Leaders

What can make women the winners when it comes to entrepreneurship? Their patience, perseverance, the right temperament, good negotiation, networking skills, or handling everything with a smiling face while undertaking multifarious risk and balancing all facets of life? Most of the women are born with all such great attributes, but only a small percentage of them become global leaders. While it’s not a secret that business is male-dominated, few determined women wake up every day with a fire to blaze their leadership path, and one such strong woman is Trishna Sharma Borpuzari.

The Director of Flywayy Institute of Air Hostess Training; proud daughter of Dhanjit Sharma and Babita Sharma, Trishna shares some valuable insights in an interview with Women Entrepreneur India.

Take us through your early educational journey and prior industry experience.

Born and brought up in a humble Assamese family, I graduated in Arts and subsequently pursued my Masters from the Guwahati University. Most middle-class people in India think that science is the only subject of study, but I was firm enough to go where there is no path and leave a trail. I was interested in Fashion Designing and obtained Professional Training. Soon, I started working as a Costume Designer on the Big Screen and was privileged to be awarded as the Best North East Designer for the year 2009.

What motivated you to venture into entrepreneurship?

At 27, while all my peers were focusing on stabilizing their jobs, I was ready to move a step ahead. While traveling for my professional work to interior villages of North East, I realized that there is tremendous potential in the youth, but lack of knowledge about opportunities and outer world for which the youth ends up being unemployed. I decided to help students get encouraged towards skills development training and make them professionals, ready to explore the world, and this was the start of my journey in the skies.

Tell us about your expertise. What are the various training and employment support that you render to students?

It’s been over a decade in the training industry, and I have been helping students with communication, personality development and preparing them for interviews. Having close association with Skill India Mission, I could spread my roots by placing students in various skill sector jobs.

I worked with the government of different North-Eastern states in mobilizing, making the youth skilled, and creating employability. Today, more than 500+ of my students are associated with different national and international airlines and many other service sector jobs.

What are some of the most challenging aspects of your role as the Director Goflywayy Education Service and Founder of Dhanjit Babita Foundation?

It’s an undeniable fact that the success of a business lies in its workforce. Forming the initial team was quite challenging for me. As a startup, many were not aware of the brand, therefore building the trust and keeping a check on attrition was tough.

“The constant support of my family, especially my mother, and her encouraging words made me what i am today”

Apart from this, to any women entrepreneur, there will be an additional social and cultural challenge; to be a perfect housewife, have kids on time, etc., etc. Indeed, this is immense pressure. My self-belief and saying “yes, I can do it” took me halfway there, and the rest was dependent on prioritizing both my family life and professional life.

As a successful businesswoman, what would your advice be to young women and girls aspiring to become business leaders and entrepreneurs in the future?

Networking is the key to growth. Start connecting with people of the same goals and thoughts; i.e., entrepreneurs. The support you can get from other entrepreneurs, irrespective of gender, is important. It helps build your confidence to share your challenges and hear about theirs. Not only are they great to brainstorm with but also to learn about resources and successful tactics.

Roll with the punches! You have to learn to be flexible and willing to adjust your vision and business mission to grow and face several big and small adversities.

Unfortunately, women sometimes lack the confidence to go for business ownership, though they can make great business owners! If you are creative, resourceful, determined, and willing to work hard (many women actually are), being an entrepreneur can be an extremely rewarding experience! If you don't feel confident, face this head-on. Find a mentor, create your support network, and learn everything you need to know to make your business thrive.

Trishna Sharma Borpuzari, Director, Goflywayy Education Service

A young dynamic personality, Trishna is a true example of women power. After working with various companies for years, she finally decided to trail an entrepreneurial path. Today, she is the Director of Goflywayy Education Service and the founder of DB Foundation while actively working for the poor and needy people.

Through the Dhanjit Babita foundation, she has helped 100+ individuals and families generate a source of income to run their families and educate their children for a better tomorrow.