my story
“Amrita Uttamchandani.” That’s a mouthful of culture. Try saying that with an Indian accent. Now an American one. How about a Spanish accent? Feeling a little confused? For many years, me too.
As a first generation Indian American born and raised within the vibrant latin culture of Miami, Florida, I have learned to value the power of building a one-of-a-kind identity that merges personal values with ambition to help live a fulfilled life.
Since 2006, I have practiced brand building for businesses by crafting marketing strategies built upon a powerful consumer insight. My experiences (and successes) have proved that thinking “people-first” has the potential to uplift brand perceptions and even the bottom line. It was after years in the beauty advertising industry and immersing myself in the traditional practices of brand management that I discovered the parallels between the development of corporate brands and my own sense of self.
Over time, I tested tried and true marketing frameworks on career coaching at a non-profit organization specializing in women’s empowerment. Later, as an MBA candidate of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan, I led the Professional Education team in our school’s Marketing Club, helping my peers evolve their resumes and professional stories to fit their career aspirations.
Today, my professional journey continues with the launch of Mooka, as I work across various functions within the Marketing industry to create and champion people-first solutions that solve strategic business challenges. I also offer career coaching services to anyone seeking support throughout their professional journey.
Let’s get a little more personal: I recently moved back to Miami, Florida after living in New York City for over 15 years. When I’m not ‘on the clock’, I love stretching my imagination with my daughter, exploring the diverse culinary scene wherever I am, and traveling the world with my partner and close friends. When in need of a little zen, I pencil doodles and drawings in my sketchpad or test my baking skills on new-to-me sweet concoctions.
why “mooka”
Not too long ago, my two year old daughter began to string together a sequence of syllables and sounds, pronouncing commonly known words and even creating a few of her very own.
One newly coined term, mooka, was among her favorites. When I would inquire about the names of her ‘acquaintances’ - like her corduroy-wearing teddy bear, the imaginary dino who visited our kitchen on occasion, and even our family car - my little one would squeal “mooka!”.
Curious about her beloved word, I searched to discover if mooka meant anything more to anyone else in the world. Turns out, it did. In Sanskrit, a historic and sacred language of Hinduism (which happens to be my family’s practicing religion), it quite simply means “face”.
It was only after the birth of my daughter that I conceived the idea of nurturing my own passions to found a strategic consultancy dedicated to building brands. For a company centered on the power of a brand, or should we say, the metaphorical face of a person’s professional identity or a business, the name mooka fit beautifully.