Preethi Nair was born in Kerala, South India in 1971 and came to England as a child. After studying at the universities of Cardiff and Warwick, she worked as a management consultant but gave it up to follow her dream and become a writer. Confident that she had taken the required "leap of faith" by giving up work, in blissful naivety, she sent off copies of her manuscript thinking that it would be snapped up by a major publisher. It wasn't. Jobless and having been rejected by most publishers, Preethi took the deposit out of the flat she was about to buy and set up her own publishing company to self publish her book "Gypsy Masala".
Not having enough money for a PR agency, she set up her multinational in the bedroom and appointed a feisty director, Pru Menon (her alter ego) to shamelessly hype the book. She did not tell anyone about her plan.
Working as several different people and with a frenetic double, indeed triple life, Preethi managed to gain substantial press coverage. After two years of a roller coaster of a journey, she signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins. Preethi won the Asian Woman of Achievement award for her endeavours and Pru was shortlisted as Publicist of the Year for the PPC awards.
"100 Shades of White", her first novel with HarperCollins has been bought by the BBC for a television adaptation and her third novel "Beyond Indigo" was published in 2006 along with the re-issue of "Gypsy Masala".
Preethi is in demand nationally and internationally to speak at business events about creativity and innovation in the workplace.
Preethi is also an ambassador for The Princes Trust and is active in promoting creativity.
TESTIMONIALS
Defra Women's Forum enjoyed Preethi's presentation
not only for her talk but a number of people contacted me afterwards to say how inspiring she had been. A couple of days after the event I overheard a couple of ladies talking as they went up the stairs saying how they had enjoyed listening to Preethi and then one asked her companion "what do you really want to do?". Preethi has inspired us to ask this question - one that we should ask ourselves on a regular basis to avoid getting into the rut and routine of life.
Pauline Bradshaw, Rural Services Policy team
Just a quick message to let you know that all went well with Preethi last night. We all loved her talk; the girls were especially appreciative and seemed to hang on to her every word (a rare thing for most teenagers!). She was brilliant and I would certainly recommend her to colleagues in other schools.
Dyann Rowe, Queenswood School, Herts
She still maintains that dreams come true.........if you really want them to.
“The storyteller who makes up the skills gap”
The Financial Times
“Preethi duped the literary world by leading a double life as her own PR consultant to get her novel noticed. It paid off!”
The Telegraph TALKS
"Preethi gave an outstanding talk to our staff on creativity and putting inspiration to work. The feedback received from colleagues was overwhelmingly positive and many were inspired by her story. Highly recommended for in company work".
Vice President
Global Investment Bank, London
“Preethi told the most remarkable story; the more you listen, the more you learn about yourself as well as her. Inspirational.”
Channel Five
“The event was excellent. Preethi was very inspirational and told a story how anything is possible with determination. Feedback from
delegates was excellent.”
East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
“Preethi was an excellent thought provoking speaker who proved beyond reasonable doubt that anything is possible, if you have a dream go for it! Her story was truly motivational and inspirational.”
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce
“An excellent presentation. Preethi is a natural and has a very interesting story.”
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
“Preethi Nair spoke at one of our Aurora/Price Waterhouse Coopers events to over 250 business women. We found Preethi's personal and also professional experiences to be extremely insightful, entertaining and inspirational. Aurora has no hesitation in recommending Preethi for further speaking engagements.”
CEO
Aurora Womens Network
“Preethi worked with us on our personal and team ambition, using storytelling to explore what really motivates us and stretch our thinking about what is possible to achieve. Very inspirational, fun and a lovely personal touch.”
?What If!
The Innovation Company
“An inspiring, powerful story –just wonderful”
Diana Memorial Award
“Terrapinn had the privilege to hear Preethi’s story and experience the power and value story/narrative has to play in developing and sharing knowledge. I would highly recommend Preethi Nair.”
Global Talent Director
Terrapinn Pty Ltd
“Preethi spoke to over 1000 people. She was inspiring, motivating and humourous.” Conference Chairman
Rotary District Conference 2006
“Preethi Nair is an inspirational speaker with an extraordinary personal success story to tell which she delivers with both startling honesty and humour. She is at ease speaking with and to any number of people, and has a natural gift to engage, enthral and entertain. 160 people attended the day and feedback from participants who listened to her talk and took part in her workshops was overwhelmingly positive.”
Cheshire County Council
'It was a pleasure to have Preethi Nair come to Morgan Stanley and speak to us, she an excellent speaker with a really positive vibe about her."
"When Preethi is hired to share her unique insight into story creation she does so by opening a window into her own amazing life. Within an event that boasted other speakers such as Bob Geldof, she was the one most were impressed by and wanted to follow up with.
If your brand or business has a story that customers should value go talk to her."
?What If!
THE INNOVATION COMPANY
“Preethi ran a visioning session with a selection of leaders from around the BBC. She was engaging and inspiring and gave us all a lot to think about, definitely recommend her.”
BBC Internal Communications
"Preethi Nair certainly gave our preparatory school pupils, aged 8-13, and their parents plenty to think about and she delivered her her serious message with humour. Preethi's personal story showed what following your dream with single-minded determination can achieve against the odds. Her own experience demonstrated that the path to success is often tortuous, so it is important not to lose sight of your goal. Preethi encouraged our young people to dream dreams but also to recognize the importance of making the best use of your opportunities at school. Above all she warned her young audience to share their dreams with their parents and to be satisfied with being oneself, rather than as Preethi had attempted, to be two people! I would recommend Preethi as a wonderful guest speaker with a fascinating tale to tell." Bromsgrove Preparatory School
Not having enough money for a PR agency, she set up her multinational in the bedroom and appointed a feisty director, Pru Menon (her alter ego) to shamelessly hype the book. She did not tell anyone about her plan.
Working as several different people and with a frenetic double, indeed triple life, Preethi managed to gain substantial press coverage. After two years of a roller coaster of a journey, she signed a three-book deal with HarperCollins. Preethi won the Asian Woman of Achievement award for her endeavours and Pru was shortlisted as Publicist of the Year for the PPC awards.
"100 Shades of White", her first novel with HarperCollins has been bought by the BBC for a television adaptation and her third novel "Beyond Indigo" was published in 2006 along with the re-issue of "Gypsy Masala".
Preethi is in demand nationally and internationally to speak at business events about creativity and innovation in the workplace.
Preethi is also an ambassador for The Princes Trust and is active in promoting creativity.
TESTIMONIALS
Defra Women's Forum enjoyed Preethi's presentation
not only for her talk but a number of people contacted me afterwards to say how inspiring she had been. A couple of days after the event I overheard a couple of ladies talking as they went up the stairs saying how they had enjoyed listening to Preethi and then one asked her companion "what do you really want to do?". Preethi has inspired us to ask this question - one that we should ask ourselves on a regular basis to avoid getting into the rut and routine of life.
Pauline Bradshaw, Rural Services Policy team
Just a quick message to let you know that all went well with Preethi last night. We all loved her talk; the girls were especially appreciative and seemed to hang on to her every word (a rare thing for most teenagers!). She was brilliant and I would certainly recommend her to colleagues in other schools.
Dyann Rowe, Queenswood School, Herts
She still maintains that dreams come true.........if you really want them to.
“The storyteller who makes up the skills gap”
The Financial Times
“Preethi duped the literary world by leading a double life as her own PR consultant to get her novel noticed. It paid off!”
The Telegraph TALKS
"Preethi gave an outstanding talk to our staff on creativity and putting inspiration to work. The feedback received from colleagues was overwhelmingly positive and many were inspired by her story. Highly recommended for in company work".
Vice President
Global Investment Bank, London
“Preethi told the most remarkable story; the more you listen, the more you learn about yourself as well as her. Inspirational.”
Channel Five
“The event was excellent. Preethi was very inspirational and told a story how anything is possible with determination. Feedback from
delegates was excellent.”
East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce
“Preethi was an excellent thought provoking speaker who proved beyond reasonable doubt that anything is possible, if you have a dream go for it! Her story was truly motivational and inspirational.”
Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce
“An excellent presentation. Preethi is a natural and has a very interesting story.”
Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce
“Preethi Nair spoke at one of our Aurora/Price Waterhouse Coopers events to over 250 business women. We found Preethi's personal and also professional experiences to be extremely insightful, entertaining and inspirational. Aurora has no hesitation in recommending Preethi for further speaking engagements.”
CEO
Aurora Womens Network
“Preethi worked with us on our personal and team ambition, using storytelling to explore what really motivates us and stretch our thinking about what is possible to achieve. Very inspirational, fun and a lovely personal touch.”
?What If!
The Innovation Company
“An inspiring, powerful story –just wonderful”
Diana Memorial Award
“Terrapinn had the privilege to hear Preethi’s story and experience the power and value story/narrative has to play in developing and sharing knowledge. I would highly recommend Preethi Nair.”
Global Talent Director
Terrapinn Pty Ltd
“Preethi spoke to over 1000 people. She was inspiring, motivating and humourous.” Conference Chairman
Rotary District Conference 2006
“Preethi Nair is an inspirational speaker with an extraordinary personal success story to tell which she delivers with both startling honesty and humour. She is at ease speaking with and to any number of people, and has a natural gift to engage, enthral and entertain. 160 people attended the day and feedback from participants who listened to her talk and took part in her workshops was overwhelmingly positive.”
Cheshire County Council
'It was a pleasure to have Preethi Nair come to Morgan Stanley and speak to us, she an excellent speaker with a really positive vibe about her."
"When Preethi is hired to share her unique insight into story creation she does so by opening a window into her own amazing life. Within an event that boasted other speakers such as Bob Geldof, she was the one most were impressed by and wanted to follow up with.
If your brand or business has a story that customers should value go talk to her."
?What If!
THE INNOVATION COMPANY
“Preethi ran a visioning session with a selection of leaders from around the BBC. She was engaging and inspiring and gave us all a lot to think about, definitely recommend her.”
BBC Internal Communications
"Preethi Nair certainly gave our preparatory school pupils, aged 8-13, and their parents plenty to think about and she delivered her her serious message with humour. Preethi's personal story showed what following your dream with single-minded determination can achieve against the odds. Her own experience demonstrated that the path to success is often tortuous, so it is important not to lose sight of your goal. Preethi encouraged our young people to dream dreams but also to recognize the importance of making the best use of your opportunities at school. Above all she warned her young audience to share their dreams with their parents and to be satisfied with being oneself, rather than as Preethi had attempted, to be two people! I would recommend Preethi as a wonderful guest speaker with a fascinating tale to tell." Bromsgrove Preparatory School
none
Delicious
Digg
Facebook
StumbleUpon
Twitter