Today’s Notable Young Entrepreneur is Rupi S, who launched her website while sitting on a beautiful powdery beach in Turks and Caicos a couple of years ago. So, what’s The Diva Lounge all about? Find out in today’s profile…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your site/blog in a nutshell.
The Diva Lounge is an online destination where I share fashion and travel stories, sprinkled with some celebrity interviews. I travel frequently, attending international fashion weeks, film festivals and music events to bring my readers closer to what’s happening around the world.
Why did you start your site, what was the inspiration?
I needed a change from writing for traditional media channels, and it’s really satisfying working for yourself to build something from scratch.
Homegrown in Calgary or Transplant from _____?
I was born in India and consider Calgary, Canada to be a home base for now.
Where do you see your site going in five years?
The site is being relaunched this summer in a more sophisticated platform, which I think my readers will enjoy very much. It’s in a stage of infancy and already garnering good attention from some luxury fashion and hotel brands. Essentially, the website is an extension of myself, so it will evolve as I evolve. I don’t believe in five-year plans and try to live each day fully. In the meantime, I’ll continue travelling and writing about the things that excite and inspire me.
What is the most memorable milestone in your site’s history?
I never imagined myself attending Fashion Week in New York and now it’s not a big deal. But there’s something exciting about stepping foot in Lincoln Centre for the first time for an international fashion show.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
Find your niche – develop your writing style, take good pictures and the rest will come. The fashion world can be a flaky one so stand out by being professional; always return calls, reply to messages and show up for appointments. Be gracious and kind to everyone, and don’t expect things.
What is Notable to you?
To me ‘Notable’ means being your authentic self and not following the crowd. I try to live by what Albert Einstein once said, “The woman who follows the crowd will usually go no further than the crowd. The woman who walks alone is likely to find herself in places no one has ever been before.”
BlackBerry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
iPhone – I’m not sure how I lived without it!