Leadership with a Laugh Track

Let’s Be Real—This Didn’t Start with a Business Plan

If you’re expecting to read about some buttoned-up founder with a five-year growth forecast and a LinkedIn bio that screams “I have a personal brand,” you’re in the wrong story.

This one starts with an 8-year-old freezing mid-sentence on stage during a fashion show. Yep, that kind of moment. “I completely blanked out,” says Mokshitha Subalatha, now 16 and anything but shy. “I was winning every round, and then they handed me a mic. I stammered through a speech and lost it all. Brutal.”

But instead of never touching a mic again, Mokshitha made a wild decision: she was going to become the best public speaker she could be. And spoiler alert—she kinda did.

Today, she’s the founder of 1 Extra Step, a student-led startup that’s helping other teens go from “uhhh” to “mic drop” in public speaking, leadership, and confidence.

Meet Mokshitha: The Teen Who Can Command a Room Before You Even Realize It

A high schooler at Harrow International School in Bengaluru, Mokshitha is known for her energy, quick wit, and ability to get a room full of teens to actually listen. No, seriously.

“My teachers always say I could talk my way out of anything,” she laughs. “They’re probably not wrong.”

Between running school events, leading the Girl Up Harrow chapter, mentoring juniors, and winning debate and MUN competitions, she’s been collecting badges of honor in both leadership and speaking. But her real flex? Using all of that to help other students find their voice.

“Some of my friends had brilliant ideas but wouldn’t speak up because they were scared. I knew exactly how that felt—and I also knew it didn’t have to be that way.”

The Birth of 1 Extra Step (a.k.a. Turning Teen Angst into a Startup)

Most businesses start with spreadsheets. This one started with a big sister vibe and a whole lot of empathy.

“Every program I came across was way too serious,” Mokshitha says. “Adults teaching public speaking like it’s rocket science. And no offense, but kids don’t want to sit through two-hour lectures on tone and posture.”

So she flipped the script. 1 Extra Step became a peer-led, teen-to-teen platform where workshops, courses, and mentorship feel more like hanging out with a very talkative friend than sitting in a classroom.

There’s role-play, confidence games, storytelling, and even the occasional leadership challenge. “We don’t do boring,” she adds. “If you’re not laughing and learning, what’s the point?”

Building a Startup from Boarding School (a.k.a. Chaos Mode)

Running a company while living in a boarding school? Yeah. That’s the plot twist.

“Our schedule is mad. Classes, sports, extracurriculars, you name it. Sometimes I’d plan sessions during my breaks or stay up late building content because it was the only time I had.”

Even tougher? Most of her breaks didn’t line up with local school calendars. “So I asked my mom if I could hijack a few of her teaching hours at the school she runs. And it worked!”

With access to over 2,500 students at her mom’s school, Mokshitha got real-world feedback fast. “That’s when I realized this wasn’t just an idea—it was something that could actually make a difference.”

Breakthrough Moments & Kids Owning the Stage

You know you’re onto something when a once-shy 11-year-old volunteers to host a school assembly after your workshop.

“I literally cried,” Mokshitha admits. “He walked in scared to say his name, and a few sessions later, he’s up there like a pro. That’s why I do this.”

1 Extra Step isn’t just about speaking well—it’s about feeling good. “Confidence isn’t memorizing a perfect speech,” she says. “It’s knowing your voice matters and not being afraid to use it.”

The program has since grown to include leadership training, soft skills, and creative thinking modules—because, in Mokshitha’s words, “We’re not just building better speakers. We’rebuilding better humans.”

Where It’s Headed (Spoiler: Everywhere)

So, what’s next? A global takeover? A TED Talk? A Netflix teen drama based on her life?

“I’m aiming big,” she says with a grin. “In the next five years, I want 1 Extra Step in every corner of Tamil Nadu. Government schools, private schools, all of them.”

She dreams of creating a school-friendly curriculum that actually teaches confidence, communication, empathy, and leadership—stuff that rarely gets graded but defines who we become.

“Every kid deserves to feel seen and heard. This isn’t about getting better marks—it’s about building better futures.”

Teen Wisdom, Straight Up

So what advice does Mokshitha have for other teens thinking about starting something?

“Stop waiting to feel ‘ready.’ You won’t. Just start. It’s okay to not have it all figured out—I definitely don’t. But if you care about something, jump in. You’ll figure it out on the way.”

She’s learned that age doesn’t make you less capable. In fact, being young might be your biggest advantage. “You’ve got energy, passion, ideas, and zero fear of failing publicly—well, maybe alittle. But still.”

Join the Movement (or at Least, Follow the Journey)

Mokshitha’s story isn’t some motivational fairytale. It’s a real, messy, inspiring, and slightly chaotic adventure powered by courage, connection, and caffeine (probably).

And 1 Extra Step? It’s not just a program—it’s a vibe. A community. A nudge for kids who are one conversation away from finding their spark.

So if you’re a student who wants to speak up, a teacher who wants to bring something fresh into the classroom, or just someone who loves seeing young people shake things up—this is your sign.

Get in Touch with 1 Extra Step

Final note? If confidence had a hype squad, Mokshitha would be the captain. And she’s just getting started.

So what are you waiting for? Go take your own extra step. Or at the very least, don’t freeze on stage. Trust her—it’s not fun.