Be Anomalous

What happens when you stop waiting for permission and start building what’s missing?

In this episode, we sit down with Aravinda Seshadri, founder of Venturous Counsel, a startup lawyer, and an unapologetic advocate for equity in tech. Aravinda shares how she went from being the only woman of color at a big law firm… to launching her own legal practice while pregnant… to creating a workplace that actually honors balance, humanity, and purpose.

We get into:

• The real reason imposter syndrome exists — and how she flipped it into fuel

• What it takes to say “no” in a culture obsessed with overwork

• Why legal access is a justice issue — especially for underestimated founders

This is not your average lawyer story. It’s a conversation about power, self-trust, and building systems that reflect our values, not just the status quo.

If you’re a founder, creative, or anyone who’s been told to shrink yourself, this one’s for you.

Be bold. Be real. Be Anomalous.

What does it really look like to say no—over and over—until life finally says yes back?

 Devreet Dulay joins us to unpack the bold, messy, and deeply intentional path she’s taken—from playing college basketball in Canada, to working multiple jobs, to breaking into tech and landing her dream role at an AI startup in San Francisco… only to walk away and build something of her own.

We talk about what it means to grow up between cultures, how to hear your intuition above the noise, and why not settling is a muscle you can train. Devreet’s story is a masterclass in clarity, courage, and carving your own lane—even when it doesn’t make sense to anyone else.

If you’ve ever been afraid to pivot, to bet on yourself, or to turn down “good enough” in pursuit of what you really want—this episode is your permission slip.

What does it really take to start something from nothing — and stay true to yourself in the process?

In this episode of Be Anomalous, we have Alix Peabody, the unapologetic founder of Bev, a canned wine brand that challenged the bro culture of alcohol and built a whole new lane for women in the industry.

Alix shares the unfiltered truth behind her journey — from throwing parties to pay for egg freezing, to building a movement through storytelling, to navigating loneliness, identity, and burnout after her company’s exit.

This isn’t just a founder story. It’s a human story. One about knowing your “why,” leading with intuition, and what happens when the thing you built no longer needs you.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to do it all, be it all, or keep it all together — this episode is your permission to choose yourself.

Topics We Cover:

• Fundraising as a solo female founder

• Breaking into male-dominated industries

• Intuition-led leadership

• Burnout, reinvention, and life after the exit

• Why knowing your “who” matters as much as your “why”

  
  

Be bold. Be real. Be anomalous.

Mitali Saxena went from being an engineer in a male-dominated industry to launching two fashion-tech companies rooted in something the industry rarely talks about: real women and real bodies. No filters. No fluff. Just smart tech, thoughtful design, and a deep “why” centered on empowerment.

In this episode, we talk about what it actually takes to leave the safe path, build from scratch, and stay soft while doing hard things. Mitali shares the unfiltered truth about fundraising as a woman in tech, what she got wrong about her first customers, and why operations (not aesthetics) almost broke her.

We discuss burnout, mindfulness, and what it means to lead with empathy, especially when the world rewards hustle over healing.

This isn’t just a founder story. It’s a reminder that your difference is your power, and you don’t need anyone’s permission to start where you are.

From planning weddings to launching one of the most distinct children’s retail brands in the U.S., Katherine Oyer’s story is a masterclass in bold pivots, quiet resilience, and building something beautiful from scratch.

In this episode, Katherine opens up about her winding journey—from the corporate halls of Neiman Marcus to founding Francis Henri, a curated children’s boutique inspired by global travel and deep maternal instinct.

We talk about the tension between ambition and motherhood, the realities of bootstrapping a business during a pandemic, and the courage it takes to walk away from safety in pursuit of something more meaningful.

Katherine shows how to build your business on your terms.

If you’re navigating career transitions, chasing a creative dream, or just trying to figure out how to do it all without losing yourself — this one’s for you.

What if quitting wasn’t failure, but a bold strategy for growth?

In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Trotta, a founder, strategist, and visionary thinker who’s rewritten the rules of success. From growing up in a small Ohio town to navigating the worlds of fashion, tech, and climate, Natalie’s journey is anything but traditional — and that’s exactly why it matters.

She shares how she turned her curiosity into a career, built a consulting practice on her own terms, and uses structure and self-awareness to stay focused while working for herself.

We get into:

• • The myth of having it all figured out

• Navigating pivots without losing yourself

• Building a life that aligns with your energy and ambition

• Tangible tools for time management, mindset, and momentum

• And why knowing when to quit is one of the smartest things you can do

If you’re in the middle of a transition — or ready to finally bet on yourself — this one’s for you.

In this first episode of Be Anomalous, Sai Menon sits down with Kaylee Lieffers — Founder and CEO of Blanka — to talk about building dreams without a blueprint. From growing up between cultures to leading one of the beauty industry’s most innovative platforms, Kaylee shares what it really takes to trust yourself, embrace the pivots, and scale something extraordinary.

If you’ve ever questioned your path, this is the conversation you need.

Gayaneh Davoodian talks about her experience growing up as an Armenian-American and how it shaped her to be an incredibly creative and talented Fashion Designer and Entrepreneur.

For more information:

Gayaneh Davoodian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayaneh-davoodian-39602868/

Anoma Cosmetics:https://www.instagram.com/anomacosmetics/

Miracle Olatunji is a sophomore at Northeastern University, an entrepreneur, and author of Purpose: How To Live and Lead With Impact. At 17, she founded OpportuniMe, an award-winning organization that connects youth with summer enrichment opportunities to learn about different career paths and build life and leadership skills. At Northeastern, Miracle is an accounting and finance major with a passion for entrepreneurship, technology, social impact, fashion, health & wellness, and innovation. She is an alum of the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) Trek program. She’s been honored as one of The Tempest's 2019 40 Women To Watch, a Young Global Leadership Scholar, and her work has been featured in Forbes, Thrive Global, Technical.ly, BostInno, The CEO Library, Harvard Business Review, and other media outlets. She was also selected as one of America’s Amazing Teens by the AAT Project, which identifies exceptional youth who are changing the world. Miracle also hosts workshops for women and girls on the topics of building their "net worth, self-worth, and network” and was honored as an EXTRAOrdinary Woman by Boston.gov during the International Women’s Day Celebration at City Hall. Miracle was recently part of Barbie's #YouCanBeAnything #MoreRoleModels campaign aimed at closing the dream gap and inspiring women and girls around the world.

Ambernice Tolliver, a talented makeup specialist and current graduate of Marshal School of business, talks about beauty and her journey of how she evolved into the person that she is today. She talks about the products that works for her and the process of finding it. She opens up about her personal vulnerability and how she made that her strength.