Today we’d like to introduce you to Bhavika Dabur
Hi Bhavika, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I still remember that day back in Class 10. A chief guest had just finished his speech, and the entire school rose in a standing ovation. An entire school!
The applause echoed, and I sat there, mesmerized. “Why can’t I be the one on that stage?” – the thought hit me like a lightning bolt.
That moment wasn’t just inspiration; it was a vision.
A vision of seeing myself commanding an audience, not as a dream but as a reality.
But reality, as they say, is built on effort.
I started participating in every event I could find, yet I was terrified. My hands shook, my voice wavered, and the fear of being judged loomed over me. Was my vocabulary good enough? Was I even making sense? But amidst all the self-doubt, one thing stood strong; I was determined.
Even when fear crept in, I chose to self-motivate rather than surrender.
I had no formal training, no mentor, no roadmap; just sheer practice and persistence. I taught myself everything, refining my speech, my thoughts, my clarity. Slowly, I wasn’t just speaking; I was owning the stage.
The turning point? People started noticing.
They weren’t just listening to my words; they were drawn to the energy, the raw passion.
One event turned into ten, ten into a hundred.
Before I knew it, I was a jury member, a trainer, and a mentor, impacting over 70,000+ individuals. I wasn’t just delivering speeches; I was breaking barriers; winning case competitions, making my mark internationally, and ultimately seeing my face on New York’s Times Square.
But here’s the flip side – I did it alone.
Not because there weren’t mentors around, but because I wasn’t the one they guided. I was my own motivator.
And that’s when I made a promise.
If I didn’t have a mentor, I would become the mentor I once craved.
I started training students for free, helping them break the same fears I once had. Even today, I continue to train students for free, because I know what it’s like to feel lost and unheard.
Looking back, the journey was never about just public speaking. It was about conquering everything I was once afraid of.
And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: Fear is real, but so is growth. You just have to want it bad enough.
To every dreamer reading this; stand up, take that mic, and own your story.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Not at all.
The journey from being an anxious student in the audience to a confident speaker on stage was anything but easy. I wasn’t the naturally gifted one, nor did I have someone guiding me. I taught myself everything; from articulation to stage presence – through sheer practice and persistence.
One of my biggest struggles was fear – fear of judgment, fear of failure, and fear of not being good enough.
There were days when my hands shook, my voice wavered, and I questioned whether I even belonged on stage.
Imposter syndrome was real.
The idea that I wasn’t trained, that I didn’t have a formal coach, made me doubt my place in the world of public speaking.
Then came the external challenges – the lack of recognition, the rejections, the constant need to prove myself.
I wasn’t someone people readily believed in, so I had to work twice as hard to be noticed. Breaking into spaces where others had years of mentorship and training wasn’t easy.
But the biggest challenge? Doing it alone. Not because there weren’t mentors around, but because I wasn’t the one they chose to mentor. I had to be my own biggest supporter, my own motivator, and my own critic.
And maybe that’s why my journey became so powerful. Because every hurdle I faced became a lesson I later taught others. Every struggle made me the mentor I once needed.
So no, it wasn’t a smooth road. But it was worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear multiple hats, but at my core, I am a public speaker, policy strategist, and genz changemaker dedicated to impact-driven work. My journey started with public speaking, but it evolved into something much bigger – mentorship, leadership, and policy contributions across industries.
I’ve worked with organizations like the Ministry of Commerce (ITPO), HSIIDC (Government of Haryana, India) and C20 India, contributing to business development, financial strategies, and policy discussions.
My corporate stint at KPMG (Big4) was a valuable learning experience, but I recently made a conscious decision to resign and fully commit as the Chief Operating Officer at ECB Sustainable Youth Foundation. Here, I focus on empowering young leaders, driving sustainable initiatives, and fostering youth-led policy interventions.
What sets me apart? I’ve built everything from scratch.
I wasn’t handed opportunities; I created them. Whether it was mastering public speaking without formal training, winning case competitions, or representing India on international platforms – I did it with relentless self-motivation. That’s why I continue to mentor students for free – because I know what it feels like to need guidance and not find it.
One of my proudest moments? Being featured on New York’s Times Square – a symbol of how far I’ve come. But beyond the titles and global recognitions, what matters most is the impact I create.
I’m here to challenge the norm, to push boundaries, and to help young people see that their dreams aren’t too big – they just need the right mindset to chase them.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
-> Trust the Process, Take the Mic
If you’re just starting out – whether in public speaking, corporate life, or leadership. know that self-doubt will be your first companion. Let discipline be your second.
Here’s what I wish I knew when I started:
1) Nobody is born ready: You become ready by doing. I used to think confidence was something you had before stepping on stage. Wrong. Confidence is built every time you show up, even when you’re scared.
2) Opportunities don’t come knocking; you build the door:
I wasn’t handed speaking gigs, leadership roles, or international recognition. I created my own stage. Start where you are, even if it’s small. Speak in front of five people like it’s five thousand.
3) You don’t need permission to be great: No one is going to come and validate your dreams. You have to own your journey, even when no one claps for you. I didn’t have mentors in the beginning, but I became the mentor I once needed.
4) Rejection is a redirection: The things you lose will eventually lead you to what’s meant for you. I’ve been turned down, underestimated, and even told I wasn’t “qualified” enough. But the only qualification you truly need is resilience.
5) Be so good they can’t ignore you: MY FAVOURITE!
The world notices consistency, not potential. Keep showing up, keep practicing, keep improving – until there’s no room left to doubt your place.
And most importantly – start before you feel ready. Because the truth is, you’ll never feel ready. You just have to start.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bhavika.8?igsh=MWdpc3VhZzZkMzN6ag%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bhavikadabur?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
