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| Once they start earning livelihood after I have trained and skilled them, you would see the confident woman in them. |
1. Tell us more about your journey.
I am an incredibly positive, with say say-die attitude, hardworking, a go-getter, self-made, and a first-generation woman social entrepreneur.
My professional journey started in the year 2002 after my marriage. I married my husband who was living in a joint family of 18 members. I had a responsibility to take care of the family. But I was determined to be self-reliant and economically independent. Initially, though I did face resistance like any other Indian married girl, however looking at my determination and keen interest, I got the freedom to pursue my goals and also got the full support of my family. Meeting all requirements and fulfilling all my family duties were the key factors. I must put on record that my husband supported and guided me everywhere and every time. He is actually my Guru. Right from the beginning, I had decided not to take any money from either my husband or from my family. This made my journey difficult but made me a better businesswoman, I think. I had a keen interest in the Beauty and Wellness sector right from my young days. So as a natural extension, I decided to make my interest my profession.
I am aware on one thing, whatever is one’s profession, you must be well trained and well skilled in that. Therefore, I too underwent many courses and I learned, got trained, got skilled and then I performed. I strongly believe in ‘Learn, Train, Skill and Perform’. I am a qualified and certified cosmetologist. Initially, I started with a Beauty salon and Spa in Jamnagar, a small town in Gujarat where I was living after marriage. Side by side I started my skill development programs where I used to train the girls in various skills of the sector. My grandmother and mother had various home-made items like Hair Oil etc that we were using. These products were made from only Ayurvedic ingredients.
In 2011 we shifted to Ahmedabad. My husband started his industry and I too started afresh with a Beauty Salon and Spa. In Ahmedabad, I developed various Ayurvedic Beauty and Wellness products and commenced manufacturing and sales of these products. My skill development work was continuing, but I got contacts from various NGOs who were working for women's upliftment and training them so that they could earn their livelihood. I got involved with them and I feel that this work gave me the biggest satisfaction and joy. I then started going to villages and training rural women. Till now I have trained more than 20000 women and have made them economically independent and self-reliant.
2. What were some of the major challenges you faced when you first started Upkap, and how did you overcome them?
A working woman and that too first-generation woman entrepreneur faces all the challenges that a male first-generation entrepreneur faces when he starts his business. But as a married woman, her challenges are multiplied. Her house responsibilities, children’s responsibilities, social responsibilities, and much more have to be met maybe with more care and caution because she is always under a magnifying glass. Though the times are changing, but it will take a generation or two to reduce her burden. I too have undergone the same and to be truthful, even as of date, I am going through it.
My only son was born in 2002. My husband also had started his new venture, so he was very busy in that. I was determined to give the best to my son. So quite a bit of time was taken up by him. When he was in 10th to 12rh standard, I almost gave him all the time, keeping my business on back bench. However, I don’t regret any moment and any reduction in my business volume. He is pursuing his Engineering degree from one of the best universities in UK. He is also a chess champion and vivid drone pilot and drone designer.
Covid brought another unknown challenge. Many businesses like mine almost closed. At that time, I saw the economic struggle of families and I decided to continue paying my staff. I am proud to say today that I supported my staff at their time of need during Corona. This though made my reserve funds to diminish.
3. As a pioneer of the Ayurvedic beauty care movement, what do you think sets Ayurvedic beauty practices apart from other beauty treatments?
I don’t call myself pioneer in Ayurvedic Beauty and Wellness products. I am just a student and an enthusiast of Ayurvedic herbs. My initial exposure was through my mother and grandmother. That created interest in me and everything else followed. After Covid, people have become more interested in Ayurvedic remedies of their health, beauty and wellness issues. Mainly because it has no side eƯects. After 2020, you find many more brands have come out with Ayurvedic products. Government also is encouraging Ayurvedic herbs. So I feel that Ayurveda is the future and dedicated R & D work by all the stakeholders must be carried out in this field.
4. How has winning the Mrs. India International Queen 2021 and the Mrs. India Audacious title impacted your personal and professional life?
Participating in a Mrs India Beauty Pageant was my dream. When I was a child, I used to dress up like one and my maternal uncle used to encourage me. Due to family pressure, at that tome I could not fulfil my dream. But after my son went to UK for his graduation, I felt that this is the right time.
As I said, I believe in dreaming big and work hard for it. So I did take part in a Mrs India International Queen 2021. I really worked very hard for it. During the pageant too, we were made to work for more than 16 hrs a day. My hard work paid off and I was crowned Mrs India International Queen 2021 Mrs India Audacious in Nov 2021. It was a dream come true moment for me.
Taking part in such pageant helps in developing your personality 360 Deg tremendously. It inculcates confidence in you and also makes you a celebrity instantly. People want to take your autograph, and photos/ selfies with you. These moments are meant to be enjoyed but must keep your feet on ground. This crown did open some of the doors more easily for you and may give you a bigger platform to work on.
5. Can you share more about the skill development initiatives you have undertaken in the beauty and wellness sector?
Beauty and Wellness sector is an unorganised sector. There is no formal college-based education and training for this sector. However, recently in India there are a few institutes that have started formal education and degree courses in the sector. Till now, various salons and Parlors conduct their own skill development training classes, but they are generally not very technical. Government of India in their Skill India Mission have created various courses in Skill and Development sector. I also, have my own courses in Beauty and Wellness sector. I trained girls even to be a cosmetologist. I also joined various government schemes like PMKVY etc and have carried out skill development through them. However, these schemes also have various drawbacks and therefore I am continuing my indigenous eƯorts on war footing and till now have trained and skilled more than 20000 women, mainly in rural areas.
6. What has been the most rewarding experience in your career so far?
This is good question. Once you are in business and if you have some success, money will come. But for me, making people with lesser opportunities (mainly rural women) independent and ‘Aatmanirbhar’. Once they start earning livelihood after I have trained and skilled them, you would see the confident woman in them. Once I meet them after that, all of them come to me, hug me, thank me and with a big smile tell me their success stories. That brings satisfaction to me, and I thank God and pray to him to give me more power and energy to continue such work may be in a bigger scale in a mission mode.
7. What advice would you give to aspiring entrepreneurs, especially women, who want to enter the beauty and wellness industry?
Though, I am no one to the girls of this generation. They know what they want to do, and they have ocean of information with them. However, based on my experience, I would just say the following (the same principle I have followed): Be very firm and sure what you want to do in life. Dream big and work hard for it. Believe in yourself. Remember that finally, you will have to travel on your chosen path alone. Family is important. They will give you strength. Learn fast to balance both the world. Remember that you are not a failure till the time you, yourself think that you are a failure. Learn from any failure you may have, learn to get up and fight again till you succeed.
8. What is your long-term vision for Upkap and for yourself as an entrepreneur in the beauty and wellness sector?
As I have said earlier, I believe in dreaming big and working hard for it. Also, I want to bring smiles to the faces of people who have fewer opportunities or those who need some help, care, and assistance. My now dream and mission is to create innovative solutions in certain areas of needs, and create large network where such people are taken care of, and their lives are much more comfortable and meaningful. I pray to God to give me strength and energy to continue till I am in this world.
Bio:
Usha Kapoor is an Entrepreneur. Mrs India International Queen 2021 Mrs India Audacious. Cosmetologist. Beauty & Wellness Expert, pioneer of Ayurvedic beauty care movement.
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