Sonal Doshy–Creative and Caring entrepreneur

Every successful entrepreneur started somewhere. The story of Sonal Doshy tells us that there’s no “magic pill” that effortlessly launches you out into the world of business. Sonal values her ability to see connections in the outside world and applies them to what she does. For Sonal, the dream to be her own boss grew for a long time, even years, before it finally came to fruition. Sonal took ownership of problems, created solutions to those problems, served people, and became successful at what she does in the family business.What really lights her fire is the heartand guts it takes to start and grow a business. She loves uncovering what makes people tick and using it as fuel for creating a brand that feels like home. She feels that some of the characteristics necessary to be an entrepreneur are viewed negatively when girls are growing up. “Women have to overcome this gender stereotyping in addition to all the other challenges involved in setting up a business. To be truly successful in life and business—and to create the type of impact you desire in the world—you must thrive too. You, my dear, are your greatest asset. There is a really beautiful world that opens up when we put ourselves first. The rest just follows,”she says. The truth is, great success in business grows from just one, tiny seed. Her path to self employment seemed to me, a natural evolution. Her desire to build, create, and learn, surpasses her fear. Every challenge she faces, becomes a greater experience of learning about hertrue power. Her advice is to find what lights you up, and do whatever it takes to make it happen. You will meet with unexpected success.”

Tell us something about your life

I have done it all. From putting mehendi to dress designs to working in a jewelry showroom and amrapali through which I discovered my passion for business. Being a creative person has been my strength. and then as life goes ahead, I got married but the passion for business didn’t go away. So I started baking cakes for the gujju community, started pot and ceramic painting, but the fire kept on burning brighter even after I got kids. My husband pushed me to join the family business and I started with four shops where half was curtains and ceramicpaintings. People started liking my choice and my curtain business picked up.Within a year my business flourished and after that there was no looking back. I had the opportunity to work for the who’s who of Goa. This flourishment pushed me to keep myself updated with new and upcoming trends. I collaborated with big brands from the very beginning and soon after that the collaboration matured.I made sure that my business strategy made things easily available for Goans here. Simultaneously, I became one of the members of Inner Wheel and started serving the community. And now my business philosophy is to keep my old customers satisfied and happy rather than chasing new customers. 

What is the secret of your success?

There is no secret. I always give 100% of my efforts to everything I do. If you know you are giving your best effort, you’ll never have any reason for regrets. Focus on things you can control; stay focused on your efforts, and let the results be what they will be. Work is my passion. I found this passion very young in life and till date I have kept the fire burning. Success for me lies in serving the community and do something about causes I care for. 

Any striking incident in your life that changed the course of your life?

After 10th, I wanted to do commercial art and after giving my art exams I was waiting and waiting for the results. But it never came and because I didn’t want to lose a year that’s why I took admission in a science college. After a few days, I came to know that I had in fact got the admission for commercial art. So, I took back my admission from the science college and I was on my way to the arts college when a boy snatched away my bag. I never found my bag and because my original certificates were in those bag, I could not take admission in the arts college nor could I go back to the science college. and that’s how I ended up Nirmala Niketan, a home science college. This is where my talent for cooking turned into a skill. It’s been years since that incident took place, but because of it I’m a better cook and I am where I am.

What are the challenges you faced and how did you overcome them?

They were very similar to what women face till day in every field. It’s a male dominated society and when a female starts to grow in a field they try their best to suppress them. And I was no different. Many workers, competitors, etc. did not like the idea of me taking over them or bossing them. They have caused trouble in the past and they still do but I am firm minded to hold my ground and carry on like always.

How did you strike a balance between work and family?

Everyone needs help in life to achieve something. And even though intially I faced a couple of challenges, with the help of my family and house help, I overcame those challenges and created a functional work and family balance.

What are your future plans?

My old love for dress design and cooking has rekindled and I soon plan on opening boutique and a restaurant in Goa. The thing about plans are that always keep on popping up. In the end, I just want to leave you with this thought – by educating and empowering the women of this world, you’re not only providing them with the opportunities they deserve but you’re also leaving the world more empathetic and loving, then what it previously was.