Honest Confession! I know this was supposed to be a Women’s Day series but as times got grim, I was unsure of whether it is the right kind of content to be putting out there. Now that things are looking hopeful in a few parts of the world and we all continue to slowly move towards reinstating normalcy in our lives. It seemed like a good Idea to start this up again.
Yes, this is untimely, may be no longer relevant either. But I thought it needs to be shared for two reasons. First being, these women are truly an inspiration and their story warrants being told. Second, we all need a bit of distraction from the inundating news of the current despondent condition of the world. I know, I do.
So please read this as just that, if nothing else. I know that is the reason I am choosing to continue writing this.
I don’t personally know the woman I choose to talk about today but when I spoke to her for this series it felt like I was talking to a long-lost friend. Conversations come easy to Aviti, may be that is why it has unexpectedly become her career. Another big lesson I learnt in my conversation with Aviti was to “Let life guide you”. She has taken on different opportunities that came her ways and was not shy to explore something just because it was new and unfamiliar. Adapting and conquering hurdles as and when they presented themselves.
As we discussed her adventures, aspirations and dreams one could almost feel her sense of creativity flow through the stories she told and the way she has chosen to live her life. So, let Aviti tell you more about herself.
DP: Tell us a little about who you are and what you do?
Aviti: I am a qualified lawyer. I practiced for a few years and then migrated to Australia and since then have been doing a few jobs here and there, in financial and banking services. I’ve also been doing a bit of Emceeing part-time which was completely out of the blue as I had no Experience in the field. Fortunately, my first event was for Farhan Akhtar, a concert. So, that was something big and I started enjoying it and they’re after It was a chain reaction. So much so, that most of the people now call me Emcee Aviti. There’s barely an AVITI that comes up, It’s probably because of my profile as well.
Emceeing has now been pushed back on my list of priorities and I’m going into decorations, slowly and steadily which again is something I never planned. I never thought about it, I did not know that I have a creative side to me but by Gods’ grace it’s been working well.
DP: When did you move to Australia and what was your biggest struggle after the move?
Aviti: I have been fortunate enough to not face any troubles. Though I have heard stories of discrimination or major struggles with settling-in from others, I haven’t personally experienced any myself. This is since I did not come to this country as a student. Juggling work and study can be a hard task in any country. When you do not have the financial security of a house, the pressure to make rent, It can get daunting and can lead people to make some bad decisions. When you are in your home country you have the luxury of home and family support which make it easier
But I think my ability to learn new things and openness to adapt to new environment, not being rigid is what helped me the most in navigating my way in Australia. In the process I learnt different things from different people like a completely different work ethic, correct use of language and tone which is very different in India. Familiarizing oneself with the local culture and way of doing things is the biggest struggle. But I was fortunate to have some great mentors who helped me along the way and most of them were Aussies. Letting go of ego helps when looking for a mentor, just ask someone for help!
DP: What do you miss most about home/India?
Aviti: I miss my friends, the food, my relatives, School, University. I’m still in contact with all of them and that’s mainly what I go to India for. For anything else, one gets so busy in their own life, you barely get time to miss anything or anyone.
DP: As a woman, how was living in India different from living in Australia?
Aviti: I seriously didn’t feel any difference as I came from a metropolitan. I am from Delhi and I pretty much had the same level of freedom back there. I have the same level of freedom here. There is not a big difference at all.
I would understand if I would have come from a smaller state because I’ve lived in a smaller states too. I’ve lived in Kanpur, I’ve lived in Meerut, I’ve lived all over. I was born in Jammu, So I can understand if I was coming from any of those smaller states, Melbourne could have been a major difference. But metropolitan like Delhi and Mumbai have been the main cities I have lived and studied in. So, I didn’t feel that big of a difference.
DP: As a woman in Business, what has been your biggest struggle?
Aviti: Hiring the right employees has been my biggest struggle. Building trustworthy and long-lasting relationship as an employer. It’s so hard to get and keep employees in this country. I have had employees undercutting me once they learn the business or just ditching shifts at the last minute. And with the kind of business I have that is so time sensitive it can be a challenge to deliver when you are missing manpower on short notice. So, I have learnt to plan for situations where I would be the only person executing every task.
DP: What is your key learning in Business?
Aviti: The only thing I believe that has helped me resolve my problems as a small business owner was to learn to do everything by myself and not depend on people. I have taken to doing things myself even when things seemed difficult rather than wait for someone to give me a hand. The priority is to get things done and get things moving.
When you have passion and drive for what you do, you will accomplish tasks that seemed impossible before. It also made me understand that the only person I can rely on to work towards building my dream business is, myself. Because of this, I continue to improve upon my own capability.
Another important aspect of that realization is understanding my own limitations. Knowing how much I can take on and making sure I only promise what I can deliver. I am quite happy with the pace at which my business is growing as I am focusing more on sustainable growth and building a brand through quality services.
DP: Have you had your “I made it” moment yet? If not, what do you think will make you feel that way? Who is your idol and why?
Aviti: I am a small fish in the pond right now as I have just started. However, there are moments when you feel you have been able connect with your customer and have been able to do justice to their expectations. Whether it is having clients who try to book my services a year in advance, International enquires from New Zealand or a client trusting my aesthetic enough to give me a booking amount without even looking at my ideas for the event.
I have received a lot of customers through word of mouth and references from current or past customers as well and as someone who has just started out in the business, it gives me immense pride.
The Desi Pardesi 