Building Luxury Experiences That Scale

In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, Jamie Seeker sits down with Nikita Khandheria, Founder and CEO of ERIA, to explore how thoughtful business planning has fueled her entrepreneurial journey from launching her first venture as a teenager to building one of Northern California's fastest-growing hospitality and experiential brands.Nikita shares how she discovered entrepreneurship at a young age, the pivots that shaped her career, and why she believes successful founders should focus less on rigid plans and more on having a clear long-term vision with the flexibility to adapt along the way.Throughout the conversation, she discusses evaluating opportunities, choosing mentors, budgeting during different stages of growth, and building a business around meaningful experiences rather than simply providing services. She also explains her personal "Compass Method," a planning framework that starts with defining the life she wants decades into the future and then working backward to make today's decisions.Whether you're launching your first company or scaling an established business, this episode offers practical insights into strategic planning, decision-making, and building a business that aligns with your long-term vision.Episode NotesIn this episode, you'll learn:How Nikita's entrepreneurial journey began with nonprofit clinics before entering hospitality.Why she believes every successful entrepreneur should embrace pivots instead of fearing them.How buying out investors and reinventing her business ultimately led to the creation of ERIA.Why planning should provide direction without becoming restrictive.The importance of evaluating opportunities based on long-term goals instead of short-term excitement.How she determines which mentors and advice are worth following.The role of reinvestment during high-growth phases of a business.Why flexibility is one of the most valuable business planning skills.The "Compass Method" she uses to make major business decisions.Advice for entrepreneurs creating their first business plan.Key TakeawaysBusiness plans should evolve as the business evolves.A clear long-term vision makes short-term decisions easier.Great opportunities are measured by alignment, not excitement.Reinvestment priorities change as a company matures.Flexibility allows businesses to adapt without losing momentum.Experience design is ultimately about creating lasting emotional connections.Memorable Quotes"I'm in the business of making life a little bit more fun.""You only live once. I want to experience everything.""It's about taking the next step forward and taking the step that gets you closer to where you want to be.""When you're good at what you do, the next steps will automatically come in front of you.""Why take learnings from someone who isn't where you want to be?""I know exactly where I want to end up. I just need to figure out how to get there.""Business planning isn't about having every answer. It's about knowing your direction.""When you're growing, you're reinvesting a lot more than when you're in a steady state.""I try not to set too many hard rules because sometimes the best opportunities require you to pivot.""The experiences people remember are the ones that make them feel something."