Success, is very desirable, yet as elusive as a mirage. Isn’t it?

We often come across numerous instances of Business entrepreneurs who have sustained and thrived in the same market situations as others. How did they succeed?

Apart from the business statistics and strategies, there lies one secret factor that propels them higher in the business. The secret lies in the silent yet most effective role of business coaches who have trained, equipped, and empowered businessmen and entrepreneurs in emerging successful in the toughest of market scenarios.

One business coach who has supported scores of businessmen in becoming successful is Zarina Poonawala. A passionate change-maker, Zarina is the driving and motivating force that has empowered several entrepreneurs in carving their success stories.

As a Founder of Abbzoh Expertise Unique, Zarina has transformed the business and professional journeys through her impeccable skills and competence.

In a mesmerizing interview with the Insights Success team, Zarina regaled her professional journey as a dynamic coach transforming business leaders to maximize their potential. She shared her inspirations, challenges the USPs she created in her services, her advice, and her vision towards a fulfilling future.

Please tell us about the saga of Abbzoh Expertise Unique since its inception.

I always say this when asked and it always stands true – “I did not choose my profession; my profession chose me.”

As I entered this training Industry at the age of 19 worked at CRISIL and went on to be associated with training. While studying in Australia as well I had a stint selling American Express Credit Cards there and, in that sales job, working with people and teams. I seemed to become more and more certain of my calling. People were my calling, helping individuals to find the potential within and watching them grow into who they truly want to be was just so fascinating and fulfilling. When I came back to India, I was always inclined to this industry but frankly, the idea of coaching was very alien at the time, especially in India, I worked in training for a while, and worked under a great boss and mentor.

When I started off coaching was not easy. There was a sense of ego and power play because successful people did not think they needed help doing anymore, and people who didn’t consider themselves successful did not consider being coached as an investment but rather a waste of time and money. But this challenge was one I was ready to accept and overcome. I landed clients who were eager to improve and ready to invest in themselves, and in this digital marketing era, I am proud to say 80% of my business started and grew on referrals and word of mouth.

I kept learning and growing and kept studying. I learned intelligent leadership and was coached by Steve Jobs’ coach John Mattone, I have studied emotional intelligence, cognitive behavioral therapy, and neurolinguistics in my coaching journey. Of course, now the industry has crossed billions of dollars and coaching has become a sought-after industry for many aspiring coaches, especially since the pandemic, and I am just truly privileged to be part of this industry for over 15 years.

What was your inspiration behind venturing into the business arena?

The inspiration was simple, I noticed people were desperate to run their businesses better, have powerful leadership, healthy relationships, and have fulfilling lives but some were afraid to seek help and others didn’t know where and how to start. My inspiration truly came from these people and the urge to be that bridge between where they are and where they want to be. People inspired me to venture into this business arena.

What were the initial challenges that you had to surmount to ensure Abbzoh’s success rate reached greater heights?

The first challenge was my age. I started coaching at the age of 24, I had a lot of judgment based on age and what a young coach can provide, whether she will be mature or wise enough, whether she will be unbiased and objective, whether she has the knowledge of relationships to the level where she can understand. But these doubts always vanished after our first consult or session.

Another was people being coached because they want to do better and be better not because something is essentially wrong with them, this was a stigma and there was no clear understanding between coaching, therapy, and counseling for that matter. Sometimes I had to explain the difference and prepare them for a less clinical approach. Also, since coaching was lesser known, people shared their lives fully and honestly, whether it is about their company’s financial conditions, leadership status, or a family’s relationship status it was a bold step for them to share and trust.

Sometimes you had the ones with the power play, bigger fish or overbears took time to open to the idea as their egos would get the better of them but it was all just a matter of time, and plenty of lessons and learning for me. Being patient and dealing with clients calmly has helped me overcome these challenges as I too have been learning in the process. Today some of the ego-driven clients are the humblest and my biggest cheerleaders.

What professional values and qualities do you think your clients value in you and Abbzoh Expertise Unique the most?

That’s a question best asked to them but would like to believe it is my emotional intelligence, integrity, perspective, and ability to help them make decisions or steer in the directions they wish to with more clarity.

What are the USPs that highlight Abbzoh’s uniqueness in the industry you are catering to?

What highlights my brand is credibility, accountability and rapport building, the human connection with clients.

As an experienced professional, what would you like to advise the budding aspirants willing to enter the business world?

Do not enter this business for fast money or if you just want to be busy with a side hustle. You are responsible for people’s lives in more ways than you can imagine. What you say how you say it, why you say it – all of it helps them assess and evaluate their lives, when they seek guidance from you and make you part of their life and leadership journey, they show they trust you. Never breach that trust, be impeccable, be trustworthy and learn emotional intelligence if keen on this business.

How do you envision Abbzoh Expertise Unique’s operations with the emerging technologies and automated tools that are revolutionizing the business world by enabling innovations?

Oh, I am sure you would agree that technology is a friend or a foe depending on how you decide to use it. You can either build with it or destroy it. In general, automated tools have been a blessing for our industry. I have launched my app The Life Manifesto with content for all recorded and live, the process is underway and will be live very soon. I have been running a successful podcast available across all platforms. The Empowering Series, Monday Mantras and now The Life Manifesto on Ivm podcasts are also available on all audio platforms like Spotify, apple podcast, JIO Saavn, etc. so it is helping me reach out to thousands across the globe with an increasing list of clients amongst them. Additionally, technology has been a game changer since the pandemic I took time to adapt however my collaboration with apps and brands across the world helped conduct over 500 live sessions, streams, and workshops.

While technology may cripple you if you become too reliant it has been miraculous in the coaching and learning industry and with the App, podcast, and live sessions innovation and creative thinking play an immense role so I’m always working on that.

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