BY JYOTHSNA HEGDE
It began over chai.
What was supposed to be a casual tea with friends turned into something far more powerful. As the conversation flowed, the women dropped the pleasantries and opened up about real challenges—struggles with marriage, motherhood, self-worth, and the invisible pressure to keep it all together. In that moment, Shikha Bajaj saw something clearly: women needed spaces to be heard, supported, and reminded of their worth.
That conversation planted the seed for what would become Own Your Color—, a transformational “playbook”, as Bajaj puts it.
Bajaj is on a mission to champion a new era of leadership rooted in authenticity, courage, and purpose. Whether she’s mentoring one-on-one or speaking on global stages, Bajaj’s message is clear: your story, your voice, your color—it all matters.
The impact of her work was recently recognized – Bajaj was named one of America’s Top 20 Women of Excellence by the Global Strategic Alliance. The honor, presented at the U.S. Capitol by Representatives Danny K. Davis, Jonathan Jackson, Raja Krishnamoorthi, President Toni Preckwinkle, and Mayor Nathaniel Booker at Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. and the Embassy of China, was both humbling and empowering for her—an experience she describes as energizing and deeply meaningful. “These recognitions aren’t just about me,” she reflected. “They’re a tribute to all the women who lead with heart, impact, and authenticity.”
She also expressed gratitude to AMEC’s Dr. VGP and Mustafa Ajmeri for their leadership in spotlighting diverse voices and building bridges across communities. “Their commitment to global unity and inclusion continues to inspire me,” she added.
Own Your Color is the recipient of over 10 awards including International Impact Awards for Best Female Empowerment and Self-Help Book, BookFest Awards for Best Self-Help and Business Leadership, PenCraft Book Award for Best Self-Help Book, Top Self-Help Books of the Year by Literary Insider and also Finalist in American BookFest and IAN Book of the Year in Self-Help and Women Studies.
Bajaj has been recognized as one of the Top 50 Most Influential Authors of 2024 by DelhiWire, one of America’s Top 20 Women of Excellence by the Global Strategic Alliance (GSA) in Chicago and Empowered Woman of the year 2025 by myDreamTVUSA in Atlanta.
For over 25 years, Bajaj thrived in the world of corporate IT, leading high-performing teams and navigating the complexities of the tech industry as a woman of color. But something shifted during the pandemic. As the world slowed down, she began to listen more deeply—not just to her own inner voice, but to the stories of women around her.
“I was seeing brilliant, capable women play small, burn out, or feel invisible,” Bajaj recalled. “That’s when I knew my next chapter had to be about helping others reclaim their voice.”
What began as informal mentoring quickly grew into a global initiative. Bajaj launched a volunteer-led mentorship program that connected women from across the world—China, Japan, Spain, Africa, India, and the U.S.—through monthly events, panel discussions, and one-on-one coaching. Her goal wasn’t just to share professional advice, but to create authentic, supportive communities where women could show up as their full selves.
The mentorship program focused on leadership, visibility, and navigating cultural dynamics in the workplace, but it also made space for deeper topics: identity, guilt, balance, and the inner critic.
With a dedicated team of six, Bajaj helped build a structure that empowered women at all stages of life and career. Eventually, she passed the baton to new leaders and turned her energy toward something even more personal—capturing the spirit of these conversations in a book.
“It’s a transformational playbook,” Bajaj explained. “Not just about goals, but about reconnecting with your voice. It’s rooted in research, life lessons, and interviews with hundreds of women across the globe.”
The book’s practical M.E.N.T.O.R. framework (Meditation, Exercise, Notation, Thankfulness, Ownership, and Reading) gives readers a daily blueprint for growth—just six minutes a day can create real change. And the stories, drawn from Bajaj ’s own life and the lives of women she’s mentored, create a shared sense of possibility.
“It’s not about having an hour to yourself,” Bajaj elaborated. “It’s about taking back six minutes to reconnect with yourself. That’s where change begins.”
The book was written and published within 15 months—fast, yes, but deeply intentional. Most of the royalties have been donated to nonprofits like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County, an organization close to her heart. “Mentorship gave me so much,” she said. “It only felt right to pay it forward.”
While awards are encouraging, Bajaj said she is most proud of the stories she hears from readers—like the woman in her 50s who, after losing her father and struggling with depression, picked up the book, rediscovered her voice, and began mentoring others.
“That’s what this is about,” Bajaj said. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s about showing up, being real, and lifting each other.”
As for the title, it took time to find. She toyed with names like Magic Mentors and I’m a Firefly, but Own Your Color captured it best. To Bajaj , “color” isn’t just about race or background—it’s about essence. Authenticity. The unique hue each person brings to the world. “At the end of the book, I write: ‘Own your color, you’re a firefly shining bright. The world is waiting for you and needs your light.’ And I truly believe that.”
For aspiring writers, leaders, or anyone feeling stuck, Bajaj ’s advice is grounded and honest: “Don’t wait to be perfect. Progress over perfection—that’s my mantra. If you have a story, tell it. If you have a message, share it. You don’t need permission to show up fully.”
Today, most of the book’s royalties are donated to nonprofit mentorship groups like Big Brothers Big Sisters of Mercer County.
So, let’s own our color boldly—like a sunrise breaking through the clouds—because the world needs the light only we can shine.
