IWD interview with Akshita Dhurmah

Opening a business is not easy, and we should celebrate and support those who take the journey. We asked our clients for some tips to inspire and help those starting out on the journey. Every journey is different, but their experience can help other entrepreneurs in taking that first step.

Akshita is the owner of Akshita Dhurmah Optometrist and has strong roots to the Chemin Grenier community. She kindly answered a few questions for us.

1. What inspired you to start your business, and what challenges did you face in the early stages?

I believe that it was the next step in my career after close to a decade in the profession. The questions were when and where, the when depended on how ready I was to leave a stable career and income to start that journey. But as for the where, I always knew that I would come back home. 

I think that it was challenging to understand where to start. 

2. How do you balance personal life and business, and what strategies have helped you manage both effectively?

There is a very thin line that separates work and personal time as an Entrepreneur. Being present both at work and at home helps to compartmentalise each sphere of my life and manage both in the most effective way.

3. What are some unique challenges you’ve faced as a woman entrepreneur, and how have you overcome them?

As a woman entrepreneur, it has been interesting to see some people react and engage when they realise that a woman is in charge. While most people are encouraging and proud, it is still instinctive for some people to navigate towards the man in the room for the decision making during the setting up of the practice.

4. What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs looking to enter your industry?

Work hard, educate yourself on anything and everything that it takes to set and operate your own business. Entrepreneurship is a long and hard journey, which can be made easier with a strong support system.

There are unfortunately not a lot of institutions in Mauritius that are proactively guiding and supporting Entrepreneurs in a holistic way. 

But it is a transformative journey and a rewarding one.

5. Looking back, what’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your entrepreneurial journey?

Coming from a science background, I had very basic Financial Management knowledge. But as an entrepreneur, I quickly had to learn a lot on the go.

I would recommend aspiring entrepreneurs to learn a minimum level of accounting, taxation and finance knowledge.