Neeti Khaitan

This transcript has been lightly edited for clarity and readability. Filler words were removed, sentence structure was improved, and paragraphs were added while preserving the original meaning and conversational tone.

Henry Harrison:
Today we’re very lucky—and I feel very lucky—to welcome Neeti Khaitan, my good friend, entrepreneur, and business leader.

Neeti, welcome to Entrepreneurs, Business, and Finance.

Neeti Khaitan:
Henry, how are you? Thanks for having me.

Henry Harrison:
I’m fantastic.

Let’s start with something people may notice—you have an American, but slightly British, pronunciation. You weren’t born here. You grew up in India.

I know because you told me, and I’ve met your family—they’re warm, supportive, and successful.

You came to America from India by yourself, before anyone else in your family did.

What was it like growing up in India, and why did you come to America, stay here, and build your life here?

Neeti Khaitan:
Absolutely.

I had a fabulous childhood in India. As you know, I acquired polio when I was very young, and I grew up with that disability.

My family was so loving that it wasn’t really a “problem” until we started traveling.

When I came to America, I realized it was much easier for me to get around. So when it came time to choose universities, coming to the U.S. was a no-brainer.

My uncles and my dad encouraged me to take that step. I applied to 23 universities and got admitted to 22, so I had options.

I always joke that I chose the right country—I get front-row parking everywhere, special accommodations, and priority access.

But seriously, America has meant freedom. It’s allowed me to spread my wings. I don’t have to worry about accessibility the way I did before.

I remember going to Disneyland when I first arrived. We were standing in line, and a staff member came over and said, “You don’t have to stand in this line—come with me.”

He took me through the exit and said I could enter from there. I asked why, and he said, “You shouldn’t have a different experience than anyone else.”

Then he asked where my friends were—and brought them with me.

That moment stayed with me.

America, to me, is limitless.

Henry Harrison:
You’re confident and successful, but also humble.

One philosophy I’ve heard you share is “make lemonade out of lemons.” It’s easy to say—but you actually live it.

You don’t carry yourself like a victim.

Neeti Khaitan:
I hope not—and I don’t feel like one.

“Make lemonade out of lemons” may sound cliché, but it’s true.

The things that could hold me back can also become my strengths.

I remember preparing to present my senior thesis. I thought about walking into a room full of men—being 4’11”, having an accent, being from another country, being a woman, and having a disability.

Those were all my “lemons.”

A professor helped me realize—it’s up to me to make lemonade.

So I walked in, smiled, introduced myself, and presented confidently.

It’s all about mindset. If you see limitations in your own mind, others will see them too.

Henry Harrison:
You’ve also done motivational speaking and focused on helping others.

You’ve been through very difficult experiences early in life, including being hospitalized at a young age.

Neeti Khaitan:
Yes.

My parents—especially my mom—made it easier by never letting me believe I had a disability.

She made me mentally strong so physical limitations wouldn’t define me.

I got polio at two years old due to an expired vaccination. I was paralyzed and on a ventilator. My chances of survival were very low.

But my parents fought for me—and here I am.

That said, I won’t pretend it’s easy. Everyday things—getting out of bed, brushing your teeth—can be challenging.

But my mom always said, “Figure it out.”

And that mindset stuck. I always have Plan B, C, and D.

When we travel, we figure things out—access, logistics, everything.

That’s just how life works.

Henry Harrison:
You also talk about purpose in a different way than most people.

Neeti Khaitan:
Yes.

People spend so much time trying to define purpose.

For me, if I can make a difference for one person—even one day at a time—that’s enough.

Help doesn’t always mean money or charity. It means being present, adding value, helping someone grow.

If I can do that, it’s a privilege.

Henry Harrison:
After graduation, you chose to stay in America.

Tell us about your first job and how that led to your career.

Neeti Khaitan:
I went to Pepperdine University.

After graduating, I had to decide whether to stay in the U.S. or return to India.

I found a job at a call center company in Riverside, California. They were willing to sponsor me, so I took it.

That’s where I learned how operations really work—not just from a high level, but day-to-day.

I then spoke with my family, and they invested in a call center company in Texas. That brought me from California to Texas.

I became CEO, and we grew quickly.

We later acquired another company, and under my cousin’s leadership, we scaled to:

• 66,000 employees

• 29 countries

• In about eight years

We eventually had a successful exit.

Henry Harrison:
That’s incredible growth.

Neeti Khaitan:
After that, I started Accelerate Consulting Inc.

I used everything I learned—the “lemonade”—to build a business around subcontracting, staffing, and partnerships.

I enjoy using what could have been limitations as advantages.

Henry Harrison:
You’ve also been deeply involved in the Dallas community.

Neeti Khaitan:
Yes.

If we’re part of society, we should give back.

People think philanthropy is only about money, but time and effort matter just as much.

I focus on:

• Education

• Women’s development

• Food and shelter

• Children

I’m on the executive board of the U.S.-India Chamber of Commerce, which allows me to connect communities and give back to both India and the U.S.

I’ve also been involved with organizations like the Salvation Army.

Helping others doesn’t mean pity—it means helping people grow.

Henry Harrison:
Your family is still largely based in India, but you’ve built your life here.

Neeti Khaitan:
Yes. I’ve lived here longer than I lived in India.

This is home.

Henry Harrison:
You have deep relationships here—friends, community, long-term connections.

Anything you’d like to close with?

Neeti Khaitan:
Yes.

If there’s one thing people take away, it’s this:

You are living your best right now.

We spend time worrying about the future and thinking about the past—but this moment is the future we once imagined.

So enjoy it.

This too shall pass—good and bad.

Stay positive. Positivity attracts positivity.

Be happy and be well.

Henry Harrison:
I don’t know if you coined this, but I first heard it from you—these are your “good old days” of the future.

Neeti Khaitan:
Exactly.

Recently, I found myself reflecting on the past. Then I realized—in the future, I’ll look back on this moment as well.

So I should enjoy it now.

Henry Harrison:
Fantastic.

We’re very lucky to have you on the show. Thank you, Neeti.

Neeti Khaitan:
Thank you, Henry.