Meet Mohua Maity

 

We recently connected with Mohua Maity and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mohua , so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

In my growing up days, not many girls played chess. But my parents, especially my mom, have been very supportive. She took me for tournaments and never made me feel I was any different in the room but exceptional in the room. That was where I got my confidence and determination to be more effective in what I did.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

Hello readers,

This is Mohua Maity, owner of Mohar Chess and Felix Arts, daughter of an engineer and a homemaker, mother of 2 boys and wife of an IT engineer.

Chess was my hobby. I stood First in junior chess championship in Mumbai district then second in division level and 4th position in State level. I played open tournaments in India. After finishing my Masters in Statistics, I worked in finance and in 2008 moving to the USA changed. My professional chess journey started in 2012 and there after it was no looking back. I started chess coaching in an after school program. Slowly people started knowing me and my mom again insisted I play. Though I played only two tournaments, I got noticed in the chess world, my coaching started growing and I became owner of Mohar Chess. My boys were growing up and it was time to think a little more. I started working with the Georgia Chess Association and it was an amazing experience to represent GCA as delegate in the USCF Annual meeting. The journey not only made me a professional chess coach but also I started using chess as therapy for special kids. Working with them gives me immense satisfaction. Felix is a personalized art and gift store which was an idea in 2020 during covid when we all were trapped. It’s a beautiful way to keep my creative thoughts flowing. Creating something from scratch for someone’s special occasion has always brought gratification. Doing two completely different things keeps me always motivated. Apart from my professional life I love Indian classical dance though nowadays I get less time to perform but whenever I do I enjoy it to fullest. Volunteer work for organizations like BAGA(Bengali Association of Greater Atlanta), IACA( Indian American Association Cultural Association), GCA(Georgia Chess Association), Greencell, an association spreading awareness in sustainable life gives me a sense of well being.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Love your work
Determination
Accept the change and rework your plan

If you love your work you will be determined to go ahead with your plans. If your plan doesn’t work, don’t get upset, just replan your work. You know yourself better than anyone else. So believe in what you do.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?

I think it’s better to go in all our strengths. What we love becomes our strength. A quick example here, A mother loves her child so much that she never needs to be reminded to do things for the baby. However tired she is she would know her baby’s needs and she will work with her schedule accordingly. Similarly we will work along our strengths and can make our goal achievable.

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Image Credits

Subhadra Gupta

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