Meet Tabassum. Our very own Youth Counsellor, a successful woman entrepreneur in her own right, and a renowned name in Fashion Design. We hope her story will inspire other women to carve a niche for themselves.
Hailing from a very conservative background, she got married soon after school and left the country to live with her husband- only to discover that he was an already married man with two kids. She returned back to India, and gave birth to a little daughter. This turning point in Tabassum's life also gave birth to the successful woman entrepreneur in her!
We bring you her inspiring story in her own words.
How I changed my life
I joined the Zodiac company in the year 1987. I managed the company showroom, which was based at Hotel Taj Coromandel. I learnt communication skills in this job as I was attending to foreign clientele. My boss encouraged me to pursue further studies, while I worked. Hence I did my correspondence in B.A. Public Administration and secured a First Class. I wanted to become financially independent. Meantime, my colleagues encouraged me to design outfits for them since I had done a designing course in Charms School of Dress Designing . I started by stocking fabrics at home. I employed one embroidery worker and one tailor who helped me to produce the ordered garments. In 1989, since my garment business began to grow, it needed my complete attention. I quit my job and opened a wholesale unit and appointed sales executives to book wholesale orders from various shops. I started supplying to some of the biggest stores in Chennai.
The journey from a business philosophy to La Princesse
In 1991, I started my retail business. Hence, La Princesse took its first step as a fashion store. Due to word of mouth, and my sheer determination, my business began to grow. I wanted to give my clients the best in the market and so eventually the Computer Aided Fashion Designing unit (CAFD) came into existence. H.H. Nawab Abdul Ali Alimzah, Prince of Arcot inaugurated it. This studio did put an end to the problem of fitting into a dress rather than the dress fitting onto the client. I have had the privilege of designing outfits for Ms.Suhmita Sen, former Miss Universe , who visited my fashion store, La Princesse.
In the year 2002, I authored a book titled 'Be Your Own Fashion Guru'. This book was released by Mrs.Gariyali, then, Secretary to Social Welfare Department and the first copy was received by Mrs.Jennifer Arul, NDTV, Chief of Bureau. Writing became my passion because it gave me freedom of expression. I started to write columns in various newspapers and magazines as a freelancer. In 2003, I was felicitated by the Guild of Women Achievers (GOWA) Association in Bangalore, as the youngest women achiever |
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