Linda Black - Law School Manager at Deakin University
“At Deakin Law School we challenged ourselves to find a gift that would convey thanks to our supporters in a way that was meaningful, had purpose and reflected Deakin’s values. That seemingly difficult remit was answered by Uppma Virdi of Chai Walli. Uppma came to my notice when she won Deakin’s Young Alumna of the Year Award. Uppma’s successful tea business seemed to offer possibilities. When approached to create a ‘Deakin blend’, Uppma was enthusiastic and developed a most beautiful blend that incorporated traditional chai with Australian native ingredients. The result is a blend that smells and tastes extraordinary. It represents the diversity and inclusion encompassed by Deakin and was a wonderful way to support a member of our alumni community. Uppma’s team also created an attractive, compostable packaging that includes her personal story as an individual and as a Deakin graduate. It is with pride that we are now able to thank our supporters with a very special tea. It is also with pride that I would recommend Uppma and everyone else associated with Chai Walli.”
Charlotta Oberg - Program Director at Asialink Business
“Uppma Virdi has provided an exquisite experience to our flagship Asialink Leaders Program. Speaking authentically and expertly on cross-cultural entrepreneurship, she has engaged groups of senior leaders in virtual Chai-making and tasting - leaving them not just with an appreciation for Chai, but a deeper understanding of the cultural context. Not only is Uppma a stellar presenter; her audiences can tell she comes from the heart. A self-professed 'Chai crusader', she brings ancient Ayurvedic wisdom in hypermodern ways to an Australian audience We look forward to having Uppma and Chai Walli back, and warmly recommend her work.”
Sameera Abdeen - Community Inclusion Project Manager at Yarra Valley Water
“What a treat it was to have Uppma to present at Yarra Valley Water for International Women's Day! It was a warm and rich event with some beautiful chai prepared where Uppma talked us through her journey and the challenges she encountered as both a woman and the child of a migrant family. Her challenge to the audience was to use the opportunity of leadership provided to all of us – regardless of role – to influence change. Thank you Uppma!”
Aishwarya Rao - Head of Advisory at Accenture
“At Accenture Australia, we invited Uppma Virdi to be a panelist at our International Women’s Day event in Sydney, and what a fantastic decision that was. As the Gender Network lead (organizing this event) I found Uppma to be refreshingly approachable pre-event. As a speaker, Uppma was edgy and sensational whilst remaining, grounded in her stories and experiences – much like her own Chai Walli brand. If you are looking for authenticity, representation, and eloquence in a speaker, look no further. Uppma’s artistic ability to dive into her culture to explain the hardest truths in and outside of the workplace is a must-have for any culture that encourages critical thinking and diversity of thought and action.”
Tom Bartels - Treasurer at Alfalfa House Co-Operative
“I can write a lot of positive things about Uppma and the time we both volunteered on the not-for-profit Board of Alfalfa House Community Food Cooperative. The first things that come to mind are that she is an incredibly genuine, good-natured, empathic person who is generous of time, her knowledge and experience. Her confidence and positivity from her many experiences not limited to running Chai Walli, her legal background and public speaking background really shone throughout.
The Alfalfa House Co-op was centred on an organic, zero-waste retail green grocer in Newtown in Sydney, with a 40 year history. At the time Uppma and I were on the Board together (in 2020) the Co-op & everyone associated with it were leaning into a lot of serious existential challenges. There was the uncertainty in the 1st wave of COVID in 2020, fatigue from many initiatives that precariously maintained solvency in the previous year, and ensuring communication throughout the COVID period was high for everyone involved.
Against this challenging backdrop Uppma met everything we faced with aplomb. In Board decisions and discussions both those proposed by her and those from other members - her great, sensible & principled input was always well-received. Uppma also proactively worked with the manager and other employees in the store. She worked hard to be meeting with the employees to resolve staff and staffing issues, as well as find and test with them actionable solutions to the stock ordering, stock mix and store layout. I highly recommend Uppma as a fantastic person you should have the pleasure of meeting and working with!”
Tamim Rahimi - Associate at Allens
“Uppma and the Chai Walli team were fantastic to work with to help fulfil a recent large order (approximately 150 chai starter kits) for our Allens Cultural Awareness Network members. This included packaging 150 chai starter kits to include custom mugs we had made with another business and then separate those orders to be delivered inter-state to our offices across the country. A big thank you to the team for all their patience and willingness to go the extra mile to get this gift organised. We have received great feedback from our members on how beautiful the kit turned out.”
Sukhi Ghuman - Manager at UBC Centre of Learning
“The Be Your Own Best Friend Network was pleased to host a speaking engagement with Uppma Virdi in British Columbia, Canada. Uppma spoke to a group of WOC about her journey as an entrepreneur and how she's harnessed empowerment and connection to grow herself and her business. Uppma is a natural born leader and through her presentation you can see she is also passionate about inspiring positive change. The attendees left feeling inspired and with tangible action items to help them succeed in their own endeavours. We look forward to hosting Uppma again in Canada.”