Meet Varnica Singh | IT Professional, Entrepreneur and a Humanitarian

We had the good fortune of connecting with Varnica Singh and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Varnica, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” It always reminds me that our aim should be sky high and we should give all in to achieve it, even if we fall in the process, we should not let our ambitions or dreams die, we must have courage to stand again and again to achieve it.
I have believed that we should not aim too low and keep low expectations. We must keep our aim high and dare to dream big then only we will achieve them! Definitely hard work and patience is the key but if we don’t set our aim in the right direction you can never achieve it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am an IT Professional with 17 years of work experience. I was a successful Media Journalist in India, interviewed and hosted several celebrity based shows on a leading news channel. When I came to the US in 2013, I had to change my career path and start from scratch, I moved into IT industry and now I am working as a senior Business Analyst.
Initially it was very challenging because this was a totally new environment for me. I had to unlearn a lot of things, and dive into unknown. But with the help of my family and friends, I got the motivation to embrace the change and accept it.

Along the way, I always had the passion to organize community events and give back to the country where I come from and at the same time help the needy kids of this new home which I found here in the US. I was looking for the opportunities to volunteer and I found CRY America. I was actually a volunteer in my college for CRY (Child Rights and You) India, where I used to go to small villages/cities and help do street plays or teach kids for a three day workshop etc. I was really happy to find it’s US wing here and got lucky to get the chance to be a part of amazing volunteers.

I am a busy mom with two daughters Aayra, 4 years old and Ayana 10 years old. I have a full time IT job which I start at 6 am PST hrs, I get up at 5 am everyday. Along with this chaotic life I find peace when I successfully do a community event and raise thousands of dollars for the organization. I get happiness when people want their kids to understand the importance of helping such organizations and want their kids to volunteer in our events. People from all walks of life come to our events to enjoy and at the same time take away with them a Proud feeling of giving back to the community where we live in.

I also want to tell you about my entrepreneur side, I launched my small business Kraftsmade in 2020 during the covid time when I lost my job for couple of months. I am a huge fan of handmade stuff and strongly believe in promoting my Indian roots because one must never forget the country which you come from. India is a country with rich heritage and culture, every state has a unique art. I sell handmade home decoration, wedding, festival and favor items. Everything is handmade by the artisans from India, I also do customization as per the needs of the customers. My business gives me an opportunity to express my creativity. I am trying to expand it in coming years. I did have to face a downfall as well but I have not given up my hope. I support small businesses and want to see South Asian Entrepreneurs like me to grow and make our own niche. It take a lot of efforts to balance so many things. I do have my rough days but eventually everything falls in place with my loved one’s support and my hard work. You can find the beautiful handmade products on Instagram @Kraftsmade

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would like to take my friend to Arden Cafe for a nice Brunch, it is in West Hollywood, such a pretty place. We will eat the avocado sandwich and try some desserts. Then we will go to Artesia for a heavy Indian late afternoon lunch or snacks at Surati Farsan. Their chhole bhature and Jalebis are to die for!

I will also take them to Hollywood walk of fame, Griffith observatory and Malibu beach.

We will go to the Grove in Beverly Hills to eat at Cheese Cake Factory and do some shopping.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to give a shout out to my husband Piyush Anandani who is always there to support me in all my endeavors. He has inspired me to up skill my professional portfolio by doing several certifications. He takes care of my home and two daughters when I am busy planning and executing community events to raise funds for the less privileged kids. He has my back whenever I am in a stressful situation.
I also want to mention about Child Rights and You America, a non-profit organization, for which I lead the Los Angeles chapter. It has given me an opportunity to selflessly help the underprivileged kids in the USA and in India. This organization helps in empowering the children with their rights to education, health, proper immunizations, safety from child abuse and child trafficking.
I organize various community events in the Los Angeles area like Kite Flying Festival, Arts Carnival, Holi and tie ups with other city events to bring awareness about this organization and raise funds to help the kids. CRY America works at grass root level with project partners to bring impactful changes. I am trying my best to help them by my role as the LA Action center lead along with a team of fellow volunteers. My co-lead Andy Das is very driven and passionate about this cause as well. Both of us work together to maximize the opportunities to bring a difference in children’s lives who deserve a nurturing environment.

Website: https://cryamerica.org

Instagram: @varnica3, @kraftsmade

Facebook: Varnicasinghanandani