Sejal

Sejal’s Journey: From Commerce Grad to Henna Entrepreneur 

Sejal Shah-Parmar's story began in the bustling city of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she was born and raised. After completing her Bachelor's in Commerce she was an education and career counselor in India, which eventually led her to the United States in 2002. Sejal began counseling and guiding students to universities worldwide. Education was the foundation of her aspirations, but life had its own twists and turns awaiting her. 

After settling in the States, she continued unraveling her journey by moving from California to Connecticut marking a significant transition in her life. This move to Connecticut is where she found herself navigating divorce and the struggles that came with it. Yet, despite these challenges, a great opportunity emerged as she was offered a part-time position as a paralegal by the attorney who handled her divorce.

Sejal was not only very resilient, but also very ambitious. These traits are what helped her succeed and keep moving forward, despite the struggles she faced. Her journey from working as a part-time paralegal to a full-time legal assistant was driven by her determination to create a stable life for herself and her daughter. Her dedication led her to pursue further certification as a paralegal, solidifying her position in the legal field.

While this career is what she focused on in the day, Sejal discovered a passion that brightened her evenings: the art of henna. Sejal's journey into the world of henna began with an encounter during her time in California, while assisting her then-husband at his cigar store. During this time, she stumbled upon a henna cone. Intrigued by this unique art form, Sejal decided to try her hand at creating designs for the girlfriends of the store's patrons. 

There was one specific encounter that stood out to Sejal; she had met a woman who requested a henna design on her shoulder which evolved into an extraordinary learning experience for Sejal as the woman kept asking for more designs that covered her entire arm. This encounter was one Sejal thought back to when she moved to Connecticut. It allowed her to reflect on the impact her skill had. 

Pursuing henna was a chance for Sejal to explore her creativity, while also gaining another income source to help support herself and her daughter. 

What started as a means to earn extra income evolved into "Trendy Henna," a business venture that Sejal fell in love with. Amidst facing challenges in pursuing both her full-time legal career and her henna business, she was fueled by her passion. Specializing in estate law and probate law during the day, while she dedicated her evenings to creating henna designs and managing her business. 

As a mother and entrepreneur, there were times when she had doubt and discomfort, often facing questions about her independence in a male-dominated industry. However, her daughter and family’s support helped her continue heroically through this journey. Her work in henna allowed her to educate others on the culture of henna and its natural properties. 

As Sejal reflects on the path she has taken, she wants to share one piece of advice for aspiring young women: "Struggles come and go, but if you're persistent and believe in yourself, you can do whatever you desire."

Sejal is now happily married and her family is her biggest support. Sejal knows she is blessed to be able to lead a successful career and serve such a beautiful community. With each stroke of henna, she continues to spread not only beauty and tradition, but love.

Domestic Department- Manasvi Rajiv

Editing- Aagrima Mehra