Ep 10. Payal Kadakia

To Dine For with Kate Sullivan is a series that explores the unique stories of inspiring individuals over a delicious meal. Season 3 episode 10 features Payal Kadakia, the founder of ClassPass, a fitness marketplace that connects users with workout classes in their area.

In this episode, Kate Sullivan meets up with Payal Kadakia at Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City to discuss her journey and how her passion for dance led her to create ClassPass. Sullivan begins the conversation by asking Kadakia about her background and how she became interested in business. Kadakia explains that her parents were immigrants and owned a small business, which sparked her interest in entrepreneurship. She also shares that she has always been passionate about dance and that her love for the art form played a significant role in her entrepreneurial journey.

Kadakia goes on to talk about how she first came up with the idea for ClassPass. She explains that she was frustrated with the lack of options available for people who wanted to take dance classes. She wanted to create a platform that would make it easier for people to find and sign up for classes while also supporting local studios and instructors. Kadakia goes into detail about the challenges she faced when launching ClassPass, including the difficulties of raising funds and the need to constantly adapt to changing market conditions.

Throughout the episode, Sullivan and Kadakia enjoy a delicious meal at Gotham Bar and Grill while discussing a variety of topics. They talk about the importance of self-care, balancing work and personal life, and the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Kadakia shares her insights on leadership and what it takes to build a successful company, emphasizing the importance of having a clear vision and being willing to take risks.

As the meal comes to a close, Kadakia reflects on the impact that ClassPass has had on the fitness industry and the lives of its users. She explains that her ultimate goal is to make fitness more accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or fitness level. Sullivan and Kadakia end the episode on a light note, discussing their love for dessert and sharing some of their favorite sweet treats.

Overall, To Dine For with Kate Sullivan season 3 episode 10 is an inspiring conversation that highlights the power of entrepreneurship and the importance of pursuing one's passions. Through Kadakia's story, viewers learn about the challenges of launching a startup and the rewards that come with perseverance and hard work.