From 2010 to 2024 - Becoming a Businesswoman

October 2010

Land phones have become a part and parcel of every house here. We still had our first generation of mobile phones, though I bought a camera phone for the first time. No idea about the other parts of India and whether android phones had been out in the market widely. Since both me and mom had been working, both of us had different mobile phones. Having a mobile phone was a luxury then.  One day I received a message from Seesha Foundation about the applications being invited to Karunya University for courses including an MBA program. I don’t remember the exact sequence of events, but my mother used to send offerings to Jesus Calls (founded by Dr. DGS Dhinakharan) on a few occasions, particularly during New Year, Christmas and Birthdays.

I was already an M.A. B.Ed taking sessions for degree students in a parallel college. Majority of the teachers among us were preparing either for the competitive exams to get into a government job, or to pursue a second Post Graduation. Overall, the vibe inside the staffroom was motivating me to pursue another PG. I decided I would pursue MBA on a distant education mode. There were drastic changes happening around me, be it in IT or Commerce, and I knew deep down, my literature alone won’t help me adapt to the changing world. In the hustle and bustle I forgot the message I saw in mom’s phone from Seesha Foundation.

In April, one of my mother’s student visited home. She was younger than me and was planning to pursue her higher education from CUSAT. I showed her the message we received about MBA openings. She told there was a common entrance test to get a seat for MBA in various colleges, and most of the universities have closed their application invitations. It struck me I need to attempt one such entrance test since I didn’t get the grit to do soon after my higher secondary course. The following month I had a conversation with my dad about my wish to pursue an MBA through distant education mode. My father was excited about my request and even hinted his support for a regular program. I couldn’t imagine undertaking a regular MBA course. Anyway, in the following month I went to Kannur University Campus near me to enquire about the course. I understood that the Kannur University has not yet closed its applications. I applied immediately, to be precise, just to attempt the entrance test, as my first step towards an MBA aspirant, or rather myself adapting to the new world of commerce and technology. In a week’s time, I got a job as a teacher for upper primary kids in the neighbouring district.

Results of MBA exams were announced in three months time. To my surprise, I got admission to the regular MBA program of Kannur University. The entrance exam question paper resembled bank exam exam pattern. I quit my job. The news spread and dad seemed a little upset about my decision later when he started receiving ‘advices’ from the people around. I knew I had a challenging time ahead picking a subject that was so Greek and Latin to me. But my classmates, majority of them who have already learnt the subject in their higher secondary and graduation classes started feeling bored in the classroom settings (my opinion). Afterall there were a lot of events organized as part of the two year program. If everyone of them had been studious, this would have killed my spirits because of competition. The next question, as usual came up. What are you going to do after MBA? People around me knew I’m not the typical corporate sector candidate. I told them I’d go for UGC NET and get back into the field as a faculty in Management.

June 2017

UGC NET results for the exam conducted in the early 2017 was declared. Having a glimpse of my Roll Number among the candidates who have qualified for the Assistant Professor post, seemed magical. Within two days,  I attended an interview on a contract basis for lectureship in a nearby college. I didn’t know my life was taking an U-turn within two weeks. After a few days, my mother had pathological fracture and was immediately admitted for operation. Doctor told it was a secondary growth. I was not in a mind set to either google search or absorb the information. On the tenth day after her operation, she passed away…..

July 2019

It was monsoon time here in Kerala and the intensity of rains has created catastrophe in hilly areas. I went to Kottayam to attend an interview at MG University for the post of faculty in management (permanent post). I went there in the night train and reached Kottayam by 5:30 a.m., I guess. I booked two trains for the return journey – first train reaches Kottayam by 6 p.m. and the second one around midnight. There were two baggage – one that contains my certificates and the other that carried my bag, bedsheet, dress, bread and a water bottle. Interview was scheduled at 8:00 a.m. and I decided to reach the destination by bus.  After 6:30, I exchanged a few words with a potter about taking an auto, and he immediately took me to an auto parked in the auto stand. I was early at the venue, around 7:15 a.m. The university headquarters was guarded by Kerala Police and I showed my hall ticket at the post. When I reached the reception area, a lady was cleaning the grand portico. As I sat wondering how to kill time, a couple arrived in five minutes. Candidates arrived in a few minutes and then I thanked the potter for directing me to the destination so early. Certificate verification started exactly at 8:00 a.m.

There were twenty candidates in that session. As I interacted, I understood I was the only candidate without a PhD or not pursuing a Doctorate. I knew I won’t get the job. But what was more important to me was the opportunity to attend the interview. I was the pampered child of my parents now travelling to unknown places, though inside the state and attending an interview for a topmost profession. I should be the fourth candidate to enter the interview chamber. Vice Chancellor was present. I was prepared with the portions of my specialization, but the questions came from the general papers. Four questions were asked and I answered none.

As I came out of the chamber and started walking towards the bus shelter, it was past 9:15 a.m. ‘What am I supposed to do now?’ It was too early. The train I booked would arrive after 6 :00 p.m. The weather wasn’t good. I knew there was a train that reaches Ernakulam at 11.00 a.m. but not sure about its timing at Kottayam. The next train towards Mangalore was after 6 p.m. I didn’t have strong network on my phone to get the train timings. As I reached the bus shelter, I made up my mind that my next destination should be Ernakulam. It is a junction and I was planning to catch the 2 p.m train still doubting the monsoon timing of Indian Railway. I don’t know anybody there but it was a city I have travelled before. I got into the bus and in two hours time, I was near Vyttilla hub. I got down before the central bus terminal and took an auto rickshaw to the railway station. Auto driver assured me there would be trains starting from there since it was a junction, and a few were running late due to some landslide and derailing in the Konkan. I arrived at the last platform, took a sleeper ticket and understood Mangala Lakshdeep Express was still parked waiting for its parallel train supposed to arrive any time. As the name suggests there is no link between its name and Lakshwadeep. I got into a sleeper compartment and saw the other Mangala Lakshdeep Express that was delayed due to a landslide in the Konkan just arrive at its destination – Ernakulam Junction. The TTE arrived and I asked him whether the single seat next to the aisle has got any number booking. He told the passenger in the seat would arrive at Calicut and I was relieved. As the train started moving, I was calm as I was finally heading home in the inclement weather. I reached my place around 5:30 pm and was back home to my budgies. As per the schedule I should be waiting for the arrival of the return train at Kottayam. Next day the rain was intense. I took rest. If I had boarded the night train, I would have been stuck for a day inside the train since derailing in the south halted trains.

June 2022

Academic institution started in full swing. The state government launched a 1 Lakh entrepreneur program for budding businessmen. There were two business proposals in my mind – one was a pearl shop and the other was a plant nursery. I had a few consultation and understood it required immense capital. I attended interviews in the education sector. A lot of webinars were happening and the online platforms were booming. There were Webinars, WhatsApp groups and communities that was no good to me or any other participants since the admins didn’t entertain much interaction. Highly paid Content Writers WhatsApp group allowed participant interaction. The conversation happening inside the group were elevated in style and industry specific. I figured out content writing was not that difficult since we had an innate writing skill we nourished and flourished in the examination halls.

May 2023

Recollecting myself as that serious writer that poured so well in the answer sheets, I started my shift in my career. Don’t misunderstand – that’s not easy as imagined unless we put in effort and determination, and do a lot of research work to cope with industry standard. I did my internship from Monkhood Living Solution, Delhi. The platform has changed its name by now. In November 2023, I was selected by Planet Spark almost the same time I became part of a content writing training cohort.

January 2024

An acquaintanceship that developed on Henry Harvin French session bloomed into a partnership, I thought. She was a student. Later I understood, she was too young to be a businesswoman and thought I should not disturb her studies.

November 2024

I happened to come across a Bangalore based mentor’s ad on Instagram and attended the session. I understood she was into mentorship program – mentoring the budding coaches. The business concept that was buried in my mind came alive again. Her company will provide automated CRM and handhold in the digital set-up. The rest of the clients were already running their business and was planning to elevate it. I told my mentor I want to launch a business than become a coach. If she wants me to become a coach, I would become a Life skill coach providing Communicative English sessions for intermediate level learners.

The first thing I did was to register my business. ChatGPT helped me in discovering my business name. Digital set-up is still pending since I have to come up with the content and design. Created a business WhatApp, and Meta accounts, and linked it to CRM.

My laptop started announcing that I’m so hard on it. That was a little bit of expensive part to my usually budget-friendly business.

And here I am writing this arton December 30, 2024.

[ I would have given the title ‘Becoming’. But I was reminded of a book in my almirah and don’t want to create any unnecessary headaches and a rough start.]

The rest are the activities of 2025.