Meet Payal Kadakia, The Mastermind Behind The First Billion-Dollar Company By A South Asian Woman
Last Updated:
Being a startup founder, Payal Kadakia opened up a whole new universe of opportunities.
She founded ClassPass, the first billion-dollar business by a South Asian woman. (Photo Credit: Instagram)
A list of South Asian women who are transforming American business and culture and utilising their power to promote good change has been released by Forbes. The name Payal Kadakia may not be immediately familiar to many readers, but it is among the more well-known names on the list among global actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Chanel CEO Leena Nair.
Even though she isn’t very famous, Payal Kadakia has seen the kind of success that most business entrepreneurs can only imagine. ClassPass, her company, was the first billion-dollar business owned by a South Asian woman, according to Forbes. As the creator of a startup, Kadakia opened up a whole new universe of opportunities.
Who Is Payal Kadakia? And Her Journey Towards Success
The first billion-dollar business founded by a South Asian woman, ClassPass, was founded by Indian-American entrepreneur Payal Kadakia. A monthly membership service called ClassPass gives customers access to a huge global network of gyms, fitness centres, salons, and spas. Her idea transformed the wellness sector by providing a variety of flexible fitness options all over the world.
Raised in a family that valued education and cultural history, Payal Kadakia was born in Randolph, New Jersey, to Indian immigrant parents who were both chemists. She started learning traditional Indian dance at the age of three and is now a trained dancer. She still pursues her passion for dancing, which is the pastime that paved the way for her prosperous business career.
According to CSQ.com, Payal Kadakia had the concept for ClassPass in 2011 while she was living in New York City and having trouble finding a dance class after work. In addition to founding ClassPass, she is the creator and artistic leader of The Sa Dance Company, which she uses to promote Indian dance styles.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is where Payal Kadakia received his degree. In 2005, she earned a degree in management science with a minor in economics and an emphasis on operations research.
Before creating her fitness empire with ClassPass, Payal Kadakia was working at Warner Music Group and Bain & Company, according to Wired. She is married to Nick Pujji, a lawyer. The pair got married in 2016.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India