on Stage [25:40] Hitting Rock Bottom: Facing ₹53 Lakhs in Debt & Business Collapse [32:45] The Mindset Shift: Confronting Creditors & Overcoming Suicidal Thoughts [35:08] The Turnaround: How One Breakthrough Workshop Scaled Everywhere [38:07] Meeting Business Partner Rupa & Building Sustainable Success [39:37] Writing Live Inspired & Finding Mentors in Unexpected Places [40:10] Reflections on the BYOB Podcast Experience & Closing Remarks Check out Prantik sir on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prantik_panigrahi ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #PrantikPanigrahi, #SachinAcharya, #BYOB #Podcast, #BeYourOwnBossPodcast, #Life #Coach #Interview, #HowtoReadMoreBooks

July 25, 202634 min

Ep 193: Prantik Sir: From 53 Lacs Debt to Life Coach & Author | BYOB Podcast Part 1

Welcome to Part 1 of an inspiring conversation on the Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Podcast with host Sachin Acharya and special guest Prantik Panigrahi — life coach, trainer, and author of Elements Within and Tattva Katha. In this episode, Prantik shares his incredible journey: growing up in an academically intense family, dealing with health and confidence struggles during childhood, discovering his passion for personal growth through a key mentor, and building an unstoppable habit of reading books that transformed his life and career. ⏱️ Timestamps: [00:00] - Highlights & Teaser [01:21] - Welcome to BYOB Podcast with Sachin Acharya [02:04] - Introduction of Prantik Panigrahi [02:58] - Childhood Background & Growing Up in an Academic Family [05:35] - Early Health Challenges, Moving Cities & Loss of Confidence [07:40] - Choosing Computer Science over Medicine [10:05] - The Fateful Call & Meeting First Mentor Mr. Shyam Lulla [12:35] - Lessons from a "No Excuse" Mentor [13:20] - Beginning the Journey of Public Speaking [14:14] - Overcoming Excuses & Building a Powerful Reading Habit [16:20] - The Concept of Reading in "Shantiniketan" [18:00] - Finding Time & Places to Read Anywhere [22:00] - The Science of Reading: Level 1 (Reading) vs Level 2 (Understanding) [27:40] - How Subconscious Muscle Memory Helps You Master Reading [30:15] - Staying Focused & Ignoring Distractions Around You Part 2 coming soon! Check out Prantik sir on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prantik_panigrahi ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #PrantikPanigrahi, #SachinAcharya, #BYOB #Podcast, #BeYourOwnBossPodcast, #Life #Coach #Interview, #HowtoReadMoreBooks

July 11, 202643 min

Ep 192: From Zero to 10 Restaurants | How Nidhi Arora Built Benaras in Vietnam - Part 2 | BYOB

Welcome to the second and concluding part of our exclusive interview with Nidhi Arora, the visionary founder behind Benaras, Vietnam's largest and most successful Indian restaurant chain. In this episode, Nidhi dives deeper into the operational strategies, cultural adjustments, and leadership mindsets required to scale a restaurant brand internationally. From navigating a foreign market's regulatory landscape to maintaining authentic Indian flavors while appealing to a diverse global clientele, this episode is a masterclass for aspiring entrepreneurs and restaurateurs alike. Key Highlights in this Video: Scaling Beyond the First Location: How Benaras grew from a single concept into a massive multi-location brand. Overcoming Cross-Cultural Challenges: Managing cross-border supply chains and leading multicultural teams in Vietnam. The Future of Indian Cuisine Abroad: Nidhi’s long-term vision for Benaras and advice for entrepreneurs looking to expand internationally. Watch Part 1 here: https://youtu.be/TZ9JFwiRvUI If you enjoyed this episode, please hit the Like button, Subscribe to the channel, and turn on notifications so you never miss another deep-dive interview! Check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benaras.vietnam ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #Entrepreneurship #IndianRestaurant #BenarasVietnam #BusinessGrowth #RestaurantScale #WomenInBusiness #ScalingABusiness

July 10, 202644 min

Ep 191: From Zero to 10 Restaurants | How Nidhi Arora Built Benaras in Vietnam - Part 1 | BYOB

In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, K Rakesh sits down with Nidhi Arora, the visionary entrepreneur behind BENARES, the largest and most successful Indian restaurant chain in Vietnam. Having lived in Vietnam for over two decades, Nidhi shares her fascinating journey from HR consulting into the world of culinary entrepreneurship. Discover how she identified a unique gap in the market to introduce an authentic, healthy, and natural approach to Indian cuisine that captures the hearts (and tastebuds) of both locals and international tourists alike. She also discusses managing a rapidly growing multi-location brand, navigating the cultural fusion of Indian and Vietnamese tastes, and leveraging food as a medium for diplomatic and cultural connection. Part 2 coming soon! Check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benaras.vietnam ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #Benaras #BYOBPodcast #SachinAcharya #India #Vietnam #Taste #Recipe

May 16, 202627 min

Ep 190: The Story of Perfect Eyebrows with Deepak and Kavita - Part 2 | BYOB | Sachin Acharya

In this concluding episode of our interview, I continue my conversation with the powerhouse duo behind Perfect Eyebrows, Deepak and Kavita. After discussing their beginnings in Part 1, we now pivot to the "how-to" of their massive growth. Deepak and Kavita share the behind-the-scenes reality of scaling a specialized service business into a dominant market player. This episode is a masterclass in operational excellence, maintaining quality across multiple locations, and the unique dynamics of running a successful family-owned empire. In this episode, we explore: 1. The transition from a single outlet to a large-scale business operation. 2. Maintaining brand consistency and service quality in the beauty industry. 3. The "Perfect Eyebrows" philosophy on customer retention and loyalty. 4. Advice for couples and partners managing a high-growth business together. Whether you are looking to scale your own business or are interested in the evolution of the beauty industry, the insights shared by Deepak and Kavita are invaluable. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] – Welcome back: Setting the stage for the expansion story. [00:02:50] – Scaling Up: The moment they decided to grow beyond one location. [00:06:40] – Quality Control: How to ensure the "Perfect" experience every time. [00:10:15] – Partnership Dynamics: How Deepak and Kavita balance roles as co-founders. [00:14:30] – Overcoming Growth Hurdles: The biggest challenges in the beauty business. [00:18:55] – Building a Team: Finding and training the right talent. [00:23:10] – The Future of Perfect Eyebrows: What’s next for the brand? [00:27:00] – Final Advice: Essential tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyebrows.perfecteyebrows/ ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #MelinaDorsey #BYOBPodcast #SachinAcharya #HolisticWellness #Mindfulness #EntrepreneurHealth #WellnessPractitioner #VirginiaWellness #HolisticLiving #SelfCareForEntrepreneurs

May 9, 202626 min

Ep 189: The Story of Perfect Eyebrows with Deepak and Kavita - Part 1 | BYOB | Sachin Acharya

Building a brand in the competitive beauty and grooming industry requires more than just skill—it takes a relentless vision and the right partnership. In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, I sit down with Deepak and Kavita, the power couple and founders behind the successful brand Perfect Eyebrows. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of their entrepreneurial journey. They share the challenges of starting from scratch, the importance of maintaining high standards in service-based businesses, and how they scaled their passion into a recognized brand. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur or looking to understand the mechanics of a service-based empire, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. What we cover in Part 1: 1. The origin story of Perfect Eyebrows and the "Lightbulb Moment." 2. Transitioning from a job to full-time entrepreneurship. 3. The dynamics of running a business as a couple. 4. Overcoming early-stage hurdles and building customer trust. Part 2 coming soon! Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] – Introduction: Meet Deepak and Kavita of Perfect Eyebrows. [00:02:30] – The Beginning: Life before the beauty industry. [00:05:15] – Identifying the Gap: Why a specialized grooming brand? [00:08:45] – The Leap of Faith: Leaving security for entrepreneurship. [00:12:20] – Scaling the Vision: Moving from the first location to a brand. [00:16:10] – Couple-Preneurship: Balancing personal life and business goals. [00:19:55] – Service Excellence: Training staff to maintain brand quality. [00:23:30] – Lessons Learned: What they wish they knew on Day 1. Check out their Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eyebrows.perfecteyebrows/ ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #MelinaDorsey #BYOBPodcast #SachinAcharya #HolisticWellness #Mindfulness #EntrepreneurHealth #WellnessPractitioner #VirginiaWellness #HolisticLiving #SelfCareForEntrepreneurs

May 2, 202628 min

Ep 188: Holistic Wellness and Mindful Living with Melina Dorsey Part 2 | BYOB | Sachin Acharya

In this concluding episode of our interview, I continue my conversation with Melina Dorsey, a dedicated holistic wellness practitioner based in Virginia, US. While Part 1 touched on the foundations of well-being, Part 2 dives deeper into the practical application of holistic practices for busy professionals and entrepreneurs. Melina shares her expert insights on how maintaining a balance between physical, mental, and spiritual health is not just a lifestyle choice, but a critical component of professional longevity and effective leadership. In this episode, we explore: 1. Practical strategies to integrate wellness into a demanding work schedule. 2. The connection between holistic health and entrepreneurial decision-making. 3. How to identify and overcome the "burnout cycle" before it starts. 4. Melina’s personal journey of building a wellness practice in the US. Success is meaningless without the health to enjoy it. Join us as Melina provides the tools to ensure your personal growth keeps pace with your professional ambitions. Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] – Welcome back: Recapping Part 1 and setting the stage for the conclusion. [00:02:45] – The Holistic Edge: Why wellness is a competitive advantage for business owners. [00:06:15] – Daily Rituals: Simple, effective wellness practices for people on the go. [00:10:30] – Mindset & Resilience: Navigating the highs and lows of entrepreneurship with clarity. [00:14:50] – Overcoming Burnout: Recognizing the signs and pivoting toward recovery. [00:19:20] – Sustainable Growth: Building a career that supports your long-term health. [00:23:40] – Melina’s Final Advice: One thing every leader should start doing today. [00:26:15] – Closing Thoughts: How to connect with Melina and the BYOB community. Connect with Melina Dorsey: https://magicalmelina.com/ ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #MelinaDorsey #BYOBPodcast #SachinAcharya #HolisticWellness #Mindfulness #EntrepreneurHealth #WellnessPractitioner #VirginiaWellness #HolisticLiving #SelfCareForEntrepreneurs

April 25, 202631 min

Ep 187: Holistic Wellness and Mindful Living with Melina Dorsey Part 1 | BYOB | Sachin Acharya

In this episode of the Be Your Own Boss (BYOB) Podcast, I am joined by Melina Dorsey, a dedicated holistic wellness practitioner based in Virginia, US. Melina brings a wealth of knowledge on how to achieve balance in a fast-paced world by integrating the mind, body, and spirit. As entrepreneurs and professionals, we often neglect our well-being in the pursuit of success. Melina shares her journey into holistic health and provides actionable insights into how mindfulness and natural wellness practices can not only improve our personal lives but also enhance our professional performance. In Part 1 of this interview, we explore: 1. Melina’s personal path to becoming a holistic wellness practitioner. 2. The core principles of holistic health and why they matter today. 3. Strategies for managing stress and preventing burnout through mindful practices. 4. How to cultivate a wellness-first mindset while building a business. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed or are looking for a more sustainable way to navigate your career and health, this conversation is for you. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for Part 2! Timestamps & Topics [00:00:00] – Introduction: Welcoming Melina Dorsey to the BYOB Podcast. [00:02:30] – Melina’s Journey: From the traditional corporate world to holistic wellness. [00:06:15] – Defining Holistic Wellness: Moving beyond just physical health. [00:10:45] – The Virginia Wellness Scene: Melina's experience practicing in the US. [00:14:20] – Overcoming Burnout: Identifying the signs before it’s too late. [00:18:55] – Daily Rituals: Simple wellness practices for busy professionals. [00:23:10] – The Mind-Body Connection: How emotional health impacts physical vitality. [00:27:40] – Closing Thoughts: Looking ahead to the deeper dives in Part 2. Connect with Melina Dorsey: https://magicalmelina.com/ ============================================================== * For collaboration and sponsorship, please reach us on byob.with.sachin.acharya@gmail.com * Want to get on the podcast? Pick your slot on https://calendly.com/sachinacharya/byob #MelinaDorsey #BYOBPodcast #SachinAcharya #HolisticWellness #Mindfulness #EntrepreneurHealth #WellnessPractitioner #VirginiaWellness #HolisticLiving #SelfCareForEntrepreneurs