Afroza Parveen, Managing Director of Ujjwala, award-winning beauty industry pioneer transforms personal artistry into a platform for women’s economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
According to renowned author and motivational speaker Wayne Dyer, “Doing what you love is the cornerstone of having abundance in your life.” Afroza Parvin embraced this philosophy and elevated her hobby to a professional pursuit. Her journey goes back to when she was 10 years old. Young Afroza was not even aware about the potentiality of her skills. She loved playing with makeup. Her love for creativity, art and makeup paved her way towards RED Beauty Studio & Salon.
Afroza Parvin’s entrepreneurial journey began in 2009 with the establishment of RED Beauty Studio & Salon. However, this venture was not without its challenges, as Afroza did not possess any formal training in the field. Undeterred, she honed her skills through unwavering practice, patience and hands-on experience.
Recognizing the vast potential within the industry and the need to empower aspiring artists, Afroza founded Ujjwala in 2017. This innovative establishment served as a platform to train, educate, and facilitate those interested in pursuing careers in the beauty and aesthetics domain. Afroza’s vision was to provide comprehensive knowledge, resources, and mentorship to enable these individuals to become successful entrepreneurs.
Afroza Parvin’s entrepreneurial journey was marked by significant challenges stemming from the then socio-economic conditions. She faced threats and extortion from local miscreants, but her iron-like willpower, self-assurance, confidence and mindset enabled her to overcome these obstacles and maintain the continuity of her operations.
Afroza firmly believes that overcoming adverse situations is a crucial aspect of achieving true success. Upon asking, she was kind enough to share her experiences with Gaznobay, highlighting the initial lack of information on how to efficiently conduct her business operations, despite having a clear vision. Additionally, Afroza faced personal challenges that required substantial time and patience to overcome.
Regrettably, Afroza’s struggles did not end there. From a Bangladesh perspective, it is a matter of sorrow that creative professions like hers do not receive the respect they deserve. Afroza’s aspiration was to create a path where individuals working in this field, both currently and in the future, receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. Afroza established Ujjwala, an initiative that provides comprehensive education, including courses on business management and parenting, to empower and groom entrepreneurs, thereby ensuring their growth and the growth of the industry as a whole.
Afroza’s vision was to establish an organization that would provide comprehensive training for aspiring entrepreneurs, enabling them to launch businesses with minimal capital investment. The initiative caters to both individuals seeking financial independence and those pursuing their artistic passions professionally.
Afroza’s innovative approach led to the creation of a unique entrepreneurial platform that empowers participants to transform their necessities or interests into sustainable business ventures. When asked about managing two service-oriented platforms, Afroza explained the complementary relationship between Ujjwala and RED Beauty Studio & Salon. At Ujjwala, participants receive specialized education and training aligned with RED’s service offerings, creating a complementary system where both organizations enhance each other’s value propositions.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions to women’s entrepreneurship, Afroza was honored with the prestigious IDLC-Prothom Alo SME Award 2023 in the Women Entrepreneurship category. This recognition has not only boosted her confidence but also reinforced her sense of responsibility. She remains committed to expanding her impact and advancing her mission of empowering entrepreneurs.
Recognizing women’s multitasking capabilities and understanding of artistic details, Afroza and her team have implemented a comprehensive development framework encompassing structured course curricula, monthly schedules, KPIs, and certification protocols. Their rigorous training and assessment methodology ensures thorough evaluation of each candidate’s progress and competency development and formal certification.
The beauty sector in Bangladesh is experiencing unprecedented growth, presenting opportunities for low-investment, high-return ventures. With strategic training sessions, Afroza cultivates skilled professionals who can transition from workers to future entrepreneurs, thereby keeping the wheels of the economy running smoothly.
Professional and personal development are intrinsically linked, with success in one sector positively influencing the other. Afroza emphasizes that entrepreneurial success stems from personal growth, maintaining that individuals must combine ambition with dedicated effort to achieve and sustain their goals. She advocates for a holistic approach to success, combining self-awareness, physical well-being, and mental firmness.
According to Afroza, unwavering determination can overcome both social and economic barriers. She emphasizes that proper education, intellectual curiosity, and self-confidence are fundamental to business success. Regarding RED Beauty Studio & Salon’s future trajectory, Afroza’s immediate focus is on expanding the Mohammadpur branch operations. Her long-term vision encompasses international expansion, demonstrating her commitment to scaling the business beyond national boundaries while maintaining professional excellence. Through this strategic approach, Afroza continues to contribute to both individual empowerment and sector-wide growth in Bangladesh’s beauty industry.
Afroza’s journey serves as a testament to the profound impact that can result when individuals have the courage to pursue their passions.
