In a conversation with Farha Mahmud Trina, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Trina’s Closet. She has shared with us about her professional life experiences, the scope we have in e-commerce in the future, the current phage of e-commerce in our country and the views on e-commerce’s role in women’s employment in our county & how women can grab this opportunity.
Q. Firstly we would like to know about your childhood days & days before you step into a professional career. Would you like to share it shortly with our audience?
I spent my childhood in Bangladesh Military Academy, Faujdiarhat Cadet College because my father had worked in Bangladesh Army. Ever gone through the Chittagong Cantonment and every place and environment is very beautiful to grow. Hiking is my favourite. Mountain holds a special place in my heart. The mountains hold a much stronger allure. From there, I enjoyed hiking. taking challenges on regular basis. Maybe that’s why, since I was a kid, considering the positive and negative aspects, playing games, and going hiking. My childhood has been a joy to walk through the green in the cantonment.
Q. Would you like to share your story on your journey with Trina’s Closet? People would love to hear the story of a successful entrepreneur like you.
‘Trina’s Closet’ I have a brainchild. To every entrepreneur, their business or organization is no less than their child. ‘Trina’s Closet’ is for me as well. I am a teacher. I am currently at the ‘Australian International School’. I had a hobby of doing something as well.
From childhood, I had an interest in fashion design. When I was in high school, my mother stopped making clothes for me. From then on, I had to design my clothes. Since I wore newly designed clothes every time, I built up a great interest in fashion, design, style, colour, pattern, and motif. In 2016, when Facebook was going with the flow, my sister and I started ‘Trina’s Closet’. Within a year, we got multiple projects.
The biggest project was in Texas, America, where ‘Trina’s Closet’ got showcased. After that, no looking back. That was our turning point, and at that time, we decided that it was time that we should grow broader that’s why I am in Dhaka. My sister in Chittagong, opened our showroom. From then, our journey officially began. ‘Trina’s Closet’ outfits are all incredibly stylish and one-of-a-kind. All of our sarees are fusion, all of our Kurtis and abayas are fashionable, and all of our outfits are unique. So it’s a customer-driven fashion firm that’s self-designed.
Q. How was your experience as a news presenter & show host? You have worked in BTV & Channel 1. How did this help in your career?
I worked as a National Television graded announcer, program presenter, and Channel 1 news presenter. In the year 2000, national television recognized my accomplishments. To be in this position, I have gained valuable experiences. When I go somewhere to speak, my accent, speaking abilities, presenting skills, and interpersonal communication skills all stem from my background working in television. Now, if I go someplace to speak, whether it’s in the Ministry, a public or private venue, my speech is not hesitant; I can connect with people, persuade them with my communication skills, and simple communication gets understandable to the audience. Again, my background in television and media was quite beneficial. I am a professional public speaker. I have spoken about women’s empowerment in several settings. There is nothing a woman can not do, in my opinion. I earlier mentioned, and I will say it again: that women have the power to accomplish anything if they can get out of their comfort zones. I enjoy bragging about it wherever I go. Because I do public speaking, I am not camera shy when it comes to vlogging. I do not become nervous in front of the camera.
Q. You are an anchor & a host. You are proficient at freely speaking or public speaking. Would you like to give some advice on how to be a good speaker?
Little things like extracurricular activities, public speaking, debating, dancing, and singing are often overlooked. We believe that these activities will eat up our valuable time; we do not see the need for them, so we skip courses. However, as we progress in our careers, we appreciate the necessity and significance of it. As a result, it is advised that if the opportunity arises, we should not pass it up. It is necessary to learn any extracurricular activity. It is critical for you, your work, and your company. It is critical to transfer your business to others and maintain a steady job.
Q. You have also worked as a project facilitator for UNICEF. Would you like to share the experience?
As a project facilitator, I have worked with UNICEF in Coxs Bazar, we created a documentary project called ‘Shoufel Dundee’ with the help of 30 American students. It was for those who had been affected by the floods. UNICEF is mostly concerned with flood victims and pandemics. Working with UNICEF has been beneficial to my job development since I have learned to work courageously. I had a unique experience with UNICEF since I was able to work with folks from rural areas. There was a lot of arsenic in the area. We had to go to the US ambassador to reclaim it, and we had to meet their needs as well. Working with UNICEF taught me how to contribute to society, be social, and grow humanity that’s why if people get the chance to work with this kind of organization, they should grab it too. I thank to UNICEF with all my heart for allowing me to let me be their Project facilitator.
Q. Any advice to youths who are looking to be entrepreneurs? It would be very helpful for them from you.
If I had to advise young entrepreneurs, I would tell them that the word is relatively new in Bangladesh, but it is a significant and growing sector. We can take action in support of every better plan we have. Entrepreneurship is the act of taking action. If you believe that your work, for example, in outsourcing, can be done more efficiently and that you can produce your product on time, you should get started. The quality of your goods is crucial. You should also be aware that if you do not deliver your product on time, your page may be disabled. Youth is the future’s power. Youth must see the internet as a necessity rather than a luxury. So, use ‘E’ in positive aspects, not on negative sides. ‘E’ can be the best platform for your entrepreneur. Even the government is helping the entrepreneurs in many ways, taking steps for their betterment that’s why people from different areas, even from rural places, can start their business utilizing whatever they have around. For example, if you have a farm around you, you can utilize it. By doing these, you can help yourself and your family. As a youth, you have the power; you are enthusiastic about growing your business with your ideas. Failure often makes us drag down mentality, but we have to remember that this is not the end of life. Take your mistake as your biggest learning to move your business forward.
Q. You are the Vice-chairman investment committee at the E-Commerce Association of Bangladesh. Would you like to share what scope we have in e-commerce in the future & the current phage of e-commerce in our country? Tell us about your views on e-commerce’s role in women’s employment in our county & how women can grab this opportunity.
E-commerce is the most flourishing industry right now. Although it got a little down now, it is flourishing. However, every new initiative has its positive and negative side. During the time of the pandemic, e-commerce has worked for entrepreneurs even with daily used products. Starting from medicine to home accessories, e-commerce helped with everything. With the help of e-commerce and f-commerce, many housewives women have started their businesses and helped their families financially. Facebook e-commerce is now closer to lakh. It has helped almost 3 lakh women. They have built their career successfully. They are helping themselves with their short or bigger organization. Now, e-commerce and digital ministries have regulations. If the woman can get an authentic trade license, TIN, and documents following the regulations, she might not be face big problems for business. The trade license must be updated. Trade licenses are getting checked strongly. Hence, if documents are strong, your business can move strongly as well. E-commerce has helped women extremely. In the ICT regulation, 5.15 is working with women. There, the number of women entrepreneurs has crossed 50%. If you notice the exhibitions, fairs, SME fairs, and different public and private fairs, you’ll find the strong connectivity among women that’s why I will say, in every new venture, people are hiring women employees in HR, the management, or every other department. Training has been provided to women to grow their businesses. Women entrepreneurs should find platforms to take training. With forwarding to ‘Trina’s Closet’, I have done courses from Coursera on entrepreneurship. After that, I joined ‘Women and E-commerce Forum’ as Vice-Chairman of their investment committee.
While being connected with the community, I have worked with the government, BIDA, and Hi-Tech Park, So nothing should be taken for granted. Every opportunity should be utilized.
