Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas teamed up with Marshalls to talk about ambition, insecurity, and (of course) fashion

Priyanka Chopra Jonas believes that confidence is a s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 that must be cultivated, and she is eager to practice it alongside other women. At the Marshalls’ Good Stuff Social Club event in Chicago on October 5, Chopra Jonas addressed an enthusiastic audience about her partnership with Marshalls’ inaugural accelerator program, sharing insights from her own experiences that have shaped her self-identity.

The event, which attracted hundreds of women from Chicago and beyond, featured interactive panels focused on topics such as happiness and financial wellness, as well as opportunities for networking and personal color analysis. The program also highlighted the upcoming accelerator, which will select 40 women to receive a $5,000 grant, mentorship, and peer coaching over a year-long experience.

“A lot of brands talk the talk, but this is actually walking the walk,” Chopra Jonas told PEOPLE. She noted the positive impact of the event, saying, “When I was sitting on stage and I saw women’s faces, and then when they were networking — how much these women benefited from having a real, tangible space.”

For Chopra Jonas, discussing topics like big ambitions and impostor syndrome is crucial. “The fears and insecurities are real, and I want to talk about that,” she explained. “I want to discuss how you regain or gain confidence to take the next steps in actioning your ambitions and making them a reality. It can be daunting to put your ambitions out there, and I want to provide tools on how to do that. I’ve done it for myself.”

Balancing her career with motherhood—she shares a daughter, Malti, with husband Nick Jonas—Chopra Jonas emphasized the importance of preparation. She ensures she is aware of her surroundings on set and knows what she needs to do upon arrival. When she doesn’t feel at her best, she reminds herself that “thoughts are not facts.”

Chopra Jonas also touched on the style aspect of her profession and her collaboration with Marshalls. She described her journey to discovering her personal style as one requiring introspection, asking herself questions like, “Who am I going to be today?” and “What do I want to convey?”

Having worked with top stylists, she shared a valuable lesson: “Less is more; you don’t have to be a Christmas tree to look chic.” Reflecting on her early career, she admitted, “I didn’t think less is more—early on, it was more is more. I was a Y2K girl, so it was all the things.”

On her rare days off, Chopra Jonas prefers comfortable clothing, leaving the styling for professional events to the experts. She expressed a desire to avoid the pressure of curating her personal wardrobe.

As the fashion industry grapples with overconsumption, Chopra Jonas advocates for sustainability, stating, “It’s cool to repeat,” and she doesn’t believe in discarding old clothes. Instead, she has created a ‘Pass Me On’ shelf in her closet to donate clothes to cousins and friends, promoting a mindful approach to fashion.

Throughout her life—moving from India to the U.S., winning Miss World, marrying Nick Jonas, and becoming a mother—Chopra Jonas has embraced change as a constant. “I don’t read my books backwards, so I don’t care what’s happened in the past. Don’t let that bog you down,” she shared about her life philosophy. “At the same time, don’t be intimidated by how overwhelming the future can be. If today is great, you look back and say, ‘Wow.’ If every day is great, life will be great.”

With her empowering message and commitment to personal growth, Priyanka Chopra Jonas continues to inspire women everywhere to embrace confidence and pursue their dreams.