Atul Bhatara’s journey is a powerful story of resilience, innovation, and self-belief. Born with cerebral palsy, Atul has defied the odds to become a successful serial entrepreneur.
In this personal story, he reflects on his personal and professional growth, sharing how he turned challenges into opportunities. From his early days in school to the creation of his skincare line, Atul’s story is a testament to the power of determination, creativity, and embracing one’s roots. Through his experiences, he highlights the importance of focusing on what you can achieve, no matter the obstacles.
“It’s not about where you begin, but who you become. Don’t let your circumstances define you.” ~ Atul Bhatar
Despite my physical challenges and the formidable odds against my success, my motto is “It’s important to focus on what you have, not on what’s missing.” Born with cerebral palsy, I never let my physical challenges hold me back from becoming a serial entrepreneur.
Did you know that there are approximately 1.8 million businesses in the United States owned by individuals with disabilities? “All of them have faced challenges every step of the way – challenges I fully understand but have never accepted.
When I started school, I was placed in “special ed”, where a teacher noted my quick intellect and got me transferred into regular classes, where I excelled – even skipping a grade. I went on to graduate college with honours.
The start of the journey: from banquet halls to the birth of my skincare line
After graduating college, I started and ran a business in New York called World’s Fair Marina and Banquet Hall. My family and I hosted over 300 different kinds of weddings a year, including week-long Indian weddings full of colour, liquor and dancing. Then came the pandemic, which forced us to close temporarily.
True to form, during the pandemic lockdown, I refused to recognise the situation as an ending. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to reinvent myself. Like everyone, I was homebound. But I’ve never been one to sit idle. I seized upon a new opportunity – and created an entirely new business totally via email, zooms and phone calls.
One day, sitting on the sofa at home, my cousin Raj, who works for a financial institution, shared the contact information of one of his client’s private label cosmetics laboratories. I seized upon a new opportunity. As soon as I heard such a possibility existed, memories of the textures and smells in my grandmother’s kitchen resurfaced, and I knew what I wanted to do.
Determined to do something impactful, I found inspiration in traditional Ayurvedic recipes passed down by my aunt and grandmother when I was a child in India. I learned from them that skincare doesn’t need to be infused with chemicals to be effective. I decided to launch Atul Skincare based on their recipes and wisdom.
They used a dollop of yoghurt infused with cinnamon, saffron, turmeric, and other spices, along with flowers and fruits and vegetables. The potions they made helped them maintain their beautiful, healthy skin. I still remember the love and warmth in that kitchen, and now I want to share these wonderful ingredients in our chemical-free Atul Skincare line.
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Positivity and results-focused mindset
Because of the loving care I received as a child, I learned that despite the physical challenges I face every day, it’s important to focus on what you have, not on what’s missing. As a result, my company’s values and mine are based on DEI – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for people of all identities, abilities and experiences.
By resolutely facing challenges – and there have been many – I wake up every day believing and knowing that this is a blessed day, a beautiful day with gratitude to the universe, with my spiritual journey, and that’s where I found the most solace and peace.
Key lessons learned
The key lesson I’ve learned and want to share with others with disabilities and those who don’t know if they are “good enough” is that everyone wants and deserves to fulfil their truest expression of themselves as a human being.
With resilience and determination, there is nothing you can’t achieve. Don’t focus on what you can’t do, focus on what you can achieve. I hope you will join the journey to fulfilment, follow your dream and make your impact.
I’d like to reinforce the value of supporting small businesses, especially those led by disabled entrepreneurs, not just for the quality of the products but for the story and values behind them.