CHENNAI:Four years ago, financial consultant, Sheetal Jain stepped into the exhibition market with an aim to provide affordable and diverse products to her customers. She founded Style Bazaar. Now after 17 editions and with 150 women entrepreneurs, it has turned out to be one of the most successful ventures of its kind. Revisiting her initial days, she shares her experience in keeping up with trend in such a competitive and creative field.
Why did you choose this field despite being a financial consultant?
I’ve done Bachelors in Computer Science and a Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science, ACS and ICW. I am a financial consultant and have also done my corporate secretaryship. My quest to find different kinds of shopping centres had lead me to open Style Bazaar with a motto.
How does it feel after completing 17 editions?
We are quite active in Coimbatore and Bengaluru, and are slowly setting up our footprint in Indore and Delhi. Despite having a lot of limitations due to frequent travelling, we are planning to hit 10 cities by March 2020. We’re also getting into e-commerce. Currently, we host events in each quarter for Chennai, and two events in Coimbatore.
What is that one thing you keep in mind while curating brands for the city?
Every edition is dynamic and has a new set of brands. Usually factors like comfort, class and the pricing play a great role in curating brands
for exhibition.
What do you like about Chennai?
Chennai has a huge acceptance towards our products and is loyal to us. That becomes an additional responsibility to us to keep up with the expectations.
Sheetal at work versus home?
I have two children, a son and a daughter. Both are in school. So whenever I get time I like to participate in household activity. We also head for family vacations every year to a new destination to spend some quiet family time.
Who inspires you?
Oprah Winfrey is my role model. I also follow a lot of motivational speakers. Even real life small stories motivate me a lot.
What is your stressbuster?
Watching fictional and surreal stories helps me to relax. I use fantasy as an escapism from reality. Otherwise serials are a good pastime. Earlier, I used to do embroidery at least once a week.
If not an entrepreneur, what would Sheetal be?
I would’ve definitely found a way to buy and sell things. I love risk taking, challenges and the fun that comes along with it.
