In this series, we try and bring you the stories of people who chose offbeat careers. When we talk about careers and career counselling, the usual route that is taken is aptitude testing, options, earning potential, etc.
But we, at The Children’s Post, wanted to do things differently. What is life like for a profession?
So, we are speaking to professionals and asking them things that matter – what is your life like? What led you to become this? What has your journey been?
Today, we bring you Paluk Khanna, who trained as CA, and worked as one, until finding her calling in creating authentic spices.
Tell us about your education and work journey so far
I am a CA by qualification and in the last 19 years have worked in multinational FMCG and IT companies like Reckitt Benckiser, Timex Watches , Pepsicio and Wipro Technologies.
And today…
Now, I run a business of Home made spices along with my sister.
My mother was an excellent cook and used to make all these masalas at home. She had her own spice blends, which we loved, and we wanted to share these with the world. We realised that the bazaar masalas were no match for our home blends and that sparked the idea of selling to others.
Most people would try to do the opposite – go from a kitchen based business model to something more formal like a CA…
Well, even though I was interested in cooking I never considered taking it up as a full time profession.
However, since childhood, I wanted to do a business where I could provide employment opportunity to other women and as we expand our business we hope to be able to do so.
While I wanted to give up my corporate job, I could not muster the courage to give it up. My husband was very encouraging and he supported me in taking this decision and also explore what I would like to to do.
What are the questions that children should ask themselves to find out what they really care about?
What were the questions that you asked yourself?
In every work, there will always be parts that you don’t like. The goal is to find that vocation where the bad parts are tolerable for the long term.
I don’t know any better way to find this than by trying. So, if there is something you like to do which you think people would pay for, try it out and see!
How do you grow the business?
The business grows mostly through word of mouth. Social Media has helped us connect with more and more people, outside our social circle. By god’s grace every one of our customers has been very appreciative of our products. We have kept a soft target for every month and if we are falling short we pick up our phones and call old customers who usually immediately order refills.
Would you like to share some advice with a child who may be considering an offbeat career right now?
In particular, would you advise them to follow a traditional career path for a few years, like you did, and then come to that which they desire, or would you suggest that they start with that, and learn on the way?
I think there is a lot of opportunity for offbeat careers in India. To find a career that works I feel experimentation is key.
A child should be encouraged to pursue his or her interest while being mentored on the financial aspects.
I think parents should be more open to accepting their kids choosing offbeat careers. There is more joy in such careers, but mentorship is needed on how to convert that into a business that will sustain them. We should focus more on what gives our kids joy rather than what will make them more money.