Influential Voices is a series celebrating women from our community who are quietly shaking things up—with heart, intention, and originality. Whether they’re creating, leading, reflecting, or reimagining, these women are shifting conversations and carving out their own paths. Through honest, inspiring chats, we’ll explore what fuels their creativity, how they’re doing life on their own terms, and the wisdom they’ve gathered along the way—our favourite kind of influence.
First up: Sangeeta Kocharekar—a creative outlier and foundation member of the Mimmi community. She shares thoughts on inner reflection, journalism, and making sense of social media, along with the dreamiest Japan travel tips you’ll definitely want to bookmark.
Tell us a little about yourself — what you do and where you work.
I’m a journalist and budding content creator. I was born in Washington, DC, but have lived in Sydney for the last 15 years. I love doing Pilates, reading memoirs and talking about how giving up drinking two years ago was the best decision of my life.
What first inspired you to pursue a career in journalism?
Growing up, my career idols were Katie Couric and Kelly Ripa. My favourite museum was The Newseum in DC. And my favourite subject at school was journalism. I would use all my allowance on magazines I’d read front to back.
There are so few journalism jobs in Australia now, unfortunately. But I think there will always be a place for balanced, well-researched and well-written content that only a trained journalist can provide. Develop your point of view and voice. And create content you can show potential employers.
You recently travelled to Japan (on the top of our wishlist!) — what were your top three travel tips for visiting?
Research on TikTok and Insta
There is a wealth of info about Japan on TikTok and Instagram. I found hidden restaurants and the best shopping areas and learnt what to expect from Japanese culture. In the few months leading up to the trip, I would scroll Instagram and TikTok Japan content for hours, making lists of the places I wanted to go.
Ask people who’ve been
Also, so many Australians have now been to Japan, so I would ask them for recommendations. What was their highlight? Was there anything they regretted not doing? Was it the trip they expected? I got great intel from those chats.
Don’t overpack
Finally, don’t pack your suitcase to the brim – you will probably buy things. For me, that was secondhand designer bags – I bought so many. Also, if you’re travelling around Japan, you’ll have to lug the suitcase around. I would dread my travel days.
@sangeetatatiana
What are three must-see places in Japan you would recommend?
Naoshima
Naoshima’s an island filled with art. It was a mission to get to, but so worth it. There’s limited accommodation on the island so I could only book one night at a guesthouse and then I planned the rest of my trip around that. Those 24 hours, biking around and looking at art, were the highlight of my trip.
Kurashiki
I booked one night in Kurashiki because it was near Naoshima and I wanted to maximise my time on the island. it’s a preserved canal area from the Edo Period. I loved strolling along the canal, choosing where to get a matcha.
Suganama Village
I went to this area in 2023. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site with traditional gassho-style farmhouses with roofs that have to be replaced every 20 years. With bright green hills, rushing rivers and colourful flowers out front of the houses, it was like a fairytale land.
@sangeetatatiana
What are three must-try dishes or dining experiences?
I ate very well on my Japan trip and could write a book on the experiences, but here are three highlights (I’m vegetarian, so they’re geared for that):
Udatsu Sushi, Tokyo
This is an omakase restaurant in a residential area of Meguro. There was no sign out front – I was worried I was in the wrong place. It only seats nine at the counter. An omakase means you leave it up to the chef to choose what you eat. I gave my dietaries when I booked and, on the day, watched him prepare all the dishes that he surprised me with. I think I had about 15 courses.
Nijiya Vegan Izakaya, Kyoto
I found this place on Google Maps. It’s even smaller than Udatsu Sushi. It only seats seven at the counter and there wasn’t even enough space for a sink in the toilet – just hand sanitiser. I waited an hour to get in, but it was so worth it. I could order a la carte and everything I ate was incredible.
Nakatanidou, Nara
People say the mochi pounding at Nakatanidou in Nara (famous for the bowing deer) is a tourist-trap, but I loved it. It only happens a few times a day, but there’s a sign in the shop that says when. I had to stand on my toes to see it – everyone was crowding in, looking through the glass. It was three Japanese men grunting and pounding soccer ball-sized mochi.
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You took your Mimmi Terra bags with you (we loved seeing you style these!) — how did they fit into your travel routine?
A Mimmi Terra bag has come with me on almost every trip I’ve taken in the last two years – they’re so easy to pack in my suitcase or use as a carry-on.
I brought my Eco Tote in Panna Cotta and Eco Shoulder Bag to Japan. The Eco Tote was the perfect size to fit my tripod, wallet, phone and book to read on the train. The off-white colour also went with every outfit I put on.
@sangeetatiana
What draws you to Mimmi Terra?
The bags are what I’d imagine locals in a Mediterranean village would use to carry fresh fruit and veggies from the markets. I think of them being used by people who love an afternoon nap, evening swims and long chats with the neighbours (we absolutely love this, the vision we want brought to life!)
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What’s your favourite Mimmi Terra tote, and why does it resonate with you?
The Eco Traveller Tote in Peperonata. I use it as a workbag, carry-on or beach bag.
Are you currently working on any passion projects you’d like to share?
I’m trying to post a vlog every day to TikTok. I love watching them and seeing how other people live. It’s so fun filming my days and then, in bed, putting the clips together, recording my voiceover and then editing to make it snappy.
What’s a mantra, quote, or philosophy you live by?
The cheesy, “If you love what you do, you never have to work a day in your life”. I acknowledge the privilege I had to start out with and understand this isn’t possible for everyone. It’s just what I’ve aimed for and feel fortunate to have achieved. I’m also a big fan of talk therapy – ideally with a qualified psychologist you can be comfortable with. I’ve been doing therapy for the last seven years.
How do you personally define success today? Has that changed over time?
The quality of my mental health is a big part of my definition of success now. I like Marc Randolph’s definition of it in his book ‘That Will Never Work’: “Success is what you accomplish. It’s being in a position to do what you like, do what you do well and pursue the things that are important to you.” ( we couldn’t have said it better ourselves!)
What’s next on your travel wish list?
Galapagos Islands and Antarctica – bucket list destinations that I think would change my perspective on the world. Also, any Scandi country!
You can follow Sangeeta along on her adventures @sangeetatatian on Instagram and Facebook.