Meet Payal Agarwal Das: Her Journey From a School Teacher to a Businesswoman

I’m Payal Agarwal Das, a determined business entrepreneur from Kolkata, West Bengal. I’ve come a long way from my humble beginnings. My life took a dramatic turn when my father passed away in a bike accident when I was just in Class 8. Despite the challenges I faced, my mother’s encouragement helped me pursue my dreams, and I became a strong, independent woman.

Can you tell us about your early days and what motivated you to become the person you are today?

My journey began with working as a home tutor and representative leader for Avon company during my college days. It was the immense support and encouragement from my mother that made me a strong, independent girl. My hard work paid off when I received an award from the Managing Director of Avon company on stage, not once but twice.

How did your career evolve after your graduation?

After completing my graduation, I worked in a multinational company before getting married. I later pursued higher education, completing my TTC from AJCS College. In the given course my husband had supported me and gave his full guidance. I then worked as a teacher in a pre-primary school and later joined Delhi Public School, where I worked for a long time before leaving to focus on my family. My husband’s moral support while doing my jobs played a crucial role in my journey .

What inspired you to start your own business?

After taking a break to raise my daughter, I started working as a freelancer and job consultant during the COVID-19 pandemic. Many people were looking for jobs, and I worked tirelessly to help them. This experience gave me the confidence to start my own company, Shine Consultancy, which deals with job placements, home tutoring, and guidance for professional courses. Even During Corona times my son was born but that did not hamper my dreams I always had a mindset of being an independent woman again.

Your journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Can you tell us about some of the obstacles you’ve faced?

Many people taunted me, believing that a full-time homemaker and mother of two couldn’t be a successful businesswoman. But it was a big challenge for me, and I won the challenge through my hard work and dedication.

What recognition have you received for your work?

My hard work paid off when I was awarded the Global Business Woman of the Year 2025 by the International Woman Awards. I had also done my first job fair exhibition, which gave me professional recognition in the field of business.

What Kind of Stereotypes you want to break about working Women and Housewife?

I’m often disheartened by the notion that working from home as a homemaker isn’t “real work”. As the founder of Shine Consultancy, I’ve learned that hard work and dedication come in many forms.
Women don’t work just for financial gain; we work to be independent, contribute to our families , by being Independent we can help our families in crisis also

What message would you like to convey to women out there?

Through my story, I want to tell women that they should never underestimate themselves. If there’s a will, there’s a way. In today’s world, it’s very important for each and every woman to have their own identity, whether in a job or business. It’s never too late to fulfill your dreams; age is just a number.