Justine Dharni is an accomplished marketer, public speaker, and positive psychology enthusiast dedicated to fostering upward mobility and empowering others to thrive. As a child, Justine often sat cross-legged in front of the TV, captivated by Oprah’s storytelling of resilience and transformation. Inspired by the grit of her guests, she also recognized a deeper truth: not everyone starts from the same place. This realization sparked her lifelong mission to champion human flourishing and expand opportunities for others.
A first-generation college graduate herself, Justine earned her BA in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley, a distinctive interdisciplinary program blending media studies, sociology, public policy, economics, and more. During college, she discovered her talent for teaching as an afterschool tutor and college advisor for at-risk high school students. This experience revealed how intersectionality shapes aspirations and outcomes, inspiring her to pursue credentialing in positive psychology through iPEC, a highly regarded coaching program, immediately after graduation. Her goal was to strengthen her mentoring skills and empower others to overcome barriers and reach their potential.
Over the next decade, Justine built an impressive career at the intersection of storytelling and digital innovation. She began by leading marketing, sales, and production for an inspirational talk show on Sony Entertainment Television, featuring celebrities and entrepreneurs sharing their journeys and mindsets. She later drove digital marketing initiatives for global technology brands, including Google. As a Director for Google for Education’s digital team during the pandemic, she witnessed the transformative power of online education, further fueling her passion for innovation and expanding access to learning.
Equipped with an MBA from Columbia Business School, Justine Dharni launched a passion project with a clear purpose: to leverage her experience as a talk show host and new business pitch pro (securing over $14M in new business in a quarter) to help others own the room and communicate in ways that drive meaningful, win-win results for all parties involved. She believes that while everything you seek may lie on the other side of fear, achieving it requires effective communication that fosters mutual understanding and genuine connection.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Routines and structure are the keys to my productivity—or at least that’s what I tell myself when I aim to keep it all together. Here’s my ideal day (emphasis on “ideal”):
6:00 AM: GYM—because endorphins make you happy.
7:00 AM: Coffee/Breakfast—the best part of waking up.
7:30 AM: Ease into the day while getting dressed—transforming from goblin to presentable human.
8:30 AM: Journal, read, or podcast—personal growth is all the rage these days.
9:30 AM – 5:30 PM: Work—pretty self explanatory.
6:00 PM: Go on a walk—to get some fresh air and imagine the trees are rooting for me.
7:00 PM: Dinner—settling in for a cozy culinary escape.
8:00 – 10:00 PM: Unwind—because productivity has its limits, and I need to recharge.
Saturdays are pure anarchy—no structure, just shenanigans with loved ones.
Sundays? A bit of spirituality, errands, laundry, and the joy of preparing for Monday’s adulting.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Ideas can come to us anywhere—in the shower, on the subway, even in our sleep. But bringing them to life is a whole different challenge. When I decide to pursue an idea, I start small by putting pen to paper, outlining the basics, and seeing if it holds up. Then I lean on my MBA training to create a simple business plan and a timeline to stay on track. I share it with friends and family to get honest feedback and tweak it as I go. It’s definitely not a perfect process, but having a clear plan helps me take small, steady steps toward making the most compelling ideas a reality.
What’s one trend that excites you?
De-influencing. There is nothing wrong with being simple or living on a budget—we all have one.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Habit stacking—a term that undoubtedly makes me sound like a blast—is the practice of building new habits by linking them to existing ones. For example, I already go on walks 3-5 times a week. To build on that habit, I started listening to podcasts instead of music a couple of times a week, creating a seamless way to incorporate my goal of listening to more podcasts into my routine.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Have faith and do what’s best for you—those who genuinely love you will continue to do so. And don’t forget to love yourself, too. Your worth is innate, kid!
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
Boredom is a gift. In a world of constant connectivity and overstimulation, boredom creates the space for creativity, self-reflection, and unexpected ideas to emerge. While most people avoid it at all costs, I believe embracing those quiet, uneventful moments can lead to transformative breakthroughs. If you’re curious, there’s a fantastic TED Talk on this topic worth exploring.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I regularly evaluate my “Wheel of Life”—a simple yet powerful tool that’s easy to find online. It helps me gauge how I’m feeling and doing across different areas of my life: career, relationships, health, personal growth, and more. It’s a great way to identify where I feel fulfilled and where I might need to give a little more love and attention. This practice keeps me aware, intentional, and focused on becoming the happiest version of myself. I recommend everyone try it—it’s like a tune-up for your soul!
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I call my mom—she’s my favorite person in the world. Just hearing her voice has the power to calm me down, even during the darkest days.
When I feel unfocused, I change my environment. I head to a coworking space or a cozy cafe where the click-clack sound of others typing away motivates me to finish my tasks. Knowing I can relax once it’s done is quite the motivator.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keep a growth mindset—it might be a buzzword, but it’s stuck around for a reason. You don’t know what you don’t know, and staying humble keeps you curious and creative. Whether it’s pitching a wild idea at work or picking up a new skill, that openness keeps life interesting and full of possibilities. Plus, who doesn’t love a good plot twist? Stay open, and when life throws divine interruptions your way, you’ll be ready to pivot and reinvent yourself with ease.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I define failure as “completely giving up,” and I haven’t done that. While I’ve faced trying experiences in my career, each one has led me to where I am today—a place where I feel both centered and grounded, and genuinely excited about the future. The losses were essential stepping stones, and I can’t regret them.
Here are the lessons I’ve learned along the way, which I hope resonate with others:
Forgive yourself: Repeat after me: “Hindsight offers clarity, but I did the best I could with what I knew at the time. I deserve to be gentle with myself, even when I make mistakes. Things won’t always go as planned, but often, it’s for a greater purpose.”
Forgive others: They’re human, too. People will let you down, often unintentionally.
Learn to communicate, recalibrate, and move forward. Don’t take anything personally.
Dream: After validating an idea, believe in your mission. Put in the work, keep your target audience’s needs front and center, and surround yourself with those who stick by you through tough times. Together, build something you’re proud of.
Just start: Don’t wait for perfection—begin now and refine as you go. Take it one step at a time.
Embrace the pivots and trust the process: Focus on consistency, iterate often, and leave room for the timeline to unfold as it must.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Here’s an idea from my time in business school:
QuickFlix:
Anyone else spend 15, 30, or even 45 minutes hunting for the perfect series or film to watch? Discovering content to stream—especially with multiple decision-makers in the room—can feel like an impossible task. There have been times when I’ve just given up, which, as I mentioned earlier, is my personal definition of failure.
Now, imagine a feature that creates a “watch group,” allowing users to sync profiles of everyone present. By pulling content preferences and viewing history from each profile, it could offer tailored recommendations that suit everyone in the room. For a more seamless experience, location services could identify users nearby and predict preferences automatically.
It’s simple, intuitive, and solves a universal problem—saving time and keeping movie night drama-free. Who’s ready to build it? Please let me know when it’s done!
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Workspace for Education has been an incredible tool, empowering me to work smarter, collaborate seamlessly, and explore entrepreneurial ventures—all without the need for premium software. From Gmail and Drive to Docs, Sheets, and Slides, I’m genuinely grateful for a suite of tools that keeps me organized and creative. Despite how it might sound, this isn’t a sponsored ad—I just truly appreciate accessible and effective products!
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
I’m hooked on How I Built This with Guy Raz. It’s a podcast that dives into the origin stories of some of the world’s most iconic brands and businesses. Packed with heartbreak, humor, and triumph, it’s an excellent source of entertainment. Listening to founders share their ups, downs, and “how did I survive that?” moments feels like a modern-day hero’s journey—and if you know me, you know that’s my jam.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Experiencing Wicked on the big screen was breathtaking. The songs were unforgettable, the set design dazzling, and the casting? Chef’s kiss. But what truly stuck with me was the storyline. It brilliantly explores how identity, perception, and societal expectations shape human potential. Elphaba’s journey of defying norms and embracing her true self reflects the energy I pour into my passion for helping people flourish, despite their circumstances.
Key learnings
- Start Now, Embrace Imperfection: Don’t wait for the stars to align—start your journey today. Embracing quirks and imperfections not only accelerates progress but also adds a unique, authentic touch to the process.
- Build Routines and Stack Habits: Think of a daily schedule as a carefully curated playlist. By layering new “tracks” (habits) onto familiar “hits,” productivity can soar, and personal growth stays on repeat—all without adding extra hours to the day.
- Focus on Serving Others: Personal motivation often falls short compared to the fulfillment of positively impacting others’ lives. Shifting the focus to exceeding the needs of a target audience can uncover newfound motivation, persistence, and success.
- Cultivate Self-Compassion: It’s important to remember that worth isn’t tied to achievements—everyone is a human being, not a human doing. Staying inspired is essential, but detaching self-worth from work makes the journey more enjoyable. Regularly assessing different life areas with tools like the “Wheel of Life,” practicing self-forgiveness, and maintaining a compassionate mindset helps foster and attract joy and well-being.
- Build a Supportive Community: No one can do it alone. Whether it’s finding comfort in loved ones, like reaching out to a parent during challenging times, or connecting with a higher power through spiritual practices, relationships offer strength and guidance. By nurturing these connections, individuals can navigate obstacles and stay committed to their goals.