What path might an MBA graduate who spent a decade as the HR head of a top company envision for themselves? A steady climb to a CEO position, perhaps? But Deepa Divakar had something else in mind. A native of Thiruvananthapuram, this dynamic woman has worn many hats over the years—stage performer, film actor, life coach, keynote speaker with over 3,000 shows across India and abroad, anchor, YouTuber, entrepreneur, mindset coach, public speaking and motivational trainer, and corporate trainer. Among her pioneering ventures are Kerala’s first anchoring training institute and holistic transformation centre, and a 24-hour preschool.
A 24-hour preschool
Finding reliable, flexible, and accessible childcare is a challenge for many working parents. Deepa, however, offered a solution. With a 24/7 daycare, parents no longer need to panic if they’re stuck in traffic or working late—help is always at hand. But how did this idea come to her?
While working outside Kerala in HR after her MBA, Deepa once got delayed in traffic. By the time she reached the daycare, it was slightly past closing time. “The authorities, showing no empathy, had locked the gates and left, leaving the children outside,” she recalls. That moment inspired her vision for a 24/7 preschool
She launched Babies Day Out in 2017 at Padamugal, Kochi—a fully secure preschool operating round the clock, aimed at empowering mothers. Though it shut temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, it reopened in 2022.
“The centre accommodates children from newborns to UKG level and is both child- and parent-friendly,” she says. “We don’t pressure parents who arrive late, and the setup allows flexibility for drop-offs and pickups at any hour. Our staff take excellent care of the children, and the facility is fitted with live surveillance cameras, allowing parents to monitor their children in real time from their mobile phones.”
It was an instant hit among working parents. Following the success of the Padamugal branch, a second centre opened in Palarivattom.
The first woman to open an anchoring academy
Anchoring wasn’t always seen as a serious career in Kerala. So, when Deepa launched Kerala’s first Anchoring Training Institute and Holistic Transformation Centre, coupled with a live stage show programming unit, many were skeptical.
Based in Penta Estate near Janta Junction, Palarivattom, Kochi, Anchors World is now in its 10th year. “I started it in 2015 after quitting my HR job to explore acting. I was always a creative child, and public speaking came naturally to me,” she says. “I chose to leave the conventional path and carve my own.”
With her signature curly hair and confident presence, Deepa’s anchoring broke away from traditional norms, offering a refreshing new style. She soon branched into stage performances, TV, and films.
“To help others aspiring to enter the performing arts, I launched a course in stage and video anchoring. It covers everything from acting and scriptwriting to reading skills and stage presence—preparing individuals to step into the spotlight without hesitation,” she explains.
A life coach shaped by personal experience
Deepa’s journey into life coaching and motivational speaking was born from her own life’s trials. “Harsh experiences in the professional world, failed businesses, financial hardships, and poor money management pushed me to seek a life coach,” she says. “Attending those classes helped me overcome every hurdle. The transformation I went through made me want to guide others too.”
She realised she wasn’t alone—many faced the same struggles. So, she decided to help others reshape their lives. “No matter your profession—be it business, teaching, IT—your mind is your most important tool. You have to train and nurture it,” she says.
As a Law of Attraction trainer, Deepa has empowered thousands of individuals—from school students to senior citizens. She offers online coaching in Hindi, English, and Malayalam, with international students among her clientele. Her public speaking courses cover communication, confidence-building, group discussion, voice modulation, and more. Another course focuses on life transformation, personality development, and the Law of Attraction—equipping learners to chase their goals with purpose.
She also works with schools and educational institutions to train students in public speaking, helping them shed stage fear early in life. Today, over 30 women are employed across Deepa’s various ventures.
“I’m now planning to expand my preschools to other parts of Kerala,” she shares. At the heart of Deepa’s success is her unshakable belief that everything one dreams of is achievable. She turned her failures into stepping stones—and those very experiences continue to fuel her strength today.
