Between Hustle and Heart: My Life in Transition

Some stories begin in the middle of chaos. Mine began in the quiet town of Karur, Tamil Nadu, in a home where business talk was as common as breakfast and resilience was served alongside morning coffee. I was raised by two entrepreneurs: my father, who runs RR Hevirex, and my mother, Meenakshi Venkatachalam, who leads Sri Jai Chakraa Motors with grit and grace. Watching them build their businesses from the ground up taught me something schools never could: how to navigate life with both courage and calculation.

This blog isn’t a career pitch. It’s a reflection of where I’ve come from, what I’ve built, and why I believe transitions shape us more than destinations.

The Early Days: Quiet Observations, Loud Lessons

Growing up in a business-driven household didn’t mean I had all the answers. It meant I had front-row seats to the questions. How do you handle uncertainty? What does it mean to be responsible for others’ livelihoods? How do you keep going when nothing goes to plan?

My parents didn’t just run companies. They embodied adaptability. My mother juggled operations, customers, and the chaos of running an automotive business in a competitive market. My father handled industrial logistics and pressure with ease. Through it all, they raised two sons, Ragul and me, with compassion, ambition, and just the right amount of sarcasm.

Christ University: The Pivot Point

My academic journey took me to Christ (Deemed to be University), where I pursued an MBA in Lean Operations and Systems. If Karur shaped my roots, Christ gave me wings. It was here I discovered my love for strategic thinking, process efficiency, and digital branding. I immersed myself in research, wrote a thesis on lean manufacturing, and explored the intersection of business, systems, and human behavior.

Christ wasn’t just about grades. It was about learning how to think, how to collaborate, how to lead, and how to fail gracefully and get back up.

The VCU Leap: Data, Decisions, and a New Beginning

In 2025, I’m crossing continents to begin the next chapter: a Master’s in Decision Analytics at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). It’s a dual-degree program that bridges my MBA with a future in global data-driven strategy. At VCU, I’ll sharpen my ability to turn complex problems into clear, actionable solutions using analytics, machine learning, and business intelligence tools.

But this journey isn’t just about tech and tools. It’s about learning how data can serve people, shape better decisions, and influence systems with empathy and accuracy.

In Between It All

Somewhere between building a thesis, mentoring peers, applying for visas, and preparing for life in a new country, I realized something important. Life isn’t built in straight lines. It is formed through pivots, pauses, and bold decisions.

I don’t have it all figured out. But I do have a strong foundation, built from my parents’ entrepreneurial spirit, the academic discipline from Christ University, and the analytical curiosity I’m taking with me to VCU.

This is my life in transition. And I’m learning to honor every step of the way.