With a growth in the economy, there has been a change in lifestyle. With a focus on unearthing the best products and services through editorial content, GursheelDhillon with Vanilla Luxury is efficiently acquainting her readers on various topics ranging from beauty to dining and travel.

Gursheel is a B. Com graduate with a double major in marketing and advertising. She started her professional journey at a local advertising agency and later specialised in brand management of luxury cosmetic and fashion brands. As the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Vanilla Luxury, Gursheel is providing her insight into developing strategies, managing and coaching teams, and spearheading numerous business operations.

GursheelDhillon, Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Vanilla Luxury recently engaged in a one-on-one interaction with Women Entrepreneur Magazine.

Give us a brief introduction to Vanilla Luxury. What are the important features of your expertise you would like to highlight?

Vanilla Luxury began as a lifestyle marketing firm and expanded seven years ago to include an affordable luxury lifestyle digital magazine. The editorial content covers a variety of lifestyle topics such as beauty, dining, family, sustainability, technology, travel, and wellness, with a focus on discovering the absolute finest, not just the most expensive.

What motivated you to establish Vanilla Luxury? Tell us about the underlying idea behind the platform and its unique features.

Most of my female friends had businesses seven years ago that sold fantastic products, but due to the funding challenges encountered by start-ups, they could never afford to market or gain PR coverage. Most of them would come to me for advice or collaboration requests, which had me thinking of solutions on how I could assist them in a cost effective manner.

Vanilla Luxury has evolved into a digital magazine that focuses on SEO-written content that answers our customers' burning questions while also offering the newest beauty trends, restaurants to dine at, parenting must-haves, and even travel suggestions.

Tell us about your educational journey and prior industry experience. What are some of the key strategies and tools that you employ to ensure a brand’s success?

I studied in a Chinese school with Mandarin as my second language and pursued my Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Marketing and Advertising at an Australian University. My first job post graduation was with a local advertising agency where I pivoted my portfolio from B2C accounts to B2B. I then moved on into brand management of luxury cosmetics, fragrances and fashion before having an opportunity to co-found a fashion start up before Vanilla Luxury. Keep yourself up to date to stay relevant and you must genuinely enjoy what you do, or else it will be difficult, especially in the long run.

As we largely work in the digital marketing field, I am subscribed to several publications and platforms that I read daily to stay informed. As someone who is continually hungry for knowledge, I am constantly googling and reading up on a topic that piques my interest.

What are the most significant milestones that you have achieved so far? What has been the driving force behind your success as a business leader and how do you stay in tune with the latest developments in your field?

I've always been one of the youngest employees at the firms I've worked for, but I've always had the greatest influence. I've been fortunate to achieve several milestones over the years, including winning a silver award against two MNCs in just a month of starting Vanilla Luxury, speaking at The Experiential Marketing Summit in 2018, having an Instagram following of thirty-seven thousand, achieving over two million in media coverage for my clients despite the pandemic, and so on, but what I value most is the difference I can make because of what I've accomplished. I was able to use my voice to raise awareness and donations for a variety of philanthropic organisations throughout the pandemic.

“If you have a team, delegate. If you don’t, focus on your top drivers and don’t spread yourself too thin”

My motivating drive was always to succeed in whatever I set out to do because I knew I would have my parents' unflinching support and failure is not an option. My personal mantra has always been “If you want to do something, do it right, or don’t do it at all”. It does help that my parents are really hard working and have instilled a tenacity in me growing up.

I have just turned 34, and after having 2 ectopic pregnancies in less than 2 years, one after another and going through Salpingec to my twice, I believe that I have a greater purpose as I am still here. As a result, I am working on something for many women like me and will launch it when I am ready, as I am currently mending from my surgery.

It's always changing, and I'll admit that keeping up with it might be difficult, but we have to. Delegate if you have one. If you don't, concentrate on your most important drives and avoid spreading yourself too thin.

Learning from your experience as a successful business leader, what advice would you like to give to young girls and women aspiring to be future leaders in the field?

In this industry, we need more female entrepreneurs and business executives. My advice is to believe in yourself, follow your passions, take calculated chances, and surround yourself with people who inspire you because the future belongs to women.

Gursheel Dhillon, Managing Director & Editor-In-Chief Vanilla Luxury

Gursheel as the managing director of Vanilla Luxury is crafting strategies and guiding the team to provide readers with the best luxury info.

Quick Facts:

Educational Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce Double Major in Marketing and Advertising