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 Pooja Saxena for an exclusive interview with us. Pooja is an Image Consultant, Certified Soft Skill & Behavior Skill Trainer and Influencer. Let’s learn more about her background, journey and her advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Pooja:
Here’s a little glimpse into my life to make it inspiring:
At 23, I made a bold and unconventional decision for someone in Indian society—I chose not to get married. The surprising part? I didn’t make this decision out of bitterness, heartbreak, or rebellion. It was simply a realization that marriage is a choice, not a compulsion. Of course, it wasn’t easy for others to accept, but I stayed true to my belief.
By the age of 27, I bought my own flat—a milestone that reinforced my desire to live an independent life. Shortly after, I adopted my dog, Sherry, and embraced the joy of being a dog mom.
Today, I live with my school-time best friend, Khushbu, who has been by my side through thick and thin. She decided to follow me through life just like we did when choosing colleges and jobs—a bond built on loyalty and shared dreams. Together, the three of us (me, Khushbu, and Sherry) make up a functional family of our own.
And just to clear the air for the ever-curious, no, we’re not lesbians. But we are firm believers in supporting all genders and all types of families around the world. The beauty of life lies in embracing love, respect, and functionality in whatever form it comes.
I hope my journey inspires others to live authentically, make bold decisions, and create a life that feels right for them, no matter what society expects.
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
I’m an Image Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer. I pursued my certifications from ICBI and First Look Institute, and have since launched my own business, “Imagenhancewithpooja,” dedicated to styling and educating individuals.
Before stepping into this field, I spent 13 enriching years as a freelance event coordinator, working closely with entrepreneurs and gaining invaluable insights. My fascination with people’s stunning outfits and creative ideas inspired me to dive deeper into the science behind personal style, which eventually led me to pursue this profession.
I’m deeply grateful for the “freedom of thought” my parents instilled in me from a young age. It empowered me to explore diverse roles, from choreographing at 13, working in a UK call centre at 19, to becoming an event coordinator by 21.
My journey has taught me that thinking only matters when followed by action, no matter how far outside your comfort zone it may take you. Looking forward to sharing ideas and inspiring transformations with all of you!
How did you discover your passion?
I am an “ESFJ” personality type, as per the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This means I’m an extrovert who values facts over assumptions, is driven by feelings, and thrives on discipline and moral responsibility. In simple terms, I’m a “How may I help you?” kind of person.
During my years in the flower decoration and designing business, I realized how much joy I derive from making things beautiful. With time and self-reflection, I discovered that my passion lies in enhancing not just objects, but people—helping them present their best selves.
This journey of self-realization aligned perfectly with my strengths and values, leading me to pursue image consulting and soft skills training, which truly checks all the boxes for me.
Who do you believe is your biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest motivation has always been my parents. They both graduated college at a very young age, as skipping grades was common if you were well-prepared, and started working between the ages of 15 and 19.
Growing up, I admired their independence and self-reliance, which inspired me to become my own support system. I was raised in a household where everyone contributed—whether it was through work or house chores. Experiencing true equality, not just understanding it as a concept, gave me immense confidence and optimism.
Another significant source of motivation comes from my dogs. Being a dog lover, I’ve been co-parenting and parenting dogs since I was 15. They’ve taught me invaluable lessons: love and compassion, discipline, patience, and consistency.
From them, I’ve learned how to embrace the same routine while finding joy in each new day, grieve with grace, and eventually heal from loss. They’ve shown me how to appreciate what remains and value every connection a little more deeply than I might have otherwise. My dogs and my parents have shaped my outlook on life, making me more resilient, grateful, and inspired every day.
What is one challenging thing you overcame?
As a naturally skinny girl growing up, gaining significant weight during my event career due to late-night routines was a tough transition. I became a backstage person, believing things would only get better if I lost the weight.
Despite trying hard, the changes were minimal, and I eventually wondered, What if it never happens?
My image consulting course changed my perspective entirely. Learning to style all body types helped me embrace my own body and stop putting my life goals on hold.
This shift not only healed me inside out but also inspired me to choose body positivity as my niche. Now, I help other women facing similar challenges feel confident and beautiful, no matter their shape or size.
What are some of your strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
Here are some strategies I follow, and I hope they are as helpful to readers as they’ve been for me:
1. Acknowledge and Apologize: Everyone makes mistakes, but what sets me apart is that I take the time to say a descriptive sorry when I genuinely feel bad. I make sure the person knows I’ve realized my mistake and sincerely want their forgiveness. If they don’t forgive me, I still forgive myself—but only after making that effort.
2. Stop Self-Criticism: Instead of cursing myself for things I can’t do, I either take small steps to address what bothers me or accept the situation for what it is. If something has been troubling me for a long time without change, I acknowledge that, consciously or unconsciously, I may have already chosen or accepted it.
3. Write Things Down: Whether it’s a to-do list, goals, or even things I want to buy, writing them down helps me prioritize. The act of writing involves multiple senses—touch, sight, and even your inner voice. This process reinforces clarity and focus.
4. Practice Patience and Empathy: Listening carefully and showing genuine interest in others helps me grow emotionally and socially. It’s a simple but transformative habit.
5. Set Healthy Boundaries: Boundaries are crucial for balancing personal, professional, and social life. I plan how I want my day, month, or year to look and identify the boundaries I need to maintain to focus on my goals while leaving room for myself, my hobbies, and my loved ones.
6. Accept Help: I’ve learned to accept support from my parents, coworkers, friends, or even my house help. Clear communication and teamwork lighten the load, prevent stress, and make the journey smoother.
These small but significant habits have contributed greatly to my personal growth and have helped me maintain balance and purpose in life.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
1. Consistency: Success doesn’t come overnight—it’s built through small, consistent efforts over time. Staying persistent, even when progress feels slow, is crucial.
2. Embrace Failure: Be open to trying, failing, and then trying again. Failure is just a stepping stone to growth, and every attempt brings you closer to your goals.
3. Self-Acceptance: Don’t judge yourself harshly for overthinking or struggling at times. Acknowledge your emotions and use them as tools for introspection and growth.
4. Continuous Learning: Keep studying, exploring, and investing in your personal and professional development. The more you evolve, the better equipped you are to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.
Success is a journey, and these principles ensure you stay motivated, adaptable, and resilient along the way.
What advice would you give to our readers?
1. Life is not too short if you eat healthy: Taking care of your body with proper nutrition and a balanced lifestyle gives you the energy and longevity to enjoy every moment.
2. Quality over quantity: Focus on the quality of your experiences rather than the number of things you accumulate. Meaningful moments and connections matter more than excess.
3. Money can buy happiness: Happiness doesn’t come from wealth alone, but it does help when it’s used to support and pamper a loving, close-knit family. The joy of giving and sharing with your loved ones is priceless.
4. Looking your best is uplifting: Taking the time to look good boosts your confidence and brightens your day—it’s a form of self-love that reflects how much you value yourself.
These simple principles can help you live a fulfilling, balanced, and joyful life.
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.
