At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the finest stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this endeavour, we invited a passionate Women Entrepreneur and Model – Mrs Manisha Narang Rustomji for an exclusive interview with us. She is a Model, Entrepreneur, Leader, Fashion Designer, and Influencer. Manisha has participated and won various beauty pageants such as Mrs India Inc, Mrs Beyound Motivation, Mrs Universe Best Charity and more. She is also among the Top 25 Finalists Mrs Universe. She is the Director of Flourochem India. Let’s learn more about her exciting journey, background and advice for our growing community.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Mrs Manisha:
Please talk us through your background and your journey?
I am from Mumbai. Grew up in a joint family with my Grand Parents, Parents and Siblings which made me family oriented person.
Childhood was the most fun and memorable time in my life. My childhood always bought a smile to my face. I was pampered by my parents and my grandmother and mama and maasi and enjoyed all the joys of life.
I am happily married from the last 27 years ago to a Parsi Gentleman and we have a 24-year-old son.
My husband and I run a Florochem. We are in a process of making it entirely Environment friendly.
I believe the only path forward is to make life an eco-friendly and sustainable one. My other passions are Fashion Designing and Paramedical Aesthetics.”
I participated in Mrs. India Inc 2022 and got selected in the top 20 and have also won the sub-title Beyound Motivation. I further participated in Mrs. Universe and got selected in the top 25 and won the title of Best Charity Award.
I like to motivate women to live fitter, healthier and happier life and live their lives to the fullest. So that we can leave this planet a healthier, happier one for future generations.
How did you discover your passion?
I am passionate about make-up, accessories, music, workout and jewellery. I invest my leisure time being with my dog its a therapy. I love blogging. I am an enthusiastic kickboxer student.
Professionally fashion designer and Skin Care Consultant. Enterpreneur director of flourochem India. I am the business face of India in company international meetings worldwide Flourochem and also a Director at Stallion Flourochem India.
I discovered my passion for One Movement in my life when I saw Mrs. India Inc’s Advertisement and I realised yes this was my dream which was left unfinished. That Changed my life and since then I started my journey with Mrs.India.”
I Lost 12 kilos got much fitter, confident and learnt to express my feelings and started working on my inner strengths and day by day tried to improve on my strengths.
We all know that as a model we have to be on a very strict diet. How do you maintain yourself every day and stay fit?
After all the struggle I am now a fitter and healthier person.
I exercise regularly and do hard core training and high-intensity workouts. I am always mindful of what I eat.”
I am on a low carb and a high protein diet. Active lifestyle, Yoga and exercises, avoid fatty foods, do not skip meals, avoid alcohol, smoking and drugs.
Our audience would like know, what motivates you to keep on going?
Things that keeps me motivated and keeps me going on is my family, my husband and my grandmother. My Grandmother who came from Sindhh after the partition with nothing and how she rebuild the empire.
She thought us that a woman should overcome her fears, achieve her goals, gain respect from others, become independent, practice self-care, take challenges, live a life happier and become more confident and successful in life.
As a model, what are the difficulties/challenges you have faced in your day-to-day shoot?
As a model, I have faced many difficulties and challenges in our day-to-day shoots as you need to work hard days and nights, follow a strict diet, shoot in 6 inches of heels, and you know, breakouts in the legs are the worst:).
How do you feel about the industry? Is it compatible to vegetarian models?
I expect international organisations to be more sensitive towards each and every individual country and their cultural background also language is a problem they should keep a translater at every step.
> Written schedule with more specific details.
> Arrangements for a medical emergency.
> Arrangements for vegetarians, Better food Arrangements
> Arrangements for basic water on outdoor shoots
Basically, we need to have them updated so that it’s easy to work outdoors.
What kind of support do you expect from international fashion organisations?
I expect international Fashion Institutions to be more sensitive towards each and every individual, and their cultural background also language is a problems they should keep a translator at every step.
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of inspiration in your daily life?
I believe I get inspired by my life itself. For me, not only those who top the moon but those who make an effort off their comfort zone are very interesting
I’m glad I’m inspired by Monaz/Alisia/Raj/Anjali full Cocoberry team for helping me groom to my satisfaction Shamita Singha from the Refinery Academy also contributed to my journey as a mentor.
Key defining moment in my life was when I saw Mrs.India Inc Advertisement and I realised yes this was my dream which was left unfinished. That changed my life and since then I started my journey of Mrs.India.”
I lost 12 kilos got much fitter, confident and learnt to express my feelings and started working on my inner strengths and day by day trying to improve on my strengths. I have met so many wonderful people on this journey.
Especially, I’m impressed by Juhi Vyas who’s my sister queen who beautifully inspired me by giving me pageantry knowledge. She was the 1st to teach me Ramp walk in my training sessions by Mohini Sharma, In Sana Dua’s grooming sessions, Communication and Objection handling by Aditi Gowitrikar and How to internationally represent India in the Mrs Universe platform by Navdeep Kaur. After all the efforts and hard work, I got selected in the top 25nd and also won the sub-title.
What makes your journey so exciting?
I believe in myself as a butterfly and I believe I have transformed myself from within and that’s not only in physical appearance but also mentally and have changed my attitude towards life. In 2020 when we thought it was the end of the world and that was a time we saw that money had its limitations.
To achieve something you have to set goals for yourself and you need to work hard on the goals. The transition that I have experienced is the most exciting part of the journey.
Ability to learn the Ramp Walk on a 20-meter ramp holding the national costume with a long drape. The ability to hold yourself among all. The exciting thing is to build yourself inside out. To become a happier person from within and satisfied after all these hard work.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Keys to success:
– Communication
– Confidence
– Hard Work
– Dedication,
– Discipline
– Grace
– Prepare for the unexpected
– Prioritize your Goals
– Develop Good habits
– Try Different Strategies
– Take Smart Risks
– Learn from the mistakes
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
My advice to young professionals would be they grow skills and knowledge, educate oneself at every point of life, never stop learning, stay focused, build a strong network, venture outside of your comfort zone, work harder than those around you, use your strenghts.
Be willing to sacrifice some things to build the dream career you want, Be confident yet humble, embrace failure, set realistic goals, take right decision about the career and jobs, think about the future and make sure your interest and your career complement each other.”
Last but not least, what would be your message to the fashion industry? If you want to change something in the industry what that would be?
Fashion enhances human life because not only does it allow you to dress fashionably but also gives an opportunity to be independent in your thinking, helps to maintain positive self-esteem, and serves as a form of entertainment.
Fashion has taken us all stronger and there is no harm in being fashionable but is a limit. Some changes in the industry I would suggest:
Recycling: Recycling old fabric could be a possible solution.
Buy Less: Avoid buying clothes unnecessarily and excessively.
Sustainable Practices: The brands that ensure sustainable practices should be favoured.
Natural Dyes: Synthetic dyes should be avoided and natural dyes must be used.
Wastewater Treatment: Wastewater should be treated before releasing into the environment
More advertisement-based promotions for echo-friendly services. Also, last but not least Curves are sexy, let’s get them back in fashion to model.
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.
