With an aim to introduce Goans to the new age and innovative entrepreneurial opportunities in Image Consulting, the Navhind Times Zest workshop, ‘Become an entrepreneur, Become an Image Consultant,’ was held on Sunday, March 19. The three-hour workshop conducted by India’s senior most image consultant, Suman Agarwal, was open to those above the age of 18 and was held at Dempo House in Panaji.
The workshop which was attended by students, business men and women, doctors, photographers, corporate trainers, teachers and others commenced with an introduction by Agarwal on entrepreneurship and its features. Through her personal journey as an employee in the aviation industry to being a successful entrepreneur; she highlighted the benefits of entrepreneurship. “After working for fourteen years in the aviation and then education sector, I realised I wanted a change. I wanted more in terms of quality of life and with my present job it was not possible. I then decided it was time to quit and do something that would give me satisfaction, monetary benefit and more time with my family,” she shared.
Speaking about the different types of entrepreneurship, she called attention to what each required and its pros and cons. She then spoke about being an entrepreneur in the business of image consultancy and said, “Before I began my business, I did intensive research for a year before I decided to take the plunge. To start your own business it is extremely important to do a need analysis which will give you an idea what people want and what the market is like. Risks are part and parcel of entrepreneurship but knowing what they are and having a backup plan is also very much needed.”
Image consultancy she reiterated is an industry which is booming and can be a gold mine of opportunities with the right training, skill set and passion. “Due to its low investment and great returns, many are taking to it. Also with the government of India promoting skill development in all aspects mainly soft skills the Image management industry is growing exponentially,” she added.
The workshop covered all aspects of image consultancy and the rewarding benefits of becoming your own boss. Citing the examples of some successful image consultants, she explained what it involved and the different segments of the market where it was applicable. “Image Consulting is one of the most successful concepts of this decade and many decades to come,” she stressed.
Encouraging and motivating the entrepreneur within all present especially women, she said, “Women benefit from this profession the most as this is a self-employment opportunity to help others through their appearance management and soft skills. Many women have started realising that a point comes in their life when they need to decide between work and family/ home. Eventually work takes the back seat when they realise the various lucrative opportunities available to them. Investing on up-skilling never goes waste and it always pays by giving a sense of security and confidence.”
The workshop was well accepted and everyone had a great takeaway in some form or the other.
