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CH: So, today is August 30th, 2023. CH: My name is Caroline Huynh, and I'm with the Houston Asian American Archive. CH: And today I'll be talking with native H-Houstonian Tina Khatri who is the vice CH: president of TDK Construction Company.

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CH: Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to talk with me. CH: So, to begin with, could you please tell me your full name and place of CH: birth? TK: Sure. My full name is Tina Dhansukh Khatri, and I was born in Houston, Texas.

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TK: And thank you for having me here today. CH: Yes. And how do you identify ethnically? TK: Ethnically I'm Asian-American and more specifically, Gujarati TK: and Hindu.

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CH: Awesome. And, as a native Houstonian, can you tell me where in Houston you were born CH: and what the area was like where you grew up? TK: So I was born at Memorial Hospital, which is on Beltway and I-10, but we grew TK: up in Harvest Bend, which is 1960

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TK: and Winford. TK: So that's kind of in the north side of town—northwest side of town. TK: When I was born, my parents were not very well off, so the neighborhood TK: was a little rough.

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TK: You know, there was always, like, robberies and our egg—our house was getting egged all TK: the time. But, from there, we transitioned, you know, TK: slowly into nicer neighborhoods [laughs]. TK: But that's how I initially started.

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CH: That's great. And can [TK: Yeah.] you tell me what your family was like as you grew up? TK: So, I have one sister. TK: She's eight years older than me, Bhakti Khatri. TK: And when growing up, my mom was working two jobs.

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TK: My dad was working out of town a lot. TK: So, you know, everybody was really busy. TK: So my sister, even though she was only eight years older than me, you know, spent a lot of TK: her time raising me and, you know, taking me places and taking care of me when I was a

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TK: young–young kid. TK: But then on the weekends, we would all, like, spend time together. TK: But, you know, we're a small family, so that's pretty much, you know, us. CH: Yeah. And were you the youngest sibling?

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TK: Yeah, yeah. So there's just two of us. TK: [CH: Yeah.] Two of us. TK: Eight years apart. CH: So, did your parents have any cultural values that they tried to

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CH: instill within you or as you grew up? TK: Yeah, so, growing up, we wa—went to a lot of, like, Indian functions TK: and we'd go to the temple, we'd celebrate Diwali. TK: We'd go to this thing called Garba, where it's, like, everybody goes and dances, like,

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TK: with the sticks and it's–it's, like, huge. TK: Everybody from Houston goes there, everyone in the Indian community. TK: So we will do that. TK: We, you know, we would wear Indian clothes.

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TK: They all—we–we grew up speaking Gujarati in the house. TK: My mom always cooked Indian food, which she still does to this day. TK: To this day, she sends food for me and my sister and my husband, and we're always TK: eating Indian food. But—so the Indian culture was, you know, really

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TK: within us throughout the time that we grew up and still in me now. TK: Yeah. CH: That's awesome. Do you have any, like, particular moments from those CH: events that you find really memorable?

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TK: ell, growing up, like, TK: my—since my, you know, my dad was, I mentioned, was out of town for TK: work a lot. He was working as a superintendent at a big job, TK: but he was—they were like, "Hey, your job is here" or whatnot.

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TK: So, one of my fondest memories is my dad taking me to Baskin-Robbins. TK: And I still remember which one it was, it was the one on 1960 and Jones Road. TK: It's still—it's not there anymore. TK: And taking me to IHOP for breakfast on the weekends whenever he could.

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TK: And so that's just, like, one memory that I–that I really have of like my childhood and TK: my parents, you know, other than going to these events and stuff. CH: Um, moving on, could you tell me more about your early CH: educational experience?

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CH: Like elementary, middle school or high school? TK: Yeah. So, I—when I went into elementary school, I was in TK: ESL: English Second Language. TK: I didn't–I didn't know any English.

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TK: And I was kind of, like, a very, very, very shy kid. TK: So, from a lot of what I remember from my childhood was, like, a TK: little, like, I felt like I was, like, a depressed kid. TK: I was very shy.

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TK: Like, I was like, "I don't know anybody." I was scared to talk to people. TK: I'd, like, cry every day, I'm like, "I don't want to go to school." And I just felt like I TK: got bullied a lot. TK: And also, I grew up in the north side where most of the Indian community, especially at

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TK: that time, lived, like, in Sugar Land and in the South Side, which is still true to this TK: day. But at that time, you know, there was, like, barely anybody TK: in–in the area that I lived in. TK: So I kind of felt like an outcast.

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TK: You know, my sister was eight years older, so we were never in the same school. TK: And so I kind of just felt, like, a little lonely growing up. And then, as I went into junior high, you know, I still was like, okay, I start making a little bit of friends, but I still always got bullied.

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And not until high school did I feel like, "Okay, now I'm starting to feel like I fit in" and stuff like that. So, the childhood years, especially when it comes to school, was very difficult for me. So when I think about it, it makes me a little sad because I was like, I felt like I

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was somewhat of a sad kid just growing up and not because of anybody else, just because, you know, I–I always was, like, scared of going to school and stuff like that. But as time went on, I feel like it got better, especially during high school. I was able to branch out, make new friends and stuff like that.

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So. CH: That's awesome. CH: [TK: Yeah, yeah.] Do you remember the names of any of the schools you attended? TK: Yeah. So elementary was Post–Post Elementary, not Post

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TK: Oak—Post Elementary. TK: Junior high—so I went to Dean for one grade, which was sixth grade, TK: I think. And then I went to Cook junior high. TK: So there was, like, a split in junior highs where I was at.

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TK: And then I went to Jersey Village High School. TK: So, at that point, we lived in Jer—we moved from Harvest Bend to Jersey Village at some TK: point in between when I was born and high school, and then I went to Jersey Village. CH: Awesome. [TK: Yeah.] And you mentioned that as time went on, you were able to make more

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CH: friends [TK: Yes. Mhm.] Did you find, like, that community through any clubs or CH: organizations or hobbies? TK: So I joined—so, like, as—when I was a kid, I did dance classes. TK: I did, like, ballet, tap, jazz, and I just loved to dance.

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TK: I also did gymnastics, but I–I was so scared of getting hurt [both laughs]. TK: I gravitated away from it. TK: It was like, you know, all the flips and stuff. TK: I could do a little bit, but I was always scared.

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TK: So I was like, "Forget it, I'm good at dance." So when I went to high school, I TK: tried out for the dance team and I joined—so, it's called drill team, I don't TK: know if you know what that is. TK: But we perform at the football games and we did, like, competitions and

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TK: I felt like that's where I really met people, and I was able to form TK: friendships in school, right? TK: So I had all these friends, like, Indian friends that I would see at all the cultural TK: events, right? I would see them at Garba and Diwali celebrations and temple and, you know,

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TK: keep in touch over the phone. TK: But, like, on a daily basis, like where I live, there was not a big TK: In-Indian community. TK: So, you know, which was–which was good in a way because it–it helped me to make

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TK: all types of friends, right? TK: And not just kind of stick to one–one type of, you know, just to–to my TK: people, right? So, I was able to make all types of friends, especially in drill team. TK: And so I think that's what got me to, you know, make more friends and be more

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TK: comfortable talking to everybody. TK: Because when you're in an organization like that, you meet a lot of people. CH: Yes, that's awesome [TK: Yeah.] How you could make such like a var—a variety of CH: friends.

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TK: Mhm. Yeah. And I loved dance. TK: So for me, that was–that was a lot of fun. CH: Dance was one of your interests as you were growing up [TK: Yeah.] Has that CH: interest ever influenced who you are today?

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TK: Yeah, I think so. I–I, you know, I've always considered myself, you know, TK: like, a dancer. Growing up I always wanted to, like, perform, you know, TK: professionally or be a dance teacher or be a aerobics teacher. TK: I loved working out and stuff too.

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TK: But—so after–after high school, when I went into TK: college, I danced with, like, friends and in groups and we would TK: do, like—so there's–there were a lot of these Indian festivals and, you know, my TK: friends and I would always get together and do a dance for one of the festivals, and we

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TK: loved doing that. TK: And then for pe–friends' weddings and stuff like that. TK: And then when I got out of college, I decided to join–I started learning salsa TK: dancing. My sister took me one day and I was like, "Okay, this is okay." And I'm the type

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TK: of person that if I'm, like, if I start doing something, I'm like, "I've got to be TK: the best at it." So then I, like, started going salsa dancing every weekend and taking TK: classes. TK: And then I joined a dance team.

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TK: So one of the dance teachers for salsa, Eddie, he's like, "Hey, I'm looking for a TK: partner, do you want to join our team?" And I was like, "Okay." So, I joined his team and then we ended up, you know, competing around the world.

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We went to Puerto Rico where they have the World Salsa Congress, LA, Dallas. And I really enjoy that. And I did that for a full two years, traveling and dancing, but also working, right? And then I got burnt out of it.

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I was like, I can't do both. If I really want to excel in my career, I just also can't–because that was a big, big time commitment, right? We had practice every weekend, during the week, all of that stuff. But–so I love to dance and my husband loves to dance.

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So now, you know, we–even at home, we dance all the time. We just got married in October. We did a bunch of dances, performances. And so that's something that I'll always do, like, you know, for fun.

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CH: That's amazing. TK: Yeah, maybe never again professionally, but I will always do it for fun [both laughs]. CH: On the topic of you and your husband, are you willing to, CH: like, tell us about the story of how you met him?

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TK: Yeah, yeah. So his name is Suman Khatiwada. TK: He's actually from Nepal. TK: He was born and raised there. TK: He came here for college, he went to Morgan State University.

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TK: And later, actually, he moved to Houston to come to Rice. TK: He did his PhD in material science. TK: So, it's kind of cool because I told him I'm coming here and he was [CH laughs] so TK: excited. But—so I met him through a friend, I met him during Covid.

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TK: So I think the pandemic started in March of 2020. TK: And we have a mutual friend, a guy that I've known for, like, ten years, that he knew, I TK: think for 3 or 4 years. TK: And he asked me, he's like, "Are you single?" I was like "Yes." He's like, "Do you

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TK: want to meet one of my friends?" I said, "No." He goes, "You didn't ask me who they TK: were or anything." I said–I said, "Do you not know what's happening in the world?" [CH TK: laughs] Like, I thought the world was, like, you know, like, everybody was going to die. TK: I thought if I look at somebody, I'd get Covid.

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TK: Like, you know, I didn't know, right? TK: And my mom had, two weeks before the shutdown, got out of the hospital. TK: She had breast cancer for the second time and had surgery. TK: So she had to get a mastectomy.

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TK: And, you know, so she's so vulnerable still, right? TK: She's still recovering. TK: And so I was like, "I can't go and, you know, meet people at this time." So TK: two months later, he asked me again and I said no.

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TK: And then he asked me again the third time and I was like, "Okay, who is this guy?" [CH TK: laughs] Because I was like, "People try to set me up all the time." so I didn't think TK: anything of it. I was just like, "Whatever, no." And he's like, "Well, I don't want to TK: tell you because if I tell you, you'll go Google him and then you'll get this

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TK: preconceived notion and then it won't work." And I was like, "Well, forget it then. TK: I really don't want to meet him." [CH laughs] And then finally, July, he asked me TK: for the fifth time. TK: And that day I was just, like, fed up with, like, everything.

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TK: I was, like, I hadn't gone anywhere. TK: Even to, like, an outdoor patio for, like, dinner, for drinks, nothing. TK: Like I was very, very, like, just very careful TK: because our company never shut down.

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TK: It never shut down because we're in construction and so that's essential TK: business. We have a small office and so we just all wore masks. TK: I mean, we worked throughout, but I, you know, worked with my father. TK: And so he's older and lives with my mom.

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TK: So, I was just very careful, so I had not done anything. And at that time, I was supposed to go on a trip to Cabo, actually, with some friends. And I was so scared. And my mom's like, "Just go, you've been so good." So I'm like, okay, booking my flight,

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my passport is expired. Can't get it on time. And that day, the same friend, his name is Reid, he asked me if I want to meet them, like, at a bar or a patio.

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And I was like, "Yeah, you know what? I'm going to come." And so that's how I met him. So it was just—it was, you know, random but not random. Like, this friend really made an effort because he was like, "I just feel like either you guys are going to love each other or hate each other." So he's like, "I don't know

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which way it's going to go." So that first day we ended up hanging out like three, four hours, us three. My husband, Reid, and I. And at that time I was like, "Oh, he's so funny." But I didn't, you know, I didn't

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know. And then we all hung out again once in a group. And then he asked me out on a date, and then we just started dating. And because, you know, we were not really seeing a lot of people or anybody—anything, we were able to spend a lot of time together.

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And like, we accelerated, I think, faster than most couples would. And, you know, we always say that if we met during non-pandemic, we probably wouldn't be together because he's so busy, he runs his own business, he travels for work, you know, I'm very busy, we're both social.

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It's like, would we have made that time to really get to know each other? Maybe? But it would have taken a really long time, you know. And I probably would have been like, "Oh, you travel? Forget it." I always was like, "I'm not going to date somebody who travels because then

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they're not here and, you know, whatnot." So, I think it worked out because of that, the pandemic. So it was kind of a blessing for us because we were able to spend so much time together. And then within a year, right, a little over a year, he proposed and we got

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engaged. So–so that's how we met. CH: That's an amazing story [TK: Yeah, yeah]. CH: And it's amazing how time and luck were on your side. CH: Congratulations by the way.

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TK: Yeah, thank you. Thank you so much. CH: Yes. And moving on CH: to career, you mentioned in the initial survey CH: that you started your first job at a dry cleaners at age 15.

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CH: Could you tell me how this experience has shaped your work ethic and your CH: approach to professional responsibilities throughout your life? TK: So–so I mentioned growing up, we didn't have a lot of money. TK: My parents were, you know—my mom was working two jobs, my dad was traveling for

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TK: work. And, you know, it's, like, I never had money to get little things for TK: myself, right? Because everything was only whatever is necessity. TK: And I was like, "You know what? I want to work." I saw my parents working hard. TK: I was like, "I want a job." And then some family friend gave me a job at a dry

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TK: cleaners. Like, I don't even think I was old enough to work at that time [CH laughs]. TK: So I was like, I just, you know, I wanted to have TK: some extra money for myself. TK: I was like, I'm going to work for myself.

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TK: And ever since then, I've worked my entire life except a few years in college, TK: where I was really trying to focus on–on school and studies. TK: But, you know, from there, I worked all the way up to college like I—after the dry TK: cleaners, as soon as I was, like, legally allowed to work, I worked at Subway.

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TK: My first, like, real job, I was a sandwich artist. TK: That's what it said [both laughs]. Then I went to Denny's. I was a hostess there.

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They promoted me to be a waitress. After the first day, I quit [CH laughs], because I was so bad at it. And then, I went to Logan's Roadhouse. I was a hostess there.

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So those are all down, like, right near 290, next to each other. And—so I stayed, like, kind of in the food industry there, whatever I could get as a teenager. And then when I went to college, I did internships.

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I worked at Enterprise Rent-a-car, and I did a few other little jobs, took some time off. And then ever since then, I've worked. So, I think it–it taught me, you know, how to work hard and the value of money. And I think my parents always taught me that growing up, right?

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And then I've obviously experienced it firsthand. So I think, you know, part of it, you know, I think was a good experience for me because now, you know, I know the value of, like, you know, working hard. I know the value of money and saving also, right?

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So... CH: That's very good. CH: And you also mentioned that you received your bachelor's of business administration in CH: Finance at the University of Texas at Austin.

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CH: [TK: Yeah.] What were some significant academic or extracurricular activities that CH: you were involved in at your time there? TK: So, there—so I started out actually in engineering, TK: the first year. And I didn't—I hated it.

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TK: And so, I transferred to business the second year, and then I started getting more TK: involved. So I joined a–a service sorority and it TK: was called OPA, Omega Phi Alpha. TK: And the reason I joined is I had a couple friends who were like, "Hey, I'm joining the

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TK: sorority." And so it was basically all Asian Americans in the TK: sorority. It was something that—it was nice so I could—I felt like, you know, I had a TK: sense of community there. TK: And we did, like, community work.

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TK: But we also did, you know, we had events together and dinners and stuff like that. TK: And it was, like, I think 30, 35 of us. TK: So, that was really good because I was able to make friendships and I TK: was also able to give back to the community.

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TK: And I was also from the business school side, I was part of this organization called TK: MIS Connects. TK: So, MIS, like, nobody really talks about that anymore, but back then it was a TK: huge—like, a major that everybody was majoring in.

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TK: It was management information systems and we did HTML coding. TK: And so there was a group of us from the business school that went to local junior TK: highs and we taught kids the, you know, how to do HTML TK: back in the day. So that was–that was cool.

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TK: That was something different that I got to do. TK: And then I did a study abroad in London. TK: I went to LSE: London School of Economics and Political Science TK: . So, I just did one full sum-summer there, which I really wish I did, like, a

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TK: semester because that was probably, I would have to say one of the best experiences I've TK: had, like, in my life. TK: Because it's something like—going to college, you know, from living at home all my life—I TK: mean, Austin is not that far, but that was hard, right?

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TK: Like going somewhere where you don't know anybody. TK: I knew nobody—knew nobody, anybody. TK: And then trying to make friends, but then going to another country. TK: So, I went there not knowing anybody who was going to be part of the group

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TK: or anything. TK: And I just made friends there from all over the world. TK: And I met people from all different cultures. TK: So, it was a cool experience because, you know, I found my love to

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TK: travel. So the friends that we made, we would all travel on the weekends together. TK: So we would take time and we would go to Brussels and Edinburgh and TK: I think we went to Amsterdam. TK: And so we did a lot of other things.

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TK: And it was—it just opened my eyes to so many cultures. TK: So I think it's something that anybody, everybody should do at some point in their TK: life because it's–it's just a different experience that you're not going to get here. TK: Even if you go to school somewhere else, you're not going to get it as same as going

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TK: out abroad [CH: Yeah.] and going somewhere there. TK: Yeah. CH: That sounds like [TK: Yeah.] A very life changing experience. TK: It was super fun. So you should do it.

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TK: [CH laughs] [CH: I will.] Yeah. TK: Do something study abroad. CH: Yes, ma'am [both laughs]. Do—in any CH: way did those experiences contribute to your current skill set or shape your career

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CH: trajectory? TK: Yeah, I think so. TK: Especially with the–the study abroad, because I really TK: learned my, you know, passion to travel.

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TK: And so, I love to, you know, travel now and I–I—and TK: it also all those–all those organizations helped me, like, TK: develop my–my own personality and my leadership and learning to work with TK: people and groups and, you know, all of those, like, life skills that you really need

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TK: when you go work out in the real world. TK: So, you know, I think a lot of that has helped me, you know, TK: after college and where I'm at now in my life. TK: Yeah, for sure.

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CH: Were there any particular challenges or obstacles that you faced during college? TK: I think one of the biggest things was, you know, my TK: changing—figuring out what I wanted to do. TK: So, I think part of me went to engineering and I can't remember exactly because

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TK: my dad was an engineer, he was a civil engineer. TK: And then, you know, it's like, did I really not like engineering? TK: Or is it because it was the furthest building from my dorm? TK: The classes were at 8 a.m.

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TK: They made us service—survey the land in the rain. TK: I mean, it was just awful. TK: So then when I'm like, "Okay, I'm going to change majors," my parents were like, TK: "What?" [CH laughs] You know, like, that's not allowed.

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TK: Like, that's unheard of, right? TK: You pick something and you stick with it. TK: And so I think that was a big challenge is like, "Okay, what am I going to do next? TK: Where do I want to go? Okay, I don't want to do engineering.

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TK: Done. I don't want to do science. TK: So, you know, what else? TK: What else, you know, is good?" And I was like, "You know, I think I'd be good at TK: business." But trying to explain that to them and why I'm, you know,

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TK: changing because they're like, "Oh, no, you should do engineering or medical or, you TK: know, something in science. TK: Why do you want to do business?" And it's like, "Okay, well." So that was a challenge TK: for me. I think that was definitely a challenge for me.

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CH: How did you overcome that challenge? TK: So one of the big things that my sister, who's eight years older than me, TK: she was always very helpful. TK: So, you know, I talked to her and she helped talk to my parents and, you know, was like,

00:22:22.560 - 00:22:35.190

TK: "Look, this is where I'm at now. TK: You know, things change. TK: And I think, you know, her helping me and, you know, paving TK: that path, you know, from where she–where she was.

00:22:35.220 - 00:22:51.060

TK: And she also had changed along the way." I think that helped a lot. TK: And she was able to help me out with that. CH: Yes. Looking back on your time at UT Austin, is there any advice that you would CH: give to current or prospective students on top of the studying abroad [KT laughs]

00:22:51.840 - 00:23:09.990

CH: who are considering pursuing the same or, like, a similar career to you? TK: I would say try to TK: join different organizations where you meet different types of people. TK: Because I think in college you really—that's when you figure out who you are.

00:23:10.020 - 00:23:24.090

TK: And if you, you know—and I think it's—of course, it's good to have your different TK: groups of friends and stuff, like, and especially within your community. TK: But if you only stick within your community, you don't really get to TK: learn, you know, a variety of things.

00:23:24.090 - 00:23:40.230

TK: So, you know, my advice is, like, you know, of–of course, like, TK: studies are very important, but also join the organizations where you can meet TK: different types of people and learn different things because you may learn TK: something different that–that you're interested in that you didn't realize

00:23:40.230 - 00:23:53.190

TK: before, right? TK: So being open minded, right? TK: And going outside your comfort zone, which is the hardest thing to do and that was TK: very hard for me. But, the more I would do that, you know, the more people I meet and

00:23:53.190 - 00:24:03.110

TK: the more I, like, learn about myself. TK: So—and the study abroad is one of those things, right? TK: That you go beyond your comfort zone. TK: But I think all of those things are important.

00:24:03.110 - 00:24:21.130

TK: And doing some type of internship and, you know, if you go and work for your TK: very, very first time straight out of college, you're going to have a hard time. TK: Like, you have, you know, at some point if you didn't work in high school or college, do TK: some type of internship in the summer, you know, do something because that will prepare

00:24:21.130 - 00:24:38.170

TK: you for, you know, for your first job, you know, it'll give you TK: a step up versus just going fresh out. TK: So, I think getting those experiences while you're in college is very helpful TK: because once you're in the real world, pssh, you know, there's not much assistance

00:24:38.170 - 00:24:53.290

TK: after that. Yeah. CH: Do you remember the names of the places where you interned? TK: So I did—so I entered at—interned at Enterprise Rent-A-Car TK: . And then I did a internship at the company that I ended up working for, which is

00:24:53.290 - 00:25:05.010

TK: Huron Consulting Group. CH: Awesome. And I also saw in one of the files that you shared, that you CH: participated in the Millennium 3 Education Leadership Program. CH: Could you tell me more about that?

00:25:05.160 - 00:25:15.330

TK: So that was something my cousin and I did together. TK: It was actually in Dallas. TK: It was based in Dallas. TK: And we went—it was, like, every other weekend we went to Dallas for this thing and

00:25:15.330 - 00:25:33.480

TK: it was—what it—I don't feel like it was, like, really a leadership program. TK: It was more like, you know, how, like, Tony Robbins has these, like, weekend seminar TK: things, like, find the truth to yourself, empower-empowering yourself. TK: It was kind of like that, where you gotten into groups and they put you in different

00:25:33.480 - 00:25:47.700

TK: situations to, you know, figure out how do you–how do you deal with these TK: situations? Like, how do you deal with your real emotions? TK: And it's more about, like, self-improvement and self-learning TK: more than leadership.

00:25:47.700 - 00:26:00.180

TK: But I think, you know, that also helps with leadership in general. TK: But it was–it was an amazing experience. TK: The coaches I had there, you know, they influenced TK: me, you know, long term.

00:26:00.180 - 00:26:12.390

TK: And I think that it's—it was a cool program. TK: I actually Googled it the other day, and I don't think it exists anymore, which is sad. TK: [CH: Aw, yeah] So, yeah. CH: How did it influence your leadership today

00:26:12.390 - 00:26:27.790

CH: as vice president? TK: I don't think that itself directly influenced me in that way. TK: I think it helped me, like, grow and build self-confidence. TK: Because it–it talks a lot and it dealt a lot with people's

00:26:27.790 - 00:26:40.190

TK: insecurities and self-con-confidence issues. TK: And I think that helped me as I–as I grew to be older, and which in turn TK: then, you know, helps me with where I'm at now. TK: [CH: Yes.] Yeah.

00:26:40.470 - 00:26:59.350

CH: As you were growing up, were there any, like, mentors or influential CH: figures who played a role in guiding your career progression? TK: Well, my parents for sure, because, you know, their hard work ethic. TK: Always seeing them work hard, you know, and they always

00:26:59.380 - 00:27:15.100

TK: instilled in me, like, work hard, make good grades, you know, those are the important TK: things. But also my sister. TK: So, I always looked up to her and I still do to this day. TK: She helped raise me and her being eight years older, you know, I always kind of,

00:27:15.100 - 00:27:27.580

TK: like, you know, wanted to do everything she did and follow in her footsteps. TK: And, like, when she went–she also went to UT, which is one of the reasons why I went to TK: UT. And I would go visit her. TK: I would take a Greyhound bus and go visit her.

00:27:27.940 - 00:27:44.950

TK: And then when she was in med school in San Antonio, I'd go visit her. TK: And I think, you know, being around her and her friends and being TK: around people older than me, I felt like I learned a lot more TK: faster than–than other people my age.

00:27:44.950 - 00:28:00.730

TK: And she was always helpful, right? TK: She guided me through, "Okay, what should I do for college?" You know, "How do I TK: do this?" You know, so—and still to this day, she's TK: slightly like a mother figure to me because of her helping raise me and the age

00:28:00.730 - 00:28:15.190

TK: difference. But I think she was definitely, you know, probably the TK: biggest mentor who has affected, you know, where I am today. TK: And I don't thank her enough for that [both laughs], which I should. CH: Yes [laughs].

00:28:18.880 - 00:28:35.590

CH: So, after your first internships, what was your first business CH: job? TK: So when I graduated college at the business school, the business school at TK: UT is—they're really good at getting companies together, they're

00:28:35.590 - 00:28:49.760

TK: good at interviewing process, they're good at training the students on what to do. TK: You can take courses on interviewing and stuff like that. TK: So I interviewed for quite a few jobs and I surprisingly had TK: five job offers.

00:28:49.760 - 00:29:05.680

TK: And the market was good at that time too. TK: So, it's 2004, you know, things crashed in 2008 and at that time, you know, things were TK: hot. I had–I had an offer for TK: investment banking, a financial advisor,

00:29:07.470 - 00:29:23.230

TK: a couple other things in finance, but I ended up doing—going with Huron Consulting TK: Group. And so that is the first official job that I had out TK: of college and I was there for three and a half years. TK: So—and that—it was a great experience.

00:29:23.230 - 00:29:35.590

TK: It was definitely a great experience. And the other ones, you know, the other jobs would have been great too. But I was like—and Huron wasn't giving me the most money, but I was like, I think this is where I'm going to get the experience that–that I want to get.

00:29:36.430 - 00:29:47.470

And I–And I did. I traveled the whole time in consulting. You know, I would leave at—I would have a car pick me up at 4 a.m. on Mondays. I'd get home at, like, 10 on Fridays.

00:29:47.920 - 00:29:58.580

Some days, worked through the weekends. After a while, it got really exhausting. And at fu—first, she was like, "Oh, it's fun. I get free miles and hotel points and free dinners." And I'm

00:29:58.610 - 00:30:13.850

like, "Okay, it's not fun anymore." [both laughs] But–But it was a cool experience. So, like, one of my biggest clients was United Airlines when they were going through—right before the merger with Continental. So there was a bankruptcy group, so we were there.

00:30:14.990 - 00:30:32.330

There was actually quite a few groups of consultants there, but we were at their headquarters, which is right outside of Chicago in the suburb. So I worked at United Airlines for almost a year. And–And then Fannie Mae, which was also in Chicago, their headquarters,

00:30:32.330 - 00:30:45.860

worked there for about six months. They were going through an SEC investigation. So, with-within Huron Consulting Group, I did—so what they do is when you're first straight out of college, they put you in different groups.

00:30:45.860 - 00:31:00.930

So you learn a variety of different types of consulting. So I was, like, in the energy group, then in corporate bankruptcy, and then forensic accounting. So forensic accounting is, like, SEC investigations, you know, going in

00:31:00.930 - 00:31:16.270

and, you know, reading documents and reviewing people and stuff like that. Another big client of mine was Zales Diamond Company. And at that time, they were going through an SEC investigation too. So, it was pretty cool because I worked with a lot of C-suite people.

00:31:16.270 - 00:31:31.320

And so I got–I got very good experience working–working there. CH: Did you have a favorite out of those groups that you mentioned? TK: I think corporate bankruptcy, just because working at United Airlines was

00:31:31.320 - 00:31:39.390

TK: a–a–a really cool experience. TK: Yeah, yeah CH: And how did you progress from that to your current role as vice president of CH: TDK?

00:31:40.260 - 00:31:57.590

TK: So, I—so I really got sick of traveling and I was like, "I don't know what to TK: do." And I think I was talking to my dad and I was like, "I don't know what to do." And TK: he's like, "Well, maybe you can come work for me." I was like, "In construction? TK: No, absolutely not." And then I was, like, looking, you know, and I was like, "Okay,

00:31:57.590 - 00:32:13.630

TK: maybe I'll do financial, you know, go do an investment banker or financial analysis" TK: and then like, "Wait, I'm just going to work the same amount." I was like, "I can't figure TK: out what I really want to do." And then–and then I was TK: like, "Okay, Dad, maybe I'll—let's see.

00:32:13.640 - 00:32:25.940

TK: Let me try it out. And he's like, "No, no, no, no. TK: I don't think you'll like it. TK: Forget it." So we went back and forth and then I was like, "Okay, I'm going to just try TK: it." So I go to my company and I go to my boss and he's like, "Oh, no, you can't

00:32:25.940 - 00:32:36.890

TK: leave." And he gave me a $10,000 raise. TK: So I stayed [both laughs]. TK: At that time my dad was going to start me way lower. TK: So I was, like, you know, because he was still, you know, his business was still,

00:32:36.890 - 00:32:49.070

TK: like, up and going and stuff like that. TK: So I–so I stayed. TK: And then the second time they were like, "Oh, no, we'll give you this. TK: Oh, we won't make you travel." But then finally I was like, "No, I want to do

00:32:49.070 - 00:32:54.560

TK: something different." And I love the company. So nothing with the company, nothing with the people. I just wanted a change.

00:32:55.350 - 00:33:11.070

And so I was like, "Okay, I'll take a chance." So I started working with my dad in 2008. So four years–four years after graduating from college, and that's how I ended up with my–with my father. And then, from there, you know, I became vice president.

00:33:11.070 - 00:33:25.710

So, I started at—it's called TDK Construction. I started there in 2008. So, this is my 16th year now. And when I started there, my dad was like—he was doing everything.

00:33:25.770 - 00:33:44.190

Like he didn't have, like, branding, he didn't have software. I mean, he was doing everything by hand. So they would take, like, blueprints, like big blueprints, fold them, put them in, like, manila folders and s—and—or mail them to subcontractors to get bids,

00:33:44.190 - 00:33:57.770

to get pricing. And he was doing everything by ruler and, you know, pencil and pen, paper and, like, they didn't have an email address, they didn't have a website, there was no logo.

00:33:57.770 - 00:34:11.930

So, like, if you, you know, you see construction signs when you, you know, drive around, it would say TDK, one would be blue, one would be, like, red in a different font. So like they didn't know what, you know, he didn't know what branding was, he didn't

00:34:11.930 - 00:34:26.450

understand, you know, the business side of it in that–in that sense, right? Like, my dad is super smart. He, you know, now he's very successful. But, you know, the good thing is, like, if I had gone into working with my dad

00:34:26.450 - 00:34:41.180

from—straight from college, we might have not have grown as much as I think that we have grown, because when I came in, I brought in all my business experience. TK: Everything I learned, I was like, "Oh my God, that's—" you know, "I can make Excel

00:34:41.180 - 00:34:55.730

TK: spreadsheets for all this." You know, I got a website made. TK: I got an email for us and I got everybody, you know, their TK: own email address that they didn't have before. TK: I made a logo, business cards.

00:34:56.180 - 00:35:14.660

TK: I created a whole server system and folders so people can save things. TK: I got a software that's called Planswift to do takeoffs. TK: So, you know, the whole first year I focused on modernizing the TK: company while still learning construction also because I knew zero about

00:35:14.660 - 00:35:27.110

TK: construction when I came in. TK: Which I was like, "Okay, I can learn it—" you know, "whatever." But I was like, "We TK: need to work on these things." [laughs] So, the first year I was very focused on bringing in what experience I have

00:35:27.140 - 00:35:44.570

to help the company and then start learning the construction. And everything I learned was on the job through my dad. I ended up taking two classes, two semesters at U of H in their construction management program. I don't think that helped much because real-life experience

00:35:44.570 - 00:36:01.350

really is much better than, you know, school . Which is why also even coming from a great business school, I don't think that the, you know, the things that I learned there would have helped with the construction company. I think it's because of working at Huron, you know, those–those skill sets I was able to

00:36:01.350 - 00:36:14.220

bring into TDK. So I came in as a project manager. My salary was way lower than consulting because at that time consulting was paying a lot. And I came in a lot lower, but I was like, "It's okay, I'm willing

00:36:14.250 - 00:36:29.730

to learn the business." You know, all that. So the first two, three years, you know, a-after that, you know, I was running five, six projects at a time, going to client meetings, bidding projects with my dad, you know, helping hire employees, all that stuff.

00:36:29.730 - 00:36:44.640

And then I, you know, transferred into the vice president role just after a few years. So it's been–it's been a good journey. And now, we're in the process of transitioning the business to me. So, my dad's 78 years old.

00:36:45.630 - 00:37:01.170

He says he's never going to retire, but at some point he's going to have to [both laughs]. So we're working on that right now. So this is the year where we're doing like a business valuation and we're working with the advisor and CPA and, you know, because there's so many logistics involved on

00:37:01.170 - 00:37:17.090

transferring the business and, you know, shares and all of that stuff. So he's sole owner right now. But, you know, my aspirations to, okay, take over this business and make it a woman-owned minority business, which will probably be one of the first because

00:37:17.160 - 00:37:28.380

I've researched this—one of the first big Indian, Asian-American woman-owned construction companies. So–so that'll be exciting when that happens [laughs]. CH: It'll be very unique.

00:37:28.380 - 00:37:40.140

TK: But yeah, it's been a long journey to get to where I am now for sure. CH: It's–it's also fantastic how you could use your previous skills to completely level up CH: your father's company. CH: [TK: Yeah.] That's incredible.

00:37:40.140 - 00:37:53.250

CH: [TK: Yeah.] So, could you tell me CH: about what your primary responsibilities and duties are right now as the vice CH: president? TK: So, right now I basically, you know, manage operations,

00:37:55.170 - 00:38:08.490

TK: which means manage everything. TK: So, you know, I kind of–I oversee all the employees, which includes project TK: managers, superintendents, the accountant, and even, like, you know, TK: subcontractors and stuff.

00:38:08.490 - 00:38:22.590

TK: I also run projects. TK: So whatever the big, like, projects are that I feel like are very detail TK: oriented and there's a lot at stake, I just run them myself. TK: And I'll have people help me, but I run them myself.

00:38:22.590 - 00:38:41.040

TK: And then I work with, you know, I do all the invoicing, sign the TK: checks, I make sure who are we going to pay, I'm also HR. TK: I interview, you know, I interview for employees, for new TK: jobs. And then I also work on, like, company analysis and,

00:38:41.040 - 00:38:56.430

TK: okay, meeting new clients, networking, finding new softwares. So really–because the thing is when you have a small business, a family-owned business, you end up doing a little bit of everything. And so eventually my–my goal is not to be doing everything [laughs],

00:38:56.450 - 00:39:12.770

you know, slowly hiring people to do some of the, you know, more of the project-based stuff, so I can be more, you know, just, you know, working with clients and sales and networking. But, at this point, I'm involved in everything, which at some point, if you want

00:39:12.770 - 00:39:29.630

to run a business, you have to know every part of the business. So this is something that no matter what, I would have–I would have to do, right? Because if I don't know what's happening in one thing, I need to understand it, right? So like I learn QuickBooks, I understand all the accounting software, even though

00:39:29.630 - 00:39:46.640

that's not what I'm going to be doing every day or my profession, I have to know it and understand it. I have to know and understand how to do a take off and run a project and all of that stuff. So–so right now, it's, like, I'm–I'm very heavily, heavily involved in day-to-day everything o perations.

00:39:47.780 - 00:40:01.490

CH: I see. This seems like you have a lot of—a lot on your hands [both laughs]. CH: It seems to be a little stressful sometimes. CH: [TK: It is.] How do you, like manage time between work and family or CH: other hobbies?

00:40:01.610 - 00:40:16.370

TK: Yeah, it's—it is hard. TK: But I think, like, for me, I'm very big on balance, like, TK: because the thing is, like, if I work like, let's say, 100 hours a week and I don't do TK: anything else, I won't even be productive those 100 hours.

00:40:16.370 - 00:40:31.070

TK: So what's the point, right? TK: So, like, for me, like, my health is very important, so I want to work out 3 to 4 times TK: a week. It's important to keep relationships with my friends. TK: It's important for me to sleep, I like to sleep 8 to 9 hours a night.

00:40:31.340 - 00:40:48.020

TK: I—for me, I need that to rejuvenate. TK: And—so what my thing is when I'm at the office, I'm laser-focused. TK: I don't kind of dillydally around like, okay, when I'm working, I'm working. TK: So that way when I'm not working, I'm not working, you know, So that kind of thing and

00:40:48.020 - 00:41:05.570

TK: that's how I kind of balance out, you know, the other things that I want to do—want to do TK: in life is just by being focused when you're at work, and when you're not at work, being TK: focused on whatever else you're–you're doing. TK: But I do work in the evenings and weekends too, you know, when I need to.

00:41:05.570 - 00:41:24.600

TK: And I do more of my, like, deep thinking and more TK: of my, you know, business planning type of stuff when I'm at home because TK: it's easier to do that when there's not so many people around and stuff like that. TK: So, I, you know, I wish—I hope to find more balance as time goes on as I

00:41:24.600 - 00:41:37.430

TK: hire, you know, more people in the team. TK: That would be nice. TK: But, you know, right now I still think I have a decent—decently a good balance. TK: But, you know, I–I put that on myself.

00:41:37.430 - 00:41:52.920

TK: I, like—I'm going to have that balance. CH: You are incredibly hard-working [both laughs] . Could you CH: share, like, a significant accomplishment or project that you're proud of during your time CH: at TDA—TDK Construction?

00:41:53.220 - 00:42:08.310

TK: So, I have a project that just finished two weeks ago and it TK: opened. It's called the Eternal Gandhi Museum of Houston. TK: It's the first Gandhi museum in all of America. TK: It's been—it took two years for construction because

00:42:09.870 - 00:42:26.520

TK: there's a board of directors that I work with, and we were, you know, designing and TK: evolving as construction was going on because they wanted it to be TK: the, you know, the perfect, you know, museum, right? TK: And so, you know, sometimes when you're doing just a project, it's like, "Okay, it's

00:42:26.520 - 00:42:41.910

TK: done," right? But this is, like, we're designing in the process. TK: It was definitely, I–I think, one of my favorite projects that I've worked on and the TK: most significant. TK: Because it was, like—it really was, like, true to my heart.

00:42:41.910 - 00:42:53.490

TK: Like, I worked on it, I did so much just out of my personal, like, self, TK: not even with work, right? TK: I helped with charity events. TK: I hurt—I helped with, like, their education committee.

00:42:54.680 - 00:43:10.910

TK: You know, I worked with the owner. I did a lot of things on my free time. TK: And to me that was like, "Okay, that's my volunteering for the project—" you know, "for TK: the–for the cause." But that's one of the best projects that I've worked on and the TK: people that I worked with, the board of directors who, you know, had this

00:43:10.910 - 00:43:26.360

TK: vision, they were—they're amazing to work with, and I'm still, you know, working TK: with them, the architects, the–the museum designers. But it's something that, you know, historically will be—I will—that everybody will always remember.

00:43:26.360 - 00:43:41.360

So, the groundbreaking ceremony, that was two years ago, we had Congressman Al Green and Mayor Turner. And then, Congressman Al Green, he granted like, $3—$3.2 million for the museum.

00:43:41.360 - 00:43:56.140

And so we had a dinner reception honoring him. And in that reception, the board of directors asked me to do a presentation. So I did a presentation on, like, whatever the construction progress was, you know.

00:43:56.140 - 00:44:09.920

And, you know, and then kind of just, you know, honoring the job and everybody there. And so, it was a really cool experience for me because I hadn't presented since, like, you know, in my consulting days, right? So, it was a cool experience.

00:44:09.920 - 00:44:22.440

So, it's been a lot of community involvement, which has brought me back to my roots a little bit, you know? So that's–that's–that's really nice. TK: And we have the–the grand opening ceremony.

00:44:22.440 - 00:44:33.870

TK: So they had a soft opening two weeks ago and the grand opening ceremonies August—I mean, TK: October 2nd. TK: So, I'm pretty excited for that. TK: That's going to be a big–that's going to be a big event.

00:44:33.870 - 00:44:45.840

TK: That—it's one of my favorite projects. TK: And I have so many that, you know, I'm proud of, but this is one of the big ones. TK: And we, you know, my dad has always been big in the community, so he's done a lot TK: of work for different temples.

00:44:45.840 - 00:45:02.270

TK: We've built, you know, temples ground up, we built meditation centers TK: and so forth. So it's pretty cool. TK: And because of this project and working with the board of directors, they enjoyed working TK: with us that they're giving us opportunity for another project, which I have a second

00:45:02.270 - 00:45:11.930

TK: interview for today right after this [CH laughs]. TK: I'm going there. So it's good, right? It's like when you work with the community and you work well with them, you get more

00:45:11.930 - 00:45:24.410

opportunities, right? Without even asking for it. You know, you're doing what you're meant to do and you, you know, get rewarded for that. So, it's one—you should go and see it one day. It is—it's absolutely amazing.

00:45:24.410 - 00:45:37.970

So—and the museum doesn't talk just about Gandhi. It talks about all the leaders who, you know, he had who left an impression on and, you know, Martin Luther King and, you know, Harriet Tubman.

00:45:37.970 - 00:45:47.810

And it's just it's–it's––Nelson Mandela. And it's pretty cool. You'll see—half the museum's about him and then half is everybody who followed in his footsteps. So, it's–it's really cool.

00:45:47.810 - 00:45:59.690

And it's–it's meant for everyone, all cultures to come there and, you know, experience the museum. It's not just for the Indian community. You know, it's for everybody.

00:45:59.700 - 00:46:11.220

CH: That does sound very cool. CH: I'll have to get my friends to come with me to see it. TK: Yes, you have to go. [CH: Yes.] It's a very good experience. CH: Yes. And you did put in a lot of work to lead your team in that project to success.

00:46:11.670 - 00:46:29.490

CH: How has your cultural background influenced your leadership style or CH: management approach within your company? TK: I think, you know, we–so like TK: I said, my dad, you know, he always wanted to do a lot of, like, work for the

00:46:29.490 - 00:46:42.980

TK: community, right? And so I think that, you know, because of his influence, TK: I've become that way. TK: And I'm like, "Oh yeah, I want to do this community project." And I think that's TK: influenced the type of work that we do and what TDK is known for, right?

00:46:42.990 - 00:46:58.600

TK: Because people know us in the community. TK: And–and–and that's nice, right? TK: So that's what's—that's helped me become more TK: like—and it's like—feels, like, more like family oriented when I work

00:46:58.600 - 00:47:08.780

TK: in these projects. TK: And so that's nice coming from a small family business and working with other people TK: where it feels like you're working with, like, family. TK: And so, yeah, yeah.

00:47:09.430 - 00:47:27.310

CH: What are—including what you mentioned earlier, what are CH: some more of your future goals or aspirations for the company? TK: So one is, you know, TK: transition, take over the company, you know, make it a

00:47:27.310 - 00:47:42.070

TK: woman, minority owned business. TK: But I also want to, you know, in the–in the past, we've done a lot of big TK: gas stations and truck stops and shopping centers. TK: And, I want to evolve more into what we've done the last few years.

00:47:42.070 - 00:47:56.590

TK: So like doing special projects, like the museum, you know. TK: I would like to start doing more unique work versus just doing like, TK: you know, more cookie-cutter stuff. TK: And I think I enjoy that because there's more passion involved in that.

00:47:56.590 - 00:48:11.680

TK: And so my goal is to, like, find more unique jobs like that, right? TK: What are other museums that are being built? TK: What are other centers, that, community centers that people need? TK: Because those are the type of projects that I feel like I enjoy working on.

00:48:11.680 - 00:48:26.740

TK: And so, you know, instead of working on like, you know, 10, 12, very TK: small projects, I'd rather work on, like, 3 or 4 big projects that are meaningful. TK: And so that's kind of what I'm, you know, going towards. CH: That's incredible.

00:48:27.190 - 00:48:43.240

CH: [TK: Yeah, yeah.] Do you have any advice that you would like to give to young CH: Asian-American women who are aspiring to enter the same, like, CH: male-dominated career field as you? TK: Yeah. So, you know, when I first started in construction, I was like, "Oh my

00:48:43.270 - 00:49:01.600

TK: God, men are going to be mean." And, you know, because everyone's like, "Oh, you're TK: going to go work in this male-dominated industry." But really, like, in my 16 TK: years, I've—I haven't, you know—there's only been a few minor TK: instances where I feel like, you know, I felt like somebody was being, like,

00:49:01.600 - 00:49:13.420

TK: degrading towards me because I'm a woman or a minority or I look younger than my age, you TK: know. TK: But it's so minor that I don't even remember that. TK: Like, I'm actually very surprised.

00:49:13.420 - 00:49:27.160

TK: Like people have been very respectful. TK: And I think it's, like, if you know, like, if you have the knowledge of whatever TK: industry you're working in, where there's construction or any other male-dominated TK: industry, people are going to respect you.

00:49:27.160 - 00:49:40.330

TK: right? And so that's the thing. Like, if you're going to work in a male-dominated industry, make sure you understand, you have the knowledge, you, you know, where—however it is. Going to get real-life experiences, going and studying, you know–you know, doesn't have to

00:49:40.330 - 00:49:51.490

be specifically education. It can be anything, you know, to get that experience. But, you know, I think that's important. So, you know, having knowledge of what you're doing, being confident.

00:49:51.490 - 00:50:07.420

And I think a lot of times, like, women are like, "Oh, because I'm a woman," some–you know, somebody might–but if you–if you, you know, if you protrude that, you know, like, sense of feeling, then that may happen to you, right? So if you, you know, so it's, like, one of those things that I never really thought

00:50:07.420 - 00:50:21.100

about and never really affected me. So, you know, I think it's knowledge and–and being confident . That don't even–like if you don't look at yourself as different, then other people won't, right?

00:50:21.100 - 00:50:39.900

So that–that—that's my take on that. CH: On top of knowledge and confidence, are there any other skills or qualities that you think CH: are crucial for overcoming those barriers and becoming successful like you are? TK: I think, you know, always having, like,

00:50:40.050 - 00:50:52.560

TK: some type of self-help or mentoring. TK: That is very important. TK: And I realize that in the last, like, year or two, two years maybe TK: ? Because I was kind of stagnant with the career because, you know, it's like I'm

00:50:52.560 - 00:51:05.390

TK: working with my dad. So it's, like, we have a small company, whereas I'm not TK: learning new things, right? TK: Whereas when you work in a big company like a corporate company, you're constantly TK: meeting new types of people, learning new things, right?

00:51:05.400 - 00:51:20.290

TK: But when you're at the top, like, you're the boss, you're not necessarily learning new TK: things just by work, right? TK: So I think going out there and joining organizations, TK: joining, getting mentorship, right?

00:51:20.310 - 00:51:35.400

TK: So I had a–I had a coach for two, three years, which was very helpful, who I met with TK: every week. TK: And she coached me not just on work but life experiences and how to deal TK: with things. And, you know, all of that stuff is important, I think.

00:51:35.400 - 00:51:51.480

TK: And I think that's—that really helps. Just recently, I think, like, five months ago, I joined a–a CEO roundtable. So there's a company or there's Silver Fox Advisors, it's a group. One of my friends invited me to it and they were like, "Hey, do you want to join a CEO

00:51:51.490 - 00:52:10.750

roundtable?" And it's basically like CEOs from different companies that are like the same size and revenue as you comparably, but different fields, no competitors. And we meet once a month and I found that just very, like, very rewarding and very helpful because we

00:52:10.750 - 00:52:23.200

all talk about our issues, right? And it's, like, a safe space. So we talk about, "Okay, I have this issue, what do you think I should do?" Or we talk about, you know, like, "Okay, I'm going through this thing," and

00:52:23.200 - 00:52:37.180

then people give advice. You know, we kind of go around and every time we talk about what was our biggest personal accomplishment and business accomplishment, what are the things that we're working on or have we met our goals that we said we were going to work on last

00:52:37.180 - 00:52:51.040

month or do we need help with them? So it's about eight of us. And it's—I mean, so stuff like that, I think, you need to have things outside of your business that are going to help you grow because you can—you're–you're only going

00:52:51.040 - 00:53:02.950

to grow so much within the business. So I think having things like that. So the CEO roundtable is one of them. I also joined, I think about two years ago, this organization called CREW.

00:53:03.070 - 00:53:12.610

It's mostly women. Men are allowed, but it's all women. And it's a real estate organization. So there's women from construction, there's developers, real

00:53:12.610 - 00:53:24.340

estate, property management, tax and title, anything involved in the commercial real estate industry. And I've met so many people through that. And I've gotten very involved in that.

00:53:24.340 - 00:53:42.660

And—so I'm, like, part of Special Events Committee, the Groundbreakers Committee, and then because I was so involved, the past president asked me to be part of the Nominating Committee to nominate the next board of directors and–and president and secretary and all of

00:53:42.690 - 00:53:58.730

that. So being—that involvement is—has–has really helped me. So, you know, just in the last year or so, those few things, you know, CEO roundtable, CREW, I just joined National Association of Women in Construction.

00:53:58.730 - 00:54:13.110

I just went to one meeting, so, I plan to get involved, but this is very new. And then with CREW actually, so they have a leadership program. So they have two a year. There's—it's in Atlanta this year.

00:54:13.110 - 00:54:23.480

It's in September, middle of September. And I actually got a scholarship from—for it. So, super excited to go to that. It's a two-day leadership conference.

00:54:23.490 - 00:54:39.970

I'm hoping that that will be another avenue where I learn leadership skills that I can implement, you know, back at work. So, I think those are—it's–it's good to have those extracurricular activities even as an adult, not just, like, in college, right?

00:54:39.970 - 00:54:47.710

[CH: Yeah.] Because when you become an adult, people don't think about doing those extra things, you know. So, it's–it's good. It's good, yeah.

00:54:48.670 - 00:55:05.670

CH: Do you have any other community involvements beyond what we've previously discussed? TK: Let's see. So CREW, CEO roundtable. TK: ..I think that's it. TK: I think all those itself keep me pretty involved [laughs].

00:55:05.670 - 00:55:18.700

TK: So, CREW, it's usually, you know, at least once a week we have something that's TK: going on. TK: And so that just keeps me involved. TK: And then I've, you know, been helping with charity events for the Eternal Gandhi

00:55:18.720 - 00:55:30.840

TK: Museum. So that's also kept me pretty busy. TK: So between, you know, those two, I'd stay quite busy. TK: Yeah. CH: So, we've basically covered all of the points and

00:55:31.260 - 00:55:50.070

CH: questions that I've already prepared, but are there any other things that you would CH: like to share? TK: So something–something about the company that I didn't TK: mention is—so, this is—it's a cool story.

00:55:50.580 - 00:56:07.890

TK: My dad, when I was 11 years old, he had gone to India. TK: And in India, they–they go to these fortune tellers that–that read TK: your—what is your future going to be or not? TK: And so the guy told my dad that your youngest daughter will bring you good luck

00:56:07.890 - 00:56:24.060

TK: and fortune. And so when he came back to America a few–few years later, he TK: named the company after me. TK: So TDK stands for Tina Dhansukh Khatri, which has my name in it, but also TK: has his name. So in our culture, we take—the wife and the

00:56:24.060 - 00:56:38.700

TK: kids take the father's first and last name. TK: It's crazy. So all three of us women, my sister, mom and I all have my dad's name as TK: our middle name and last name. TK: And so, you know, he named the company when I was 11 years old with no

00:56:38.700 - 00:56:55.210

TK: intention of working—for me working there, right? TK: I mean, even now, like, you know, even after graduating college, I went into TK: consulting, right? So, it, you know, it's kind of ironic and cool at the same TK: time that, you know, I ended up working here, not planned.

00:56:55.990 - 00:57:14.470

And then, you know, it's named TDK, and this past Saturday was the 30-year anniversary. So August 26th was 30 years and making. I wanted to have a big party, but my dad's like, "No, I don't want anything." And then I got busy, but I'm still planning on doing something later this year, beginning

00:57:14.470 - 00:57:27.550

of next year. And so that'll be cool. And we're going to India in December. I haven't been to India since I was five. So, it will be a very, you know, probably a culture shock for

00:57:27.550 - 00:57:41.920

me after being, you know, here, not being in India for, what, 36 years. So, it'll be pretty awesome to–to go there. And then at the tail end, we're going to go to Nepal for a few days to see where my husband is from. So...

00:57:41.920 - 00:57:56.320

CH: That's very cool. I hope [TK: It'll be pretty exciting.] the celebration is good. TK: So a lot of fun things happening—just happened and happening at the same time. TK: So, yeah. CH: Yeah. Would you say that you're attached to or detached from your heritage living in the

00:57:56.320 - 00:58:09.820

CH: US? TK: I think I'm—I–I think I have—I still have an attachment, but I think TK: there's a part of detachment, right? TK: Because, now I'm so, you know, immersed in the American culture and all of

00:58:09.850 - 00:58:27.100

TK: that, right? But, I still have a pretty good attachment, as in, you know, TK: I still celebrate the holidays with my family. TK: Diwali, you know, Janmashtami, we, you know, go to the TK: temple and especially, now that I—since we've been doing a lot of work with the

00:58:27.100 - 00:58:42.070

TK: community, I'm feeling more attached than even before, right? TK: I'm—I—it's like a reattachment, you know? TK: We wear Indian clothes all the time, eat Indian food. TK: Luckily, because I work with my dad, my mom sends food every

00:58:42.160 - 00:58:54.880

TK: day, like, or once a week she'll send a bunch of food, Indian food, with my TK: dad and my husband and I eat it for a whole week [CH laughs]. TK: So even at 41 years old, my mom is still sending me food. TK: But it's, like, that's the culture, right?

00:58:54.880 - 00:59:10.900

TK: Right? Like, you know, my mom loves to cook and she loves to feed and provide TK: for the children and stuff like that. TK: So, you know, I would say that I'm more attached probably to the culture than TK: I have been ever in my life, more than maybe when I was a kid.

00:59:10.900 - 00:59:22.750

TK: But this is probably the most I've been attached, especially because of the community TK: projects too. Yeah. CH: Yeah. Your culture sounds very loving and caring. CH: [both laughs] Does your

00:59:22.750 - 00:59:39.520

CH: upbringing contribute to your ability to connect with other people, like, CH: business-wise or just in general? TK: So I think—yeah, my upbringing when it comes to, like, TK: college and after, I think it helps me with business and, you know,

00:59:40.420 - 00:59:58.090

TK: with, like, communicating and going to the next level and so forth. TK: Because I think, you know, part of me is like, I didn't have a bad childhood, you know TK: . But I–I feel like I wasn't a happy kid, but I think that was just within me, TK: right? And so, a lot of those years, I don't remember much except that I

00:59:58.090 - 01:00:16.120

TK: hated going to school and going to Baskin Robbins [CH laughs] was the one thing I TK: enjoyed to do, right? [laughs] So, you know, like, my upbringing, like, there's so TK: much that I remember in that/ I remember more of, like, the–the recent years. TK: But–but having my sister there is probably one of the

01:00:16.120 - 01:00:29.240

TK: most helpful things because throughout I always kind of followed her in her footsteps TK: and she's very successful. TK: And I mean, she's doing great and she's, you know, she's done great throughout her life. TK: So, it's been nice.

01:00:29.240 - 01:00:41.110

TK: Yeah. CH: Yeah. Is there anything more that you would like to share we haven't covered yet? TK: I don't think so. TK: I think that's, you know, pretty much e verything about...

01:00:41.110 - 01:00:52.120

TK: yeah. CH: Yeah, well, your journey was very inspiring, and I appreciate your CH: openness in discussing your career progression, college memories, and CH: personal life.

01:00:52.630 - 01:00:59.080

CH: Thank you once again for your valuable time and for sharing your story with us. TK: Thank you so much. I appreciate it. TK: This was fun [both laugh].