Today we’d like to introduce you to Raj Sharma.
Raj, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
Prior to coming to the States, I had been, for the most part, a fashion designer though I also had taken cosmetology courses when I was about 18 years old. Back then I did some work as a beautician but eventually quit because I was more passionate about fashion. Migration at the age of 34 is not easy. It is like digging up a settled tree from its roots and putting it down somewhere else. I felt like I was nobody as if somebody took my identity from me; that somebody was myself. A decision to move to the USA with the American dream sounded exciting, I felt proud in my path of becoming an American resident, but it was difficult.
One day I was walking on Moody Street in Waltham and saw an Indian clothing store. I entered to ask for a tailoring or sales job. They said no, but if I knew threading they could have me part-time. The profession that I had abandoned 15 years ago, helped me start work in the United States. I worked at this place in Waltham for about a year. After quitting my first and only job since I came to the States, my local clients saw me at grocery stores, supermarkets, and encouraged me to start working from home as a beautician. When I saw that there were a lot of people interested to come to my house for beauty services, I started a business from home as an eyebrows threader and tailor in 2011.
In 2012, almost 6 months after I started working from home, I had to move my business to a proper location due to an overflow of clients. When I told my dream of opening a store for my clients, they started supporting me with tips. One of my clients even wrote me a big check just on trust and love. It meant a lot to me. These clients are the pillars of support for my business. After 20 years of being a professional tailor and fashion designer, this business changed me to become a beautician. I got my cosmetologist license and started two businesses at one place with some help. I managed to maintain these two professions side by side. Today I am more beautician than a designer.
Has it been a smooth road?
It would be a huge lie if I said it was smooth. Getting a place for my business was disappointing. I did not think it could be that hard to find a place on Moody St in Waltham. On top of it, real estate agents would not trust a new business center and required many documentations. I was lucky to find the current place.
Once I made the move from home to this place on Moody St, the business started out quite smooth. It started growing fast like mushrooms. There was one moment when I felt like this was going out of my capacity. I was scared and concerned if I could handle it. But I managed.
The toughest part was balancing my personal and professional life. I kept the store open for 7 days a week for first 4 years. When it wasn’t too busy at the start, my husband and son came on Sunday evenings to help out. This family time disappeared after my son started growing older and the business started getting busier. I was overworking myself, so finally I decided to close on Sundays. I lost quite a few of my clients in the beginning for almost a year.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Raj Collections – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Our business is a one-stop-shop for Indian style clothing, jewelry & other accessories, and beauty services and supplies. At our shop, we carry a huge collection of ready-to-wear Indian style clothing with matching accessories for men, women, and kids. Every client gets our personal attention. We offer alteration service to make sure that the apparel our clients buy from us fit them well. My tailor is well-trained by myself and is always ready to help clients with fitting.
Since I began working from home I started growing as an eyebrows threader, and ever since I have become distinguished as Raj the eyebrows threader. My main clients come from Waltham High School, Brandeis University, Bentley University, Lasell College, Watertown High School, and the Newton High Schools. These clients have kept me going as an eyebrows threader. I am a Dermologica skin specialist as well; do haircuts, hair coloring, waxing, and facials, but they are all undermined by eyebrows threading.
Small businesses usually run on one person, and once that person is gone, the business is over. What I am proud of is the fact that people come to Raj Collections, not just for Raj, but for the business. Other threading places have one person who is the best, and the rest are still learners. At my business, all the eyebrows threaders are well-trained in the same way as I trained them after I hire them. I would say that I pay my staffs to learn then give them the opportunity to become professionals. I do not let them serve clients without my supervision until I ascertain they are ready. I usually invest up to a year to train my employees and I do it because that’s how I can make sure our business maintains its quality.
Some clients know what they want, but most of them are unaware of what makes their eyebrows look the best. My staffs and I examine each eyebrow once they are done, and if we see anything that needs additional attention, we make the necessary changes.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I landed at Logan Airport and got to my new hometown, Waltham. I have been living here ever since. I love being in this city; I can’t imagine myself moving away. It has everything for my family: good schooling for my son, and an extremely diverse community which has made me feel very welcome. Moody St where my business is located is full of diverse small business entrepreneurs. I also serve at Waltham Local First, a not-for-profit organization, as a committee member. There is nothing that I couldn’t like about here.
Pricing:
- Eyebrows Threading – $8.00
- Pants Hemming – $10.00 to $20.00
- Eyebrows Tinting – $15.00
Contact Info:
- Address: 270 Moody St
- Phone: 7813146079
- Email: rajcollections@outlook.com
- Instagram: Raj Collections LLC
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rajcollectionsboutique
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/RajCollections
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/raj-collections-waltham-2
- Other: https://plus.google.com/105438176730322543695
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