At BrilliantRead Media, our aim is to bring to our community some of the unique and compelling stories from the start-up ecosystem. As part of this endeavour, we invited Sweta Verma for an exclusive interview with us. Sweta is a Passionate Entrepreneur, Trainer, Image Consultant, Speaker, Leader and Change Enabler. She is the Founder of Image Unlocks. Let’s learn more about her background, her inspirational journey and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Sweta:
Talk us through your background and your journey, please;
Well, I did my schooling from Kendriya Vidyalaya No.3 Chakeri, Kanpur. Further pursued Engineering in computer science from reputed Government College Baba Saheb Dr BhimRao Ambedkar College of Agricultural Engineering & Technology, Etawah. Hence a few months of experience in an IT company, after I got married at the early age of 24.
Being an avid learner, I am always willing to learn and share knowledge with people, from a Defence Background, generally, we keep moving from one station to another station in two and half years of posting.”
In cantonment, schools are there so I started teaching as a computer teacher in various schools like Navy Children School Kochi, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Dibrugarh, Assam, St. Patrick’s Schools, Jodhpur.
After 7 years of marriage, I decided to again study in M.tech ( Computer Science & Engg.) So I enrolled in it and started going to regular study from college, along with my Son, who was 5 years old at the time. With my husband’s support, I was able to manage my studies. With the Surprise and hard work, I got “Highest marks“ in my Batch along with my son who got 1st position in his class. That was a quite happy and proud moment for our family.
However, God planned something different in my life, from being an Engineer to Certified Image Consultant & Soft Skills Trainer. I am always thankful to one of the most prestigious Institutes “Image Consulting Business Institute” which provides me with quality knowledge and support.”
My learning & communication led me to teachings & developed a passion to connect with people.
My Family ensured creative freedom, helped me explore my personality to perform at optimum potential, college shaped my rational vision, honed my skills, and put me on overdrive to always be on Self Discovery mode.
What made you passionate about ‘Training’?
My association with Armed Forces shaped me as a go-getter person, result oriented & equipped me with “Never Give Up Attitude”
I believe that whatever Role you play, just be honest and passionate about your work, success comes automatically.
I always follow one key principle, that knowledge you acquire, share it with the people for their benefit in different areas of life.
Be as an Image Consultant and as a Soft Skills Trainer, follow 3 power steps:
1) Our actions
2) Our Accountability
3) Alignment
‘Image Unlocks’ 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?
Thanks for asking a wonderful question, I would say this is my first step towards my Entrepreneur journey to build my own Brand “ Image Unlocks” – Be Authentic.
I am always a people’s person to solve their problems and provide solutions in my personal & professional life.
“Image Unlocks” determines the power of positive Image Inside Out, and help people to unlock their potential and reinvent themselves through the Art & Science of Creating Powerful First Impression.
Areas to Transform:
(a) Clothing
(b) Grooming
(c) Body Language
(d) Etiquette
So I am here to rewrite personality codes, compile, process and run the program “ Image Unlocks” to build an Authentic Image.
“Success is not about how much money you make, it’s about the difference you make in people’s life” – MICHELLE OBAMA
How do you manage to keep going despite the challenges? What drives you?
Very interesting question, exciting part is I love challenges from my childhood days.
Only my own Burning Desires push me to take challenges in life with constant effort and hard work.
“In order to move forward Grab on to any opportunity that comes your way”
Who do you believe has been the biggest source of motivation in your daily life?
My biggest motivation is myself, that whatever I do and what makes me happy, is the biggest motivation. With my constant pillars, my husband and my son are always by my side. So that I am able to perform and plan my work without any worry.
Exercise & meditation are part of my daily routine just like a daily habit. It takes time to inculcate this amazing habit, it works wonders.
I always remember basic key points.
– Set a target for yourself every day and work with dedication.
– Don’t create a burden, take small breaks.
– When something appears impossible, learn to let it go and then perform without pressure because it reduces anxiety.
– Catch a good sleep every night.
“Never Give up Because Real things take Time”
What are some of the strategies that you believe have helped you grow as a person?
My life Myntra towards cheerful & happy life:
(1) Avoid comparing yourself to other people
(2) Believe in yourself
(3) Focus on taking Actions
Please share with us, how do you motivate your clients?
I still remember, last year in December 2020, a lady who is coming to my home and she is quite elder ( 51 years old), she is willing to transform her own Image in personal & professional life, although she is working in a Government organization. Here my role comes into the picture to identify her needs then to give customized solutions for her Role & Goal.
I believe listening is the prime factor to know your client personally so that I can find a solution easily. I start figuring out her lifestyle & personal style choices, sometimes she is not able to identify her choices. I started consulting in terms of personal colour, wardrobe evaluation, body shape analysis, personal style evaluation, & face shape evaluation.
Now she is becoming more confident from Inside Out and dresses mindfully in her office, people start observing her sense of clothing style. I enjoy thoroughly every single day with her, evaluating every area of life and providing customized solutions for her.
That was an amazing moment, more than a Paycheck moment.
You are always positive and motivated, what keeps you going?
See motivation comes from my daily routine work either its home chores activity or my professional commitment to my work.
On some days, I don’t feel motivated. And it’s ok to feel and release these emotions so they don’t get suppressed. I start playing with my son, see my feedback related videos or read written feedback from my client that gives me motivation.”
Listening to podcasts by motivational gurus, watch Ted talk videos. These all are my source of Motivation and Inspire me a lot to go back to my work with full energy.
Always excited about whatever I am doing, I love my work & I always learn from it.
What are the business mantras you have embraced as you sought to establish your success story?
My Business Mantras:
“You don’t have to be great to start, you have to start to become great”
“Your Brand is Look like your mirror Image”
“Your Smile is your logo, your personality is your Business card, the way you make others feel is your trademark”
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I would say straight from my heart, whatever I have learned many things during lockdown & still, I am learning.
~ Growth Mindset
~ Take one step at a time
~ Ready to take challenges
~ Simple Strategy to learn, don’t make it complex
~ Learn from mistakes
~ Continues Upskill yourself
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
While everyone wants to become more successful in personal, professional, and social life, most people do not understand the basics of success.
Success is all about two things happening simultaneously – getting a chance, an opportunity to do something and then performing when the opportunity comes along.
While the first depends on creating first impressions based on appearance, behaviour, communication & etiquette, the second is dependent on Education, experience and soft skills.
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.
