At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and powerful stories from India and around the world to empower and motivate our growing community. As part of this endeavour, we invited Shilpa Shetty and Rubleen Kaur for an exclusive interview with us. Shilpa and Rubleen are the Founders of Finesse – The Finishing School. Let’s learn more about their background, journey and advice for our community!
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Shilpa & Rubleen:
Could you please talk us through your background and your journey?
Finesse – The Finishing School was founded by us, Shilpa and Rubleen, with a shared vision of creating meaningful, lasting transformation in people’s lives through image, confidence, and self-awareness.
Shilpa is a qualified Image Consultant from the Indian School of Image Management (ISIM), Mumbai, and the International Image Institute, Canada, with specialised expertise in Personal Colour Analysis and accessory consultancy based on face shape.
With over two decades of experience spanning client management, fashion accessories, styling, fashion blogging, image makeovers, and advertising, she brings deep industry insight and creative strategy to Finesse.
Rubleen is an internationally certified Image Consultant from ISIM India and Image Institute Canada, and also a qualified personal counsellor trained in Transactional Analysis, REBT, and the Carl Rogers (Carkhuff) Model. Her work uniquely integrates image enhancement with emotional intelligence and inner transformation.
Together, we are recognised as leading colour analysts in the country, and through Finesse, we have worked with over 2,500 clients across individuals, professionals, organisations, and institutions.
This collective experience has shaped Finesse into a holistic finishing school where image, confidence, communication, and mindset are treated as interconnected pillars of success.
Shilpa Shetty
How did you discover your passion?
Our passion evolved naturally through years of working with people and witnessing how deeply personal image and confidence affect one’s life. With every client transformation, we saw how alignment between inner belief and outer expression creates clarity, confidence, and self-worth.
Working with thousands of individuals across different age groups and professions helped us realise that image consulting is not about appearance alone—it is about identity, empowerment, and self-expression. That realisation shaped our purpose and the foundation of Finesse.
Despite the challenges, what keeps you going when things get tough?
What keeps us going is impact and purpose. Seeing real transformations in people—professionals stepping into leadership, individuals finding confidence, and clients embracing their authentic presence—gives meaning to everything we do.
Our work goes beyond styling. It changes mindsets, behaviour, and self-perception. Knowing that we’ve positively impacted the lives of over 2,500 clients keeps us deeply motivated, even during challenging phases.
What are the three most important lessons you have learned in your life?
Confidence is cultivated, not inherited– It is built through awareness, training, and consistent effort. True transformation is holistic– External image must align with internal mindset for lasting change.
Growth thrives in the right environment– Support systems, mentorship, and guidance accelerate personal evolution.
In your opinion, what are the keys to success?
Success comes from alignment—between who you are, how you present yourself, and how you show up in the world. It requires self-awareness, responsibility, curiosity, discipline, and consistent action.
At Finesse, we believe success is not only about competence, but also about credibility, confidence, and communication. When inner belief and external presence work together, success becomes sustainable.
What advice would you give students and young professionals who want to have a successful career?
Start investing in yourself early. Build not just technical skills, but also communication, etiquette, emotional intelligence, grooming, and personal presence.
Your appearance, behaviour, and confidence often speak before your qualifications. Learn how to present yourself with clarity and authenticity. With the right guidance and self-awareness, growth becomes exponential.
Shilpa Shetty (Left) and Rubleen Kaur
Last but not least, what about your journey makes it satisfying or exciting?
What excites us most is transformation—both visible and invisible. From discovering personal colour palettes to building confidence and self-worth, every client journey feels meaningful.
Being recognised as leading colour analysts in the country and having worked with over 2,500 clients is deeply fulfilling, not as a number, but as a reflection of lives touched, confidence built, and identities transformed.
Finesse continues to excite us because it allows us to create impact, purpose, and lasting change
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.
