The grooming tsarina of Surat

BUSINESSWOMEN OF GUJARAT/ Jayshree Talati

I am a dream weaver," she tells you. "I help people aim at bigger things in life," says the ever confident Jayshree Talati, who runs the Better Career Management (BCM) in Surat.

The institute offers courses in spoken English, computer courses, courses on personality development, TOEFL, IELTS and textile designing, among others.

It was the boredom of a small town such as Surat that brought forward the entrepreneurial skill in Jayshree.

"We shifted from Mumbai to Surat in 1994, after my husband started working here. There was a big difference in the life between Mumbai and Surat. I was involved with several social organisations in Mumbai, but there was nothing much to do in Surat. This is when I decided to do something of my own," says Jayshree.

So, how did BCM come along?

"The first thing that came to my mind after shifting to Surat was that the knowledge of English was very poor here. Even college students were not fluent in the language. Somebody had to break the shell the students were in. This gave birth to the idea of starting BCM. The personality development course I did also strengthened my confidence," says Jayshree.

A housewife for 12 years, her idea to start a business of her own met with stiff opposition from her husband, Kishore Talati. "Kishore opposed the idea as he did not want to take any monetary risk. But I convinced him that if the institute did not click, I will close it.

"I bought a small place in Belgium Square and with an investment of Rs 2.50 lakh started BCM in August 1996."

BCM was n instant hit in Surat. Within three months, Jayshree bought three more adjacent shops, and expanded the institute.

BCM started its second centre at Rander in 1999. The institute has recently tied up with the Mumbai Education Trust, and the Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (Mumbai), for various management courses. AND not only that, Jayshree is seriously contemplating starting one or two colleges in Surat, and BCM to other cities of the state.

"My father used to say that I was his fourth son. This has really encouraged me all my life, and I am glad that I have been able to fulfill his expectations," she says.

Jayshree looks homeward for inspiration. "The support from my family has also played a crucial role in my success."

Though she has tasted professional success, it is the success her wards that make her more happy.

"I still remember the girl, who approached me shortly after BCM was started. She was almost on the brink of committing suicide. Her husband had ditched her, and she had a young son to look after. She worked very hard, and today, she earns good money, has bought a good house, her son is studying in a proper school. I feel really proud and satisfied whenever I think about her," she says with a smile of satisfaction.

"The only regret that I have is that I am not able to spare enough time for my personal life," says Jayshree.

"I miss out on quite a few things, which I would have done had I not been working.

"Life so far has been quite satisfying, but I have to do many more things," the self-proclaimed workaholic says.