Dhanvi Sandesara, Delta Chapter - August 2019

What are you doing today and how did joining Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc. prepare you for this? Today, I do hair and makeup under my company name Ilume Artistry Co. This was started in Houston, TX but my team and I travel worldwide for hair and makeup. I also own a line of cruelty free mink eyelashes which I sell both domestically and internationally. Kappa Phi Gamma taught me how to work with others and take leadership. I am able to focus on building relations with clients, customers, and my very own employees.

What were your biggest challenges and struggles? My biggest challenge was maintaining my work life balance. There is no such thing as clocking in and out, my business is on my mind 24/7. I had to figure out how to turn my brain off and focus on different parts of business and my own life.

What is your favorite part of your position/career/field? My favorite parts of my position are meeting and working with different people. My job is to make others feel their best on the most important days of their lives, I love feeling fulfilled and sharing memories with them!

What is your work/life balance? I’ve learned how to maintain a healthy work/life balance. The biggest thing that has helped me is listing out what needs to be done. Writing helps so much because I am able to figure out what needs the most focus/attention and therefore cross them off my list.

How did you come up with the name and concept of your business? Ilume Artistry was started when I was exiting a very dark period of my life.

There seemed to be darkness all around and at the time, I didn’t think there was any way out of it. I was lost, I had no idea where my life was going, everyone around me was successful and happy. I had to learn that I needed to stop comparing myself to others and most of all.. find what makes me happy. I decided to face my fears and pursue a dream, I named that dream Ilume because it was my light in the dark.

What advice do you have for women that are attempting to follow your career path? My advice to anyone following any career path is this: be patient and do not give up on yourself. Always remember when there’s a will there’s a way. Do not compare yourself to others, instead, look to others for inspiration and guidance. Be kind to yourself!

How do you measure your success? I pay attention to feedback from my clients and peers. Also, I look at my finances fiscally to see my growth.

Be sure to follow Dhanvi on Instagram, @IlumeArtistryCo, and check out her website to stay up to date!