From Sustainability to the Stage | Shikha Shah | TEDxYouth@SunbeamBhagwanpur
Have you ever held yourself back because you feared failing, being judged, or not being “perfect enough”? In this talk, Ms. Shikha Shah invites us to rethink our relationship with failure. Through her own journey - from stage fright to standing on platforms like Shark Tank and TEDx - she shows how setbacks can become stepping stones, and how asking for help and quieting self-criticism can open doors to growth. Through the creation of Scrapshala, her pioneering social enterprise that turns waste into lifestyle products, she discovered the strength of resilience and daring to try again. Shikha Shah is the founder and CEO of Scrapshala, which started in 2016 in the city of Banaras.Scrapshala is a homegrown brand of innovative, experimental and sustainable products for lifestyle, décor & gifting, designed and handcrafted from pre-existing raw materials by local Indian artisans.At their flagship store in Varanasi, people can explore handcrafted eco-friendly souvenirs and gift items inspired by the culture and hustle-bustle of Banaras and many other tourist destinations of India. They offer a wide range of engaging DIY hands-on workshop on up cycling to schools, NGOs, private groups, corporate and government bodies.Scrapshala’s humble journey and success story has been publishes in multiple media houses and business magazines such as Femina, TOI, ET, Shethepeople and many more. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 7:28The Art of Back-Up Plans | Vashti Eliya Baylan | TEDxITE College WestA hospitality student with a planner’s mind and an artist’s heart, she champions backup plans—not as signs of failure, but as acts of care, creativity, and quiet resilience. A hospitality student with a planner’s mind and an artist’s heart, she champions backup plans—not as signs of failure, but as acts of care, creativity, and quiet resilience. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 14:03Οι σκιές που ψιθυρίζουν | Κατερίνα Βισέρη | TEDxEleusisΗ νευρική ανορεξία αποτελεί νόσο του σώματος..ή μήπως και της ψυχής; Μαθήματα ζωής από μια μαχήτρια της νόσου, η οποία κατάφερε να κάνει την σκιά που της ψιθύριζε να σωπάσει, ενώ παράλληλα έγινε η ίδια το φως μέσα στο σκοτάδι. Τα άτομα που νοσούν από διατροφικές διαταραχές δεν είναι μόνα. Marketing & Social Media Services - Co-Founder PHOS - Lawyer (Law, Entrepreneurship, Modeling) This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 8:38Unmute the Mic: Youth and the Future of Education | Zoya Kalinsky | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthToo young? Too different? Too limited? Zoya Kalinsky proves otherwise. From being bullied as a child with Tourette syndrome to becoming a global advocate for education reform, she shows why youth voices aren’t just important—they’re essential. Zoya calls out tokenism, challenges outdated systems, and shares how kids worldwide are rewriting the future of learning. Her message is clear: the future doesn’t wait, and neither should we. Zoya is a 14-year-old global youth advocate and founder of the UnitEd Youth Council, using her voice to champion education and empower the next generation of leaders. She collaborates with global organizations to drive meaningful policy change. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 12:54I’m Fine: The Lie Every Teen Tells You | Sonia Katara Suthar | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthEvery teen has a double life—the version at school and the version at home. In this powerful and deeply relatable talk, Sonia Katara Suthar exposes the gap between what parents think their teens feel and what teens actually experience. With stories from her own family and insights from research, Sonia makes the case for “collaboration over control.” She offers practical tools to transform silence into trust, conflict into connection, and families into places where teens feel truly seen. Sonia is an 18-year-old business owner who is passionate about educating teens & parents and cultivating communities around understanding and a sense of belonging. She’s developed a deep expertise in teenage psychology, motivational styles, & the nuance of parent-teen relationships. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 6:05The Ripple Effect: Small Actions, Big impact | Shepperd Pfiester | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthCan small choices really change the world? Shepperd Pfiester thinks so. In this inspiring talk, she shares how a trip to study coral reefs opened her eyes to the power of tiny actions—like reducing plastic or starting a conversation—that ripple outward and inspire others. From classrooms to oceans, Shepperd shows that change doesn’t begin with celebrities or scientists. It begins with one person daring to believe their actions matter. What ripple will you start? Shepperd is a 12-year-old 7th grader who loves gymnastics and exploring the wonders of the ocean and coral reefs. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 5:55Hidden in Plain Text | Penelope Marty | TEDxAlpha School Austin YouthWe all send “LOL” or “JK” when we don’t really mean it—but what are we hiding behind those emojis? In this honest and heartfelt talk, Penelope Marty uncovers the secret language of pretending to be okay, and how it keeps us from real connection. Sharing her own experiences, she challenges us to drop the mask, speak the truth—even when it’s scary—and make honesty the new normal. Because our real voices are far too powerful to hide. Penelope is a 7th grader and a passionate public speaker. She is bubbly, talkative, optimistic, enthusiastic—she loves being social, staying loyal to her friends, and texting them to keep the good vibes going! This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx