From Breakdown to Breakthrough: Building a life on her own terms

Before anything else, I owe my very existence to my parents, Mr. Srinivasa Rao Killi and Mrs. Punyavathi Killi, who gave me the gift of life and raised me with deep love, integrity and resilience; instilling in me the strength and values to face the world on my own terms.

My name is Vimala Killi, and I am the Managing Director of BTCaaS Consultants Private Limited. I carry with me a story that’s etched with determination, sacrifice, and an unwavering spirit to rise despite every storm that threatened to drown me.

I am a firm believer in positivity. I am powerful, straightforward, and future-oriented. I approach problems with empathy, always trying to understand the other person’s perspective. That, I believe, is my greatest strength. I take life seriously - but never negatively. Maybe that’s the secret to my radiance too. (Funny yet true!)

My academic journey was intense. I hold dual degrees - B.Sc. and B.Ed. - both from Andhra University. I then pursued dual postgraduation - an MA and PGCTE - from the English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU). I further added two diplomas to my profile: a Diploma in Applied Operations Management (DAOM) and a Diploma in Business Administration (DBA) from Alison School of Ireland. My professional certifications include ones from the British Council and Charles Sturt University.

My professional journey began as a primary school teacher, teaching grades 2, 3, and 4. I climbed the ladder steadily – secondary teacher, higher secondary teaching, coordinator, Vice Principal, trainer, and then a master trainer for SAT, IELTS, TOEFL, GRE and GMAT. But it wasn’t always linear. During COVID, I was asked to travel to the head office - a health risk I wasn’t willing to take. Choosing my well-being over a job, I quit. It was a difficult decision. I pivoted to content creation and branding, eventually becoming an Assistant Manager, then Manager, Senior Manager, and Head of Branding and Corporate Communications.

There have been countless twists and turns. If I begin to recount them, I might get teary-eyed. But today, I look back with no regrets. My life has been a rollercoaster for over 12 years. There were many moments when giving up seemed easier. But I chose to hold on - just one more day and It’s never been easy.

Every choice I made was a turning point. The most defining shift was deciding to start a company. But let me take you a little further back.

In 2013, just after completing my degree, I got married to Simhachalam Mamidi. My father, though deeply proud of my academic achievements and wanting me to shine in my career, was bound by orthodox beliefs. He felt that women were better off staying at home, believing it ensured a more stable family life. But I had different dreams. Before marriage, I was very clear with my husband that I had ambitions. He promised to support me and he did. He helped me pursue further education and professional training. He became my institution, guiding me in everything from how I dress to how I carry myself.

We were blessed with two children. But I didn’t let motherhood put my dreams on hold. I pursued my second degree and postgraduation while being a nursing mother. My days were relentless - breastfeeding at 7 a.m., doing household chores, attending school for work, coming home, cooking, cleaning, caring for my children, and working on assignments late into the night. I often went without sleep for five days a week. My only rest came on weekends, when my husband was home to share responsibilities. This routine continued for three years. It was gruelling, but it shaped me.

You might wonder by now, why I hadn’t had house-help. Here’s why. I chose to do all the household chores myself - not because I had to, but because I didn’t want to depend on anyone. Hiring house help meant adjusting my day around their availability, which disrupted my flow and plans. I believe in being independent. They say, “If you want something done right, do it yourself.” So I did. That mindset helped me stay in control of my time, energy and goals.

Those were my toughest days. I never imagined I’d get to tell my story on a platform like this. Today, it all feels worth it. Life tested me again when I had to resign due to family reasons.

After a few years, due to pressing family reasons, I was compelled to resign from my job. What followed was one of the darkest chapters of my life. I felt distressed, frustrated, mentally shattered and hopeless. The professional momentum I had worked so hard to build seemed to vanish overnight. Sleepless nights, health issues like PCOD, hyperthyroidism, tremors, and palpitations took a heavy toll on me. My own family, at times, became a source of psychological strain, leaving me isolated and emotionally worn out. I put on weight, buried my emotions, and carried the weight of silence with no one to talk to.

But even in that storm, a voice inside me refused to surrender. I knew this wasn’t the end. I decided to pause everything and redirect my focus inward. Slowly, I began to heal - one step, one breath, one moment at a time. I started rebuilding after breakdowns, and rising again with dignity. I made my health a priority, revived my positivity, and rebuilt my emotional strength. With clarity, peace, and a fresh perspective, with my husband’s support, I laid one brick at a time. His faith in me and active involvement in our journey made all the difference. I laid the first brick of my new journey - BTCaaS Consultants Private Limited.

BTCaaS Consultants Pvt. Ltd. is a forward-thinking consulting firm dedicated to empowering organizations through strategic transformation and innovation. We specialize in aligning business goals with cutting-edge technologies and best practices to drive sustainable growth.

Our comprehensive services include:

Business Transformation & Consulting: Standardizing operations, enhancing efficiency, and driving continuous improvement.

Technology Consulting: Modernizing IT infrastructure with services like cloud migrations, analytics, AI/ML solutions and ServiceNow implementations.

Change Management & Adoption: Facilitating seamless transitions during organizational changes.

Staff Augmentation: Providing skilled professionals to meet dynamic business needs.

Capability Development: Offering training programs to upskill teams across various domains.

SEO & Digital Marketing: Enhancing online presence through targeted strategies.

Web Development: Creating responsive and user-friendly websites.

HR & Social Accountability: Building robust HR functions and ensuring compliance with social accountability standards.

At BTCaaS, we pride ourselves on our collaborative approach - working closely with clients to deliver customized solutions that address unique challenges. Our commitment to excellence and innovation positions us as a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of today’s business landscape.

My values and beliefs are deeply personal. Many women claim they are successful solely because of their will. That’s admirable - but I believe success also comes from the support system around you. My success is shared - with my husband, my kids and my family who adjusted and compromised alongside me, not just for me. To me, true success is a happy family. We are in a much better place today than where we started 12 years ago, and that makes me proud.

When everything felt like it was falling apart, I reminded myself of the privileges I still had: food, shelter, a family, tears to express emotion, children who symbolize our love, and the strength to keep going. These are luxuries many don’t have. So, instead of focusing on what I lost, I chose to be thankful for what I had.

Professionally, I now want to expand - more clients, a happy team, a sustainable company. I dream of hiring 100 full-time employees. When people ask where I see myself in 5 or 10 years, I smile. No one knows what tomorrow holds. I don’t aspire to be a billionaire. I just want a peaceful, fulfilling life. We all die one day. That’s reality.

Outside work, I unwind with Sudoku, K-dramas, Netflix series, housie/tambola and carroms with my family. Sundays are sacred family time - games, stories, homemade meals and laughter. No exceptions.

My mantra? “This too shall pass.” It takes both rise and fall for a tide to become a beautiful ocean. Even when life throws punches, I find strength in gratitude. Success doesn’t lie in money or assets. It’s in having someone to talk to, a peaceful sleep, and the ability to live honestly. Know how much to earn, when to stop, and above all, how to live.

My 3-point rule for life? Eat right, sleep tight, stay positive. The rest follows.

This is my story—unfiltered, honest and full of heart. And I’m just getting started.