Women across the world pave the way for an inspirational leadership style that is confident, authentic, and highly effective. Women are making their professions through career counselling experience, financial security, a sense of belonging, self-discovery, and overall empowerment. Wise Councillors provides counselling to teenagers and young generation going through stress and feeling psychological problems like social, family and friends, fear of success etc. Sakina Murtaza Geenwala is one such creator of Wise Councillors, an organization that excels in recognizing children's needs and supplying them with better career advice. They offer information on courses, colleges, and their admission processes so that students can proceed successfully. Sakina is a keen supporter of learning and determination. She promotes the importance of building one's potential by evaluated and well-considered choices. This is only done when a person puts their talents to the test and takes essential lessons from them.

Sakina has more than 20 years of professional teaching experience and a Master of Arts in English Literature. She is a certified Montessori teacher. She also received her Bachelor of Education degree. She has a Diploma in Child Psychology and stress management, school management and administration and an Honours Diploma in Computer Software. Currently pursuing M.Ed. Women Entrepreneur participates in an exclusive conversation with Sakina, who engages in expressing her career as an entrepreneur.

What are the dimensions and achievements of your entrepreneurial experience? Give us a brief overview of your educational and professional history before your entrepreneurial venture?

Wise Councillors was a minimal cafe counselling organization. I am a teacher by profession and have been teaching for more than 20 years. I was very young when I began to lecture. Throughout my teaching journey, I found that students were confused about choosing their streams in different fields, and facing problems in adjusting with family friends and society if not guided properly became the victim of stress and anxiety.

Although after having sufficient talent, students are not aware of the new courses and the diverse fields to develop their careers. That made me start Wise Counsellors, the idea and the preparation, and the first step into students' career. At the icebreaking session, I decided to reassure students that there is no particular gender occupation for them. All professions are equally important to all genders. There are also gender differences in some ways, and they are built to develop their jobs based on their gender. Over 20 years of my experience, I have recognized all of these challenges and learned about bringing change to them and making students aware of them through counselling.

“At wise counsellors, we begin to increase consciousness among parents first and then students”

What inspired you to take-up entrepreneurship, especially in a niche segment like career counselling? And what were the initial challenges that taught you the basic lessons of entrepreneurship and helped you achieve the success you had in the later phase?

I am from a small town named Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh. Students are not aware of counselling and better job opportunities there. But this is something exciting and innovative in our place for students to develop their careers and accomplish their goals. People here are not sure of the word counselling. For them, counselling involves consulting a doctor about psychiatric illness. Parents do not know or follow their children's choices and abilities.

It would take some time for parents to learn and accept that they should allow their children by their abilities and preferences. At Wise Counsellors, we begin to increase consciousness among parents first and then students. Through my company, I want to make them aware that students should have the right to choose their occupations, not based on market level and family pressure.

In your journey over the years, which are the milestones that bestowed your utmost satisfaction - both as an individual and a business owner?

I began my career as a general teacher, and eventually, I was chosen as head of the department. I became the vice-principal at the same school, and this was when I got to connect with more students and get to know their issues. Students come to me all the time, even during my informal hours. It is a two way journey which is still continuing as a learner and teacher.

As a woman leader, how are you influencing and inspiring others in and around your professional and personal stratum? Also, how do you manage to maintain a balance between your personal and professional life?

It wasn't easy for me to balance my professional and personal life at the same time. But was made possible by the great support of my support system my husband Mr. Murtaza Geen wala, inspirations and blessings of my parents Mr. & Mrs. S.N. Harar wala and parents in law Mr. & Mrs. N.A. Geen wala, my helping hands and young stars my kids, Husain, Idris and Tasneem. My friends and entire family who helped, inspired and encouraged me to reach the place where I am today. Above all a spiritual hand of Almighty and His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin TUS is always there.

What innovations are you currently working on at your company? Also, brief us about your company's plans?

Currently, I am engaged in general counselling and one on one counselling. In the coming years, I expect to have classes for students every year after the exam. I hope to launch exclusive crash courses for the 9th standard students to give them the best path for the best stream of their choice.

Sakina Murtaza Geenwala, Founder, Wise Counsellors

Sakina Murtaza Geenwala, a teacher, an inspiring career guide, and a challenging woman leader, promotes the value of building one's future by calculating and well-thought-out decisions.

Currently Working As:

• A faculty of English and Social Science in Ujjain Public School Ujjain.

• Career Mentor in Dheya Career Mentors.