Payal Kadakia’s passion for dance has shaped her career in more ways than one. Not only did she start her own dance company, but it was also a catalyst for founding ClassPass. After moving to New York after college, she and her friends struggled to find dance classes. Rather than sitting idly by, Kadakia created her own app that allows users to find and experience fitness and wellness classes. Today, the company is a tech phenomenon, with participating businesses around the globe. ClassPass was acquired by Mindbody in October 2021.
In a recent Office Hours, ClassPass founder, artist and author of LifePass sat down with host Suneel Gupta to discuss her journey as an entrepreneur. In a bonus Q&A, she revealed her organizational habits, mentors, and her ideal vacation.
Workspace & Routine
If you’ve spent more time than usual at home this year…
Do you have a workspace or office at home? Tell us about it. Did you have this space before the pandemic?
Payal: Yes! My husband and I work full-time, and we have pretty full days. We moved during the pandemic, and once we had a baby, we realized how essential it was for us to have our own spaces to work from. In our new home, I designed a room that could dovetail as a creative space, a dance studio and an office. I’m absolutely in love with the way it turned out and it has become a little oasis for me.
Are you someone who needs an organized workspace, or are you comfortable with a little clutter?
Payal: I’m someone who needs an organized workspace. I keep my office clean and minimal: white walls, natural light, and a lot of windows. It allows me to think more freely, and it inspires me to have new ideas.
What bad work habits (if any) are you guilty of & how have you overcome them?
Payal: I used to be easily distracted throughout the day, jumping around trying to accomplish several things at once, so I came up with a set of rules for myself to follow. I keep my phone and laptop on “do not disturb”, stay off social media during peak work hours and avoid texting or getting involved in other conversations that I know will become a distraction.
Do you consider yourself more of an introvert or extrovert, and how does that affect the way you work?
Payal: As an entrepreneur, people assume that I’m extroverted by nature, but I’m really more of an introvert at heart. I like to refer to myself as a mission-oriented extrovert. It’s easy for me to engage and be comfortable in a large group setting when they are speaking about something I'm passionate or excited about, but I need my alone time to replenish myself. I do enjoy and understand the value of collaborating and working with my team, but I've always had to study one-on-one, so open-office floor plans never really worked for me. As I mentioned earlier, I tend to be easily distracted, so I’ve learned to tap into my extroverted side when necessary and lean into being an introvert when needed.
Time & Organization
How do you approach time management for a workday? Is it one solid block of time that’s over at 6 p.m.? Or is a workday a few blocks of scheduled tasks with personal time interspersed?
Payal: I approach my workday based on my energy levels, and when I feel the most alert and productive. There are times where my mind is energized and my creativity is high, and there are other times I know I need to listen to my body and prioritize movement. For me, I tend to be more creative in the mornings and I focus on my administrative work in the afternoon. I try to be flexible in order to incorporate family time into my everyday life.
When I spend time with my husband and my son, I make sure that I’m present and not focusing on other things, like answering emails and checking my phone. I try to reserve evenings for my family and not plan too much. Obviously, sometimes things come up that need to be addressed after traditional work hours, but I can usually get to those things after my son goes to sleep.
What are three things you do to gear up for your workday?
Payal: I start with a workout, drink a cup of green tea, and spend time with my son, which is always the best part of my day.
What’s one thing that motivates you to get to work?
Payal: I love what I do. Being able to make a positive impact on the world is truly what drives me. I approach my life and my work with purpose: it feeds my ambition and keeps me going.
Can you name a few ways that you keep yourself organized during the day—an app, a planner, a physical to-do list?
Payal: My calendar is my lifeline, and I couldn’t manage my day without it. I plan and time block everything, even when I need to pack for an upcoming trip or make an important decision.
How do (or don’t) you separate business tasks from personal ones?
Payal: Typically, I focus on my business tasks earlier and reserve my time later in the day for personal ones. My husband and I set a meeting once a week in the evenings, where we get together to discuss the more household tasks we need to get done, otherwise we’d never get to them.
Having a child, you have to be prepared for anything. But at the end of the day, it’s important to remember that work is work, but you can’t sacrifice taking care of yourself and your family. Ultimately, it comes down to learning to recognize what’s most important in the current moment, and then taking action from there.
Mentors
Who do you turn to for advice about your business?
Payal: So many people, but I have to say Anjula Acharia has always been, and continues to be, such a significant part of my journey and a role model for me.
What’s the best piece of advice they have given you?
Payal: When I was questioning whether I should start ClassPass, Anjula was the one who really convinced me to take a bet on myself, and I’m so glad I did. She helped me learn how to overcome fear and let go of self-limiting beliefs that could hold me back from creating what I was meant to. She inspired me to take the leap, and I knew that one way or another I'd figure out how to make it work.
Is there anyone—whether you know them or not—who especially inspires you as a businessperson? As a leader?
Payal: My friendships and relationships are some of the biggest sources of inspiration for me. I think you can learn something from everyone in your life. I feel so fortunate to surround myself with such great business minds from my professional network and my own family.
What do you say when aspiring entrepreneurs ask you for advice?
Payal: I give them two pieces of advice: know your “why,” and don’t be afraid to get started.
Just for Fun: Out of Office
We business professionals devote much of our lives to our careers. But what we do with our time off from work can tell us a lot about who we are as people. Please tell us…
In your spare time, do you prefer winding down – meditation and movie nights – or gearing up, e.g., rock climbing, traveling, etc.?
Payal: Since my work is such an adventure and requires me to travel and constantly be on the move, I prefer using my spare time to wind down, pause my brain, spend time with my family and replenish my energy.
What does an ideal vacation look like to you? What activities are you most likely to engage in?
Payal: When I really need a vacation, my ideal scenario is sitting on the beach, reading a book and listening to music.
What’s one thing you’ve done in your time off that has stuck with you as a defining moment for you?
Payal: Honestly, there are too many to choose from. Since work and business have been such a big part of my life, I cherish it whenever I can take time off and immerse myself in music, art, or an adventure. It unleashes a lot of creativity for me and I’m constantly revisiting in my mind the places I’ve been that inspire me to create.
What’s one place – a country, vacation spot, landmark, etc. – that’s high on your bucket list?
Payal: It’s hard to choose between the two, so either the Maldives or Bora Bora. Basically, anywhere surrounded by water. It’s no surprise I’m an Aquarius.
This interview is part of Office Hours, a series that connects you with entrepreneurs and experts and tips for running and growing a business right now. Find other can’t-miss conversations by visiting our Events page.