Woman! The word itself brings you a perfect picture in your mind. What does this picture look like? A female wearing a saree or some traditional dress, raising kids, doing the household chores, taking care of the elders, and respecting them? Most of you would agree to it, and guess what guys, congrats, you fell for a prevalent concept of stereotyping.
Simran Singh is an Entrepreneur from Gurgaon. She runs a social media and advertising agency, ‘Brandlytical.’ The company promotes the brands and services with the help of influencers and social media platforms. But the Brandlytical didn’t come into being just like that.
Stereotyping forms a generalized concept about a specific class or part of society. There is nothing wrong with you. It’s just how society works; a fixed mindset makes the norms and the stereotypes, the environment we live in shapes our minds, and this is how stereotypes are to us. It is not where the problem arises, though. The problem arises when these stereotypes create a barrier for someone, limiting them despite their caliber.
A typical example of this is related to women. The stereotype of women in Indian society is that raising children, taking care of the house and the family, etc., women should do. This stereotype further generates limitations for women in the outdoor world, such as fewer opportunities in the corporate world and other fields. It results in a phenomenon known as the ‘glass ceiling.’
In simple terms, the glass ceiling is an invisible barrier that prevents women from achieving higher positions or going beyond a certain level of success. Breaking this glass ceiling is not that easy. Even if we say that equality exists, society is still male dominant. But it’s not impossible to break through it. The story we have today is about one such breakthrough! Simran Singh came across this glass ceiling, but she did not settle. She broke the glass with her iron resolve of hers. So let’s hear it from her today!
Let’s hear it from Simran herself. What made her choose this path.
Simran Singh – My Story
‘I graduated in 2016 from IP university with a degree in BCA. After that, in 2017, I got married. Post my marriage. The carrier seemed to reach a deal end. I was not doing anything on my own, the marriage was an abusive one, and there came a lot of restrictions to what I do, followed by mental trauma. After two years, I decided to step up for myself and end the suffering.
Though I was unsure about the future and what I would do, how society would look up to all of this, and how my parents would deal with it, I decided to prioritize my mental well-being. In 2020 I decided to move out of that marriage, filed a divorce, and returned to my parents’ house. I lived there for a month, and I realized how this society looks down on women.
The definition of a happy and successful woman in this society is disoriented. If only a woman is married, has a man with her to protect her and take responsibility, then only a woman is successful and living a content life. It’s as if a woman can’t achieve something on her own.
I was totally against this. I wanted to build my career and life. I wanted to stand up for myself and achieve success on my own. So previously, I used to work in advertising agencies, and I have also worked for Airtel in the same profession, so I thought if I did the same thing while working for different firms, why don’t I start my brand. And thus, I started searching for it.
It is how ‘Brandlytical’ came into being, and soon after that, I shifted from my parents’ house to Gurgaon. I owned a place there, and then I started my journey. Initially, I did everything alone. It was exhausting in the initial phase when I had to deal with all the struggles such as divorce cases, handling everything alone, the personal life problems, and the newly set office.’
The definition of success diversifies a lot for men and women in our Indian society. What did Simran have to say on this?
‘Yes, it varies a lot. A woman is successful when she is married; it doesn’t matter if she is happily married or not. You see, the most saddening thing about this is the labeling that comes along with it. If a lady is not married, society will label her as something, and if she is divorced, society will label her with something else. And even if you feel that you should do something about it, there is nothing you can do to change it.
I was born with so many dreams and ambitions, but somehow it just didn’t work earlier. But with this shift, I felt that it was another chance given to me by the universe to relive my dreams. I had decided at that very moment that I wouldn’t be bothered by the thought of what society would say; I will live on my terms because ‘Kuch Toh Log Kahenge, Logo ka Kaam hai Kehna.’
Every journey has its twists and turns, highs and lows, so what were the ones in Simran’s Entrepreneurship journey?
‘ I would say that the biggest hurdle I faced was cracking the client codes. Getting clients, especially for a newly started firm, is not easy. Some might visit once and won’t return to you. Some might paste a NO on your face. It was a mess back then, and the stability was missing for a long time. I also understood by then that the mess feels much more exhausting because I am doing everything on my own. ‘It felt as if I bit more than I could chew.’
So, I realized that I am a normal human being with two hands, so I can’t handle just everything, every time. So that is when I thought of hiring people who could work for me. As I formed a team, stability came along. The clients settled, and I started going to meetings and approaching clients. You see, the advertising agency is just as male dominant as any other profession. So, being a female in this dominant male world was a whole next-level thing. Many clients I came across were men, and their opinions were all the same.
Even if I tell them that I am progressing and the company is doing good, their belief still stays the same as what a woman could do on her own. They would often state that I must be from wealthy parents or a rich husband, and only I can do things with their support. I used to tell them that no, your assumption is wrong, and then they would say that looking at you. It doesn’t seem that you are that knowledgeable and reliable. Initially, it was disheartening that society judged me because I am a woman despite my work and its efforts.
Also, while starting the office, the rent of the workplace and the house I was staying in were burdensome. I had no intention of borrowing money from my parents, and also, I could not stay at home as I knew how society would say, and it will be hard for my parents. Being self-dependent was the only goal in my mind.’
Gender does make a difference in working, and there were many moments when Simran felt this. Let’s hear about the incident when she felt this the most!
‘There was this one incident which I recall. I was out for a lunch meeting when two guys were business partners, and I was pitching for my agency. So when I went there, one of the guys saw me and said that by looking at you I don’t feel that you would have the knowledge we need and that you are suitable for the job. You are way too pretty to be intelligent.
That was the worst thing I ever heard about myself. I didn’t even have a particular idea of what to say or react to that. After that incident, I started telling the clients from my side itself that this is what I have been doing. I don’t need any men in my life to support me or look after me, neither now nor in the future. So please do not think that my parents are wealthy or my husband is supportive, so I am doing this. Whatever I’ve achieved to date is on my own.
The reason behind telling this is that many other women who feel the same but cannot do anything about It might feel that they are not alone in this and could gather their courage and step forward in life.
Simran’s story is inspiring. But who is Simran’s inspiration?
‘There is only one person that comes to my mind when I think of someone I look up to. It’s Lily Singh, the superwoman! Lily Singh is a Youtuber, and I used to follow her since I was in 11th and she has been an inspiration for me throughout my journey.
I resonate a lot with her. Firstly she came from a background where she struggled to survive in the YouTube journey since it was not something well known to everyone here back then. She is the one who brought this concept of YouTubing to India, and later it became well known. Looking at her, I always felt that I want to do something in my life that defines me, something by which people would know that there is somebody called Simran and they would know me by my work.’
The advertising industry is an outgrowing industry in current times, so what are the qualities one needs to possess to be a part of it?
‘May it be online or offline, the most important thing that matters has a creative mind! The more creative your mind is, the greater the ingenious ideas you will come up with. Fresh and creative ideas are an essential thing in the advertising industry. Every brand launches new products now and then, so you need to pitch them in a certain way so that your product will stand out no matter what. Online businesses are all about ‘Jo Dikhta hai wohi Bikta hai.’
Besides that, if you think that this is your dream and want to pursue it, you should do it. If you want to start a business just like I did, you should go for it. You don’t have to settle for something less and sacrifice your dreams for somebody else’s satisfaction. You are here to live your life, so live it to the fullest!’
Speaking of awards and achievements! Let us see what Simran’s take on this is.
‘So as of awards, I don’t have any. I was nominated for the Young Achievers award, but I didn’t accept it because it didn’t feel like I deserved it. It was back when Brandlytical was 8-9 months old, and I just felt that I hadn’t achieved anything yet. There is a lot ahead, and I’ve just started. The day when I feel that I’ve achieved something and I truly deserve that stage, that is when I’ll accept any award.’
The current times have been uncertain for everyone. How did Simran deal with this pandemic and lockdown?
‘Business-wise, it has been a very rough patch right now. People are not at all thinking with the business mindset right now. Everyone is on their survival instincts, trying to be safe indoors and keep their family safe rather than promoting business online. So pitching for work is challenging as some are not well or have lost their loved ones. So yeah, it’s a difficult time for everyone, so the business is being affected. But then, losing hope is not an option here.
If I’ve decided to go with it, I cannot or should not back down. The efforts will bear fruits someday. On a personal level, yes, it has been stressful lately like. For everyone, it is the same, getting up, watching the same news, and stuff. But then all we can do is keep going!’
An insider on the young Entrepreneur’s life. Let’s see what Simran does apart from running a business.
‘Apart from business, I’m also good at cooking. Whenever I am bored and feel like I don’t want to work, I always go to the kitchen and come with a delicious dish and a lighten-up mood. I also love dancing, but it is difficult to keep up due to the schedules, so I prefer online Zumba classes for now.’
Two shades of Simran: before and after Brandlytical came into being!
‘If I were to define my life in two halves, then it would be an interesting one! Earlier I used to be an introverted, shy person who would do as she was told to do, an obedient person who wouldn’t voice her opinions. As of now, I would define myself as a bold, fierce, and independent woman who would keep her views upfront. The experience on this entrepreneurship journey has helped me grow as a person.’
When we asked Simran, ‘Where do you see Brandlytical in a few years from now?’ She answered, ‘Dubai is THE DREAM!’
‘As of the future, I’m looking forward to extending the business to Dubai. Establishing the business well here and then going international is the plan. Dubai is THE DREAM!’
‘Word of Wisdom’
Courage is something that would take you to your destination. Having courage means a lot in life. If you dare to dream about something, then you should also have the courage to step forward and fulfill it. You don’t have to live according to society. It is something I follow in my life. You should always hustle for your dreams no matter how small or big it is!’
It doesn’t matter what people say or what people expect from you. What matters is what you want! Your desires, your dreams are way more significant than any gender, caste, race, or anything else that ties you to the ground and stops you from touching the skies of success. If you ever face such a glass ceiling, just proceed with courage and break it with your iron resolve! Just like Simran did!
All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them!
-Walt Disney
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