At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring some of the meaningful and powerful stories from around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. This week, we invited yet another passionate women entrepreneur and Women Leader – Aisha Chatha, to know more about her inspiring journey and the way forward. She is a Consultant, Mentor, Thought Leader, and Founder & CEO of Belia Isza and Eula Blue. Let’s learn more about her inspiring journey, way forward and advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with her:
Talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur, please
I graduated from the prestigious Rutgers Business School with the vision to build strong foundational businesses that have a positive impact on our society & economy. I pursued a career in corporate financial planning & analysis working for fortune 500 companies in New York which allowed me to learn what happens behind the scenes to growing and managing successful business entities strategically.
After gaining about 10 years of experience, I decided to venture out as a consultant because I am passionate about utilizing my skills & experience to deliver transformative solutions that help drive value for organizations. I am a big believer that you only live once in life so discover your passion and purpose and utilize it to make a positive impact!
Therefore, I started two companies in 2018 a philanthropy-based fashion-tech company Belia Isza and a strategic growth consulting company, Eula Blue.
Fast forward to two years later, I am more involved in growing my strategic growth consulting company, Eula Blue because its immediate need has been more in demand. During my early months as a CFO advisor to small to mid-size businesses, I realized that many of these businesses have remarkably grown without having a strong infrastructure & strategy in place. However, to progress and own their scalability they needed to successfully transform to meet the growing demands of their business.
Being their CFO, I was able to step in and advise them not only from a numbers perspective but help with streamlining processes and given my fashion business background offer them creative solutions to brand successfully. In doing this, I realized there was a gap in the marketplace for “customized consulting services” that focus on numbers, processes, and creativity.
Guiding these business owners, soon became my purpose of existence because I truly enjoyed witnessing the difference this approach was making in the lives of the business owners and their organization.”
As I progress with this business on a daily basis, I truly feel inspired to carry out my purpose in life and excited to continue on this journey as it holds true to my vision of desiring to build businesses that have a positive impact on our society & economy.
Why did you choose entrepreneurship over a corporate career?
I was truly blessed that I got to have a career in Corporate Financial Planning and Analysis because I was able to learn from some of the best CEO & CFOS. I believe that each of us is gifted in our own sense. We should take time to learn our unique skills and talents and build on them to live our best life while giving back to a great cause.
I naturally excel at numbers, management, organization, and creativity. I wanted to further develop myself as an FP&A leader and went in the direction of consulting. This opportunity has really allowed me to become a better leader and further develop myself as a great problem solver.
It was definitely rocky, but 2 years later, I am working with some of the most fantastic business owners, most of whom are minorities. Now, their success stories inspire me to give them the best to grow their business to its potential.
How is your product different from traditional products? Tell us more about your product and your startup’s journey this far?
My company Eula Blue’s dedication to cultivating the unique blueprint to business growth is our competitive advantage.
We implement a holistic approach in growing a company from the inside and out by focusing on numbers, creativity, and processes.
Similar to how a doctor views a patient’s chart and prescribes the best medicine, we take the same approach in truly growing a business.
No two businesses are entirely the same. Therefore, it is essential to decipher the unique DNA of a company and offer it customized advisory services best suited to its potential.”
Furthermore, our entrepreneurs’ needs are our focus, and we understand firsthand the challenges it takes to start, run, and manage a successful business. Therefore, to remind them of their greatness, we offer motivational and inspirational products that help brighten up their day and to inspire self-love. They can continue believing and moving forward to be the winner they are destined to be.
Please share with us some of the challenges you faced in your journey so far
I would say there is no boring day in entrepreneurship. You will face challenges, but it’s how you react, and if you are solution-focused, there is nothing you won’t overcome. You can take these challenges as a unique blessing that you are levelling up or bossing up.
I would say fear of failure is something all entrepreneurs experience, given that some things are out of control. Nonetheless, I have learned to channel this fear by weighing the pros and cons of my decision and moving forward because I am never afraid of trying.
And in overcoming each fear you experience, you are basically telling the universe you are a winner, and that leads to more victories, building up and solidifying your confidence.
Also, there are those days when your plate is full of responsibilities and fires you have to put out. While being responsible for the happiness and success of your team, the delicateness and pressure of the position you occupy as a leader often gets to you and could even overwhelm you.
But then in the turmoil, it is your job to stand up and fix the mess. There is no refuge being an entrepreneur; there is no boss to sneak you out. It is just you — you enjoy the party and mourn the funeral.
What is your Business Mantra: Money or Emotions?
For me, the difference I make in someone’s life gives me the greatest satisfaction. Of course, having a profitable and sustainable foundation for business is essential, but the greatest joy comes to me when my team and/or clients show their appreciation. That’s what drives me and gets me out of bed every morning.
As leaders, we have people that rely on us. Being valued by people that either look up to you or have expectations of you when you are doing business with them is what further propels me as an entrepreneur.
How do you handle the pressure and manage stress?
Pressure and stress are pretty typical of a business owner’s everyday world. But it depends on how you react to stress and pressure. I have learned that good things don’t come easy; otherwise, they are not worth having.
Truth is, while a job can stress you, passion doesn’t. I have been able to “vaccinate” myself from the stress and pressure by leveraging on the love of what I do. Every day is a classroom, another opportunity to learn and get better.
What has worked well for you so far?
I would say always be your authentic self. Do not worry what others think of you and remain focused on being a better person than you were yesterday. In doing this, you will realize that being successful or failure in the eyes of others doesn’t really matter as long as you are true to who you are as a person.
In adopting this attitude, you will win even in challenging times because you believe in yourself.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
To me, the key to success is an unwavering belief in your dream and an unbreakable reluctance to give up. As an early entrepreneur, don’t be in a rush and sacrifice money for meaningful experiences and build strong relationships. Learn what it takes to start a business and what is required to drive growth, such as financial planning & analysis, branding, advertising. You also have to know how to generate demand for your business by creatively speaking to your audience’s needs and wants.
This approach will add more value in the long run, and money will naturally follow, allowing you to build a stronger foundation for your business.
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an aspiring women entrepreneur.
I would say for the sake of your true happiness, take calculated risks. Follow your heart, be yourself, and that will reflect through your business.
If there are times of adversity, never quit, and you will overcome. Be persistent about creating the business and life you desire. Then you will accomplish milestones because you will be letting your inner light shine on the world!
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
