Whenever I’d go to parties or other social events, one of the first questions people would ask me is, “What do you do?” That was the toughest question I have ever answered few years ago. I would look at the person with a coy smile, skip eye contact and would very hesitatingly answer, “I’m a homemaker” and it would make me further uncomfortable to see the expression change on their face – a mix of pity and disdain. A voice inside me would painfully remind me, that I’m ‘just’ a homemaker. Another voice would counter it, gently cox me, and remind me I was much more. It would say “Anu, are you sure you’re just a homemaker? You have done so much more than that. You have designed garments for friends, created art pieces for people and anchored school and college shows in the past. You are a post graduate. Ex professor. Why do you call yourself as a homemaker? Why not a fashion designer, an anchor, an artist? Why do you hesitate to introduce yourself as a professional?”
Despite these various hats that I wore, I felt I lacked identity and more. I felt I did not have independence – financial independence. I was answerable to my family in case I failed to do things that I was supposed to do or cook a meal.
There was always a fire in my belly to do something; that ‘something’ I was yet to define. My children, family, and friends, would tell me, “You are very creative, why don’t you do something.” Again, ‘something’. What is that ‘something’? I was still trying to figure out what was that ‘something’ when one day, I got a call from destiny. I say, it’s a call from destiny because it has changed my life 360 degrees. My destiny had led me to ICBI.
ICBI helped me rediscover myself. It gave me the identity I was looking for. Now the question, “What do you?” seemed easy to answer. I still do all the creative work I did before and much more; what has changed now is, I introduce myself with pride, “I am an Image Consultant and Trainer.”
Being an entrepreneur, I reap many benefits – I have my financial independence, I have flexibility of timing, which helps me balance my family and work at the same time. I am the sole decision maker. What more can I ask for? I can’t stress enough to thank ICBI for what it has given to me and the transformation it has brought in me.
I had always been very passionate about dressing, grooming, and training. Now, I had made my passion my profession.
It is said, “Choose A Job You Love and you will never have to work a single day!”
I still do not work, I just live my passion!
Anu malla sharing her journey in this video
About the author
Anu Malla is a simple multi-talented homemaker transformed into an Image Coach and a sought after savvy professional leading the young and uninitiated into the world of Image Consulting!
She trains people from every walk of life on Image Concepts, Personality Branding, Styling and Communication. Her expertise is Public Speaking & Presentation Skills. She also conducts webinars for professionals on various soft skill aspects. Indo-western and Sari Styling for working women is her strength.
More Stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things
Here are some examples of people who have given wings to their dreams. They have not just accomplished their personal goals but have also become role models and inspiration to many! Read their life narrative and get inspired to change yours!
Beniasha Kharas
A young girl suffering from dyslexia and thus having poor self-esteem and low confidence was always looking for miracles to happen when one day she realized that miracles are within you. She decided to not only come out of her own shell but decided to help others as well.
Khushboo
She always had dreams of becoming a celebrity of sorts but being born in a conservative family in Jaipur could not pursue them until she came across a profession in which she saw her dreams coming true and at the same time being able to help others look, feel and perform better.
Bhumika Swarnkar
A successful chemical engineer but not having satisfaction of doing something much more meaningful changed her tracks completely and has never looked back.
Deepti Dange
An obese girl who tried to hide herself in a tom boy persona all her life saw a makeover show and decided to do this as a career and is today extremely successful as an Image Consultant and a Soft Skills Trainer.
Nitisha Jain
After being in one of the toughest profession of being a homemaker, Nitisha always wanted to do something more and came across the profession of Image Consulting and decided to take the plunge. She took over 5 years to take the decision but made the most of it and has already started assignments as a certified Image Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer.
Beniasha Kharas
A young girl suffering from dyslexia and thus having poor self-esteem and low confidence was always looking for miracles to happen when one day she realized that miracles are within you. She decided to not only come out of her own shell but decided to help others as well.
Khushboo
She always had dreams of becoming a celebrity of sorts but being born in a conservative family in Jaipur could not pursue them until she came across a profession in which she saw her dreams coming true and at the same time being able to help others look, feel and perform better.
Bhumika Swarnkar
A successful chemical engineer but not having satisfaction of doing something much more meaningful changed her tracks completely and has never looked back.
Deepti Dange
An obese girl who tried to hide herself in a tom boy persona all her life saw a makeover show and decided to do this as a career and is today extremely successful as an Image Consultant and a Soft Skills Trainer.
Nitisha Jain
After being in one of the toughest profession of being a homemaker, Nitisha always wanted to do something more and came across the profession of Image Consulting and decided to take the plunge. She took over 5 years to take the decision but made the most of it and has already started assignments as a certified Image Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer.
Hi…Read ur article n thought this is my innervoice…This is what I m asking from myself…
I want do be fanicial Independent
I too want to give a start in professional way please help.
I want to do something..like other home makers I am good at multitasking and even after being much more than the successful acquitances I m just a home maker with no self respect and self esteem
Hi
I liked the way u encourage housewives who wanted to do something bt lost confidence on themselves. I would like to do the thing which I like.
Thank you
Excellent
I would like to become you.
Superb ..gr8 job
I would really like my life to give me an opportunity like this. Feel the same inner voice in me.
Excellent…I also feel the same inner voice in me…plz tell me what is the process. .
What we have to do for this..
I m very interested
Excellent. Showing way to such women who left their flourishing career for children or family but their inner voice tell them to do again something I am also one of them n want to start again
hi after marriage .and given birth of two children .i felt dat i m ginish.as my hubby is always non coperative..but now m feeling suffocating condition..to tell people m a home maker..and if dis is also nt satisfied by my hubby..now m want to do something..but how and who will guide me..as m a middle 40..please if possible help me..my drem was always to do something.but now myall da hopes has gone..
I m interested.What we have to do…..
I want to do something .Please help me
Great job
Wow great… Inspiring mind blowing
I m very interested
I also want to know what am I ? I want fiance if my own .Can you help me get through.your doing great job.
I am interested
I m interested ND like to be like you. interested in something creative works with flexible time.
Hi i like your article i also want to do something big in my life
Even i am interested…what we need to do???
Tell me the process of being an image consultant
I am interested. .what next?
Same my story..like u.i want to do something to come up own self.
I want to maintain both my family n my career..plz tell me the process..
I am a home maker and want to do something in life that my kids look up to me as mother
I am interested what to do
I was working as a HR consultant but now due to kids I have to leave the job but now want to start again my career. As a mother have to take care of children also can I have any job which can be done in flexible hours.
Excellent…I also feel the same inner voice in me…plz tell me what is the process.
Inspiring !!me too interested.
I want to learn….
im intrested , how i can ?
Hi. I am interested in this. I am a Japanese trainer. Will this be useful to me in any way.can you please let me know about this.
Hi
I like the way u encourage the house wife who wanted to do something but lost confidence of themselves. I would like to do something which I like u
I’m interested,I want to become financially independent.
I want to be financially independent but don’t how?
I want to find myself.
Wow.. It’s interested… I want to be part of it… What will do.. Plz guide
Hi,its really very relavant to me.I too am well educated,done job for almost 16 yrs…bt now only home maker… I really want to join u pls help
Hi I am interested.How can I apply.
I would like to join with your team