Helping students reach international standards her aim:

Hairdresser mulls setting up an Academy in Australia

Harshini Perera

In Sri Lanka although women contribute more than men to the national GDP their participation is much less in many other areas including business and politics. Some women who do well in business are not exposed. Therefore, Daily News Business begins a Women in Business column to encourage and highlight women in business to fill this void. We invite women in business (large and medium sectors to send their details to [email protected] or by post. The suitable applicants will be featured in this column.

Hairdressing and beauty culture are no longer male dominated professions. The importance of any profession is what the instructor can deliver to the society through his/her students. “It is my responsibility not merely to run a business but produce students who can reach international standards”, chairperson/Director of Studies, Ranmali Associates International (Pvt) Ltd., Ranmali Gunawardena told Daily News Business.

Q: What is your type of business and how did you set about it?

A: I run an academy for professional hairdressers and beauticians. I started as a Government teacher and my husband, Upali Gunawardena saw the talent I had for hairdressing and wanted me to develop it. He sought a school in beauty culture and hairdressing in London for me in 1995. I completed the certificate course in hairdressing and beauty culture in London and returned to Sri Lanka and set up the first saloon and academy in 1996. I set up a recognized academy in 2000 with and this kept me busy.

“I won a scholarship to Japan in 2002. When I returned I set up two academies at Boralesgamuwa and the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) at Narahenpita. In 2007 I received training to use machinery for the industry. Having received training in Australia in 2008, I became a master trainer and assessor.

I can issue certificates and train students for the Australian courses in hairdressing in Sri Lanka. I am authorized to issue certificates for the National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 4 and Australian Qualification Framework (AQF)at our academies. I am happy to see that my students have flourished to be instructors all over the country”. “I conduct skills development programs such as Entrepreneurship, Business Management, English and IT for students that they can reach higher positions”.

Q: How do you balance your family life and business?

A: Apart from the domestic help, my children give me immense support. After work I spend time with my children in their play and in studies. They have understood my busy schedules. I also receive enormous support from my husband for my success. He is a partner in my company after his retirement and this is a tower of strength. My parents too have been a source of strength. Therefore, I don’t find it difficult to run my business with my family life.

Q: What are the challenges you faced?

A: At times I feel dissatisfied due to others’ behaviour towards me. Some people try to thwart my efforts. On such occasions I feel very unhappy. Since I have a strong personality and with my husband’s guidance, I am never disheartened by such obstacles.

Q: What is your advice to women in business?

A: Unlike in days gone by, today, more women engage in business. Today women engage in many professions rather than getting stuck in houses. A woman is capable of thinking in various aspects and she should have confidence to be engaged in her profession. She should be conscious of her life, safety, attitude and the impression she makes on others.

Q: Being a woman, was it an advantage to be in business?

A: I think a woman can be more attractive than a man in business as she can get on with others easily. It gives her extra mileage to balance business and family life.

Q: What were your achievements in business and family life?

A: I won the Jeewanashuri title in 2007 from the Sri Lanka-United Nations Friendship Organization (SUNFO) as the Director for Youth. I am happy about my two children, my daughter and son are doing well in their studies. My daughter and son come first in their classes and I am certain that my daughter would take over the responsibility of my academy in the future.

I am glad to see their success in education. I think they will be the future successors in my business. It was an achievement when I became the assessor to award TafeSA certificates in Sri Lanka. It has the accreditation of Sri Lanka and the Australian Governments. I meet various people from all walks of life from different countries in my profession. At times I have to sacrifice opportunities for the betterment of my children.

Q: What are your goals?

A: I want to set up an academy in Australia. Then it would be easy for me to send my students abroad and create a brighter future for them. I have a plan to get ISO certification for my business in Sri Lanka.

“I hope to start a Language school and IT centre in Sri Lanka. Our brighter students lack language skills in getting into higher positions and they find it difficult to secure foreign jobs. Therefore, I am looking in to that shortcoming in the field”.

Q: What is your contribution to the society?

A: I engage in many social activities as the Director for Youth in SUNFO. We conducted a program at the Kalutara prison on Women’s Day last year. We held a demonstration for them and gave them advice. We have now launched a youth program at the Correctional Centre for Youth in Negombo. We found talented boys who could be turned into professionals. I plan to give them lectures and make them good citizens in the society.