I was 19 years old and very bored; my three year old daughter Nelofar had just started nursery school leaving me with long hours of restlessness in the quiet town of Lucknow where my husband was posted. I had of course no clue of what destiny had in store for me, I just knew that this was not the life that I would lead forever , and the restive knot in my soul told me that there was something in me that I had not yet become aware of.The process of discovering who I was took many years , many years of searching in the wilderness. I decided to my families shock that I was going to take on a job, because with no particular inclinations or direction that seemed like the only logical move to make.There was just one problem ; in traditional up country town I lived in there were very few jobs for women. A small add in the classified columns caught the eye of my ever indulgent husband and he pushed the paper to me. Read that, he said. It was an ad. for a dress designer for children clothes at a place run by the government called Nari Kala Mandir. An institution that had co-practiced the exquisite talents of women embroiderers. With in the next hour I was waiting in a Que of hopefuls for an interview. The lady across the table looked at me and asked if I had ever trained as a designer to which I said ' No I have not trained as a designer but I have something more than that to offer , I have a natural flair and I assure you that I will do a wonderful job for you'. She looked up and smiled and I still remember her eyes piercing through me in her moment of judgment. ' Okay , we'll keep you'. she said finally and I heaved a sigh of relief. I was simply ecstatic. The kind of happiness that can be yours only once; when you get your first ever job. The feeling of achievement and empowerment was elating. ' Your salary she went on will be Rs. 175 per month and your timings 10 to 4'. I enjoyed designing and spent hours sketching baby frocks. At the end of the month the accountant came to me , ' What name should your pay check be in?' he asked. I will take clothes for my daughter instead of the salary,' I said instinctively .Every time I sketched a baby frock I could only see my baby in it. She was my muse, my inspiration. No its not that I did not need the money. I did, but dressing Nelofar like a little baby doll meant a lot to me, as did the my first job at Nari Kala Mandir.
This has remained at the core of my life,because your first natural instinct is 'you'. I always felt passionately for my work , but I have loved my family equally.
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Its all about believing in yourself.
What an utterly charming side of you Shahnaz. I had these little tears in my eyes when I read about how you took frocks for your baby instead of salary.
I see you in a new light Shahnaz. Just like one of us. A loving caring woman with a desire to be someone.
Something here we need to learn from, we a generation of women we are with broken marriages and wrecked relationships.We pursue our carriers to the exclusion of all other aspects.This is not liberation
Shahnazji, Salam. Myself married with two children. My husband he never lets me go out alone. So many women are like me. What should we do? Is there any way you can show to us.
Very nice to read this side of the Beauty Baroness.
I know what you mean Shahnaz. I just landed my first job as a sales girl at a mall. I am thrilled and after reading your blog I have been wondering if my fate may have something special too.
hello mam my skin is normal and my question is that please sugest me i can do which type of facial
very inspirational !
Very interesting and motivating,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
i am an ardent fan of u.
this story is actually inspirational. From a simple dress designer from Lucknow to a world famous personality. your journey of life seems very interesting. I would like to know your success story. You are a true inspiration to the girls now a days who stood up on her own and earned name along with money. Hats off to you mam. ............I have become your fan for sure.
hi shahnaz i am from toronto and i am currently doing aesthetics and i just had a few questions i wanted to know how we could purchase your products? and if i wanted to open one of ur fanchises in india how would i go about doing that and wen i do come to india i am going to go to one of ur schools to learn threading and henna as they do not teeach it at the school i am currently going too so i juz had these questions so if you can email me that would be great my email address is jkalyan3@hotmail.com thank you
salam shahnaz ji , i always impressed u .i like u like as working woman . i am in canada .i want to do something. but i have 3 kids and many works and problem . my husband is very good man .my english listing very week . i want to work.and i want to buy some thing in ur products. i have a big problem i am going fat i want to lose my weight. plz help me
Obesity Symptoms:
• Extra body fat
• Pressure on the weight bearing joints
Causes of Weight Gain:
• Unhealthy living style characterised by arbitrary eating an sleeping habits
• Genetic and hereditary factors
• Over consumption of fried and fat enriched foos
• Excess calorie intake
• Eating at very frequent intervals
• Hormonal disorders
• Metabolic disorders
Natural home remedies for curbing obesity:
• On an empty stomach in the morning, drink 1 glass of warm water mixed with juice of half a lime and 1 tsp honey.
• In 1 cup of water, add 3 tsp of limejuice, ½ tsp pepper powder and some honey. Drink this everyday for about 3-4 months.
• As a substitute of breakfast, consume 2 ripe tomatoes in the morning. This remedy will aid in reducing your weight at a faster rate.
I SRARTED USING YOUR PRODUCT WHEN I WAS IN MY TEENS.THAT WAS SOME 23YEARS AGO,WHEN IT COSTED RS 45 . EVEN TODAY, I USE THEM. EVEN MY HUSBAND USES THEM. I CAN'T THINK IF STARTING MY DAY WITH OUT SHAZEMA.
hi Shahnaz mam....u r a combination of beauty and brains..nothing equals ur love for family...love uuu... pls write more blogs and give us inspiration
WOMAN IS THE COMPLETE CREATION OF GOD.MAM,YOU ARE AN INDIAN IDOL AND AN INSPIRATION FOR ALL WOMAN. I AM PROUD TO BE A DROP OF WATER IN YOUR OCEAN.
HEY MAM, I FEEL PROUD THAT I M WORKING IN THE WORLD GREATEST SKIN CARE COMPANY THAT I CAN SEE IN MARKET ,THE RESPECT OF OUR PRODUCTS N COMPANY PERSON WHICH I FEEL MONEY CAN'T BUY ALL I RELIASE GOOD THING MATTERS ALWAYS.
Salaam Shehnazji, How r u mam???as usual it would be great pleasure for me if u will help me how to make my skin clear ... 1.) I have a dark skin so how can i make it fair by applying home remedies or your brand Name ...
hi shahnaz i m in toronto i want buy yuar prduct so please let me knew my email is (tapshveer@yahoo.ca
hello mam my skin is oily & black spot my question is that please sugest me i can do which type of facial
Hi Maam, My name is Anuj and I am studying masters in marketing from a University in UK. I was studying a module entrepreneur and was asked to write a report on a successful entrepreneur. And what could be better than writing about u.. Thanks for being a gr8 inspiration for all... Anuj anujralhan@gmail.com
Hi mam i want to become fair can you suggest me natural remedies (Rosemary_julie37@yahoo . Com)
good evening mam . i am working in a govt. sector in lucknow .you are my true inspiration and after reading your story at the age of 19 you started u r career it really touched my heart
Hi mam, I would like to get an advice for doing an online job (dress designing) . I am working in a govt service I would like to utilise my free time for designing to get relaxation for my mind. Pl. help me..
hi ,Shahnaz ji, I am from toronto and i am doing asthetics diploma. I wanted to know how we could purchase your products in canada? I had a few question. Can you give me your phone no. I want talk to personally.
Namaste Mam,I from orissa,i read out all d story of ur life/Its sonderful.I hv a question for u that day by day my skin colour decresing.What can i do?pls suggest.Thanks
Aadab mam, i am saba from Aligarh, working as manager , i read your story is realy get touched at deep heart. Sooooooooooo motivating and inspired. thanks for shairing your life with us.
My Son is 25 yrs olf and he has turned 85% grey ( white ) hair, please sujjest what should i do , I am very much worried on that. he also is geeting very low at times due to this. pl suggest me with your valuable comments