Slice of Life: ‘People pursuing their passion should find a financial angle to it’

When I was young my parents thought I’d take up classical dance after school, but I told them that I wanted to take up fashion design. It came as a surprise to them, but they didn’t discourage me about my choice. Rather, they discussed the pros and cons of the matter with me. When they realised that I was a little unsure of the prospect, they suggested me to take up a safer option and I ended up pursuing engineering like many others. I studied in Anna University, the same place as my father studied. After the course, I thought of starting my own company. My parents and sister were very supportive. My mother is a designer herself, and my father has always had an eye for fashion who picked us stylish accessories. I run Design with SAA boutique with my mother. She encourages me all the time. When they see that I’m taking it so seriously, my parents suggested that I pursue a Master’s degree in Fashion Technology. They said that if I’m going to do something, I should do it properly and see it through. My family is always there to catch me when I slip. They talk me though and advise me about matters related to my career. They have really done nothing but support me. I understand if other parents can’t do the same, due to financial or social reasons, but my advice to those who have a passion would be to try to find a financial angle to it and pursue it whenever possible. To the parents, I’d ask them to support their children as much as possible.