Interview with Dr Swarnali Dasgupta | Image and Potential Development Consultant | Soft Skills Trainer | Founder at Dr Swarnali Dasgupta Image Consultancy
As part of our ongoing quest to get you meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world, we invited yet another passionate Entrepreneur and Leader –Dr. Swarnali Dasgupta for an exclusive interview with BrilliantRead Media. She is a Coach, Trainer, Certified Image and Potential Development Consultant and the Founder of Dr. Swarnali Dasgupta Image Consultancy. Let’s read more about her inspiring journey and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Dr Swarnali:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur, please.
I am a Masters degree holder in Human Physiology from Calcutta University and then went on to do my Ph. D from the Pharmaceutical Technology Department of Jadavpur University in Calcutta, and finally got into Post-doctoral research as a CSIR (Centre for Scientific & Industrial Research) Research Associate in the Gene regulation Laboratory at the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, a Central Government Institute in Calcutta. However, when my daughter was born, I decided to leave my research career to raise my child.
I went back to the classroom after 25 years to start my second innings to obtain my certificate in Image Consulting and Soft Skills from the prestigious Image Consulting Business Institute in Mumbai. Since then I have been helping people enhance their inner and outer image quotient through my entrepreneurial journey.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
My decision to venture into entrepreneurship stems from my desire to have a solid work-life balance.
Although our work and our careers are often a huge part of our lives, they cannot become the only thing we are devoted to.
Additionally, I became an entrepreneur to maximize the impact I can have on people’s lives without any institutional constraints that can come from working at a corporation.
‘Dr Swarnali Dasgupta Image Consultancy’ is such a unique name; talk us through more about it, please. Our audience would also love to know what kind of problem you are solving with the help of your startup?
I call myself an Image Consultant, a Potential Development Consultant, and a Soft Skills Trainer. My work is similar to that of a life coach – I touch upon not only people’s physical lives but also their mental, emotional and spiritual ones.
I make my clients look more presentable and attractive physically, but simultaneously develop their confidence by working on their self-esteem, body image, internal fears, doubts, negative self-talk and limiting beliefs.
I also help my clients in understanding their own emotions and how to regulate them, which targets any anger issues and helps with stress management and problem-solving.
In a nutshell, through my inner image sessions, I help my clients find their true, authentic selves and purpose, and that can make the future a lot clearer for them.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
Although the pandemic hindered in-person contact, I have clients all over the world with whom I conduct virtual sessions. In our globalized world, it is just as easy to take classes over Zoom.
In fact, even my Personal Shopping sessions can be transferred online by shopping on clothing store websites instead of at a mall! All it takes to be one of my clients is a phone or a computer.
How do you manage yourself and keep on going despite the challenges? What drives you?
The greatest force that drives my work is this question: ‘How can I help people live a better life and be more successful not only in their careers but also in their social and personal lives?’
I also get immense motivation from thinking of my beloved dad. He was an eye surgeon and he dedicated his whole life to the well-being of people by doing thousands of surgeries for 35+ years for poor patients in a municipality hospital without taking a single penny.”
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
I have embraced and interwoven the values of authenticity and honesty into my work, which have been my keys to success. Through transparent communication with my clients, we leave our inhibitions at the door and maximize the benefits that they reap from the sessions
In your opinion – what is more necessary: Idea or a good team for a successful startup?
For any business, I believe it’s important to have a balance of both. The idea is as good as the team executing it. If you have an idea you are passionate about, float it to your network, and partner with the people who are just as excited about it as you.
Please share with us – what has worked well for you so far?
In these four years of entrepreneurship, I have realized that what has taken my business to the next level is having open and trusting relationships with my clients.
It’s about losing the rigidness and formality that can often become a hindrance in professional relationships and creating a judgement-free space in which clients feel heard, understood, and guided.
I want them to realize that I’m not just a trainer or coach for a day, but an advocate and well-wisher for their lives.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned building your startup?
My three mantras are:-
1 – We have to be authentic so that people can see exactly who we are without any pretence and get to know the person behind the brand.
2 – I have understood that my contemporaries all have their unique USP and I have mine. It’s all about how I sharpen my skills and focus on my own success instead of engaging in constant comparisons.
3 – Being honest with my clients to understand how we can cater to their needs in the best way possible.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
I strongly believe that with the rapidly changing world we need to change our style of leadership and management to a more modern style.
To become more successful in today’s age and time leaders need to be more people-centric, real, grounded, open communicators and gender diversified.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
My work is not only my passion, but it is also my mission. I am on a mission to change people’s lives for the better by taking away their fears, insecurities, and doubts – all that is hindering them from growing in life.
When I see that because of my work somebody’s life is changing for the better, that’s what it is all about. Knowing that I have enriched someone else fuels me to keep going.
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as an aspiring women entrepreneur?
There is no replacement for hard work, perseverance, honesty, and genuine love for your clients. If you have these values in place, nobody can stop you. First, you have to believe in yourself, and only then will you believe in others.
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.
