A multi-talented, limitless icon of beauty and motivation, ‘Miss Mangalore 2012,’ Dr. Disha Dinakar is a Doctor by profession, a model for print ads, and the name behind the famous brand “Digvijaya Herbals.”
Born and brought up in Oman, she is the only child of her parents. She recalls being always pampered with everything but not spoiled. Her parents have been strict yet always at her side, supporting her at every step.
Her father, Mr. M.N. Dinakar, has been an entrepreneur running building materials in Oman for the past 35 years. She studied there till 12th grade and after which she decided to fly to Mangalore, which was her native city, to pursue MBBS.
Since her childhood, she believed life to be colorful. She has always said NO to the monotonous journey of life where people follow the routine of home-work-home. Being a student, she loved to enjoy Cultural activities like dancing with her studies. She was also a swimmer in her school days but could not continue such activities after her 12th.
Choosing Mangalore was not easy for her as it was for the first time that she was leaving her parents behind and traveling to India from Oman.
Dr. Disha always chose the road not taken before. She wanted to explore her native places near Mangalore. Life in the hostel of Mangalore taught Dr. Disha many life experiences.
Among her studies and some struggling situations, an opportunity knocked on her door. It was a beauty pageant named “Miss Mangalore” that would take place for the first time in 2012. Her mother pushed her to give it a try which took her to win the first season of Miss Mangalore in 2012.
She declares, “After that, there was no turning back.”
Life brought different opportunities in front of her, and she responded to them with the best she could. She worked on Sundays for tv ad shows and commercials to follow her passion for her studies. She did not want to compromise with her studies. Her priority was to serve people not in terms of money, but she fancied the journey of a doctor, talking to people, treating them, and healing them.
Disha Dinakar – Founder Digvijaya Herbal Pvt. Ltd.
Continuing her talk, she recollects that her mother and Dr. Disha Dinakar have always been enthusiastic about Ayurveda. Her grandmother was a practitioner in her village. She derived the same qualities from her grandmother. She describes that even as a teenager, she would pick up each product, look for its label, and research for its nutritional value, be it a food item or a skincare product.
General discussion with her mother would be of how everyday products promise no chemicals are used, but reading between the labels showed something else. Knowing this, they thought to have a wellness brand of their own.
There was no plan to start their brand as “Digvijaya.” She claims, “Digvijay was born without any big plan. It just happened.” Sharing her story of weight loss and introducing her first product, she describes the effect of a natural product on her weight, fitness, and beauty that excited her to share it with her friends. The results were terrific for everyone. So, she decided to develop the product further. With the help of her grandmother, she rechecked the product and launched her first product, “Duh Trim- Weight Loss Supplement.”
Within a short span, Dr. Disha Dinakar and her mother registered their company and started shipping their beauty, health, and wellness products to 45 countries.
Understanding the importance of products on a person’s health and body as a doctor, she guaranteed that each product is first checked by herself and then launched in the market. Their company ensures that products are manufactured 100% naturally without any additives.
The best part about her company is that it is an All-Women run company. She aspires to generate employment for rural women who are actually in need of a job.
There were ups and downs, as she says that nothing comes with ease. One has to put in the effort if one wants to achieve something. During the lockdown period, she struggled to pack the products at home and deliver them by herself to her customers when possible.
On a typical day of her life, Dr. Disha Dinakar works in a medical center for 10 hours. Without any leaves, she drives 100km daily to balance her duty and her passion. She checks the work of her company’s staff and their progress at night, while her mother looks into it the whole day.
She gives the credit for being an entrepreneur, goal-oriented, humble, independent, and following her father’s passion. He started working at an early age, and despite facing many difficulties, he became successful on his own. She gives her father the title of her “True Inspiration.”
Dr. Disha Dinakar concludes that she is proud of what she has achieved at her age while not giving up her dreams and duties. She believes herself to be humble and grounded, always respecting the feedback from her clients. When asked about the hardships of her life, she replies that nothing is easy.
“There is no word like NO in my dictionary.” She loves challenges and is always prepared for continuous changes in life.
Giving some advice, she suggests everyone give themselves a personal time of at least 30 minutes every day. She believes that to keep going and working, we have to be mentally strong, and it comes from the personal time that we give to ourselves.
Being an entrepreneur herself, she remarks that Whatever people say, you should try if you think you can be there. You shouldn’t be saying after 50 yrs that, Oh! I didn’t do that thing because of someone. It would be best if you tried to utilize and grab all the opportunities coming your way. Even if you are not successful, there is always something bigger waiting for you.
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