Punam Saxena of PV Saxena Consulting, LLC on Supporting South Asian Women and Building Cultural Connection

Punam Saxena is the founder of PV Saxena Consulting, LLC, where she works with colleges, universities, and organizations to better support women of color, particularly South Asian women, through culturally informed strategies and relationship-building. Drawing from her lived experience as a second-generation Indian American, her work focuses on bridging gaps between identity, culture, and professional environments to create more inclusive and supportive spaces.

Please share a brief introduction and your business:

As a second-generation Indian American who grew up in rural Georgia in the 1970s, I was often misidentified as a Native American. For years, I educated my teachers and peers about our culture, traditions, and values, often navigating between my Indian identity at home and its integration with American values in our community. This led me to create a hybrid identity that included the best of both worlds. Fast forward several decades, and while global knowledge has increased somewhat, there is still a lack of understanding of the challenges and support systems South Asian women need both professionally and personally.

My business identifies gaps in support services for WOC in colleges & businesses, e.g., South Asian women. Many believe these women are smart, intelligent, & successful. There is a disconnect between professional performance, cultural understanding, & connectivity. My work analyzes and implements strategies to strengthen student-educator and employee-employer relationships, thereby enhancing productivity and personal satisfaction.

Do you have a co-founder?

I do not have a co-founder for PV Consulting, LLC. I do have one for The Henna Letters, a media group that shares South Asian women's stories through blogs and a forthcoming podcast.

Are you a mamaprenista?

I'm an older Mamaprenista as my children are all adults now. The best advice I can give is to talk WITH your children and be present when they are talking. Work deadlines are always looming. Setting time aside to be with your children, laugh with them, and make memories is something I'll always cherish.

Take us back to when you launched? What was your marketing strategy?

My marketing strategy was to enlist my social circle to support me and spread the word. Soon, I realized this group was hit-or-miss. My marketing group turned out to be the colleagues I met through my work.

Granted, this is not a foolproof message, but it was what I could afford at the time.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I did not. I only wanted to be a mom because I believed that's all I was worthy of being. That seemed to be, in my mind, the only expectation. After raising my four children (now 31, 29, and twins, 26), I knew I needed more. I deserved more. It was important to share my lived experience and to validate others with similar experiences.

What accomplishments are you the most proud of to date in your business?

Landing a TEDx talk when I felt I wasn't ready

What is one thing you wish you had known when you started your Entreprenista journey?

I joined recently, but had no idea of the caliber of the women and the unconditional support they provide. It is impressive!

When hiring, what is your go-to interview question?

I have yet to interview anyone as a solopreneur, but I would like to know their favorite book or song and why. Learning about someone's interests is an easy way to connect with them.

What did you go before starting your own business?

As a child of Indian immigrants who came to America in the 1960s, our family has experienced being "Other" at the forefront of the wave of South Asian immigration.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

My lived experience as the only "Other" created a sense of impostor syndrome and uncertainty about my skills and my ability to contribute to society. In speaking with other South Asian women, I realized we have similar experiences, yet there is no one advocating on our behalf or providing support systems and strategies to help universities and businesses understand the cultural nuances.

Do you have any recent wins?

I defended my dissertation (Moving Toward Hybrid Cultural Identities: Desi Female Undergraduates' Stories on College Campuses) in January 2026.

In February, I formed PV Saxena Consulting, LLC. In March, my colleague and I launched The Henna Letters (blog with podcast forthcoming), sharing South Asian American stories.

What's one app on your phone that you cannot live without?

For work, Linked In because I can connect with potential clients on the go.

Personally, it's Twitter because I don't watch the news but love the comments on the platform.

Who are your customers?

Colleges/Universities and businesses looking to better connect with, understand, and break barriers for WOC students and employees (specifically South Asian women).

What's your top productivity tip?

Productivity comes from passion, believing in the mission, and knowing you have the ability to deliver.

What's your favorite business tool?

I'm not sure I can answer this with any authority, as I'm still exploring options.

What's your approach to work-life balance?

My approach is to schedule life between work. For example, I block out my schedule for walks, making a smoothie, and running errands. I've found that if I schedule an activity and mark it as a meeting on my calendar, I'm more likely to follow through.

How do you avoid burn-out?

I feel burnout when I am so focused on productivity that self-care (eating well, exercising, reading, etc.) is sidelined. Finding a balance between being too productive and burnout is the sweet spot.

What advice do you have for aspiring Entreprenistas?

Build relationships that bring you joy and happiness. Life is too short to hang on to toxic people

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Through PV Saxena Consulting, Punam Saxena is turning lived experience into meaningful impact, helping institutions better understand and support the communities they serve. Her journey reflects the power of embracing your story, stepping into your voice, and creating solutions where gaps exist. As she continues to expand her work and amplify South Asian women’s experiences, she remains grounded in connection, advocacy, and purpose.

If you’re a founder looking to grow your business while connecting with a powerful network of female entrepreneurs, Entreprenista League provides the community and resources to help you scale with confidence.