Startup Story
Being the winner of a major beauty pageant is one thing, but then taking over the franchise is quite another. Aliza Rajan, founder of Eventique Limited, hosts the annual Miss India Worldwide Kenya pageant. She uses this platform to support women-based initiatives such as Women For Cancer and The Hawkers Market Girls Centre. She also trains children and adults on runway walking and basic etiquette whilst organising the top fashion events within Kenya.
LoA found out more this month by talking to Aliza about the business and her future aspirations.
What does your company do?
We host the annual award-winning Miss India Worldwide Kenya pageant, where the winner of this pageant proceeds to take part in Miss India Worldwide amongst 40 other countries. Our company also uses this platform to support women-based organisations and to train our contestants on entrepreneurship, etiquette, talent and much more.
“After winning the Miss India Worldwide Kenya 2015 pageant, I grew fond of the pageant world and wasn't quite ready to let go of it!”
What inspired you to start your company?
After winning the Miss India Worldwide Kenya 2015 pageant, I grew fond of the pageant world and wasn't quite ready to let go of it! I took over the franchise in 2016 and decided to make changes to the "typical" pageant world. Such as encouraging women to support other women and teaching entrepreneurship as well as confidence.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
We are the only pageant who accepts women of all shapes and sizes. We hope to encourage this to be something considered by all pageants in the future. We believe that confidence makes a woman beautiful and such platforms should be used to empower all women. Furthermore, I've gone through the Miss India Worldwide and seen the good and the ugly. I use this in my trainings to build relationships amongst our contestants rather than making it a "competition".
Tell us a little about your team
We have our choreographer who has been with us since 2016 and we involve our past contestants and winners as they have the best to share with new contestants. We make the perfect team of individuals who have all been through the exciting process and enjoy being a part of it.
We are the only pageant who accepts women of all shapes and sizes. We hope to encourage this to be something considered by all pageants in the future.
We believe that confidence makes a woman beautiful and such platforms should be used to empower all women.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Starting my own business has always driven me. I started Eventique in 2016 after taking over this franchise. Later, I started private trainings with adults/children on runway walking and hosting most of the fashion shows in Kenya with the models I train. Last year, I opened my own brand - Pop Up Shop by Aliza Rajan which sells handpicked fusion and into western wear.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
Due to the COVID-19 situation, our industry has been greatly affected. Hence, we are launching an App, Aliza Rajan x Eventique, to keep us together and to allow future/past contestants to connect via forums. We also hope to use this platform to support the initiatives that we have been supporting during our pageants.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
Being my own boss. And using my platform to inspire others to do the same.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Do it. Ask for advice. Use your passion to start what you love. It takes time to get somewhere but it's all worth it at the end.
Contact or follow
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL alizarajan@gmail.com
Why LoA loves it….
Many people around the world love the glitz and glamour of pageants, but for Aliza Rajan, she wanted more - she wanted to be involved in the organizational side of the industry. Today, she is using her own personal experience of participating in pageants and passing on that knowledge, insights and coaching expertise to others who share that interest. Her entrepreneurial journey is now taking her into other businesses, all harnessing the power of her passion and energy to succeed. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo of Lionesses of Africa