Q1. How did your career journey start? Or Who/What inspired you to start this business/ entrepreneurship? I was a carefree homema...
Q1. How did your career journey start? Or Who/What inspired you to start this business/ entrepreneurship?
I was a carefree homemaker, safe in my
cocoon of marital security and enjoying motherhood. But after my husband’s
demise, I had to step out and start my career at the age of 40. I was left with just the roof on my head and no bank balance. I was a simple, gullible fool and was taken for a ride. It was a really
tough time and I had to nurture and provide for my kids.
It was a struggle no doubt but I guess it was worth it. Ten years of my life
went past in a haze of strife and making ends meet.
The positive from this time
was that I had to build on my strengths and overcome all the tough times alone.
I didn’t know that I had it in me but then it has made me into a stronger
person today.
While I was looking for work I was offered a weekly column in The
Hindu, Metro Plus. This offer came straight out of nowhere. I did have a way
with words since I was a kid but never wrote anything serious. I started
writing on any interesting topic under the sun. Covered the whole gamut, well
almost; food and travel, fashion and trends, Bollywood and Tollywood,
lifestyle, interiors, gardens, local news. Technology and finance are my
Achilles heel and I steer clear of both topics.
Q2.
Kindly share some information about your Business, products and services here.
Freelance content writing is a very tough
nut to crack. First few months in a leading Newspaper was on gratis. Later, I was paid
a nominal sum. That’s how my freelance content writing took off. My column was
a regular feature for six years. In the meanwhile, I wrote for other national
magazines, websites, even fliers, brochures, speeches, ghost-writing. The
writing wasn’t going to pay my bills so I looked for jobs. First one was with a leading Newspaper in Education, I was paid 200/- for a
class of 2 hours. These classes were few; no classes during exam time or
vacations. Then I went on to be a Spoken English Instructor, then ran one of a leading website, next was as admin and marketing for an upcoming mall. I
have donned many hats.
Q3. What kind of challenges did you face while starting/doing business?
The challenges were plenty. Low pay, long
hours of work, harassment from bosses, to name a few. A single woman is an easy
target in India, age no bar! I started a grooming school after that which
didn’t work out. My last job was with a local airline which was the best. But I
had spine surgery and had to give up a full-time job. I was writing regularly
for a local magazine till this January; almost 15
articles a month. I always met my deadlines and submitted my articles before
time but I was always paid after a few months of repeated reminders. I have not
received payments for the articles from November, December and January till
date. But I have learnt to keep asking for my due. If you do not ask you do not
get.
Q4.
Do share with our readers about your discovery period when you were facing
difficulties in your business?
When I started my Personal Grooming School,
I had to face a lot of flak. There was no support whatsoever from family or
friends. Instead, potential students were shooed off citing my qualifications
for the same. There is also a very heavy caste bias here. The hoardings I put
up in the city all night were removed within hours the next morning by an
unknown person. Then I dabbled in selling garments from home; again a
non-starter. I was a mystery shopper. Now that I have a good following on my
blog and social media, I endorse products for brands.
Q5.
Share with our readers about your experiment period after the discovery period?
I was jobless and without an income. It was
a distressing time. Then in 2014, I got this job in a new local airline. I was
handling Communication and Social Media for them. But this didn’t last even a
year as I developed severe sciatica and underwent spine surgery. I was asked to
give up a full-time job by my doc. I went into a deep depression. I fought the depression and one fine day realised that I had
rooms to spare and I started letting them out daily. They are named Elan-Homestay. That is my main source of
income. But Corona has blocked out that too. I started blogging
seriously. I have been consistent with my blog since then. It is a lifestyle
blog but the food is the highlight. My blog is now at 15th position in the
world of Lifestyle Bloggers.
Q6. What are your future plans? Or now what is your vision for next five years?
My future plans: This year, I decided that I
had lived all my life for others and now that kids are Financially Independent,
I will start to live for myself. My life has just started at 56 and I am raring
to go.
I want to write books. I will start one soon. It would be a guide for
women like me. Even if I could help one woman to cope better than I did, I would
be really happy. I would love to explore my journey as a successful blogger. I
have led the life of a recluse for 15 years. Not anymore.
Travel is a great
learning experience and if I have the means I will surely travel, expand my
horizons and meet people.
I suffer from chronic depression for 35
years and I am now able to cope with it. I would like to help those who suffer
from mental health issues.
Q7.
How would you advice/suggest new entrepreneurs (bloggers. widows or weak women)
who want to start & sustain in business?
For homemakers dependent on their husbands: keep yourself up to date about your finances. Save, save, save!
What I have learnt from my struggle is
- This
too shall pass
- Try
try till you succeed
- Never
give up
- Be
consistent
- Hard
work always pays
- Forgive
but do not forget
- Never
cry in public
- Practice
Yoga and Meditation
- Stay
Calm
- Keep
Smiling
Q8.
LinkedIn profile URL link
Q9.
Facebook profile URL link
Q10. Twitter profile URL link
Q11. Instagram URL Link
Q12.
Personal blog URL link
Q13. Company website & Company blog URL link
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Interviewed by: Khushboo Chotaliya - Lifestyles Influencer from Mumbai, India.
Khushboo is a student of Digital Influencer's Academy by Yogesh MA.
Kindly follow Khushboo here instagram.com/khushboo.chotaliya
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Interviewed by: Khushboo Chotaliya - Lifestyles Influencer from Mumbai, India.
Khushboo is a student of Digital Influencer's Academy by Yogesh MA.
Kindly follow Khushboo here instagram.com/khushboo.chotaliya
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