Seeking a world with more substance
A graduate of Lady Shri Ram College and trained in beauty therapy from ITEC London, UK, Nelofar Currimbhoy, also an author and philanthropist, has played a pivotal role in the growth of Ayurveda and Beauty Therapy. As the President of Shahnaz Husain Group of Companies, she has been actively involved in the R&D of the products. As the Director of the Beauty Institute of her company, she has also been passionately engaged in leading the education of the students. In an exclusive interview with Corporate Citizen, she talks about her work philosophy and how she maintains a work-life balance
Corporate Citizen: How do you set out your priorities to keep your work and personal life balanced?
Nelofar Currimbhoy: I simply believe that one lives many lives in one lifetime. One has to evolve and change in every one of those ‘lives’ we pass through. If I think of myself as a college student or the mother of a newborn, then moving ahead to become the President of Shahnaz Group, they all seem very distinct phases. There were phases where I chose my family as the top priority because as a young woman setting a new home and creating a family required that role. With the passage of time, I made my work the focal point of my life. A working woman needs to make very clear decisions on what her priority should be at that moment in her life. It is all about changing roles, being flexible and adapting to situations happily.
CC: While on the move, what helps you the most in maintaining calm and peace?
I avoid conflict. I feel it is the most detrimental part of life. It is damaging to one’s persona, one’s aura and also very harmful to your work life and space. I let go of a lot of things because I choose my battles discerningly. When I take a stand, it is with complete conviction.
Nelofar CurrimbhoyCC: What keeps you fit and healthy?
Keeping fit and healthy is a combination of habits that I have added to my life. Wearing my exercise gear first thing in the morning works wonders to get me out for a morning jog. I don’t believe in pumping iron in an enclosed area. My gym and workout space is the park surrounded by trees. The occasional new crop of flowers or a bird chirping on a tree brings me the peace of mind I need to start each day with before I get on to the tough job of my work.
CC: How do you like to rejuvenate, recharge and de-stress?
Relaxation for me, starts by creating a soothing environment around me. In the evenings, I like to use a lot of candles, and soft lamp lighting with soothing music. Winter evenings with bonfires are another way I like to relax. My passion for writing is a huge stress buster. As I open mu computer and start writing, I melt away my worries and I enter the moment of my novel. Also pampering myself by enjoying exclusive ME time is my relaxation therapy. As a working woman, you need to make that extra effort to give a few hours to yourself. It’s a great way to tell yourself you are worth your time. Most of us forget that and eventually regret it. How can I forget to mention my special stress busters—my two pet dogs, Romeo (St. Bernard) and Yahoo (a Labrador). Unconditional, uncomplicated love and affection that comes either from babies or pets is a great way to unwind.
CC: Five tips that work the best for you to maintain work-life balance.
- Keep the cell phone on silent and on message mode in the evenings.
- Be firm on spending Sundays, ONLY with the family.
- When at work, discourage calls from home and friends.
- Lunching with co-workers is a great way to bond as well as relax at work.
- Try not to carry work issues back home, shut them behind as you leave office.
CC: Do you play any game which helps you in your work?
I am not terribly athletic but I do swim. Two crucial lessons I have learnt from my swimming activity are, ‘to keep afloat no matter what’ and ‘the deep end is dangerous and one cannot stop, because going under is not a choice’. During the pandemic, I started playing online scrabble. It taught me about the infinite vastness of humanity. If you are playing with someone sitting on a snow-peaked mountain or a beach, you learn a lot about what kind of world we are living in today. Also, online games do sometimes create new bonds that are based on common interests.
CC: What is the secret of your success?
I don’t know at what point one should declare oneself successful. Yet, I feel gratified to think that I created the 24 Carat Gold range which is the companies’ highest seller today. Research and development is the key to my contribution to the company my mother has created. My achievements are all based on patience and very meticulous work. Nothing short of perfection should be put out to the consumers. As a writer, it is my ability to show a story rather than tell it. I feel all writing should challenge the visual medium. If you can smell the fragrance in your mind, I as a writer have succeeded.
CC: What is your philosophy of work?
I firmly believe that EQ is more important than IQ. The emotional quotient is the most important ingredient of my work which involves a lot of marketing. My personal philosophy is to encourage an officer in front of the entire working group. It is like a winner getting a medal. Nothing can substitute the sense of pride and energy that will drive his work after that. Nothing can ever equal that positive reinforcement publicly.
Educating and Empowering
- An active philanthropist, Nelofar has utilised her experience and knowledge to work for the underprivileged in educating and empowering them. Nelofar runs two NGOs ‘Bridges Connecting Women’ and ‘Bridges to Artisans’ which work towards vocational education of young people geared towards employment as well as artisans and encouraging their talent to reach directly to consumers. Her deep interest in education has culminated in a centre where she empowers daughters of factory workers in vocational courses in slum areas.
- She conducts training at Naz Foundation, Lepra India Centre which trains the healthy children of Leprosy patients who often face discrimination. Savera (for all slums), Vidhya School NGO in Delhi and Bengaluru (for slums), SOS Tibetans from village in Dehradun.
- She was also instrumental in conducting vocational training in Beauty Therapy for the Habitat Learning Centre in Delhi and their associate NGOs. She was initiated into the education field by Ms Jetsun Pema, sister of The Dalai Lama, who is also one of the Patrons of her NGO. For the last fifteen years now, she has been imparting vocational training to the Tibetan students at their centre in Dehradun resulting in each batch getting 100 per cent placement. The training is geared towards the singular purpose of creating a stream of employment for the young generation.
CC: What message you would like to give to youngsters on time management?
Ah! To be young again. Well getting to your question. I would tell the young person, ‘Just go out there and spend a year discovering what you have a passion for.’ There is a Japanese philosophy that is called ‘Ikigai’. It means your reason to wake up every morning. If you find that ‘key’ there is no stopping you. If you have a hobby, see if some element of it can become your vocation. And once you are on your way, just make sure that you apportion time for the family and most of all, some hours a week for planning out your future ahead. Life can’t stop. We all need to add something to our persona every year. Most likely it is there. You just need to find it. Also, don’t be too demanding on yourself. We are all in too much hurry. Slow down. Take a deep breath. Everything comes to you at the right time.
CC: What dreams remain to be fulfilled?
I was married at 19 and have lived a pretty regimented life between work and two families, my own and my mother’s. I still have to take a pause and make that ‘to do’ list but trust me it will be too long for this lifetime.
CC: Where do we see you 10 years from now?
Did we ever think we would be hit by Covid? We can only make wishes and keep our fingers crossed. I hope to see myself supporting my mother as she takes Shahnaz Herbals into its next avatar as an international leader in Ayurveda. I also hope in 10 years I have written twenty books being read by people in various languages. That my documentaries and literary work is honoured and I am known finally most of all as a writer who made a difference to peoples’ lives.
CC: Can you define yourself in one sentence?
A woman still seeking a world with more substance.