Many of us are familiar with lifestyle blogs. However, there are few blogs that are a mesh of thoughtful narratives, practicality, and striking visuals. Today, we are taking you on an exciting adventure with the sassy lifestyle blogger Upasana Kochhar! Every post of hers celebrates the unique individual in each one of us. Moreover, it reminds us time and again what it means to have a fulfilling and jazzy life at the same time.
She runs the Upasanakochhar Instagram page, where one finds posts related to the latest style trends, fashionable outfits, accessories, places to explore, product reviews, and more.
Upasana Kochhar has been associated as a Travel Blog Writer at CNBC- TV18. She is a lifestyle influencer and content creator. She has traveled to more than 80 countries.
What’s more, Kochhar has been featured on many platforms like the Free Press Journal, Dyson, Samsung Galaxy, Thai Tourism, Versace, and many others!
Here are some excerpts from a rendezvous the NRI Travelogue team had with her. Read on to know more.
How did “Salmon on Stilettos” Happen?
Having done my masters from Asia’s finest design college NIFT, Delhi and worked with India’s leading fashion retail giants, I decided to create my own Fashion and Lifestyle MicroBlog by the name of “Salmon on Stilettos.” This visual storytelling was quite a showstopper for the new-age millennials. I decided to call my social media handle- “Salmon on Stilettos”.
It is a proven fact that the Salmon is a fish that flows against the current. In a similar way, we need to break deadlocks and boundaries we impose on ourselves.
Upasana says like the salmon which is always upstream and going against the current, she is also “an experience junkie in stilettos or rather skateboards!” She firmly believes in breaking every barrier that stops her from growing in life.
You Have Been an avid Follower of Nichiren Buddhism. How has it Empowered your Life Journey?
Yes, I am a follower of Nichiren Buddhism. A few lines that I read while exploring the concept really touched my core. I would love to share it with all of you.
“The environment is your shadow. When you bend the environment bends, and when you stand tall, it stands tall.” This line is so impactful as it just makes you feel so empowered.
You also realize that you are not a victim of a situation. If you want the situation to change, you need a breakthrough. That breakthrough has to come from within.
Tell us about your upbringing and journey.
I have completed my Master’ from Asia’s finest design college, NIFT, Delhi. Thereafter, I joined India’s pioneer advertising agency, Wunderman Thompson. While working enthusiastically in the field of qualitative research, I got interesting insights into consumer behavior. This has enabled me to handle brand communication strategies for the leading FMCG brands in the country.
Earlier, Upasana had shared with us that she always had the intense desire to “break through her deadlocks and really expand her life.” And that’s when it all began. She started a new journey of content creation and influencing through her social media handles.
What led you to start Instagramming and what is Your Page All About?
She started her journey of Instagramming as a mere hobby that she was passionate about.
Upasana Kochhar is a popular Instagram influencer who does social media marketing. Being one of the mainstream influencers on the platform, Upasana Kochhar focuses on Fashion and Lifestyle. Upasana Kochhar has approx 132k followers.
Having traveled across the world, I maintained an online travel diary. It was dotted with some interesting culinary curation. This is what got me the sudden attention of certain hospitality chains.
Finally, I had literally kickstarted my mystical blogging journey, which I had always dreamt of, but never actively pursued.
What does Confidence Mean to You?
Upasana shares that a lot of times we lack confidence in our own capability. We are unable to see how much innate potential lies within ourselves. We usually use the words “I can’t.” According to her, those are merely self-imposed restrictions. We are actually giving into the belief that “we can’t.”
She opines that these negative emotions are roadblocks and barriers created by our own selves. They are stopping us from blooming to our full potential. So, the key is to “truly, genuinely believe and have faith in our own magnanimous abilities.”
Is there any Difference between a Blogger and an Influencer for You?
Yes, there is a subtle difference. A blogger is a content creator. But when that content starts to create ripples and starts to impact lives, it’s a journey towards influencing. That’s when you become a change agent. Now, you have the power to influence the behavior of scores of people around you.
However, with great power comes responsibility. Upasana believes, “Lots of people hold their trust in you. So, you cannot at any point be reckless. You cannot at any point forget this sense of responsibility. This sometimes tends to be overwhelming, but taking responsibility is non-negotiable.”
She compares the journey from being a blogger to an influencer to a ladder. One starts as a blogger but when the blog creates loyalty and consumers want to know your point of view, that’s influencing.
Is it Financially Sustainable to be a Lifestyle Influencer Today?
Upasan believes that for most bloggers who end up influencing, there is always a trigger for entry. For some it’s passion, for some, it’s a vent for their creativity, for some it’s the recognition and for some it’s the money. Each person has a different motivation. “A lot of people truly believe in a cause. So, they will go to any extreme to promote it even without expecting a single penny of compensation.”
What is the Secret of Being a Successful Blogger?
Everybody has their own success mantra. She opines, “For me, content creation has been a passion. I love visual storytelling.”
Being born to an artist mother and a businessman father, she has a mix of a marketing mind with a strong creative bent of mind. No doubt, her blog is her canvas and medium of expression.
Upasana believes that if one is passionate about something, compensation follows. Money is a byproduct as it is a reward for your persistent efforts. Money is not the motivator behind the work she does.
What do You think Influences Consumer Behavior?
Humans do not live in isolation and consumers are no exception. They are exposed to a gamut of experiences every day. Each exposure leaves a trace, an imprint. It is this imprint that has an impact on choice.
There is so much external stimulation and education- so much information that at times the difference between what’s right and wrong gets blurred. We cannot find a way through this maze.
Upasana shares, “In this environment of overloading of information and multiplicity of choices- you cannot expect loyalty, you can just be a part of their repertoire set. At the end of the day- it is a world of flirts.” Consumers are constantly trying new brands, experimenting, learning, unlearning, and making their choices.
Talking about marketers, she says that marketers need to be sensitive to understand the consumer’s mindset. They need to understand the vacant spaces that they can occupy best in the ever-changing consumer’s mind to create their own unique niche.
What is Your Idea of Success in Life?
Upasana shares, “For me, success has different meaning systems.Firstly, success is growth. One needs to keep growing in life. That’s my perspective. This movement towards betterment is what I would call success. I think of myself as a work in progress.”
There is always an infinite scope of improvement and one has to be constantly at it. Being an ardent believer of the Lotus Sutra and Nichiren Buddhism, it is fundamental to progress each minute. Stagnation in life is synonymous with failure. She gives us a beautiful adage, “When you stop seeking, stop yearning to grow, it’s the first step toward regressing.”
The second meaning of success is to take the steering of your life into your own hands. Many times in life, things don’t happen the way we want them to. At those moments we tend to feel victimized. She shares, “We are almost at the mercy of the environment- cribbing and lamenting. For me this is failure. Success means being active and taking charge of your life.”
How Can Someone Become a Successful Lifestyle Influencer?
Upasana believes, “All of us are very unique. We are exceptional in our own ways. We cannot be put into the watertight compartments.” When you call someone a lifestyle influencer, it means that person is living a life that’s setting goals for you, that’s influencing you, inspiring you, and motivating you. She thinks that is the mantra of success for a lifestyle influencer.
Also with influencing comes a strong sense of responsibility, as a lot of people are watching you. Time is money and if your audience is devoting time to you, you must give back through meaningful well-researched content that resonates with your audience.
“Also, it’s very important to understand consumer sentiment, we need to give them what they can digest.” You cannot feed them more or something that would not be palatable for them.
Which is Your Favorite Book and Why?
She reads a lot of spiritual texts related to Nichiren Buddhism. There are multiple books she is currently reading by Daisaku Ikeda. The most profound life concepts have been explained in the most pleasant and understandable manner.
Upasana shares, “The work that I am reading currently talks about individual challenges and takes inspiration from the lotus sutra.”
What have you learned and imbibed from this lotus analogy?
The lotus flower blooms in the muddy water. That’s where it gets its nourishment from. Upasana motivates us by sharing, “Escapism isn’t ever an option. Bloom here. Bloom now. Use the obstacle as an opportunity.”
Which are your Favorite Travel Destinations and Why?
My favorite travel destinations are Goa, Malaysia, Maldives and Dubai. The scenic locations here breathe serenity and not only the mind but also the soul. What’s more, Malaysia recently announced its decision to allow visa-free entry for Indians from December 2023. So, this gives me another reason to visit Malaysia and feel bliss!
There are so many adventure activities to explore in Malaysia like water rafting, trekking, paragliding, skiing…I can keep counting them! Well, my favorite is paragliding which allows you to see the mesmerising beauty of the place. Watching the snowy mountains from a distance makes it special and exciting for me!
Final Thoughts
Upasana Kochhar has truly redefined what it means to have a stylish but fulfilling life. There is no point in hankering after money. It will come once you are loyal to your work. Hats off, to your wisdom, Upasana!!
