Monieka Khanna - CEO - Mount Olympus Group of Schools | Business Strategist

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Crucial Success Skills Forged Through My Journey

How do I express what have gone in the process of owning this confident smile. With multiple talents in my hat and fear of not losing anything have made me an over curious person who wishesto learn and know everything. Born and brought up in a middle class family, where selfmade couple wishes the best for their daughter, there energy and positive attitude has instilled in me aspecial fire of energy and confidence whichI completely owe to my parents. During my journey of almost 22 years, I have learned several skills in each phase of my life which has helped me in several ways.

There one thing which is have learned which I feel is special and have helped me sailed through many difficult times and also made me win hearts of peopleby handling each situation confidently is 'BALANCE of EMOTIONS'.I have got at art of balancing my emotions and responding aptly to each situation,which has come gradual to me,didn't come overnight.

Through this skill I able to understand the situation better and respond in my best senses and mostly all decisions which I took so far have been good and positive for me and my organization growth. Leader is allabout how it leads his /her team and how which way his team member reacts to it positively or negatively about the decision. I strongly feel if one knows what person is expecting and answerit in similar fashion then your half battle is won before you even enter the war space.

Crafting Creative Opportunities from Every Challenge

Adversity is different for different people and at different times. I started my career as a choreographer at the age of 18; I could manage to open my own dance academy and pay my first rent on my own without asking a penny from my parents. With the energy of reaching greater heights, I studied, explored, did tie-ups with schools and corporates, and managed shows, choreographing schools and college events, etc.

When I was at the peak of my dancing career, I got married, and a vast showbiz career was about to end, as told by my friends and fraternity. Also, for any dancer, her back needs to be stronger to maintain the dance moves; unfortunately, I had a major back surgery where my L5 tore, putting an end to my dancing career. But still, it did not discourage me at all.

My husband was in the Merchant Navy, and I did not want to miss a chance to roam around the world. Without any fear in mind, I traveled, explored, enjoyed, learned, and grew, visiting many countries which my common friends wouldn't have done at that age. In breaks when I used to come back from the ship with loaded shopping bags and excitement, seeing others in continuous jobs while I was at home, used to trouble me a lot.

My spirit of exploring new things never diminished. I used my PR skills and managed to get small contracts for event management and coordination, keeping me engaged. My PR skills grew by leaps and bounds - event management, artist management, and more. Of course, I had to take a sabbatical for my child. A 3-year-long break again set me back, but still, my strength and zeal were always on fire.

With all the skills, I shifted my base to a new city and then entered the education vertical. Education is now not only limited to teachers teaching and children learning. Now it's a completely different zone where you need people to set up the school, maintain relations with parents and the community, etc.

I have put my entire learning over the years into it and have successfully launched many schools in and across Delhi and NCR. My PR has helped grow contacts and relations with people beyond imagination. From an admissions marketing person to a CEO of the company, I have understood the point of view of each and every aspect, be it a parent, management, students, or staff. I understand their expectations well and manage to bridge all the gaps that surround the happiness quotient in my organization.

My Impact

My impact on society is quite visible to me in many ways. Now that people meet me, they don't say how young I am to do such work, or maybe not a veteran in the education sector. But when I get invites from different forums to come and give my views on different topics, it gives me immense satisfaction that people acknowledge the fact that, yes, I'm young but effective in my communication and work goals.

From a Strategic Head to CEO of the Company in 7 years is a true work of dedication and hard work. This fact only gives everyone a positive sign of growth for each one of them in the organization. My work colleagues and collaborators feel really proud of the fact that I have carved a niche in this sector at such a young age. I'm skilled in setting up startup schools, educational technology, budget planning, public speaking, market analysis, management, and marketing.

Apart from education, I also stepped into healthcare, hospitality, and infrastructure two years back. In less than a year, I have launched a Cloud Kitchen, inaugurated a one-of-a-kind healthcare clinic in Gurgaon, and a resort for spending family time during weekends. Recently, I was covered in the "Woman Entrepreneur Magazine" in their December 2022 issue as their cover story, and 'World Leaders Magazine' published my interview in their latest edition in 2023. I was also honored with the "Dr. Sarojini Naidu Award" for working women by Marwah Studio. Additionally, I received the "Exceptional Women of Excellence" award at the Women Economic Forum 2023 in New Delhi. I won the 'Woman's Day Award for School Business Management' in 2020 and the "Women of Influence Award" in 2019.

I am associated with Mount Olympus School, Sec 47, for seven years as their Strategic Head. I was a former Senior Manager Admissions - Pan India at Educomp Gurgaon. I've also worked at Excelsior American School, Gurgaon, as their Admissions & Marketing Manager, and as Head - Admission & Communications of Shalom Group of schools, Gurgaon. Additionally, I've served as the Marketing Head – North at Angel Productions, Mumbai, and as HOD of the Western Dance Dept. at GD Goenka School, Delhi. I was the CREATIVE HEAD at Dreamz Academy of Arts, Delhi. I served as an official choreographer for the BAND OF DOON – for their first video/audio album. I've been a judge on a "Reality show" on MH1 CHANNEL by the name ‘LIMCA AJA NACHLE,’ Season 1 & 2 as their Celebrity Choreographer. I became an Artist Manager for movies like “Love Aajkal” and “Rockstar”. I've also won "Best Mother," "Best Intellectual," and "Best Talent" for 2012-2013 at Golden Bells School, Delhi. I received the "School Award for School Development" from the management of MOUNT OLYMPUS SCHOOL.

I have been successfully organizing events like Talent Hunts, Walkathons, Sports Leagues, Career Fairs, and various workshops.

Social Responsibility:
I am very socially active, helping many organizations and communities by volunteering them in any kind of major events and activations. I have independently organized women's day events, Dandiya events, award functions, along with multiple RWA’s & Communities free of charge.

Scaling New Heights in Personal and Professional Triumphs

Accomplishment is a vast term, and success is even broader. People tend to keep changing their definition of success because, as humans, we are not happy and contented with what we have achieved so far. I have several people and colleagues who keep aiming at one level, and when they reach that place, they aim for a different and higher level. This is an ideal mindset for any progressive individual, which I agree with 100%.

But I have a different point of view; I feel that one should be contented with what they have achieved. At least, at the age of 40, I believe whatever I have gained is pure hard work, and I should enjoy it rather than feeling low about aiming higher. I would rather maintain my position and use this strength to refine and improve my product by putting my best knowledge forward. If, after achieving this success, my product is still failing to achieve the desired results, then there is no point in such accomplishments. For me, success comes with a 200% improvement in results and output.

Also, while you take the path to success, many individuals leave their personal lives and relationships behind. I'm a strong person with a lot of family values and a people's person. I want to enjoy and celebrate each moment of my life with my friends and family. So, I ensure that I take my team along well, and even for that matter, my family and friends are aligned with that path so that no one breaks the chain and leaves us behind.

The Synergy Between My Path and Recognition Values

My journey reflects resilience and determination in the face of challenges, embodying the ethos of perseverance and growth. Despite encountering hurdles, I have navigated through with a positive attitude, never allowing setbacks to hinder my progress. My story illustrates the abundance of opportunities and talent within our society, where adaptability is essential for survival and success.

My diverse experiences have honed my ability to collaborate and extract value from every interaction, demonstrating the importance of continuous learning and humility. My unwavering passion and authenticity throughout my career exemplify my commitment to excellence and personal integrity.

Maintaining the same level of enthusiasm and dedication from my first job to the present day highlights my enduring spirit and unwavering dedication to my craft. My ability to adapt while staying true to myself resonates with those around me, inspiring others to embrace change while remaining authentic.

By understanding the circle of life and facing it with optimism, I have not only found personal fulfillment but also empowered those around me to embrace their own journeys with courage and resilience. My story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for others, demonstrating that with perseverance and a positive mindset, anything is possible.

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