At Brilliant Read Media, it is our constant endeavour to identify and share some of the unique and compelling stories from the startup ecosystem. As part of this, we invited Daljinder Kaur for an interview with Brilliant Read Media. To say further, Daljinder is an Image Consultant, Confidence Coach, Soft Skills Trainer and Founder at StylSynergy. Let’s learn more about her background, inspiring journey so far and her advice for our growing community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Daljinder:
Could you please talk us through your background and journey?
I was born and raised in Delhi, where I completed my Master’s in Human Resource Management. My professional journey began in the development sector—a field I have always been deeply passionate about. For nearly 14 years, I dedicated myself to addressing social issues by advocating for Corporate Social Responsibility and Business & Human Rights. At its heart, my work was about empowering people from diverse backgrounds to improve their lives, which was both meaningful and rewarding.
Life took a wonderful yet challenging turn with the birth of my second child. At the time, my husband had relocated to Dubai, and I made the conscious choice to prioritise my family—caring for a five-year-old, an infant, and my in-laws. In 2017, destiny brought me to Dubai as well, reuniting our family and offering our children a progressive environment to grow up in.
As my children grew older and began carving out their own paths, I reached a crossroads. I felt a void and a strong urge to rediscover myself and revisit the professional ambitions I had put on hold. I knew I wanted to continue my passion for empowering others, but in a new capacity. That exploration eventually led me to ICBI.
Today, I am an internationally certified Image Consultant and Soft Skills Trainer. While it may seem like a shift from my earlier career, for me it is a natural evolution. I have simply moved from empowering communities to empowering individuals directly. In this role, I have the privilege of helping people from all walks of life transform their presence, build self-confidence, and step into their goals and aspirations with clarity and courage.
In many ways, life has come full circle—my purpose remains empowerment, but now in a deeply personal and transformative way.
How did you discover your passion?
I’ve always been a social person who loves meeting people from diverse backgrounds, professions, and cultures. What has always intrigued me is connecting beyond titles and roles—listening to people’s stories, challenges, and victories.
During my sabbatical, I explored different fields, hoping to find a passion I could pursue, but for a long time, nothing truly clicked. When I moved to Dubai—where I didn’t know anyone—I began attending entrepreneur networking meet-ups. Initially, it was simply to stay motivated, step out of my comfort zone, and connect with like-minded people.
My early career in CSR and human rights had been about empowering communities. Ironically, at a time when I was struggling to find my own identity, something unexpected began to happen.
People started appreciating my sense of style, presence, and the ease with which I connected with others. Friends, new acquaintances, and even successful entrepreneurs would often say: “You have such a great eye for style—you should be a stylist,” or “Are you an image consultant? Can you help me with my professional presence?”
At first, I didn’t fully understand what an Image Consultant was. That curiosity led me to research the field, and I quickly realized it was about so much more than clothing. It encompassed appearance, confidence, body language, and communication—the entire way a person projects themselves. The more I learned, the more it resonated with me.
That search led me to ICBI, where I discovered that Image Consulting isn’t about changing who someone is—it’s about helping them recognize their strengths and equipping them with the tools to project confidence authentically. Completing my certification gave me not only the knowledge and framework to guide others effectively, but also a new sense of purpose.
For me, Image Consulting is more than a profession—it’s a calling. It allows me to channel my energy and skills into helping people transform from the inside out, overcoming conditioning, cultural barriers, and self-doubt that often hold them back—especially women.
In many ways, I can honestly say that my passion found me more than I found it. It emerged from others seeing something in me, sparking a curiosity that eventually led me to rediscover my own potential after a 12-year sabbatical. That personal journey of rediscovery now forms the foundation of my work, enabling me to empower my clients not just with presence but with the confidence to step fully into who they are meant to be.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
My biggest challenge wasn’t just about updating my skills or navigating a new professional landscape—it was much deeper and more internal. Starting over and learning an entirely new skill set in my late 40s was daunting. The clouds of self-doubt, limiting beliefs, and the natural frustration of being a beginner again often weighed heavily on me.
What kept me going, however, was something I never expected—my family. For years, my focus had been on raising my children, being their support system in every possible way. But in this “second innings,” the tables turned. My children became my biggest cheerleaders.
They motivated me daily, offered a shoulder when I felt overwhelmed, listened patiently as I shared what I had learned, and even pushed me to complete my assignments when I wanted to give up. Watching the very kids I had nurtured grow into compassionate, supportive, and empathetic young adults who now encouraged me—that was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Alongside them was my husband, whose unwavering support never faltered. He believed in me even when my own belief wavered. He encouraged me to pursue my dreams and celebrated every win, big or small. It was a profound reminder that the family I had prioritised for years had now become the very foundation of my ambitions.
On a personal level, my faith in God was my anchor. I trusted that this path was guided by Him, that it was a true calling, and that I would be given the strength to walk through this journey with courage.
That season of my life fuels my why every single day. My greatest reward is witnessing my clients’ transformation—seeing them move from feeling invisible to commanding a room with confidence. When challenges arise, I draw strength from the memory of my family’s belief in me, my faith in God’s guidance, and the fulfilment of watching lives change through my work.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
1. You are your own first rescuer.
Advice, support, and encouragement from others are invaluable, but the truth is, only you can truly help yourself. Change begins the moment you decide to believe in your own abilities and commit to your growth. Everything else begins to align in your favour once you make that internal decision to back yourself, no matter what. Others can play supporting roles, but you are always the hero of your own story.
2. Life is a giver’s game.
Be willing to give first—whether it’s knowledge, encouragement, kindness, or support. Don’t wait for others to extend a hand; be the one who initiates generosity. I’ve seen time and again that when you give freely, without expectation, it always comes back to you—often in ways bigger than you could have imagined. Giving unconditionally builds trust, goodwill, and a circle of abundance around you.
3. Never, ever stop learning.
Learning is not just about your career; it’s an investment in yourself. During my sabbatical, I didn’t prioritise upgrading my skills, and I later realized how quickly the world had changed—especially with technology. That experience taught me that continuous learning keeps you relevant, adaptable, and curious. Sometimes growth even requires unlearning and relearning. Every new skill expands your capacity—not just as a professional, but as a human being. Learning keeps us alive to new possibilities and growth, no matter where we are in life.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
I believe success is understood differently by each person, but there are some universal truths that guide the journey. For me, it comes down to the three D’s: dedication, determination, and discipline. Alongside these, resilience is essential—because no journey is without setbacks. True progress lies in the ability to rise after every fall and keep moving forward.
Another lesson I’ve learned is the importance of celebrating small steps. For years, my perfectionist tendencies held me back, as I often felt stuck waiting for the “perfect” outcome. Over time, I realised that progress—no matter how gradual—is far more valuable than waiting for perfection. Each small step takes you closer to your goal.
And finally, for anyone who feels it’s “too late” to start over, know this: it is never too late. You can rediscover yourself, reignite your passion, and realign with your purpose at any stage of life. Trust yourself, trust your journey, and remember—you have the power to begin again.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
1. Don’t confuse your job with your purpose. Your job is what you do; your purpose is why you do it. A job doesn’t define who you are. My roles have shifted—from CSR advocacy to full-time motherhood to becoming an Image Consultant—but the common thread has always been empowerment. From societal empowerment to personal and now individual empowerment, my purpose has been constant. When you find your why, you gain a compass that will guide you through any career change or life transition. And if you don’t find it early, that’s okay—you will get there in your own time.
2. Talk to strangers. It sounds simple, but it’s incredibly powerful. Be curious about people. Ask about their stories, listen to their experiences, and you’ll be amazed at what you learn—about them and about yourself. Sometimes people just need someone to listen, and in being that person, you not only offer kindness but also open yourself to perspectives and opportunities you could never have planned for. This practice builds empathy, creates authentic connections, and strengthens your network—your “net worth” in the truest sense.
3. Be open to life’s detours. Success is rarely a straight line. Detours can feel frustrating at first, but they often hold the very experiences that help you discover yourself and build unexpected strengths. Trust that these pauses, shifts, and redirections are part of your growth.
4. Listen to the nudges. Pay attention to what life and people are telling you. Your greatest strengths often feel so natural that you don’t even recognise them. Sometimes it takes others to point them out. Those compliments, comments, and observations are not coincidences—they’re clues guiding you toward your next chapter.
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying/exciting?
There’s a deep personal satisfaction in having come full circle. I went from questioning my own identity to building a career and finding a purpose where I now help others discover theirs. That fills me with immense pride. Every time I see someone step into their confidence, I’m reminded of my own journey and how far I’ve come.
It’s living proof that it is never too late to reinvent yourself or to discover a new purpose. For me, it is a privilege to do this work. The knowledge that I’ve made a tangible, positive difference in someone’s life makes this journey more meaningful and fulfilling than I could have ever imagined.
BrilliantRead is committed to bringing stories from the startup ecosystem, stories that reshape our perspective, add value to our community and be a constant source of motivation not just for our community but also for the whole ecosystem of entrepreneurs and aspiring individuals.
Note: If you have a similar story to share with our audience and would like to be featured on our online magazine, then please write to us at [email protected], we will review your story and extend an invitation to feature if it is worth publishing.
