“For most of history, Anonymous was a woman.” ~ Virginia Woolf. On this International Women’s Day, GlobalSpa recognizes and celebrates the women in the industry as we delve into their success mantra they follow, mistakes that have helped them grow, and of course, their WELLNESS philosophy.
Tanaya Sharma is a self-taught baker and founder of Over The Top (OTT). It is all about nut butters, preserves, spreads, and nectars made with fresh, quality produce, and all-natural ingredients.
What is your wellness philosophy?
As with much else in life, one size does not fit all, more so when it comes to wellness. A couple of years ago I decided to make some major dietary and lifestyle changes, which included switching to a plant based, gluten free & low sugar diet, and also becoming environmentally conscious. I found it near impossible to find condiments that were not overly sweet or filled with ingredients I could not pronounce nor understand, and so I began to create products for myself that were in sync with my needs. My wellness philosophy has naturally translated into the conception of OTT or Over The Top, and you will find it flowing through all the little touches, whether it be the sustainable packaging or the products themselves.
Your success mantra?
I read this line ages ago and it struck a chord then, and still does every time I read it – “You didn’t come this far to only come this far.” There are always going to be some bad days, and on those days, this is definitely what keeps me motivated.
A lesson you learned from making a mistake?
Always trust your intuition and never apologise for doing so – if something feels right, go for it, and if something feels off, it usually is. Ultimately, trusting your instincts becomes an act of trusting yourself.
Any piece of advice for all the women out there?
2 words – JUST TRY! One day at a time, one step at a time, one goal at a time. Also, I read this in an article somewhere – “You have to toot your own horn because no one will do it for you.” No pun intended! I think we as women have to be more willing to step up and talk about our accomplishments – I am still learning how to do this myself. Too often we think that if we stay in the background, keep our heads down and work hard, someone will eventually notice, and we will get rewarded.
What has been your biggest pride as a doyenne?
Most recently, I think it would have to be taking the final leap and deciding to start OTT or Over The Top – every single day begins & ends with this little baby on my mind. OTT or Over The Top is all about nut butters, preserves, nectars and so much more made with fresh, quality produce, and all-natural ingredients. Our products are free of refined sugar, preservatives and additives. All that we add for sweetness is the right amount of organic jaggery, if need be. It’s basically the good stuff in a jar! In fact I owe much of this journey to 2020 and the lockdown – it may have been a curveball of a year but OTT allowed me to hit a home run!
