FORAM KAPADIA, KAPADIA LABEL
![IMG_4881[1]](https://sapnatoronto.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/IMG_48811-253x189.jpg)
“Never a destination, always a journey!”
-Kim Jones
BRIEF HISTORY, BACKGROUND, UNDERTAKINGS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Growing up in small-town never stopped my big visions. Life has only been upwards and onwards since I pursued to follow my dreams. After completing my schooling and graduation in India, I packed my bags to explore the west. I moved to Toronto to do my post graduation in Advertising-Media Management. I was always very active in extra-curricular activities and also received awards for the same. Being a Media graduate has always helped me in getting good job opportunities, however the business genes in me always pushed me to start my own venture.
The fashion enthusiast in me noticed the trends here and decided to bridge the gap between the two worlds. That’s when Kapadia Label was invented, a brand which is a perfect destination for a modern woman who wants a perfect balance between the South Asian and western taste. Kapadia Label started with a website and have now expanded on all the platforms including social media, exhibitions and fashion shows as well. Kapadia Label currently operates in North America and U.K. and plans to evolve and grow continuously by providing exclusive outfits and promising service.
WHAT FUTURE PROJECTS CAN THE COMMUNITY EXPECT FROM YOU?
In the recent future, I plan to launch a Spring-Summer 2019 collection. The collection will be launched and promoted on the website and social media (Instagram: @kapadia_label). I plan to organize a Popup show that will feature the upcoming collection.
As fashion is everything we wear and not just clothes, we also plan to branch out and add a new product line to our brand: jewellery. Stay tuned on our Instagram page to learn more about its launch!
WHAT DO YOU DO ON YOUR SPARE TIME? HOW DO YOU BALANCE IT WITH YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE?
My family has always been a firm believer in providing a helping hand to society. In my spare time, I am usually volunteering for community services. I help in organizing events that are backed by a social cause. Currently, I am organizing a Breast Cancer Run, a family-friendly event that will be a fun morning to enjoy some quality time with friends and family while getting some exercise and helping a noble cause. I also love to travel and visit new places, some of which are on my bucket list and some explored randomly.
The only way to balance personal and professional life is by planning, organizing and prioritizing. It is very common for professional life to take up all your time but you need to always remind yourself that you will never feel truly satisfied by work until you are satisfied by life.
CAN YOU TALK ABOUT SOME OBSTACLES YOU FACED IN YOUR LIFE? HOW DID YOU OVERCOME THEM?
Moving to a new country exposed me to a completely different culture that was very new for me. Learning and adapting to it has been a challenge. Being new in the country also meant creating new connections, establishing contacts for business and co-existing with the current vendors in the industry. The solution to these challenges was to be receptive of the changes and adjusting myself to the new lifestyle. I also attended events and socialized to make a network and Toronto has been a very welcoming city. One other obstacle faced has been to juggle between my job and business. The person that helped me the most is my stylist, my best friend and my support Nilofer Timol. She is good at everything I am not. I am very happy and thankful to have someone that I trust so much.
It surely took a while for the flight to take off in my personal as well as professional life. In the initial stage, Kapadia Label had a very limited stock and faced difficulty in increasing brand awareness, but currently we have a wide range of collection and the graph is only going up!
WHO ARE YOUR HEROES? WHY?
Oprah Winfrey and my dad. Oprah Winfrey because she has endured and survived a tumultuous life, rising to become the most influential and powerful woman on television today, with her own hugely successful network and a worldwide following that stretches into millions. She also uses her network as a platform for improving the wellbeing of her viewers and strives to have a positive, meaningful effect in the world. She has dedicated her whole life to improving other people’s lives, she gives her best selflessly and doesn’t expect anything in return when she does a good cause. She teaches us to pick ourselves up through hard times and to forgive but most of all she teaches us to believe, to believe in ourselves and in our dreams. Nobody does it better!
My dad is also my role model. He is where I get my business skills from. He started his export business in 1996 and I have seen him struggle and grow his way up to where he is now. There have been tough times in the initial days of his business but he has always been there for our family and has always maintained a great work-life balance. He is and will always be my motivation!
WHAT ARE YOUR ULTIMATE GOALS?
My ultimate goal is to make my brand North America’s #1 destination for not just fashion enthusiasts but also for every girl who can say yes to the dress! I want my brand to cater to all the demographics and cultures so that it’s a one-stop shop for any fashion requirements.
Ultimately, I aim to be happy and content with the journey of my life. In between goals is a thing called life, that has to be lived and enjoyed!
WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BE A LEADER?
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. According to me, there are three things that make a person true leader – focus, persistence and commitment. A good leader is generally focused and they are able to think rationally. Not only does a good leader view a situation as a whole, but is able to narrow down the cause as well as find the solution to the problem.
Commitment and persistence are equally important too. Performance without dedicated service has a short shelf life. Your commitment to the people you serve is key to effective leadership.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU PROVIDE SOMEBODY WHO WANTS TO FOLLOW THE SAME PATH AS YOU?
Don’t give up. This is what I would mainly ask anyone who is on the same path as me. If you want to make a place for yourself, you should know that the road will never be smooth. You will have to go out of your comfort zone to make your own story. So keep going on, as there is no substitute for hard work. There will be several times where you will feel like you cannot go on, but be patient and never give up. Let life be a learning experience. Don’t let this year be another year of good intentions with unaccomplished goals. If you want to accomplish something, then you need to DO something about it! Twist the process but don’t twist the goal. There is always a way if you are willing to find a way!
ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
The most important thing is to listen to your gut feeling and to your heart. For example, you feel you would love to try something new or different that you love or feel passionate about, but your fears seem to be stronger than your desire. All you need to do is to take the first step towards what you desire. It can be the tiniest step, but it is a step. And it is a step outside your comfort zone. But don’t stay there. Keep making steps and as long as you are moving, things will start changing for you. Remember, where attention goes, the energy flows. Stepping towards your goals and dreams will start drawing experiences, opportunities, people etc. towards you, so that each step you make will be easier. And through this process you’ll learn, grow and find a new aspect of yourself. It is a very exciting and empowering process.
