Accepting challenges
Nirmala Behera handles the HR sector of RSB Transmission Ltd, a company owned by her family. They manufacture automobile components and have 12 branches across the country and two branches abroad, in the USA and Mexico. Behera tells us more about her journey.
Says she, “I was born and brought up in Jamshedpur. My family has a business background and I too had a dream to make a mark in this field as we see very few women in the automobile and manufacturing industries. With this intention, I pursued an MBA in HR and Marketing from Indira Institute and an executive diploma in Management from XLRI Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur. I started my journey with RSB in the shop floor, as a Quality Head, with all the workers, associates and staff, which turned out to be an amazing learning experience.”
During that time, Behera noticed that there was good scope for women to work in the manufacturing field. “There are various types of technical training available and women must take that up as there is a lot of scope for them in the manufacturing industry. The general perception is that this industry is all about heavy work and not suitable for women, but we have good machines and robots that ease a lot of physical strain. So women must look at this as a career opportunity,” she says.
Her position allows her to meet people all the time. “Today, when I go to any institute or any forum, I promote manufacturing as a potential job sector and inspire women. Also, in the shop floor at our Lucknow branch, I have recruited women who are doing amazing work,” she says.
Behera feels that her family is her greatest strength and inspiration. She believes in working together, collaboratively as a team and making things possible. “Owning a family business is never easy and turning a legacy into a profession while keeping the values and belief system intact can be done only by striking a balance,” she says.
Helping women entrepreneurs
Kareena Shewani, founder of Ombre Showcase, truly believes in the power of uplifting and promoting women entrepreneurs through her venture. Speaking about it, Shewani says, “Ombre Showcase was started five years ago, with the intention to create a platform for women entrepreneurs, who need someone to mentor and help them to reach out to the right audience to display their products. We have an upcoming Trunk Show on October 3 and 4, for which we have nine women entrepreneurs participating and showcasing their products. For the showcase, we have a new line of products which have not been displayed in the market yet. I personally curate the products before displaying them, so that we have the right audience for the right products.”
Shewani believes that life is actually a story and what we do says it all. “I am also an entrepreneur, who had a tough time trying to set myself up. I managed with tremendous support from my family and my friend Divya Seth Shah, who is the backbone of the Ombre Showcase. Through a general thought process of starting something of my own, Ombre Showcase came up. These five years have taught me how to present, display and showcase products, so I decided to help other women entrepreneurs,” she says.
When asked what kind of products do they present, Shewani says, “We have jewellery, fusion wear, sarees, lifestyle and skincare products, and even photography and blogging services. From home decor to lifestyle to services, we have everything under one roof,” she says.
Speaking about her inspiration, Shewani says, “I feel everyone needs a window to success and when I’m able to provide that and see the smile on their faces, it gives a sense of achievement. When you do things in a correct manner and are ethical about your work, money will follow.”
Unstoppable in pursuits
Pallavi Kaushik, a grooming expert for international pageants, has a versatile work experience. Originally from Chandigarh, she dabbled into various professions. She was part of the cabin crew with one of the leading airlines and worked with corporates, schools and other institutions at various places where her army officer husband was posted.
Says she, “Wherever we went, I either took up teaching or got back to studying and took up courses. My breakthrough came when I was working with an aviation institute in 2006 in Ahmedabad, as an aviation trainer and grooming for airlines and hospitality.”
After she moved to Pune, she took up Image Consultancy and Soft Skills training along with working as a groomer. During all this, she stumbled upon an opportunity to participate in the Mrs Pune Pageant.
Speaking about her journey in pageantry she says, “I was already a groomer and wanted to expand the scope of my work. To be in pageantry, one has to be a student first and learn it. I got selected and won the title of Mrs Pune Achiever in 2016. In the same year, I won the title of Mrs Style Icon at Mrs India. Later with the title Mrs North Central Asia, I went for Mrs Universe.”
Currently, Kaushik is working with Jet India Aviation and Hospitality Institute as a grooming, aviation and personality development expert. Says she, “I also have a brand — Pallavi Kaushik Image Consulting & Training Studio, under which I work as a freelancer for various organisations. I train people for personality development, pageantry, interview skills and different subjects of grooming, where the modules used are based on my research and knowledge. We deal with three things — appearance, behaviour and communication. I customise the entire study based on the candidate’s profession.”
Talking about her life’s philosophy, she says, “It is important to follow basic ethics and be true to yourself. Also, I believe in giving back to society.”
She further says, “Without my family’s support, I wouldn’t have been what I am today. My husband has been the main source of strength and inspiration. I guess, it is true for any successful woman and I feel extremely fortunate for the same.”
