‘Entrepreneur/Professional of the Month’ for June is an incredible woman who is an amazing multitasker working as an editor of Marketing in Asia Magazine for Singapore and also an Image Branding Consultant. Womenlines takes pleasure to welcome lovely Zu Anjalika. Listen and read about her interesting professional journey in her own words-
1) Please share with our reader’s little bit about yourself.
An avid traveller, writer and reader, I was born in the beautiful, cosmopolitan city of Singapore. Currently, I am the Editor (Singapore) for Marketing In Asia, a digital magazine which brings to our readers the tips and treats of the industry. As someone who is very passionate about feeling and looking good holistically, I am also an Image Branding and Lifestyle Consultant. I combine both my knowledge (and passion) in the personal image as well as yoga and wellness to create tailor-made courses and workshops for individuals and corporates.
I also own columns in various online and traditional magazines.
In 2017, I was crowned Mrs Singapore Globe. I then represented Singapore in China that same year and was presented with the Children’s Advocate award for the work I had done and will continue to pursue.
Besides travelling, writing and reading, family-time and throwing parties are my favourite ways to unwind. I am a longtime dancer and sometime golfer.
Having lived in various exciting cities of the world, I am now dividing my time between Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Singapore.
2. So when did you start working as an Image Branding Consultant and what inspired or motivated you to take a plunge into this venture?
Image branding work is something that I have always been drawn to. I have been doing this for more than a decade, however, I got myself properly certified in 2016 and never looked back since.
My calling has always been about looking good, not only on the surface but also from the inside. Feeling good is the fuel that drives us an individual and should not be neglected and looking good is the by-product of the former.
I have lived in various places across the globe and always felt there is some void in terms of personal image and feeling good holistically, everywhere. Majority of the people go about their day not bothering about what they wear, how they look and this, in turn, makes their day blah and lacklustre.
Studies everywhere have noted that there is a deep correlation between feeling and looking good and hey, the expression ‘when you look good, you feel good’ says it all.
3) Can you share with us some of the challenges you faced during your initial days?
This is a challenge I still face; people have the perception that image branding is about being something or someone they are not. On the contrary, image branding is all about tapping into one’s unique traits and enhancing them.
Also, there is such a misconception that image branding workshops or sessions are expensive and only made for those with money; that is completely incorrect. Buzz me to know more; you will be pleasantly surprised.
4) So how do you balance your personal and professional life?
I am a wife and mom of two boys (aged seven and eight) and love the space I am in right now. I am so grateful to be living in an era where women are applauded to have both family and career. On top of that, jobs that allow me to revolve my time around my family’s schedule. We do not have a full-time helper, however, our part-time help comes around twice a week and a babysitter that comes in whenever we need her; I call them my lifelines.
To me, however, my biggest gratitude is my hands-on husband who is very supportive in everything that I do. Despite having very busy work and travelling schedules himself, Paal (Gunnulfsen) will take over the kids or running of the household at the drop of a hat anytime I need him to and that includes my very-often shuttles to Singapore.
In short, time management is crucial and spousal support, imperative!
5) What would you suggest to other aspiring women who want to venture out on
their own?
Just do it already! I made the mistake of overthinking everything that I do at the start; from launching the business to publishing my website. Truth is, nothing is ever going to be perfect; you can tweak as you go along. The most important thing is embarking on that very first step.
6)Is there any person who has mentored/supported/inspired you?
I draw inspirations from various people and places that I go to. The kind of people I follow on my social media are the types of people I aspire to be; self-made, street-smart, loyal, fun and have a sense of humour that get them through the darker times in this super noisy world we live in right now.
7)What do you have in the pipeline for your venture’s future development?
I plan to continue reaching out to far away from individuals through my online image branding sessions. We live in an amazing time where I can be seated in a hotel room in Singapore but literally go on a shopping trip with a client in Hong Kong, who is picking up the ensemble for his corporate dinner that very night. Technology is often said to be either a friend or a foe; in this instance, it is an absolute friend and this type of possibility gives me so much positive energy.
There are plans to do some image branding work in the region; in pretty much-untapped places and I am absolutely excited for this to come through.
Website: www.zuanjalika.com
Linked-In: www.linkedin.com/in/zuanjalika
Instagram: anjalika_mrssingaporeglobe2017
Womenlines wishes all the best to Zu Anjalika for all her future initiatives!
Charu Mehrotra
Let Excellence be Your Brand!
Founder Womenlines
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