Mother’s grooming moulds Angeeka

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

Family inherence plays a keyrole in the career building process and it has a strong influence over job selection. Embarking on the same career path as your mother’s is a huge challenge in a way and also it gives ample opportunity to prove yourself. It is never easy to emulate someone of high repute if you are not up to the mark. However, Angeeka Athukorala de Silva was able to successfully conquer the hearts of second generation customers from her mother Anoma Athukorala. Anoma and Angeeka Athukorala Salons and Academy has become a popular choice for many brides and brides to be and it has become a venture to reckon with. Angeeka attributes her success to her mother’s grooming and she strives to cater to the changing needs of her growing clientele.

She was interviewed by the Daily News Business.

Excerpts of the interview:

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Q: What is the business you are engaged in and how do you set about it?

A. My mother Anoma Athukorala ventured into the beauty care industry some time ago. This was not a recognized profession in the past unlike in today’s context and she did this as a part time venture. It started more or less as a business in ‘80s. I was trained under her from the tender age of 11 and there was no looking back from there onwards. I was fascinated by this trade where there is endless education opportunities and knowledge upgrading in the field of beautification.

I had my entire education at Musaeus College and as children we had every opportunity to unlock our talents. This was a great help in entering into the field of beauty care where there is strong competition and constant change. I studied in the bio science stream and this made me easy to learn skin therapy. I went to New Delhi to learn more about herbal skin care and joined Shahnaz Husain herbals international chain to gain practical experience.

I qualified at London ITEC, which is the International Therapy Council and was the youngest to get this qualification at that time. Armed with wider knowledge I came back to Sri Lanka and we were able to get the franchise of Shahnaz Husain herbals in 1994.

Currently we have two franchised clinics in Colombo and Kandy. We provide aroma therapy, ayurveda and holistic care. We are specialized in holistic care which is a personalized service. In beauty care our main concentration is bridal dressing.

As we are qualified in Aroma therapy we decided to have part franchise and started with our own blend of products. We personally attend to the process and the entire team is well coordinated to provide an excellent service. I owe my success to my mother’s grooming and constant learning to keep abreast in beauty industry.

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

A. I am fortunate to have the fullest support of my husband Channa De Silva. We have a six-year-old son Navin and our world revolves around him. Balancing family life and business is important, but striking a balance for both to be successful is more important. Therefore, I always strive to maintain a healthy balance in both spheres.

Q: What were the challenges you faced?

A. There are only few people who are professionally qualified in this industry and becoming a reputed beautician was a challenge. As my mother was able to carve a name for herself and it was a challenge to live upto this. However, I face this successfully and the growing business opportunities are a living testimony. I took a step back when my son was born and it was a huge challenge to come back which I did successfully. I believe that confidence goes a long way.

Q: What are your goals?

A. Goals in my life changed constantly. However, I want to be successful in anything and everything in life. I plan to make holistic care and colour therapy more popular among people as it has tremendous benefits.

Q: Was being a woman an advantage to be in business?

A. Definitely. The subjects bridal dressing and skin care is closer to a woman’s heart and it is easy for them to discuss with me. I was able to build a close bond between my clients and service providers and thus this helped the business to grow.

Q. What is your advice to women in business?

A. Believe in yourself. Even though your goals may change from time to time, strive to achieve the end results no matter what happens. Understand that you are a woman and talents come along. Look after yourself and be healthy for your children. In whatever profession or venture you are engaged in learn the ultimate and be constantly in touch with the developments in the profession. Always think ahead and plan to achieve success.

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

A. I lead a content family life and have a very supportive husband. I take great pride in bringing up my son and my mother is instrumental in making me what I am today.

With regard to business, I have achieved some of my goals and I plan to further develop the business. The growing clientele is an encouragement and there are room for other industrialists to prosper. This is a constantly growing and changing industry where knowledge updating is important.

I learn new things regularly and make it a point to pass the benefit to our people. It is not only the developed countries, but a country like us also has vast potential in natural beautification and this needs to be harnessed.

Q: What is your contribution to society?

A. I have helped out many who seek my support in numerous ways and continue to do so. We need to give back to the society for it to move forward and for people to make progress. It is important to change the mindset of people to think positive and develop our country. I have taken this social obligation and work hard to make this a better society.