A leadership and product studio rooted in growth
Pumpkin Jar brings together the work I care deeply about:
Developing empathetic leaders - Building thoughtful technology - Creating space for creativityThree pillars — One journey
1:1 mentorship for leaders who want to grow with clarity, integrity, and humanity
Simple, human-centered mobile apps designed to reduce noise and add clarity
Handmade, intentional, and evolving — a curated collection of my art and explorations
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
Leadership today requires more than execution — it requires empathy, moral clarity, and courage.
Through 1:1 mentorship, I support emerging and seasoned leaders navigating transition, burnout, or corporate toxicity.
This is not coaching, but mentorship grounded in listening, reflection, and real-world leadership experience.
Who is this for
This mentorship is for you if you are:
An individual contributor considering leadership — but unsure how to take the step
A new manager navigating uncertainty, imposter syndrome, or people challenges
A seasoned leader who feels disconnected from their voice or values
A thoughtful professional who wants growth without burnout
If you care deeply about people and impact, you belong here.
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
This Is Not Coaching
This is mentorship.There are no scripts, performance frameworks, or generic leadership templates.
Instead, the focus is on:
Understanding how you think
Clarifying what kind of leader you want to be
Navigating real-world leadership situations together
Building confidence rooted in values — not performance
This is a relationship grounded in trust, reflection, and lived experience.
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
Why consider mentorship
Leadership challenges often don’t come from a lack of capability — they come from navigating change without enough space to think, reflect, or be truly heard.
Mentorship offers that space. A place to pause, make sense of what you’re experiencing, and move forward with intention rather than reaction.This is especially valuable when you’re navigating moments such as:
Stepping into leadership for the first time
Balancing empathy with authority
Preparing for or navigating difficult conversations
Managing up and across complex organizations
Experiencing burnout or questioning boundaries
Rebuilding confidence after setbacks
Clarifying your leadership identity and presence
The work is guided by where you are, and where you “want” to be.
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
How it works
This is mentorship.
There are no scripts, performance frameworks, or generic leadership templates.
Instead, the focus is on three things:
1:1 Conversations
Private, thoughtful sessions centered on what you’re navigating right now.Real Situations, Real Decisions
We work through leadership challenges as they happen — not hypotheticals.Long-Term Growth
This isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about sustainable leadership development.
Sessions are conversational, reflective, and tailored to you.
What we can work on
This space adapts to what you need.
Transitioning from IC to manager
Leading with empathy and authority
Navigating difficult conversations
Managing up and across organizations
Burnout, boundaries, and resilience
Reconnecting with purpose and confidence
Leadership identity and presence
6-Week Curated Mentorship Journeys
Not sure where to begin?
These curated mentorship journeys are designed to meet you where you are.
Each engagement runs for six weeks and focuses on a specific leadership transition or growth area.
From IC to People leader
Stepping into leadership with confidence and intention
For high-performing individual contributors preparing for their first management role. This session focuses on shifting from doing the work to leading the work — building self-awareness, foundational people skills, and practical leadership habits.Grow into the Leader you are meant to be
Strengthening confidence, presence, and authenticity
For leaders looking to deepen their self-awareness, refine their people skills, and lead with greater confidence and impact — without losing sight of who they are.Discovering Your Leadership Style
Leading in alignment with your values
For leaders seeking clarity around their authentic leadership style. This session explores personal values, organizational dynamics, and how to lead effectively without compromising what matters most to you.Lead With Influence
A growth journey for technical leaders
Designed for technical professionals who lead without formal authority. This session focuses on influence, communication, and mentorship — helping you lead effectively through trust, clarity, and credibility rather than title.
Each mentorship is personal, reflective, and tailored — no two journeys are the same.
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
Apply for Mentorship
Leadership Development Studio
One leader at a time
About Me
I’m Sonal Mehta — an engineer by training, a leader by practice, and a mentor by calling.Over the course of my career, I’ve moved between building software and building teams, spending the first half of my professional life as a software engineer and the last decade in engineering leadership. Along the way, I learned that while roles and technologies change, the human challenges of leadership remain remarkably consistent.
I started mentoring long before I formally named it. People would reach out — sometimes quietly, sometimes hesitantly — to talk through career transitions, leadership doubts, or moments when they felt stuck or unseen. Again and again, I noticed the same pattern: capable, thoughtful people questioning themselves not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked space.Space to think out loud.
Space to be honest.
Space to grow without judgment.During my sabbatical, I finally gave myself that same space — to reflect on my journey, reconnect with what energizes me, and intentionally shape the work I want to do next. Mentorship emerged not as something new, but as something deeply familiar and grounded in who I am.My approach is shaped by years of leading technical teams, navigating complexity, and learning — sometimes the hard way — how to lead with empathy, integrity, and clarity. I believe leadership doesn’t have to be loud to be effective, and growth doesn’t require losing yourself along the way.I work best with people who are thoughtful, curious, and reflective — those who care deeply about doing meaningful work and want to lead in a way that feels authentic to them.If you’re at a moment of transition, questioning your next step, or simply wanting a more grounded way to grow as a leader, I’d be honored to walk alongside you for a part of that journey.This work is personal to me, because leadership always is.
Apps built with purpose
During my sabbatical, I returned to coding — a skill I love and had set aside for years.
Each app reflects a part of my journey — from organization and productivity to challenge and curiosity, and even nurturing growth.Below are the current apps you can explore and download:
Daily Checklist
Todos made easy. Keep it simple
Stay organized and on top of your daily tasks with a simple, intuitive task management app designed to help you build better habits and never miss important reminders
Available to download on
PlantIQ
Diagnose plant problems instantly
An intelligent plant care companion - powered by AI and trained on thousands of real world plant conditions to detect health of your plant within seconds.
Available to download on
Pumpkin Jar Arcade
Sharpen you mind with daily anagrams
A fresh, fast and beautifully simple way to challenge your brain. Whether a casual player or a word-game addict, the clean gameplay keeps you focused while the puzzles keep you thinking.
Available to download on
Creative Exploration
Creativity fuels better leadership and deeper thinking.
This space brings together a curated collection of my personal art, handcrafted projects, and explorations in form and colorIt’s still unfolding — and I’ll be sharing more as it takes shape.
Some things grow best when given time.For now enjoy some of my creations.
About Pumpkin Jar
Pumpkin Jar began during my sabbatical year — a pause I didn’t know I needed until I took it. After years of building teams, leading organizations, and moving at a relentless pace, I finally created space to reflect, create, and reconnect with parts of myself that had quietly been waiting.When the company registration came through on October 31st, I couldn’t help but smile at the poetry of it. Some things simply align when the timing is right.Pumpkin Jar brings together the many threads of my life — leadership, technology, and creativity — each shaped over time through experience, curiosity, and care. While they may appear distinct, they are deeply connected by a shared philosophy: growth happens when we slow down, act with intention, and stay human.
Sonal Mehta
The Journey
My career began in software engineering and evolved into leadership, where I spent over a decade building teams, navigating complexity, and learning what it truly means to lead people — not just deliver outcomes. Along the way, I noticed a pattern. The most impactful leaders weren’t the loudest or the most polished. They were thoughtful, values-driven, and deeply aware of the responsibility leadership carries. At the same time, I saw many capable people step back from leadership altogether — not because they lacked ability, but because the systems around them felt misaligned with their values.During my sabbatical, I returned to first principles — in leadership, in technology, and in life. I picked up old skills, explored new ideas, and allowed creativity to take up space again. Pumpkin Jar emerged as a natural home for all of it.
What Pumpkin Jar Holds
Pumpkin Jar is intentionally multi-faceted, because people are.At its core, it holds three pillars:
• Leadership development, rooted in empathy, integrity, and humanity
• Technology, built thoughtfully to simplify and support daily life
• Creative expression, a space to make, explore, and share what’s crafted with careEach pillar represents a different chapter of my journey — and together, they reflect who I am today.
Why Pumpkin Jar
Pumpkin Jar is about holding space for growth — in leadership, in work, and in life. It reflects a belief that the best things are built with patience, intention, and humanity.This isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.
A Final Thought
If something here resonates, I’m glad you found your way in.“Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” — Albus DumbledorePumpkin Jar is my way of turning on that light — thoughtfully, quietly, and with purpose.
Effective Date: [June 20, 2025]
Daily Checklist App (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (“App”), available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
By using the App, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.1. Information We Collect
We collect minimal personal data necessary to operate and improve the App. The types of data we may collect include:
a. Personal Information
We do not collect personal information such as name, email, or phone number unless explicitly provided by the user (e.g., for support or feedback).
b. Device & Usage Data
We may collect anonymous data about:
Device type and operating systemApp usage statisticsCrash reportsApp version and language settingsThis data helps us understand how the App is used and improve performance.
c. Checklist Data
Your to-do items and checklist data are stored locally on your device. If cloud backup or sync features are enabled, data may be stored securely on cloud services (e.g., iCloud, Google Drive) with your permission.2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
Provide, maintain, and improve the AppAnalyze usage trends and diagnose issuesRespond to user feedback or support requests3. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
We may share non-personal, aggregated usage data for analytics or performance optimization (e.g., with Google Firebase or Apple Analytics).
We may disclose your information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.4. Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Locally stored data remains on your device until you delete it or uninstall the App.5. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your region, you may have rights such as:
Accessing or correcting your dataRequesting deletion of your dataOpting out of analytics trackingYou can contact us directly to make such requests.6. Children’s Privacy
Our App is rated 4+. We do not knowingly collect or store data from children.7. Security
We take appropriate measures to secure your data, including encryption and secure storage. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted in the App or via the app store listing. Continued use of the App after updates means you accept the revised policy.9. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices, please contact us at:
Email: [[email protected]]
Developer/Company Name: [Pumpkin Jar LLC]
Effective Date: [June 20, 2025]
Plant IQ app (“we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you use our mobile application (“App”), available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
By using the App, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy.1. Information We Collect
We collect minimal personal data necessary to operate and improve the App. The types of data we may collect include:
a. Personal Information
We do not collect personal information such as name, email, or phone number unless explicitly provided by the user (e.g., for support or feedback).
b. Device & Usage Data
We may collect anonymous data about:
Device type and operating systemApp usage statisticsCrash reportsApp version and language settingsThis data helps us understand how the App is used and improve performance.
c. Checklist Data
Your to-do items and checklist data are stored locally on your device. If cloud backup or sync features are enabled, data may be stored securely on cloud services (e.g., iCloud, Google Drive) with your permission.2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
Provide, maintain, and improve the AppAnalyze usage trends and diagnose issuesRespond to user feedback or support requests3. Data Sharing and Disclosure
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
We may share non-personal, aggregated usage data for analytics or performance optimization (e.g., with Google Firebase or Apple Analytics).
We may disclose your information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of our users.4. Data Retention
We retain your data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy. Locally stored data remains on your device until you delete it or uninstall the App.5. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your region, you may have rights such as:
Accessing or correcting your dataRequesting deletion of your dataOpting out of analytics trackingYou can contact us directly to make such requests.6. Children’s Privacy
Our App is rated 4+. We do not knowingly collect or store data from children.7. Security
We take appropriate measures to secure your data, including encryption and secure storage. However, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Updates will be posted in the App or via the app store listing. Continued use of the App after updates means you accept the revised policy.9. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices, please contact us at:
Email: [[email protected]]
Developer/Company Name: [Pumpkin Jar LLC]