Interviews with Momtrepreneurs: Meet the dynamic duo behind Rashee!

Keeping in tandem with the theme of this blog, I am pleased to kick off a series of interviews with momtrepreneurs. Each month, this blog will feature a woman just like you and me, who is doing a balancing act of managing her own venture and her family. I do hope you enjoy reading and getting inspired from these wonderful women. If you are a momtrepreneur and would like to be featured on this blog, write in at momtrepreneurishere@gmail.com and I would be happy to interview you!

This month, I am pleased to interview the dynamic duo behind the label Rashee; Rachna Sagar, and Sheela Wadhwa. 

What happens when two friends with a passion for all things beautiful, come together? You get Rashee- a label that represents clothes for the modern contemporary women. Reach them at http://www.therasheeblog.blogspot.com. Having known them as friends, having worn their designs, and finally having worked with them on their blog write-up, I can say they are at their passionate best when they talk about clothes and art! They know how to have fun, and yet run their venture with complete professionalism. But, most of all they are amazing people , always ready to welcome you with a hug and a smile..

Read on to find out what makes them tick, and how they manage it all….

If I ask your kids, What does Mommy do? What would they say?

Rachna: My boys would say she is a designer. They might not narrow down to just apparel though.

Sheela : My kids would probably say she's an artist and a designer. 

When someone asks you, So what do you do? What are you most likely to say?

Rachna : We run a design studio and put together styles.

Sheela : I feel lucky to have made my passion my profession. I'm an artist and I run my own fashion label as well. 

Is there a story behind the name of your venture?

Both: RAchna n SHEEla....RASHEE

How did you choose each other as partners for the business? What should other Momtrepreneurs keep in mind while choosing the right partner?

Rachna: I am not sure if this is sound advice, but I tend to always just follow my heart. When I chose my life partner, it was a quick decision and took me 15 minutes. Something inside told me that my journey with my husband Sashi would be interesting and fun. When I met Sheela it again took me a very short time to ask her to join me in the RASHEE journey. Just follow your heart is my answer. It never lies. We normally have the answers within ,but fail to hear them. 

Sheela : it was something as simple as "...she asked n I said YES ..." over a cuppa. 

That being our story... I believe that a good working partnership must have trust, shared passion  and complementary skills. 

How long were you a stay at home mom before getting into your new venture? Was it easy or difficult to make the transition ?

Rachna: Hmm actually it's been off and on for me. For a few years I took off for both my boys and then went back to work, till we moved to kl and then RASHEE happened. 

Sheela: It's been 10 years since I left the software industry. I took this as an opportunity to do all the things I've always wanted to do like paint, dance, yoga and much more... And then RASHEE happened. 

What is your core qualification? And is your venture related to that? If not, what learnings did you take from it to implement in your own business?

Rachna: I am a commerce graduate and then did my masters in finance . Designing might not be what I studied but since it's a passion it comes from within. My education has shaped my personality into what it is. So that what takes me ahead in my area today and makes me complete. 

Sheela: I'm a software engineer. Design was very much a part of my profession albeit a different type.  The processes involved like requirements, design drafts and finally implementation have helped us here too. 

How did you reinvent yourself ?

Rachna:  Hmm reinvent not so much, but yes heeded to my passion. And am having fun while at it.  

Sheela: Doing what I like most brings out the best in me... So I guess I'm still seeing a new me everyday.

Did you have any fears while starting your venture after a break/ salaried job? What were they ? And how did you get over them?

Rachna: Yes, once you get use to a fixed amount every month and annual bonuses, one does tend to miss it. But the sheer joy of creating covers up. Every event we now go to and see women wear our creation is a very satisfying feeling. Seeing the confidence and smile on our clients’ faces makes up for any other feeling of loss. 

Sheela: Not really.. There were no fears. Besides having a friend as a working partner makes it easier and a lot more fun. 

How do you manage your home and the venture?

Rachna: Thankfully this came at a time when my boys are a little grown up and  we have excellent staff and support at home. 

Sheela : I've been lucky to have a very supportive family and an excellent helper. Also working from home gives a lot of flexibility. 

Who/ what inspires you?

Rachna : Different things that inspire me like a nice and cheerful day, listening to lovely music or something as simple as a walk can lead to a design, cut or a beautiful garment.  

Sheela : Beauty in everything around me...colors, textures, randomness, patterns, expressions, the list can go on ...

One secret you would like to share which can make another Momtrepreneurs journey easier?

Rachna : I can't stress enough on "follow your heart it takes you to your dreams". If you live your dream the rest all falls into place . Take one step towards it and it will come to you. 

The road might not be all easy but if you look at the hurdles and smile and tell yourself that you will soon have a solution, you will !

Believe in yourself and your dream no one else will :) 

Sheela : If you believe ... you can make it happen. 

Your pick- me - up song  for inspiration?

Rachna: Love Josh Groban's "brave"

Sheela : Whitney Houston's "one moment in time"

One business mantra you would like every Momtrepreneur to know?

Sheela : Well I guess we are still very new to the business scene.So far what we've learnt is that happy customers make the best advocates.  

What's your vision for your venture ?

Rachna: A "Rashee" in the wardrobes of all those women who want to discover their inner self,  want to have a family and a career and yet not lose themselves in it.

Sheela: A "Rashee" in the wardrobes of all those who want to discover their true spirit and express it in style.

If your venture were a colour, what would it be and why?

Rachna: Yellow since it's an instant pick me up and I  want to believe that whoever wears a Rashee has a smile on her face . 

Sheela: Magenta ..it's vibrant , free spirited n full of life... That's what Rashee is all about. 

Your motto for yourself : 

Rachna : Smile into my fears and tell myself that they are just that and not me  

Sheela : Nothing is impossible!

One thing you want your children to remember always? 

Rachna: Mom is fun and a happy soul, they can come and share their fears and seek words that will not give advise but just thoughts from someone who journeyed on this planet a few more decades than them. They can make their mistake and that will not diminish my love for them. 

Sheela: Gratitude

How would you want to be remembered as?

Rachna : A confident and happy person who could light up people s lives even though for a flash of a second .

Sheela : A compassionate person who made a positive difference to the world around her through her art and creativity...

How would you want your venture to be remembered as?

Both in unison! : Boho chic  

THANK YOU Rachna and Sheela for that inspiring chat! Lots of best wishes to Rashee, and May you both keep adding colour and happiness to our lives through your love and creativity!

Momtrepreneur, what’s your Elevator Speech?

Soon after I quit my job, I used to be at a loss of words, when someone asked me, “So, What do you do?”

Umm, I’m currently on a break, or I’m starting my own venture now, Or I’m just taking a break, were some of my replies.

However, I felt none of them did justice to what I was really doing. I was following my passion and launching my own venture in the field of Life Coaching and Transformational Workshops.

That’s when I decided, It was time to make my Elevator speech.

Whether you are a Mommy or a Momtrepreneur, you can have your own Elevator speech.

What is an Elevator speech? Well , for discovering the meaning, we simply have to look at the two words. Elevator and Speech.

Imagine, you had a high profile meeting with a client, on whom depended a lot of business. But he/she was a busy person. So he/she only gives you 30 seconds of his time, in which to make a pitch. Or the time taken to go from the ground floor in an elevator till the top. What would you say to him/her so that they would say the three magic words,

  “TELL ME MORE”

Imagine, you happen to meet someone at a party, and they ask you,” So, What do you do?

Your reply could provide fodder for a very interesting discussion or just turn into a boring rambling talk.

We surely can’t encompass what we do in a mere 30 seconds, but we can give a powerful preview which can generate curiosity in your prospective client.

A good elevator speech gets the other person to say , “WOW, Tell me more!”

My first elevator speech was something like this:

I am an Executive and Life Coach. I help people transform their lives by tapping into the power of their thoughts, to achieve their highest potential.

It still evolves every day, and I have landed many a workshop assignment or a training/teaching job by having my elevator speech ready.

Your Elevator speech can enhance or decrease your own feeling of Self-Worth too.

Now, If you are thinking, But I am a stay at home mom, and how can I make an Elevator Speech.

I’m a stay-at-home Mom, I’m a housewife, Well, I don’t do anything, I am at home.

These are some the replies one commonly hears, when one talks to a Stay-at-home Mom. Again, none of them do justice to what Stay-at-home Moms do. Here’s an example of an elevator speech of a Stay-at-home Mom.

I help shape my children’s lives, by instilling in them, the values of honesty, independence, and self-discipline. I love being a Mom 24X7, and multitasking is my second name!

 I am in no way asking you to glamourize, or romanticise what you do. But Say it like it is.

An elevator speech gives other people a true glimpse of what you do. It not only inspires you, but it also inspires others.

So, Are you ready to make your own elevator speech??

Read ten tips to make an excellent elevator speech here.

Interview with Momtrepreneurs- Meet Swapna Patel

Keeping in tandem with the theme of this blog, I am pleased to kick off a series of interviews with momtrepreneurs. Each month, this blog will feature a woman just like you and me, who is doing a balancing act of managing her own venture and her family. I do hope you enjoy reading and getting inspired from these wonderful women. If you are a momtrepreneur and would like to be featured on this blog, write in at momtrepreneurishere@gmail.com and I would be happy to interview you!

This month, I am pleased to interview Swapna Patel. I have had the privilege of knowing her from school, and it was back then that she fell in love with the series , The Bold and the beautiful, and announced to the world in general that she would be a fashion designer. True to her word, she made a successful career in fashion design. Two kids and a mini break later, she has evolved and re-invented herself as a Stella and Dot Stylist. (www.stelladot.com/swapnapatel) When I liked a piece of Stella and Dot Jewellery, she moved mountains to ensure that I received it even though they didn’t deliver in Malaysia. That’s how passionate about her work she is.

But Mommy hood is indeed her top priority…..

Read on to find out what makes her tick, and how she manages it all….

If I ask your kids, What does Mommy do? What would they say?

I am pretty sure, my daughter would say Stylist for Stella & Dot. Jewellery + parties; What's not to like? She gets it !

When someone asks you, So what do you do? What are you most likely to say?

I am a full time mom and a part time stylist! The latter is the glam part of my life, which I am so blessed to have. 

How long were you a stay at home mom before getting into your new venture? Was it easy or difficult to make the transition ?

I was home for five years, I dabbled in things on and off, trying to find my bearings. Being a mom is a full time job, yet  I couldn't wait to start working outside again. I wasn't ready for corporate America, and I really wanted lots of flexibility, relatively low risk and investment. When my path crossed with Stella & Dot, it was absolutely the thing I was waiting for! I make my own hours, pick up my daughter at the bus stop each day, take them to all their activities. feed my son his lunch in the backyard. I work when they are asleep and schedule my work around what works for my family. When I am working, my husband is home with the kids. So the transition has been rather seamless.

What is your core qualification? And is your venture related to that? If not, what learnings did you take from it to implement in your own business?

My education is in Fashion design and Merchandising. So, being a stylist fits in perfectly although I did not have any prior experience in jewelry. This is by far more glamorous than what I did before. Because I actually get to style people in the latest trends. I love to see women light up when they put on a bracelet or try on a necklace. And even though I had nothing to do with the design or manufacturing of each piece, I have this immense sense of satisfaction from adding sparkle to a friends life. 

How did you reinvent yourself ?

I wouldn't really say I reinvented, but I did evolve. I relearned some of my old skills and am very excited to apply them to my new business.

Did you have any fears while starting your venture after a break/ salaried job? What were they ? And how did you get over them?

I definitely was a little nervous, but that's always better than being over confident.I was worried that I didn't have the kind of network I needed to build this business. I was also worried about how successful I would be. The beauty of Stella & Dot is, that it offers excellent coaching, amazing team to support you and really a sisterhood. You are all in it together! I have learned so much in just a few months! I have also met some amazing women who are my mentors, customers and friends and ALL because I stepped out of my comfort zone.

How do you manage your home and the venture?

I learned to manage my time better. Learned to prioritize. My number 1 priority is my family. So I put them first and really work around their schedules. My husband has been super supportive of my venture. So when I am working he is always home with them. And more importantly, to ask for help when I need it and try not to sweat the small stuff.

Who/ what inspires you?

Personally, my own mother. After having two kids, I realize how many challenges and sacrifices a mom makes for her kids. And what a tough job it is. 

Professionally, I adore the CEO of Stella & Dot, Jessica Herrin. She has truly created a company which gives women the means to succeed. One of the reasons I decided to pursue this is because I had read about Jessica many years ago. I was impressed with her resume and career path. 

One secret you would like to share which can make another Momtrepreneurs journey easier?

I don't know if it's a secret really...but one day it dawned on me that my kids are not going to remember every single, organic, made from scratch meal that I slaved over in the kitchen for them. They are not going to remember whether the house was clean or messy. However,They are going to remember, whether mom played with them, and whether she was cool or cuckoo. So remember, pizza night didn't kill anyone and a sane, happy mom is a great mom! So do what needs to be done to stay sane and be happy!

Your pick- me - up song  for inspiration?

Eye of the tiger!! 

One business mantra you would like every Momtrepreneur to know?

What's your vision for your venture ?

My vision is to gradually build it to a full time gig for myself.

If your venture were a colour, what would it be and why?

Yellow. It is the color of joy and happiness

Your motto for yourself : 

 "Have you explored all your possibilities today?" words spoken by my daughters Strawberry Shortcake teapot!

One thing you want your children to remember always? 

I want them to remember that they are at the heart of everything I do. And I wouldn't be half the person I am today without them. You know that Johnson & Johnson commercial "Having a baby changes everything"...So true!

How would you want to be remembered as?

As someone who brings out the best in others...whether its personally or professionally. 

How would you want your venture to be remembered as?

Something that touches and changes , for the better, life of every woman in it's path!

THANK YOU Swapna for taking out the time to chat with Momtrepreneur! More Power to You, and Keep adding sparkle to our lives!

Am I doing Enough??

Let me accept it. I am a Mom first, and an entrepreneur later. So when my younger son fell ill last week, it played havoc on me and my schedule. And of course, my blogs, my venture, and me took a back seat.

I am still struggling to get back. I had three blogs to tend to, a Meditation circle to run, preparation for a training I need to conduct. The list went on. 

Even when I am not derailed by illnesses, school holidays, etc, I still struggle to keep up. There are always a million things to do. And I find myself asking this question...

Funnily, it isn't restricted to myself or my venture. I ask myself..

Am I doing enough for my kids?
Am I doing enough for my husband?
Am I doing enough for my parents and in-laws?

And the list goes on.

Now , as a question on it's own, it's a perfectly good one. It encourages introspection. And if we are honest with ourselves, we can surely come up with answers.

BUT.....

If it only stayed as a question, it would be ok.

for eg; Am I doing enough?- YES- Great! Continue what you are doing!

Or Am I doing enough?- NO- OK, What else can I do?

If Only, we could be so objective about it!

This soon gets transformed into a statement, a mantra that keeps chanting in my head!

I'm not doing enough
I'm not doing enough
I'm not doing enough....

And when that happens, It's a downward journey anyway.....

After years of working on myself, and with my clients, I know my way to climb back up.
One can argue, that there is always scope for improvement in life, and we may never really feel satisfied with our efforts in any project.

However, I ask myself ; Don't I owe it to myself to encourage Me? Yes, Who else do you think will encourage you?

You are YOUR own cheerleader, Chief Motivator, and so on!!

So it's my choice really?

Do I want to beat myself down, and move further into inaction?

OR

Can I encourage myself, and start from where I currently am?

What will you choose?

So, just to humour me, DO this..

Take a deep breath...and TELL YOURSELF...

I AM DOING ENOUGH....

I AM DOING THE BEST I CAN...

I KNOW I CAN ACHIEVE WHAT I SET OUT TO....

I feel liberated each time I do this. Because, truly,I am doing Enough!

So dear Mommies, and dear momtrepreneurs, You are doing enough. You juggle multiple roles in a flash, and do a million jobs in one...nurse wounds, manage the house, tend to your business, be a pillar to your husband, and I could go on and on.....

There's a song that's been on my playlist lately..If you still aren't convinced...give it a listen..

and of course it's called, I'M ENOUGH!!!

Love,

Momtrepreneur..

On Self Worth...

Self Worth is simply the feeling of how we hold ourselves in our own eyes. It's another word for self-esteem. Do we think we are worthy enough to do a certain thing, buy a certain thing or be a certain someone?

Each of us has a Self Worth Equation. If I do this, I will feel better about myself, If  I win this employee of the month award, I will be a good Manager. If my kids are achievers, I am a great Mom.

My equation used to be something like this:

Now as you can see, the Problem with the above is, that it was impossible to have everything going for me all at once!

So even if one parameter wasn't working, my self worth plummeted. My self esteem or self worth was something that I always struggled with.

Don't get me wrong. I knew I was good. But I wanted to be more! And when I couldn't reach the impossible standards I held of myself, I was self critical. And then, like a parent denying a naughty child goodies, I told myself, that I didn't deserve that promotion, or I didn't deserve to look good, or that I didn't deserve some quiet time to myself.

I realized that I was not alone in feeling this way. Most women go through this every single day.

Surprisingly Men don't. Behavioural Sciences suggest that Men externalise Failure, and Women Internalise Failure.

What that simply means is that when faced with failure, men look to factors outside themselves to blame/attribute /correct. While women, you guessed it right, they look inwards. The blame is squarely on their shoulders.

In my own journey to being a Life Coach, I realized that Self Worth is the key to everything. And the more I worked on myself, I realized that I had to de-link my Self -Worth from every single parameter.

This is what my new equation became:

It wasn't easy, but I started working with Affirmations to internalize this new equation.

I am Worthy of all the love, riches and power in the world!
I am special JUST the way I am.
I deserve the BEST in life just by being Me!
I LOVE Myself JUST the way I am.

And Magically, All the things I used to run after, started coming to me. Once I accepted myself, and stopped proving myself to everyone, I felt liberated. My confidence soared, and I became a different person.

Even today, one of the first areas, I work with my clients is always Self-Worth. Read 5 simple tips to boost your self-esteem to know more.

I can't say that I am completely over my old equation. I have my days, especially many in the last nine months, when I wasn't working.

But I know how to get back. I know better to let myself be pulled down by my own impossible high standards.

So Dear Momtrepreneurs ,Mommies, and to every woman out there who is reading this,

YOU are WORTHY of everything just by being YOU.
Don't let anyone including you tell yourself otherwise.

YOU,  Stay-at-home Mom, don't need to earn money to prove your worth, or don't need to raise Einsteins to show how good you are. You can buy a designer bag, even if you don't go out and get the moolah yourself! YOU deserve it all just by being YOU!

And You, Momtrepreneur,Working Mom, and every woman out there...You don't have to be have it ALL to feel good about yourself. You are perfect just the way you are...You are a great Mom, and you don't have to work doubly hard at work to prove to yourself what a great achiever you are! YOU deserve it all just by being YOU!

And, If you are a husband, brother, father, male friend, male boss reading this blog, go to your sister, subordinate. wife, daughter, daughter-in-law and tell her that She is worthy of all the good things in life, just because she simply exists!

Lots of Love,

Momtrepreneur

Nine long months, a blog, and Stay-at-home Moms!

Nine most challenging months of my life! And you know by now, that I am not referring to the time that I delivered either of my boys!

Me , the Momtrepreneur was cruising along just fine. Progress at Swayam was slow, but steady. Arjun my second born was growing up just fine. And, into our lives dropped this opportunity of moving to Kuala Lumpur!

It signified all things new, experiences, challenges, and of course meeting and travelling. To me, it seemed like a big STOP  sign for Swayam Life Skills.

I resisted for a while, until I took a step back and looked at the BIG picture. I asked myself a few questions.

• Are there more opportunities than challenges in this move?
• Does a temporary break mean anything in a long career?
• Will Swayam feel betrayed if I ignore it for a while?
• Do I want access to an International Career?
• Can I use the time to spend and invest on my children?
• Will I learn and grow ?

I didn't have ALL the answers, but we decided to take a Leap of Faith. We were going to move! It would be fine, I could study, work. The possibilities were infinite.

13th November, 2013 we landed in Kuala Lumpur. Within a week, my husband started travelling for work.

And thus followed the longest, most challenging nine months of my life.

Not only was I adjusting to a foreign country, BUT I was making the transition from a Momtrepreneur to a Stay at home Mom!

I had to buckle up, and brush up my cooking skills, networking skills with other moms, parenting skills and much more. There was of course, no time for me, and NONE for Swayam Life Skills.

And yet, as I look back at those nine months, there isn't much I regret, Except maybe that I could have been a bit patient with my children.

This blog is a result of those 9 months, and I am happy and grateful for that. Swayam Life Skills is coming alive now that the children are slightly settled, and I am once again taking baby steps.

But there is ONE overwhelming feeling. Now I have seen both sides. The Working Mom, and The Stay-at-Home Mom.

When I was a working Mom, I used to think, Stay-at-home Moms have it so easy! While I have to juggle work and home, they can just stay home and take care of the kids.

Today, I have a newfound respect for Moms who put aside their personal ambitions and do this task 24X7.

And Oddly, I feel complete. I felt severely inadequate as a working Mom. I was always racked with guilt on not spending enough time with the kids, or at home. Today I have done both, and I feel a sense of accomplishment. Neither is easier, and neither is tougher. That has been the biggest realisation.

So, To all Working Moms, I can say, Enjoy your work while you have it. It is difficult to manage both fronts, but believe me, the grass isn't any greener on the Stay-at-home side!

To all Stay-at-home Moms, I RESPECT you, and IF you do want to get out there and work, it's not as difficult as you think it is. Trust me, If you can manage your kids 24X7, you can do anything!!

So there finishes my FIRST and most IMPORTANT post in the blog...Hope you enjoyed reading it..

Would love to hear your views/comments/experiences.....

Love,

Momtrepreneur...