Krittiya Thongmanogoon
Co-Founder, Isora Wellness
1. You wear three very different hats—entrepreneur, CEO’s personal assistant, and wellness studio owner. What does a typical day in your life actually look like, and how do you manage it all?
My days are quite full, but I enjoy having different parts of my life that challenge me in different ways. I usually start my morning between 7:00 and 9:00 by teaching Pilates and checking in with my studio team. From 9:30 to 6:30, I focus fully on my role as a personal assistant. After work, I switch back into business-owner mode—reviewing the studio’s operations and planning what needs to happen next.
Saturdays are usually dedicated to managing the studio, while Sundays are my time to rest and reset. I manage everything by being clear about what needs my attention and what can be delegated. I’ve learned that balance doesn’t mean giving equal time to everything every day. It means knowing what matters most at that moment and being fully present for it.
2. Working closely with a CEO gives you a unique perspective on leadership and business. What is one lesson you have learned that has changed the way you run your own business?
One of the most valuable lessons I have learned is that a strong leader doesn’t try to do everything alone. Leadership is about building a good system, delegating clearly and training people well enough that they feel confident in their roles.
When I first started my business, I felt that I had to be involved in every small detail. But I realized that if the business depends on me for everything, it cannot grow. Now, I try to give my team clear direction, the right support and enough trust to do their jobs well. A good system allows the business to keep moving, even when I’m not physically there.
3. Wellness has become a major part of modern life, but running a wellness business is very different from simply enjoying wellness. What made you decide to build your own wellness studio, and what do you want people to feel when they walk through the door?
Wellness helped me become a healthier, calmer and more confident version of myself. It didn’t only change my body—it changed how I handle stress, understand myself and move through everyday life. That experience made me want to create a space where I could introduce other people to wellness in a way that feels welcoming and approachable.
When people walk into my studio, I want them to immediately feel calm, peaceful and safe. I want them to feel that they can slow down, be themselves and be heard. My goal isn’t only to provide a workout. I want to create an experience that supports their overall well-being and gives them a space to reconnect with themselves.
4. As a woman building a career while running your own business, have you ever felt pressure to “do it all”? How have you learned to define success on your own terms?
I don’t really feel pressured to do it all. Instead, I feel proud that I can be independent, build something of my own and create a life that reflects who I am. Of course, some days are tiring and not everything goes perfectly, but I don’t measure my success by how busy I am or how much I can handle alone.
For me, success is when a client tells me, “Thank you for creating this space. This is exactly what I was looking for.” Hearing that reminds me that what I created has a real meaning in someone’s life. Success is not only about revenue or recognition—it is also about creating something that makes people feel better, supported and understood.
5. If you could speak to the younger version of yourself at the beginning of your career, what would you tell her—and what do you think women today should be less afraid of?
I would tell her, “You’re doing a very good job, even if you don’t realize it yet.” We often underestimate ourselves because we haven’t had the opportunity to discover what we’re capable of.
I would tell her not to be afraid of trying, failing or starting before she feels completely ready. You don’t need to have your entire future figured out before taking the first step. Every experience—even the difficult ones—teaches you something and brings you closer to who you are meant to become.
Women should be less afraid of taking up space, asking for opportunities and building something of their own. Don’t be afraid of doing something and getting it wrong. Be more afraid of doing nothing and never finding out what you could have achieved.
