How Entrepreneur Sonali Chauhan's Spouse Helped Her Fight For Her Dreams

Sonali Chauhan was one of the thousands of people who lost their high-paying jobs during the pandemic. While the news of getting laid off from her workplace shattered her aspiration of rising in the corporate world, she had her spouse, Dipanshu, standing beside her like a rock through it all. Sonali, who always had a knack for baking, got back to it and started her journey slowly but surely.

While she was still stuck between the crisis of jobs, ambitions and dreams, Dipanshu gave her a nudge in a direction that changed her life for the better. Sonali Chauhan shares with SheThePeople how her spouse Dipanshu pushed her to fight for her passion, chase her dreams and eventually become a proud entrepreneur.

Sonali Chauhan and Dipanshu Piplani's journey of togetherness

"You go after your dreams," is what Dipanshu, my husband, told me. For as long as I can remember, I wanted to bake! But since I did not know where to start, I began with my MBA after graduation. I got a job soon after my MBA, but then came COVID, and soon came a call from my HR. I was laid off! "My world came crashing down!"

Like most, I did not know what to do or how to restart. I started job hunting, and finally, after months of struggle and ranting, I landed a job as an HR. It felt relieving.

Since I was working from home, I started baking for my friends and family almost every day.

Amidst all this, I got engaged to the love of my life, Dipanshu. After a few months, work from home ended, which meant leaving it all and going to Bangalore. "Something inside me just refused to let go!" I brought this up to Mom and Dad that I wanted to turn my passion for baking into a profession. But Daddy wasn't ready to listen! "Baking is fine for a hobby, but one cannot make a living out of it," he said. "Pack your bags, this job will help you build a career." Mom insisted.

Finally, the day came when I had to catch my flight to Bangalore to work at a corporate. Standing at the airport with tickets in my hand, the flight was ready to take off, and something came from inside. "Is this what you really wish to do? What about that dream you had for your bakery?" I didn't know where I gathered all that courage, and I returned, quit my job, and started to chase my dream.

After marriage, I somehow couldn’t manage time for baking. It all became about adjusting to a new family and not following my dreams. It wasn't working out. One day, Dipanshu asked, "Can I do anything to make things better?" I spilled it all. Instantly, he said, "I am there for you. Just go after your dreams!" He now helps me bake, takes time off from work to accompany me to exhibitions, and assists me with deliveries. Dipanshu stood anchor to my dreams. From the day of falling in love to supporting my dreams. He’s not just my man, but the man behind my dreams, too!

As narrated by Sonali Chauhan to Bhavika Mittal, Team SheThePeople

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