Facebook Link – Cooking & Art Studio
Founder – Dr. Harshaa Seth
Words like girl education and women empowerment are one of the most powerful words in today’s society. The awareness of educating girls has been progressing. It’s good to know that the women today are coming up far better than men and showing talents in all sorts of activities. This story I am writing about today is on Dr Harshaa Seth, the founder of three startups Embrace Jewelry, HICC Institute of Career Course and Cooking and Art Studio by Harshaa. She is also the co-founder of HV Pharma Quality Systems.
The idea behind Harshaa’s startups
Girl education was all Harshaa directed for her business idea. Wanting to work for the betterment of society, he believes that girl education is the most influential factor contributing to a flourishing nation. And therefore, she came up with an idea of starting a company that could focus on offering skill development and diploma courses to the women in the society.
Working on the idea from the past 23 years, she managed to source 20 education, art and skill development courses in varied domains. These included cosmetology, handicrafts, personality development, makeup, etc. Interestingly, her team has managed to train more than one lakh students while the number is still growing.
Harshaa’s Success
Harshaa mentions that the biggest success in her life has been the ability to do what she was passionate about. Matching your passion with your actual work is what success means.
Harshaa’s Achievements
The team has come up with more than 45 episodes on Colors TB out of which 9 are totally focused towards escorting women towards entrepreneurship and startups.
Harshaa has made it to multiple recognitions and awards like Mahila Bhushan, Made by Her Star Award, Rising Star Awards in ” Top 100 Inspirational Women in India, Inspirational Woman Entrepreneur” award by Maharashtra State Function, Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in India and many more.
Amidst the pandemic of COVID 19, the team has come up with numerous awareness programs where they had more than 135 women students participate from all over India.
The company stands as a global entity serving major locations like the United state of America, Brazil, Indonesia, Ahmadabad, Goa, Nagpur, Aurangabad & Pune. Our educational services are available in Pune.
Funding for the Startups
Harshaa started her company 23 years back utilizing her savings, basic investments and provident funds. Eventually, their hard work helped them grow their business and become a profit-generating business.
Future expectations
In five years, Harshaa envies to obtain more and more experience in new and popular projects for their major clients. She looks forward to wider opportunities expanding her responsibilities and achieving heights. The team looks forward to starting branches of our Educational Institute in metro cities of India.
Final words The startup today is a family of 30 employees who have great knowledge of various skills and work dedicatedly towards empowering women. Harshaa is an inspiration to all the women out there who wish to grow in life and become independent.
What made you strike this business idea? What inspired you to start this company?
Harshaa – “My main motive behind this Institute is to contribute in “Girl Education” for the betterment of society ! I think if we educate a girl, we educate a nation. When girls are educated their countries become more prosperous” !
So I plan to start Diploma/Skill development courses which will help them to star their startup.
From last 23 years I am conducting more than 30 Educational,Art & skill development courses like : Diploma in Interior designing, Jewelry designing, Computer courses, Home science, Cosmetology ( In Cosmetology we conduct Handcrafted Soap, Shampoo, Cream, Lotion, Gel, Conditioner, Hair & skin serum, Body butter, Hair butter, Herbal Cosmetics & Ayurvedic medicine preparation workshops) Personality development, High definition Glam makeup & many more.
We have trained more than 1 Lac. + students up till now & still counting .
Our many students have started their startup & running their business successfully !
When did you start your business?
Harshaa – Initially after graduation I started working in Pharmaceutical MNC in Quality Control & Quality Assurance. As I always want to work in Art & Education, after working for 6 years in pharmaceutical industry, I left my job to pursue my passion. And then within six months I started my Institutes.
What does success mean to your company?
Harshaa – Success is the ability to do what you love & to grow the idea you are passionate about. What you are doing to match your passion is true success. Success can’t be calculate how much money, wealth or status ,as each person has different passions and loves.
Success means happiness you are getting from your work !
How are you performing currently?
Harshaa – From last 23 years I am running my three startups successfully and everyday trying to reach at new heights.
I have given more than 45+ episodes on Colors TV & Channel 9 related to Women Entrepreneurship & Start up guidance.
Some of my Recent Achievements / Awards are:
• I am honored by ” Mahila Bhushan’ & Women Achievement Award.
• I received ” Made by Her Star Award” in Growth Stage Business Category.
• I am selected for ” Rising Star Awards in ” Top 100 Inspirational Women in India”
• Recently I am honored by “Inspirational Woman Entrepreneur” award by
Maharashtra State Function
• I am selected in ” Top 100 Women Entrepreneurs in India ”
• Recently I am honored by ” Padvidhar award ” for my contribution in the field of women empowerment. I was selected from 1800 Nominations.
• I am honored by ” Power Women Award 2019 “
• I am honored as a “Business women Entrepreneur by Gaurav kalecha Award”
• I am nominated for ” I women Global award 2020″
• My work is appreciated by Media like Colors TV, Channel 9, Times of India, Indian Express, Sakaal Times, Sakal, Lokmat, Pudhari & in Business magazines.
• During this lock down I wrote 2 books. One is on Jewellery designing : “Embrace Jewellery ” & other is on Yoga : Yoga for Healthy Mind & Body !
• I think this is the best work I have done during this lock down.
• We initiate ” The COVID-19 awareness program “India fights Corona” and
135+ Students/ women entrepreneurs have participated in it from all over India.
What is the biggest risk to your company?
Harshaa – I am in the field of Education & Pharmaceutical. Education is a basic need of life. And medicine is also very essential for human life. We provide cGMP, GLP, Documentation services for National & International Certification : US-FDA, EU-GMP, TGA, ANVISA, WHO-GMP & ISO. So I don’t feel any risk.
What are your plans for the funding?
Harshaa – Initially 23 years before when I started my business I used my provident fund & savings as a basic investment.
Eventually during this period with lot of hard work & dedication we grow our business.
What is the biggest challenge you faced during your start-up setup?
Harshaa – As I am working in different fields like : Education, Art, Jewelry designing for Films & TV shows & Pharmaceutical So biggest challenge is time management. By making weekly & monthly planning , distributing work in my team, time to time follow up help me to achieve the deadlines & run the business successfully from last 23 years. Also as a Jewelry designer for every Film, TV serial, Ad film, Portfolio shoot, I have to make new designs according to character & storyline. So I keep myself updating everyday.
What does growth mean to you and your business?
Harshaa – Personal growth means becoming more confident in yourself, your abilities, and your actions.
Powerful decision taking capacity, Effective communication skill & hardwork .
Professional growth is all about gaining new skills and experience.
How does your product stand different from others in the market?
Harshaa –
• We focus on better customer service.
• We provide on customizable products .
• In our educational institute after completion of Diploma courses we help our students to search a job & guide to start a business.
Where are your start-up services spread?
Harshaa – Our Pharmaceutical services are Globally available. Our clients are from United state of America, Brazil, Indonesia, Ahmadabad, Goa, Nagpur, Aurangabad & Pune. Our educational services are available in Pune.
What does it feel to be the founder of your start-up?
Harshaa – It feels nice to be the founder of our startup but it’s very tough to sleep most nights of the week. Weekends don’t mean anything to you anymore. It’s very difficult to “turn it off.”
Founder is like a captain. Sheep needs the Captain. Crew is important but captain steers everything. You need to have a clear vision to lead.
At the same time you don’t get time for television, movies, vacations and sometimes even for your family.
Only through years of wrestling with this internal fight , you recognize how the word “balance” is an art .
How does it feel getting up every morning and getting on to work?
Harshaa – I start my day with Yoga & Medication which gives mental & physical strength. Recently I wrote a book on Yoga.
“Yoga for Healthy Mind & Body”!
The people I work with are willing to work hard. Every day brings something new. New ideas, new clients, new projects… It keeps me motivating & energetic. I try to focus on finding joy in that process ! I love my work & passionate to grow it at greater heights.
Where do you see your business standing in the next 5 years?
Harshaa – In five years, I want to gain experience in leading projects for major clients. I will be looking for opportunities to expand my responsibilities within this role to work towards my goal. I want to start branches of our Educational Institute in metro cities of India.
Who support you to stand this business and how?
Harshaa – We have a family of 30 employees who really work hard to achieve deadlines. So this is a team success.
My husband is in Pharmaceutical Industry from last 25 years & have a great knowledge & experience. My son is a software engineer who looks after technical things. Family and Friends provide a key Lifeline for Woman Entrepreneurs.
