As part of our relentless efforts to identify and share some of the meaningful stories from India and around the world, this week we invited yet another passionate entrepreneur Shweta Garg for an interview with BrilliantRead Media. Shweta is a Coach, Leader, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Image Consultant, Trainer and Founder of Dream Image. Let’s read more about her incredible journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shweta:
We are aware of your contribution to the ecosystem, talk us through your background and your journey as a women entrepreneur/coach, please;
I did my schooling from Sunbeam English School, Varanasi and further pursued Masters in Business Administration from the prestigious New Delhi Institute of Management in Delhi. To add to my skills and knowledge, I also completed a course in Project Management (from ICFAI), which I feel is extremely relevant in all fields of work.
I was lucky to get an opportunity to work as a Management Trainee and then an Executive in the corporate sector. The job was highly demanding in terms of time. But alongside, I also learned to meet timelines, work in teams, empathy, and be more perseverant. Thereafter I had to relocate to Mumbai as I got married, but I continued with the same company in Mumbai too.
After working in the corporate sector for 8 years, I decided to take a break. I took care of the family and the upbringing of my children. Life was going well.”
In 2016, I started feeling low as I was thinking that I am not going in the right direction. I wanted to do something for myself that makes me happy. But I did not know where to start from. What are my strengths and weaknesses? How to find out what I am looking for?
All this was affecting me and my personal life. I felt like my life was pointless.… but when my elder daughter walked in, hugged and asked me that why am I not the same, as I was earlier. That’s when I decided that I cannot let this feeling overpower me. I have to TAKE CHARGE of my life. That moment I told myself to take up the challenge, rediscover myself and come out of it.”
And this allowed me to follow my passion by doing a course where I learned the skills to enhance one’s inner and outer image. This helped me to gain back my confidence.
Today, I am a professionally trained and certified Image Consultant and Behavioral Trainer, who further advanced to be designated as the President-Elect of AICI India, the biggest International Association of Image Consultants (AICI) in the World.
That’s when my entrepreneurial journey started. And in June 2018 – DREAM IMAGE was incorporated, a multi-dimensional training company working towards providing Image Consulting, Behavioral Training, and Personal Styling Services. Dream Image works with individuals, entrepreneurs, trendsetters, image consultants, and organizations to optimize their potential by enhancing their Appearance, Behavior, Communication, and Digital Impact.
Dream Image provides its services through coaching, seminars, presentations, and workshops. The consultation process includes a detailed interpretation and learning of the individual or an organization.
Dream Image provides you with the capability to express your highest potential to the best of your personality. It enables you to push-start your career with expert guidance and support which leads to a positive outcome.
With irrepressible zeal and zest, I have developed a company based on unification and integrity, innovation, and forward-thinking.
Added a new feather in the cap (in October 2018), ABNL USA & ANLP UK Certified International NLP Practitioner. Along with Hypnosis Level 1 Practitioner and Provocative Simulation Certification Programme.
Now when I look back in time, that setback encouraged me to move towards the right path. It helped me to redefine myself, understand what I wanted to do in life and this was ‘THE GREATEST GIFT’ I got.”
I got an opportunity to work with government organizations for their staff training and employee development programs. Also convened training in educational institutions, networking forums and have inspired and facilitated many individuals in their transformation journey. My belief as a trainer is the delightful experience one gains by guiding individuals, groups, and organizations to explore and reach their full potential.
Imparting high-quality and differential training to enhance one’s overall personality is my priority.
What attracts you towards entrepreneurship instead of a corporate career?
I chose entrepreneurship because in the process of rediscovering myself I was sure that I want to make an impact.
Additionally, I never wanted to work in a 9 to 6 type of job routine. Being an entrepreneur gives you flexibility, work-life balance, independence, and an opportunity to expand your vision.
‘Dream Image’ 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 wanted to help people to rediscover and redefine their overall image. Help people to Project a Winning Image that they always dreamt of in order to create a powerful and lasting first impression. That’s the key to success in personal, professional, and social life.
This unique name came through the desire of guiding individuals to project their Dream Image.
During this COVID-19 crisis, what are the measures you have undertaken to continue your business without disruption?
The Covid-19 crisis was a setback for every business. But it also allowed me to explore new ways to reach out to my audience. Also, I have utilized this time in relearning.
~ So, I learned about digital entrepreneurship which helped me gain the comfort and confidence getting online. Started my YouTube channel, did Podcast and Virtual training so that I continue to make a difference in people life.
~ Started a Facebook group Xceed Entrepreneurs where I am on a mission to help 100,000 entrepreneurs and leaders to achieve exponential growth and success by developing skills, strategies and gain new perspectives.
~ Dream Image is obliged to move on a journey of transformational training, imparting knowledge, and creating figureheads to bring about the best in the image industry. Owing to the fact that, Dream Image collaborated with IICI (International Image Consulting Institute), India’s first Independent AICI CEU provider. Dream Image is amongst the leading institutions to provide CEU dual certification programs approved by the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) in collaboration with IICI.
How do you manage yourself and keep on going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Reading affirmations is a very important part of my everyday routine because that helps me keep going. I have a goal card which by default I read every morning to keep myself on track. I always try to make sure that I empower the right people for the right work. This way I do not feel overburdened with work that leads to stress.
In my free time, I try to travel, spend time with my family, and try to maintain my work-life balance as much as possible. Traveling gives cross-cultural exposure, helps to understand different kinds of people, to be more empathetic, and it has a great effect on our behaviour and learning capabilities.”
I would say that I get motivated when I see my children appreciating what I do and that drives me to go on despite all the challenges.
Given the rapid pace at which the world is changing, what are the leadership traits that are necessary for success?
A crucial factor in success is the ability to effectively lead.
An entrepreneur should be more self-aware, agile, adaptive, and resilient. They are also effective listeners and open to change. As a leader, you should maintain a flexible mindset and be willing to try new ideas. A leader should set a practical vision, focus on the future, and maintain a positive outlook keeping in mind that the change is occurring all around you.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
Present yourself as a brand because I believe that you are your own visiting card. Perform to the best of my capability at each and every opportunity that comes my way.
What are the most important lessons you have learned building your startup?
Startup comes with a lot of challenges. So you should always be ready to take up those challenges and give your best without worrying about the result.
Agility and adaptability are very important in any entrepreneurial journey. And the pandemic has taught me this very well. I have learned how important it is to embrace and adopt the change.
Please share with us – what has worked well for you so far?
One thing I would say that helped me and my company grow is the ability to effectively communicate, present myself, giving solutions after proper understanding and the thought of giving as much as I can.
I aim to create courageous and vivid leaders who pluck up the courage to make a difference! I always try to introduce innovative ways of learning to support the learners/clients to set about on a transformational journey.
In your opinion – what is more necessary: An idea or a good team for a successful startup?
The idea and a good team are both equally important. An idea will only be successful if like-minded people are working on it. In my opinion, it should be a mix of both.
There have been many examples of companies who just fail because they lacked proper team spirit in them.
You will be successful if you direct your team towards shared goals and outcome. To have a shared vision, your team must feel that they have participated in shaping it. Their perspective also will elevate the vision and make it more intense.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
I believe that motivation is always within. It’s you who can think positively and motivate yourself. I love what I do. Anything you do in life, you have to have a passion for and should not feel like work.
I enjoy the challenge of making customized modules for each and every client. It’s a process. Just enjoy the process and the outcome will always be great.
We would love to know your advice for all those starting out as aspiring women entrepreneurs?
Don’t be afraid to take that first step. We all have this fear in our mind that what if – I fail. Remember fear and failure are connected. Failure is part of the process.
So, overcome your fear of failure and pursue your dreams.
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.
