Meet Anita Purandare

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Anita Purandare a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Anita , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

Honestly, my purpose came to me over time.
I have always loved pageants. Back in India, I participated in quite a few, and somewhere inside I always had this feeling that I wanted to win one day. But more than winning, I enjoyed the process learning, improving, and becoming more confident each time.

When I moved to Seattle long back, I saw another chance in 2024. This time, I told myself I’m going to give it my best not just for the crown, but for myself. I worked really hard on everything my story, my preparation, my presentation and I also got involved in volunteer work for non profit, which made me realize there’s more to this journey than just competing.
That’s when it clicked for me. My purpose is not just about winning titles, it’s about growing as a person and showing other women that you can keep chasing your dreams no matter where you are in life. And winning this title just made that belief even stronger.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

For me, this journey is not just about a title, it’s about connecting with people and sharing something meaningful. I have been part of the pageant world for many years, starting in India and continuing here in Seattle. What I enjoy the most is how much it helps you grow in confidence, discipline, and how you present yourself. Along with that, I’m actively looking and always involved in volunteer works with non-profit organizations, which is something very close to my heart. It keeps me grounded and reminds me that giving back is just as important as personal success.
Styling and staying in tune with trends is also a big passion of mine. I love expressing myself through fashion and helping others feel confident in their own style.
Through everything I do, I want to share a simple message that it’s never too late to follow your passion, whether it’s stepping on stage, giving back to the community, or simply becoming more confident in who you are. Going forward, I’d love to continue my work with non-profits and also use my platform to inspire more women, especially those who are starting over or rediscovering themselves.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back at my journey, I would say the three most important things that shaped me are consistency, confidence, and the ability to connect with people. Consistency played a huge role whether it was preparing for pageants, working on my presentation, or improving my styling. Coming from a fashion background, I’ve always enjoyed exploring trends, thrift gems and expressing myself through style, but it takes regular effort to keep growing and evolving.
Confidence is something I built over time. It didn’t come overnight. Through participating in events and stepping out of my comfort zone again and again, I slowly started believing in myself more.
And lastly, connecting with people especially through my work with non-profit organizations , has been very important. It taught me empathy, understanding, and the value of giving back. That experience has grounded me and given deeper meaning to everything I do. My advice to anyone starting their journey would be simple stay consistent, don’t be afraid to put yourself out there, and always stay connected to your purpose. Growth takes time, but if you keep showing up, it will happen.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

I would say my biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been stepping into visibility and owning my voice. After winning the title, I started getting opportunities for interviews, magazine features, and being invited as a VIP guest at events. It was a new experience for me, because earlier I was more focused on participating and improving myself behind the scenes. This past year pushed me to come forward, share my story, and represent something bigger than just myself. Now when people search my name, they see my work, my journey, and the title I’ve earned and that feels very rewarding. But more than the recognition, the real growth has been in my confidence and how I carry myself. I’ve learned how to speak with purpose, connect with people, and use my platform in a more meaningful way. It’s been a big shift from just chasing a goal to actually living that role and responsibility.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shriaviralfashionista
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17oF2jMieH/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-purandare

Image Credits

The main picture I shared

photo credit – Vivid Pursuit Digitals

Another all 6 pictures

photo credit – Prabu Gunaraj