This profile of Kashmira Contractor is part of her Cover Feature in Exeleon’s latest issue of Women Entrepreneurs to Watch featuring The Iconic Women from Everyday Women.
Kashmira Contractor is a multifaceted professional and entrepreneur, known for her resilience and determination in male-dominated sectors. With a background in Information Technology, she has lived and worked across multiple continents, accumulating global knowledge and networks.
Her journey is guided by the mantra “Be like a river, chart your own course,” reflecting her flexible and purposeful approach to her career. She is the Founder of Reimagine Property Group, which is a residential redevelopment company serving the greater DFW Area. Our company strives to create custom solutions to complex real estate issues.
A Work in Progress
Originating from India and educated in Information Technology in the United States, Kashmira has gathered a wealth of international experience, living and working across various continents. She regards herself as a “work in progress,” navigating her journey with pride and tenacity.
In her journey, despite encountering gender-based challenges and cultural biases, Kashmira has consistently shown empathy and understanding, striving to walk in the shoes of others. Her global experiences have enriched her life, making her feel “like a tree with multi-colored flowers, each one representing the various places I have lived and worked in.”
Beyond her IT pursuits, Kashmira has ventured into real estate investment, diversifying her portfolio through redevelopment projects. As a key player at Reimagine Property Group, she aligns her personal interests with her business acumen, showcasing her passion for transformation and growth in the real estate sector.
Her commitment to making a positive impact goes beyond her professional endeavors. She mentions, “I am deeply committed to philanthropy, focusing on empowering women and children in disadvantaged situations. Through my heart-centered projects, I strive to make a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate.”
With over 30 years of experience in various corporations worldwide, Kashmira has always felt destined to create innovative, competitive, and user-friendly technology solutions. However, her entrepreneurial spirit, inherited from her grandfathers and father, led her to explore real estate investment as a means to create generational wealth and achieve financial and time flexibility. This shift allowed her to dedicate more time to her philanthropic projects, helping disadvantaged women and children.
Kashmira states, “I am a testament to the power of determination, compassion, and vision. I continue to inspire and break barriers, proving that anyone can make their mark in diverse and challenging fields, regardless of their background or circumstances.”
Embracing Diversity
Having studied, lived, and worked across various continents, Kashmira has encountered people from different walks of life, enriching her perspective and approach to leadership.
She mentions, “I strive daily to be the best in my industry by participating in industry discussions, conferences, online classes and publications.”
Throughout her life, leading diverse teams has been a significant aspect of her career. Kashmira values inclusivity and ensures that her teams are composed of individuals from varied backgrounds, heritages, and cultures. She fosters an environment of trust and openness, encouraging everyone to speak their mind and share their unique perspectives.
Furthermore, authenticity is a core principle for Kashmira. She believes in being true to oneself and maintaining honesty and transparency in all interactions. By admitting her mistakes and embracing her vulnerabilities, she sets an example for her team members and mentees, encouraging them to seek guidance and advice when needed.
This commitment to staying authentic coupled with her deep understanding of diverse cultures, has positioned Kashmira as an established thought leader.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs & Mentorship
Kashmira Contractor emphasizes the importance of building a supportive network and community for women entrepreneurs. She believes that creating an environment where women can connect, collaborate, and thrive is essential for their success and empowerment in the entrepreneurial world. Her strategies for fostering this supportive network include:
- Hosting Networking Events: Organizing events where women entrepreneurs can meet, share experiences, and build long-lasting relationships is crucial. These gatherings provide a platform for collaboration and mutual support.
- Establishing Online Platforms: Creating online communities where women can connect, and access resources is vital. These platforms offer a space for sharing success stories, which can inspire others and provide valuable insights.
- Setting Up Mentorship Programs: Mentorship is key for women starting their entrepreneurial journey. Connecting them with experienced mentors can provide guidance, support, and opportunities for growth.
- Promoting Inclusivity: Ensuring that the entrepreneurial community welcomes women from diverse backgrounds, industries, and experiences is important for fostering a rich and supportive environment.
Kashmira also highlights the significance of mentorship for women entrepreneurs. She views mentorship as a powerful tool that can help women overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success. “The mentor-mentee relationship can be a critical factor in overcoming obstacles and achieving long-term success as an entrepreneur,” she explains.
She advises seeking out experts in the field, even if their expertise is not directly related to one’s industry, as their life lessons and experiences can often be applied universally. Kashmira also believes in the importance of giving back by being both a mentor and a mentee. Being inquisitive and learning from mentors’ experiences can lead to valuable insights and wisdom.
Talking about her own experiences, she shares “I have been mentored in the past and present and it has been invaluable to me. I have learned and grown and leveled up and been provided ideas and solutions that I would not have fathomed on my own.”
Words of Wisdom
Kashmira offers insightful advice for women entrepreneurs starting their entrepreneurial journey, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and honesty in identifying one’s passion and calling.
She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to seek out experts and mentors in their industry, engage in continuous learning through online classes and podcasts, and actively participate in networking events to build supportive connections.
Moreover, she stresses the significance of being financial savvy, advising entrepreneurs to manage budgets and cash flow effectively to ensure the sustainability of their business. She advocates for a gradual approach to growth, viewing failures as opportunities for learning and emphasizing the need for resilience in overcoming challenges.
Kashmira underscores the importance of staying committed and focused on one’s goals, while also embracing the uniqueness of each entrepreneurial journey.
Finally, time management and delegation are highlighted as key aspects for an entrepreneur to attain success.
My Time
To maintain a healthy balance between her professional demands and personal well-being, Kashmira is very particular about her ‘me time’.
She points out, “There are times when I will deliberately walk away from my business demands and seek some quiet time which could include meditating, guided daydreaming or even listening to music.”
“Going to the gym daily helps me to relax and feel I am doing something for myself,” she adds. During this time, she disconnects herself from work by not responding to any calls or texts, and indulges in watching mindless television, all of which contributes to her overall sense of relaxation and self-care.
Moving Forward
Looking ahead, Kashmira plans to level up and become a powerhouse in the real estate industry with her company Reimagine Property Group. She intends to use her online platforms, speaking engagements, and podcasts as tools to educate, mentor, and empower aspiring women entrepreneurs, especially those interested in starting their own real estate investment ventures.
She also adds, “I want to continue to buy properties that need to be rehabbed and make neighborhoods better places to live in. Help disadvantaged women and children and give them back their voices and independence because women and children do matter, and they play a very pivotal role in society.”
On a personal level, Kashmira is focused on self-reflection and growth, striving to understand what aspects of her life and work are effective and which need adjustment. She stresses the importance of self-love and care, understanding that nurturing oneself is essential for extending the same level of care to others. Kashmira is determined to live her life authentically and unapologetically, thus writing the remaining chapters of her story on her own terms.
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