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 Gitika Bhagat for an exclusive interview with us. Gitika is an Etiquette Coach, Certified Image Consultant, Corporate & Soft Skills Trainer and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Gitika:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I hold an MBA in Marketing but never ventured into the corporate world, as I got married right after completing my degree. Initially, my family wasn’t supportive of me working, so I poured my energy into exploring hobbies. This marked the start of an exciting journey where I dabbled in gift packaging, clothing design, and eventually discovered my passion for working with children.
My first step into meaningful work began in Dubai, where I relocated soon after marriage. What started as hobby classes transformed into something bigger when I returned to India, had my first child, and began conducting a range of creative classes, from baking to beaded jewelry to science and English.
Later, I found my niche in etiquette and personality development workshops for kids, which were always well-received. During the lockdown, word of mouth brought my work into the spotlight, leading to collaborations with MNCs for online sessions. Discovering a soft skills and image management course was a turning point. It not only refined my skills but also gave me a sense of direction, allowing me to turn my passion into a career.
Today, I’m a certified image consultant and soft skills trainer, and I’ve had the privilege of working with schools, institutions, and individuals across all age groups. I believe this is just the beginning of an exciting journey as I continue to grow and widen my horizons.
How did you discover your passion?
My passion unfolded organically through my experiences. While exploring hobbies after marriage, I discovered how much I enjoyed working with children through storytelling sessions and creative classes. Over time, these interests evolved into personality development and etiquette coaching, which allowed me to make a deeper impact.
The turning point was during the lockdown when I began conducting online workshops. The positive feedback I received fueled my belief that this was my true calling. Pursuing a soft skills and image management course further solidified my passion and gave me the confidence to pursue this field professionally.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest motivation has been my desire to create a meaningful identity for myself. While my family’s initial reservations about me working were a challenge, they also pushed me to explore new paths.
Additionally, my children have been a constant source of inspiration. They remind me of the importance of leading by example—showing them that perseverance and passion can help you achieve your dreams, no matter the challenges.
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Several strategies have helped me grow:
Adaptability: Life constantly threw new challenges my way, from relocating to juggling responsibilities as a mother. Adapting to these changes taught me resilience.
Lifelong Learning: Whether it was mastering hobbies or pursuing a professional course after having kids, I’ve always embraced learning as a way to grow.
Consistency: Taking small, steady steps has helped me achieve my goals without feeling overwhelmed.
Networking and Feedback: Listening to my clients’ needs and feedback has helped me refine my skills and build meaningful connections.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success, to me, lies in three key aspects:
Passion: Doing what you genuinely enjoy makes even hard work feel fulfilling.
Perseverance: Challenges are inevitable, but staying consistent and not giving up paves the way forward.
Purpose: Having a clear purpose and focusing on the value you bring to others ensures that your work leaves a lasting impact.
What advice would you give to our readers?
Your journey is your own, so don’t be afraid to take unconventional paths. Whether you’re just starting out or looking for a career change, embrace lifelong learning and trust the process.
Remember, small steps lead to big achievements. Be consistent, stay open to growth, and don’t shy away from challenges—they often lead to the most rewarding experiences. Lastly, always believe in yourself because self-confidence is the foundation of personal and professional success.
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.
