Richa Krishna is a creator, dancer, and business founder. As she searches for the perfect balance between her passions (which include dance choreography and product development) Richa finds joy in the opportunity to share her ideas with her classmates at the Academy. 

What does being at the Academy mean to you? 
To me, being at the Academy means that my ideas don’t have to stay in my head — I can share them with others and feel a unique reciprocation of enthusiasm, ambition, and inspiration to bring them to life. This is what drives me to take action and pursue my ideas at the Academy. 

What are three goals you have for this year? 
1. Be proactive in utilizing opportunities and resources. 
2. Learn what requires 100% of my time and effort and what does not. 
3. Reach out to and make lasting relationships with people I vibe with. 

Who is the most impressive famous person alive today? Why? 
I look up to so many different people in this world, one being Bethany Hamilton -- a young surfer with incredible talent and potential, who then lost an arm due to a shark attack. In her own words as she reflected on getting back on her board, "she didn't need easy," she "just needed possible." I can relate to the experience that Bethany went through, and her persistence to overcome external circumstances inspires me to do the same. She has made the most of her situation by sharing her experience in a way that inspires others to view life with optimism and adaptability, and her story has influenced decisions and actions in my own life. 

Let's say you were miraculously provided $1,000,000 in seed funding tomorrow, what would you create? 
Two years ago, I founded Pulse Wearables, a business that provides a wearable device allowing people with heart conditions to continue being physically active at safer levels. This product has the power to truly improve quality of life and has the potential to save lives. Getting significant seed funding would mean that my team and I could make real progress in the development of the prototype and testing the product, ultimately helping us get it into the hands of the people who need it most. 

If you could ask advice from any historical figure, who would it be and what would you ask them? 
To Mahatma Gandhi: When you made the sacrifices that you made to fight for India's independence with nonviolence, did you believe that you would succeed? If so, why did you? If not, what pushed you to do it anyway? Did you ever doubt your confidence and trust in the practice of nonviolence? If you did, how did you make sure your actions still stayed true to the beliefs you were standing by? 

Describe one thing most people don't know about you? 
I hiccup when I laugh really hard! If you can make me hiccup, thank you. 

What is one thing your parents taught you that you'd like to share? 
Always have an open mind and take every opportunity to learn. 

What will your future self accomplish? 
I have so many ideas for products to build/design, businesses to start, speeches to give, and dances to choreograph. I know that I will continue to set ambitious goals for myself and work hard to achieve them. I hope that I find a balance in life to get these projects out of my head and into reality!

What are the essential things you always keep in your backpack? 

Favorite app or website? 
Notes — it's the most accessible place for me to quickly get ideas out of my head, ranging from thoughts about life, original phrases, to product ideas. 

If you could be best friends with one fictional character who would it be? 
Phineas and Ferb, please be my friends! I would love to build rockets, paint continents, and create nanobots with you! 

Thus far, what is your favorite place to hang out in or around campus?
The Iovine and Young Hall 2nd floor terrace is my favorite place to be to get a breath of fresh air between classes, take a nap, do some work, or watch the sunset. 

If you'd like to get to know me more or say hello, please visit richakrishna.com

Thank you, Richa!

FRESH Encounters: Richa Krishna