Chai & Chat- Beyond the H-1B: Building Your Own Path in America

Whether you've wondered about starting a company, becoming a founder, building a personal brand, or learning how visas like the O-1 fit into a longer-term career strategy, this conversation is for you. In this live Chai & Chat, we'll speak with entrepreneur and author Soundarya Balasubramani about what she learned while navigating the U.S. immigration system, leaving a corporate career, building a startup, and creating opportunities on her own terms. We'll discuss practical first steps for aspiring founders, common misconceptions about entrepreneurship as an immigrant, and how developing expertise and visibility can create new possibilities over time. Together, we’ll explore: -The mindset shifts from depending on one visa to creating multiple opportunities. -What it actually takes to start a company as an immigrant. -Common myths about entrepreneurship on an H-1B. -How founders think about pathways like the O-1 visa. -Ways to begin building credibility, community, and a personal brand today. -Free resources that can help people continue learning after the session. This conversation is designed for: -H-1B professionals -International students -Aspiring entrepreneurs -Anyone curious about creating more career flexibility in the U.S. Bring your questions and leave with actionable tips, evidence-based information, and resources you can apply to your own life. Find out more about Chai & Chat series - https://indiacurrents.com/chai-and-chat/