Pooja Wadhwani is a cosmetologist and entrepreneur who defied gender stereotypes and built a successful business and a happy family. She loves nature and animals and looks up to Sushmita Sen and Ratan Tata.

Pooja Wadhwani is the owner of The Looks.

Pooja entered into business in 1998 at the young age of 18, just after completing her education. She started a wholesale cosmetics business of all brands from her home. Two decades down the line, with utmost determination and hard work, Pooja has become a successful businesswoman, supplying cosmetics, parlor chairs, and other equipment to more than 750 parlors in the city. She also supplies material to ITIs and polytechnic colleges.

When Pooja decided to start her entrepreneurial journey, she was criticized by her peers and opposed by her father and family, who did not believe that she would be able to thrive in a male-dominated society. She was the only girl in her family who was entering into business.

In 2008, when she wanted to buy a building in Bapu Bazar, even the banks she approached for financing denied sanctioning a loan since she had no male partners. This treatment triggered something in Pooja, which led her to pursue her dream with more enthusiasm and a will to prove everyone wrong. And, ultimately, she bought the building for a huge amount because of her determination. She feels that taking on this challenge was one of the best decisions she made in life.

As the bank loan that she took added more liability to the business, she started a small beauty salon to make some extra money. Being a cosmetologist, Pooja also teaches and trains many beauticians. She is also a guest faculty member at many ITIs and polytechnic colleges.

Talking about the pandemic times, Pooja says that she enjoyed the time with her newly adopted one-year-old daughter. She had also set up a small salon at her home in the lockdown days to sustain herself. She is having the time of her life with her adopted daughter, although, being a single mother, things are sometimes difficult for her.

Pooja completed her high school education at St. Mary’s School. During her teen years, Pooja was a shy girl initially, but she became mischievous when she entered the 11th grade.

Pooja considers Sushmita Sen as her role model, as she has also courageously adopted two kids and is bringing them up single-handedly. She is also inspired by Ratan Tata for his business achievements and for his philanthropy.

Pooja has a passion for gardening. She is also an avid animal lover. She has two dogs, whom she adores. Pooja also likes to read biographies of successful people.

Pooja says she was not a born leader but picked up the quality gradually. She now leads all her staff. She always treats them well, and they have, in return, helped her build the business empire that she has now. Some of her earliest staff from 1998 are still with her because of her good behavior.

Pooja feels that, apart from academics, everyone, especially the boys, should be given family education on how to respect females. She feels boys should also be taught to do all types of household chores.

If she could go back in time, she would love to relive the time spent with her daughter, Meethi.

Pooja appeals to society to not kill female fetuses and let them live. She strongly feels that women should be treated equally and not humiliated in the patriarchal society that we have. She also asks people not to hurt animals.