Deepa's journey from corporate strategist to cultural entrepreneur showcases the powerful intersection of heritage, passion, and purpose. As founder of both Chandralaya School of Dance and POC Beauty, she has created platforms that celebrate and empower South Asian identity in Australia.

Her dance odyssey began at just five years old in Chennai, eventually blossoming into a school that serves students from age six to sixty. What makes Chandralaya special isn't just the teaching of Bharatanatyam—it's how Deepa has expanded it into artistic commissions, cross-cultural collaborations, and community building. For many adult students, the school provides not just cultural connection but therapeutic benefits, with some crediting the dance practice with helping them through significant life challenges.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Deepa reveals how her 25-year corporate background in IT strategy and transformation gave her the tools to succeed as an entrepreneur. The turning point came during motherhood when, working 60-70 hour weeks, she questioned her purpose and made the bold decision to launch her dance school. "If I fail, I fail," she recalls thinking, but those corporate skills proved invaluable in building her businesses.

Particularly compelling is Deepa's insight into her beauty brand. POC (Proud of Color) Beauty emerged from her frustration with mainstream skincare that doesn't address the specific needs of melanated skin. Her first product—a natural lip scrub with ingredients like fermented papaya and beetroot extract—exemplifies her philosophy of creating skincare-infused beauty products that work with the body's natural systems rather than against them.

Throughout our conversation, Deepa advocates passionately for embracing cultural heritage, recommending minimalist skincare routines over trending 10-step processes, and encouraging women to support each other professionally. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: "Build slow, take your time, own your story, and don't be afraid to take up space." For anyone balancing multiple roles or contemplating entrepreneurship, these words offer a roadmap to authentic success.

Send us a text

Support the show

Brown Queen Diaries by Priyanka Nomula

Directed by Sandeep Raj

Presented by Aussie Talkies

Send us a text

Support the show

https://www.instagram.com/thebrownqueendiaries/
https://www.facebook.com/thebrownqueendiaries
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLPjW_Zw62eWa4QcQNJW3yHw76rlkqGr72&si=zUrI5wzOPV-k1gjE