From a teacher to a soft skills trainer, Meenakshi grew professionally acquiring 25+ years of experience and established her own training company. Notably, she serves as a National Trainer for Junior Chamber International (JCI) India and holds the position of a Senior Director Consultant in BNI- Greater Surat.

Meenakshi Bhatnagar is a Success Coach and Motivational Trainer who is the founder of Kala Training & Development Company, a training institution in Surat.

Meenakshi shares that the over two-decades-old Kala Training & Development Company specialises in providing comprehensive training and development solutions. Their offerings include business coaching, consulting, and the formulation and execution of strategies aimed at enhancing client growth. The company boasts a proficient team of trainers and has cultivated strong affiliations with various corporate entities and NGOs, amassing an extensive clientele. Additionally, they organise events, business seminars, and open workshops on public speaking, presentation training, and staff development for diverse companies.

In her insightful perspective on soft skills, she emphasises the heart-driven nature of these capabilities, distinguishing them from the technical and analytical skills often engaged in day-to-day interactions. Soft skills, she asserts, involve genuine, heartfelt approaches that contribute to personal and collective well-being. Ranging from leadership and a positive attitude to decision-making, human relations, public speaking, and presentation skills, soft skills play a pivotal role in fostering successful interactions.

Born in Ajmer, Meenakshi completed her schooling and college education in Jaipur due to her father's posting in the city at that time. She studied at Gayatri Devi School before transferring to Maharani Govt. Girls School, a Hindi-medium institution. When she went to Maharani College, she recalls facing stereotypical taunts as she was a student from a Hindi-medium school, which motivated her and her friends to overcome challenges and successfully clear exams in English. In 1986, she graduated with Honours in Psychology, laying the foundation for her remarkable career. Following her academic pursuits, she explored diverse professional roles before establishing her own venture, Kala Training & Development Company.

Meenakshi says she draws inspiration from her father, who encouraged her pursuit of psychology during her undergraduate studies. Witnessing her parents' adept use of soft skills in building relationships further fueled her passion. She particularly admires her mother-in-law for her excellent communication skills. The pivotal moment that motivated her transition into training occurred when she, as a teacher, was initially denied permission to participate in a training session for senior teachers. This setback fueled her determination to become a trainer. Over time, her journey evolved through her involvement with Junior Chamber International (JCI), leading to her current role conducting training programs for schools and even medical professionals.

In terms of role models, she believes in learning from everyone she encounters. However, she cites her husband as her primary inspiration and describes him as a complete man.

Reflecting on her childhood memories, Meenakshi fondly recalls the days of crafting paper boats during rainy weather and playing with friends. She even encapsulated these experiences into a widely appreciated poem of hers titled "Rishte tab bi the, Rishte ab bhi hain."

Sharing her wisdom through quotes, she emphasises our personal responsibility to be happy and grateful for our life circumstances. She recalls a song, "Yeh Jeevan hai," which she and her husband found uplifting during challenging times.

Acknowledging life's challenges, she asserts that they add enjoyment to one's journey. Marrying at the age of 19 and becoming a mother at 20 presented significant challenges, but with her husband's unwavering support, they persisted through tough times. Together, they transitioned from stable jobs to entrepreneurship, a period marked by the blessings of loved ones that saw them through hardships.

Meenakshi's achievements extend to nationwide travel for training and development, including a sponsored trip to Japan by JCI and training sessions in Nepal. While she has received numerous awards, she values the blessings and connections forged throughout her journey as her true accomplishments.

Beyond her professional endeavours, Meenakshi enjoys a fulfilling personal life, surrounded by a loving family, grandchildren, and a supportive husband who has consistently been a source of encouragement.

For aspiring soft-skills trainers, she underscores the importance of not only possessing strong communication skills but also developing a comprehensive marketing and promotion plan. Maturity and the ability to provide solutions to individuals, businesses, and clients are crucial.

Stressing the significance of behavioural skills, Meenakshi advises acknowledging trainees as human beings first. Furthermore, aspiring trainers are urged to undergo personal development, contribute to society through initial free training programs, and avoid relying on shortcuts or quick online training. She suggests that it takes time to reach the level where you can earn from this profession, but before that, you need to contribute to society in order to be accepted by people.

To the youth, she encourages them to realise their true worth, emphasising that “When your day ends, that is when your journey begins towards your transformation." She appreciates the potential, power, and energy of the younger generation, recommending daily engagement with newspapers, insightful books, and staying abreast of current events. Lastly, she encourages them to believe in themselves.