Karishma, a self-love coach based in Townsville, Australia, helps Indian women with self-esteem and confidence. She moved to Australia in 2007 for her master’s in Hotel Management but faced a job loss in 2015. After a period of soul-searching and spiritual journey, she started her coaching business, Elevate Self Love, about a year ago.
Speaking to Indian Women Abroad, Karishma emphasises the benefits of living in Australia, such as progressive societal attitudes, but also the challenges of being away from family. She advises new immigrants to arrange initial accommodation from India for safety but to look for better rates locally. Karishma finds tracking her business the most adventurous part of her journey in Australia.
Where are you based?
I’m in Queensland, specifically Townsville. I’m a self-love coach, and I help women with their vision, self-esteem, self-confidence, and overall positive attitude about themselves.
That’s very interesting! Are your clients mostly Indian women, or do you work with women from different communities?
Mostly, I focus on Indian women. Most of my clients are from India, but I also have clients from other countries as well. The majority are based in Australia. I do it online, and it’s called Elevate Self Love.
And when did you move to Australia? What brought you here?
I moved here in 2007 from Greater Noida in India, so I’ve been here for quite a while now. I came here for further studies. I did my bachelor’s degree in hotel management in India and then moved here to pursue my master’s.
Did you continue in hotel management after your studies?
No, things didn’t exactly turn out as planned. After finishing my course, I started working but eventually lost my job due to some differences with my manager. That’s when I began my journey of self-discovery and spirituality to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I realised I had issues with self-esteem and self-love, which led me to start this coaching business.
That sounds like quite a journey. Could you share more about your personal experiences that led you to this path?
After I lost my job, I was also at an age when I really wanted to find a partner and settle down. The pressure from Indian society to get married by a certain age weighed heavily on me. I had a lot of self-doubt. I wondered why I couldn’t find a partner or succeed in a job.
But eventually, I realised there was nothing wrong with me. I had to embrace my single life, enjoy my independence, and trust that the right partner would come in time. That realisation is what inspired me to start my coaching journey.
Your journey of self-discovery and empowerment is inspiring. Was there a specific approach you took to finding clarity? Did you travel or speak to people?
I hired coaches and invested in myself. Even though I was facing financial challenges at that time, I knew there were things I didn’t know, and I was willing to learn from others who had the knowledge and experience. I kept myself open to learning and growth.
And do you think the move to Australia offered some advantages, especially given the societal expectations back home?
Yes, definitely. If I were in India, I would have likely been married by the time I lost my job. There would have been a lot of pressure from my family to settle down, even if I didn’t feel it was the right choice. Here in Australia, the pressure is much less. The society is more progressive, and I feel like I have more freedom to decide my own path.
Did you face any specific pressure from your family to settle down or get married?
There wasn’t direct pressure to settle down, but my father would occasionally ask when I would find a partner. He’s concerned because I lost my mother at a young age, and I think he wants me to get married before anything happens to him. It’s more about his concern for my wellbeing than societal pressure to marry at a certain age.
How does your father feel now about your life choices?
He still asks me occasionally when I’ll find a partner, but he no longer pressures me as much. He’s come to terms with how I’ve chosen to live my life.
Can you walk us through your redundancy and your mentoring journey?
I started the mentoring program about a year ago. I lost my job in 2015, and it was a difficult period for me. It took some time to get back on track.
For a while, I didn’t qualify for Centrelink, so I had to get creative. I tried affiliate marketing and other side jobs to earn money. My sister helped me out financially during that time. In 2017, I was finally approved for Centrelink, which was a blessing.
As an Indian woman living in a foreign country, what do you think are the pros and cons of being away from home?
The pros are that the society here is much more progressive, especially for women. There’s equal opportunity, and I feel like I can pursue my career without being compared to men. The cons are definitely the distance from family and the feeling of being away from your roots.
And have you been able to find a supportive community in Queensland?
Yes, I’ve found support within the Indian community here. We sometimes meet for functions like Diwali, and even when there’s no function, we organise informal get-togethers. It’s nice to have that support.
You moved to Australia at a time when migration wasn’t as common. For women considering moving abroad, especially Indian women, do you have any advice or lessons you’d like to share?
When I first moved here, I arranged my accommodation from India, thinking it would be safer. However, I found that it was much more expensive than I had anticipated. My advice would be to research accommodation options here before confirming anything. You can stay in a hotel for a week while you look for more affordable accommodation.
That’s great advice! What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve done since moving to Australia?
I think the most adventurous thing has been starting my own business. It’s been a challenging yet rewarding journey.
I would encourage women who are moving abroad to be adventurous. You’ll learn so much from your own experiences, and it will help you grow in ways that other people’s experiences never could. Live your life fully and embrace every challenge.
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