At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Arti Sultania for an exclusive interview with us. Arti is a Certified Image Consultant, Soft Skills Trainer and Founder at Emerge By Arti. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Arti from Motherhood to Empowering Confidence Through Image Consulting:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
My journey has been a blend of personal growth, entrepreneurship, and professional evolution. I began with an MBA in Finance, which laid a strong foundation in analytical thinking and problem-solving. After becoming a mother to two boys, I found myself seeking a more creative and flexible path.
This led me to launch a home accessories business, which was my first entrepreneurial venture. It gave me invaluable experience in running a business, customer engagement, and tapping into my creative instincts. From there, I transitioned into a role as a communication and personality development coach for ed-tech firms, where I discovered my passion for helping individuals build confidence and improve their interpersonal skills.
This passion eventually drove me to become an AICI-certified Image Consultant. Along the way, I also earned certifications in Seasonal Colour Analysis, wedding wardrobe consulting, and soft skills training. I am a proud member of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) and the Image Management Professionals Association (IMPA).
Today, through Emerge by Arti, I specialize in wedding styling, image sessions, colour analysis, and etiquette coaching—helping individuals and families feel empowered, confident, and ready to present their best selves.
How did you discover your passion?
I discovered my passion gradually through real-life experiences. It started when friends and family began seeking my help with shopping and putting together ensembles. They trusted my eye for aesthetics and taste, and I enjoyed the process of creating looks that aligned with their personalities and preferences.
My love for exploring markets also played a big role. I found joy in discovering unique pieces with great craftsmanship and curating them into cohesive, stylish wardrobes. Whether it was finding the perfect accessory or sourcing a standout outfit, it gave me a sense of fulfilment to help people elevate their style.
A turning point came when NRI family members sought my help in curating their wardrobes for weddings and special events. They relied on me to navigate the latest trends, choose timeless pieces, and ensure everything came together beautifully. Seeing how much confidence and joy my guidance brought them made me realize this was more than a hobby, it was my calling.
These experiences fueled my passion for helping others, ultimately leading me to formalize my skills and build Emerge by Arti to empower more people to step into their best selves with style and confidence.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps me going when things get tough is my passion for continuous learning and self-improvement. I’m always eager to explore new ideas, expand my skill set, and adapt to challenges.
This mindset helps me approach difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than setbacks. I am also a voracious reader, which fuels my creativity and resilience.
Whether it’s reading about personal development, styling, or new industry trends, books provide me with fresh perspectives and renewed motivation.
Additionally, my spiritual practices play a vital role in keeping me grounded. They help me stay aligned, maintain clarity, and trust that every challenge has a purpose. These practices not only bring peace but also guide me toward the right path when I face uncertainties. Together, these elements help me push forward with confidence, no matter how tough things may get.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1) The three most important lessons I’ve learned in life are: There’s No Age for Learning and Living Your Passion: Life is a continuous journey of discovery. It’s never too late to pursue your passion or learn something new. Embracing this mindset has allowed me to grow both personally and professionally, constantly evolving into a better version of myself.
2) Always Be Kind: Kindness is a powerful tool. Whether it’s in personal relationships or professional interactions, leading with empathy and compassion creates meaningful connections and a positive impact on others. Kindness not only uplifts others but also enriches your own life.
3) Create Wealth That Money Can’t Buy: True wealth lies in meaningful experiences, relationships, and inner peace. While financial security is essential, the intangible wealth of love, trust, and self-fulfilment is what brings lasting happiness. Investing in these aspects of life has been one of my most rewarding lessons.
In your opinion what are the keys to success?
1) Emotional Intelligence: Understanding and managing your emotions while empathizing with others is crucial for building strong relationships and making thoughtful decisions.
2) Resilience: Life will bring setbacks, but bouncing back with determination and learning from failures leads to long-term success.
3) Adaptability: The ability to pivot and embrace change ensures you stay relevant and open to new opportunities.
4) Vision and Focus: Knowing your goals and staying focused on them helps you navigate distractions and move forward.
5) Continuous Learning: Success comes to those who stay curious and strive to grow every day, both personally and professionally.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Develop Emotional Intelligence: Cultivate empathy, active listening, and self-awareness to build meaningful connections and navigate workplace dynamics.
Be a Lifelong Learner: Stay curious and continuously develop new skills to remain adaptable in an ever-changing world.
Embrace Failure: Treat setbacks as learning opportunities. Every failure can teach you something valuable.
Find Your Strengths: Identify what you’re naturally good at and seek opportunities that align with your strengths and passions.
Build a Network: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and industry professionals who inspire and support you.
Take Initiative: Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you—be proactive, volunteer for projects, and show leadership potential.
Stay Authentic: Success is sustainable when it aligns with your values and who you are.
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.
