Coming from a conservative joint family you must have faced hardships, how did you manage?
In the beginning it was very tough. I was ridiculed and had no support from family. But I had decided that I will not quit. I stayed awake entire nights to finish orders, and managed my house during the days. I saved wherever I could, made gifts instead of buying them, and walked to save rickshaw fares. For any Indian woman who wants to work, one needs to adjust.
Today my husband and son, as well as my entire family are proud of me and my success.
Setting up your business requires finding clients, and getting help to manage the entire show. How are you doing all this?
I think my marketing and public relation skills are very important and I have maintained good relationships with everyone I have worked with. Sometimes I barter to get my work done. My products are marketed through word of mouth. I let my work speak for myself.
If asked to describe your experience in one word, what will it be?
I would like to use to describe my experience as ‘successful’. I have done everything I wanted to do successfully. I believe one satisfied customer will get me 10 more clients.
How do you cope with striking a balance between work and family?
You need to be strong to do all that you want to do and then as they say sky is the limit. I feel distressing is important, and I listen to music and dance and cook to relax.
Could you please share your normal daily work schedule with us?
I just go with the flow. My clients like me because of my flexibility. I go out of the way to help a client feel comfortable. This helps me strike a chord with them, by making them feel special. I enjoy flexibility of my time table. Yes there are times when the schedule is very tight. But these things happen, and I like the busy times too. When there is less work on hand, I devote time to my family and friends.
What drives you to pursue your profession so passionately?
I look forward to meet at least five new people daily and I am never bored with the thing called life.
Can you list down five qualities to be a successful work-from-home entrepreneur?
Be determined, forget your ego in dealing with clients, be physically and emotionally strong, be confident always, and stay happy.
What is your message to all women aspiring to be a work-from-home entrepreneur?
Once you have decided what you want to do; then don’t let anything deter you. Be willing to work for free for initial three months and let your work speak for yourself. There is saying in Gujarati, ‘Patthar mathi pan paisa ugado.’ Loosely translated, it means, ‘generate money even from a stone’. That is the capability you must hope to achieve. Be flexible in your attitude.
Mrs. Parikh, wishing you all the luck and success for a bright future ahead.
