Heena Rai, Founder at Talent2 International Education Consultancy speaks to Sameera Fernandes on how the need of the hour is to provide cost effective solutions for students who strive for migration and future education opportunities.
How do you define success?
While success for many may mean doing your job well and bringing in the big bucks, success to me means doing what I love and bringing my passion to life every day while creating a positive impact on those around me.
I believe it’s important to be passionate about what you do in order to remain invested and make an actual difference in your clients’ lives. When you enjoy what you do, it’s less of a job and more of something you live and breathe – it’s not a burden anymore. Having that freedom to do what I love and sharing my expertise to enhance the lives of others is my definition of success.
What is the greatest risk you’ve undertaken?
I worked for multinational companies for the better half of my existence, and while that brought in steady income, it wasn’t where my head and heart was. In 2019, I decided to take a different direction and follow my heart and founded Talent2. A Management Consultancy where we provide cost effective solutions for individuals and students who strive for migration and further education opportunities.
Being an entrepreneur was frightening and exciting but was a step I needed to take. I would consider it my greatest risk as I still have a family to care for – It was a scary leap of faith but I couldn’t be more proud of facing the challenge head on and jumping into the deep end.
What energises you about your work?
Being a mum of three, I know the struggles and insecurities of making sure your child has chosen the right education path, the move to a new country can be daunting. In my current role, I’m able to help mums much like myself navigate through this journey. Hold their hand every step of the way to ensure their kids choose the right path and that feeling is extremely fulfilling; knowing that these parents and children can rely on me and that I’m making a difference in their lives energises me and it is what I love about what I do every day.
If you could share one leadership lesson that you’ve learnt over the years, what’d it be?
There are many things I have learned and gained over the years, here’s one thing that stuck with me: There’s no job too big or small. Just because you hold a title doesn’t make your task bigger or smaller than someone else. Roll up your sleeves and get the job done – people will notice you for it and appreciate your hard word. No job is too small, no job is too menial, and no job is too insignificant when you have the mindset to make a positive impact in the world.
The views and opinions published here belong to the interviewer and the interviewee and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
She was conferred with the Nirbhaya Award and also the ‘Woman of Influence’ Award by Archbishop Dr. Peter Machado.
Her past stints include Sun Microsystems, Nokia (UAE), Jet Airways, Al Ghurair Investments (UAE) and has been a regular contributor to the Friday Magazine of Gulf News.
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