Hello Mumbai Entrepreneur Desk 

LOOKING GOOD ISN’T VANITY. IT’S HOW YOU SHOW UP.
At an H2O Biz Community meet, entrepreneurs explored the connection between personal grooming, self-care and professional presence.

Mumbai: Before you introduce yourself, exchange a business card or say your first word, people have already begun forming an impression.

This was the idea behind a recent H2O Biz Community networking meet at Venustara Studio & Academy, founded by Divya Shah. The experience brought entrepreneurs together for an evening that combined business connections with grooming, self-care and personal presentation.

Research has shown just how quickly first impressions are formed. In a landmark 2006 study, psychologists Janine Willis and Alexander Todorov found that people formed impressions of unfamiliar faces after just 100 milliseconds, making judgements about qualities such as trustworthiness, competence and likeability. The research does not suggest that appearance accurately reveals someone’s competence or character. It tells us something else. People can make these judgements rapidly, often before a conversation has even begun.

So why not use that knowledge to our advantage?

If people are going to form a first impression anyway, we can be intentional about how we show up. Our grooming, presentation, body language, clothing and ultimately, the way we carry ourselves.

Not to create a false impression. Not to pretend to be someone we are not. But to make sure the outside reflects the care, confidence and professionalism we want to bring into the room.

During the session, participants learnt more about understanding their skin and hair types, selecting appropriate products and developing better personal grooming practices.

The session was led by Divya Shah, founder of Venustara Studio & Academy. Venustara was created to raise the standards of how beauty is experienced and taught, with the studio offering luxury beauty services and the academy providing professional education in areas including skin, colour theory and advanced application techniques.

The focus was not on looking perfect.

It was on knowing yourself, taking care of yourself and showing up with intention.

A business meet beyond business

For Veena Soni, founder of H2O Zindagi, this is what community is about. Bringing people together through experiences, conversations, learning and meaningful connections.

Its entrepreneurial community, H2O Biz Community, carries a simple message.

Stay healthy. Stay happy. While you build an awesome business.

The Venustara meet brought that philosophy to life.

While entrepreneurs spend so much time building their businesses, their brands and their networks, the person behind the business deserves attention too.

And perhaps that is the real message.

Your business deserves your best.

So does the person building it.

To join our next H2O meet, contact us at 9820127604.