Shweta Jhajharia joined ActionCOACH in 2008 and has since advanced to be one of the most inspiring young women in business.
Shweta is a MBA graduate of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), India’s top management institute, and was with Unilever for over 8 years in various management roles across Asia and Europe.
"When I earned my MBA, I knew that I wanted to spend at least seven years in marketing, then move on to a consulting role," explains Shweta.
When she began exploring her future business options she came across the ActionCOACH franchise and she felt it was a great opportunity, offering unrivalled training and support, but still wanted to make sure it was the right fit for her.
"I sat down with my husband one night and we decided that if I was going to do this then I should go with the best PLUS I wouldn’t be doing it alone, I would have the invaluable support and advice a new business needs but doesn’t get as a self-employed sole-trader.
Despite the success I had experienced in corporate life, going out on my own was a daunting prospect but I could see from the outset that ActionCOACH had an energetic, vibrant and inclusive culture with great support systems," answers Shweta.
Shweta found the fact that her ActionCOACH business would be based on mutually beneficial relationships to be particularly motivating – her business and financial success, as an ActionCOACH, would ultimately depend upon her clients’ success.
Shweta was certified as an ActionCOACH and completed her franchisee training in December 2008; she got her first client in month 1 (January 2009) and has since coached hundreds of business owners towards greater profitability and sustainability. Shweta continues to shuffle the demands of being an ActionCOACH alongside caring for her energetic young child.
Since the beginning of 2009, Shweta has worked with, and improved, the operations of more than 300 businesses in the London area. By focusing on her core competency of improving businesses, she has been able to target businesses stagnating due to the economic recession and also work with successful business owners to help them take their businesses to the next level.
"I think it is important to recognise that in the business of coaching, helping other businesses is at the core of my own business model and therefore my success is inextricably linked to the success of my clients. This is both a worthy challenge and a great opportunity for me. In 2012 I was presented with the 'Coach of the Year 2012' and the 'Best Client Results 2012' awards. My greatest happiness from my business success has been to see my clients grow phenomenally and receiving those awards for their achievements was a great honour," explains Shweta.
Shweta’s boundless enthusiasm, knowledge and ideas impress her clients, she identifies the issues that are holding businesses back, puts systems in place to address those issues and ultimately delivers significant improvements in what can be successful but faltering businesses. One such client is Mark Law, Director of Drumshack Ltd:
"My coach has easily paid for herself; the huge increase in profitability has been fantastic. She has added structure to our business, improving team, systems and marketing development. There is no question in my mind that our coach has improved not just our financial performance and focus of the business but also the performance and drive of my team.’"
Community is something that is very close to Shweta’s heart and she offers the skills she gains as an ActionCOACH where needed. She has recently collaborated with eight London boroughs to improve the sustainability and growth of childcare centres and nurseries. She also supports several education based charities in India focused on schooling low income and deprived children.
"Over the last year, we have raised over £10,000 in support of these charities. We are also actively looking to set up a school for underprivileged children in India. This will be largely funded through the profits of my own business," adds Shweta.
Shweta has recently won a Special Judge's Award for the British Franchise Association’s Franchisee of the Year Award for her outstanding success. The future for Shweta looks truly bright. Her long-term vision is to expand her ActionCOACH business and current leadership in the business coaching industry.
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I'm in charge of my own future, I'm free, fulfilled and financially secure - not many people can say that.Roger Pemberton, franchise partner since 2007
I'm making a difference to people's lives and giving meaning to mine.Parag Prasad, franchise partner since 2007
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