Women Entrepreners

They say that entrepreneurship is born often in response to a felt need. Some of the world’s biggest and the best brands have been the result of such journeys undertaken by pioneering entrepreneurs who experienced the need themselves.  Yet, it seems that in the world of entrepreneurship, women are said to be more adept than their male counterparts at identifying needs and spotting gaps that are not serviced; thereby, more efficient at utilizing the opportunities or seizing the moment.  Forbes recently quoted the 2015 Kaufmann Index on Startup Activity, citing that WBE (women business enterprises) are agile, innovative problem solvers who are able to meet the needs of the corporate world quickly and are able to adapt to market place challenges while providing value and cost-effectiveness – as stated by Pamela Prince Eason, President and CEO of Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). There’s plenty of punch packed in her statement and not just because she is a woman herself. For every woman trying to enter into entrepreneurship or a career, must also deal with the baggage that often accompanies a woman. Something most men would not have access to. Whether taking care of the home front, attending to children or taking care of ageing parents, the onus falls on the women in almost every society than it does on a man. In whatever way we approach, the whole gender game and whatever values we lay on the table concerning equal status and equal pay, etc., that’s just how it is.

Mothers, wives and daughters are almost always the primary care givers. That is not likely to change and need not change – life does include responsibilities that the majority of us do not mind shouldering. It certainly adds value to our lives. So why and how does entrepreneurship fit women better? Not only because women are good at identifying needs but also because being an entrepreneur gives a woman the flexibility to take care of other responsibilities in her life while allowing her plenty of space to engage in the work she has chosen. Entrepreneurship, in my book, is also about developing a strong sense of personal discipline. Most women are used to schedules that come with getting kids ready to school, homework and class project assistance and assignments. Not to mention cooking for a family and running errands. Personal discipline, sticking to time schedules and getting something done are factors that can come naturally after years on the school run, homework assistance and chaperoning extra classes. On the global front, these mothers and wives are taking giant steps – as The Forbes List of The Most Powerful Women confirms. The women on that list set out from their homes not to build empires and become celebrities – it happened on the way because they worked hard for everything they’ve got.  Entrepreneurship also may come easier to women because they can see the needs that exist in everyday life. Whether in grocery shopping, cooking or taking care of children and elderly parents, women can relate to needs that occur. For an example, home-cooked meals are in great demand in Colombo at the moment. Anyone who has the capability and the capacity to start a home-cooked food business, especially rice and curry, would undoubtedly see it boom. A similar demand exists for educational solutions, or for reliable day care facilities. These are needs that are experienced by women every day.

Of course, nothing comes easy. As we all know, entrepreneurship is a tough game despite the advantages it offers to a woman wanting to balance her family and work. It takes a lot to be able to source markets, develop the business and keep it going. It takes business sense and the ability to plan for the long term. It takes sacrificial hours attending to business problems but the good news is that yes, it can be done while doing everything else you have to get done. Sometimes the purpose itself gets defeated when the business grows into a dimension you did not expect it to. For some women, this is the point to let go – anything more would bite into time with the family and children. Yet, others relish the growth and are able to cope with the challenges that come with a growing business.

Dimo Sri Lanka Wins An Award

Diesel and Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) has yet again been recognized as one of the ‘Great Places to Work in 2016’ in Sri Lanka. This is the fourth consecutive year that DIMO has achieved this accolade. Each year, Great Place to Work (GPTW) partners with more than 5,500 organisations with some 10 million employees worldwide to conduct the largest annual set of workplace culture studies in the world.

This research, which is laser focused, helps top leaders create their own great workplaces, according to a DIMO statement. This year, Great Place to Work Sri Lanka recognized 25 companies having the best conducive working environments for their staff. At an event held recently at Cinnamon Grand, GPTW representatives handed over the GPTW 2016 Certificate to DIMO Chairman and Managing Director Ranjith Pandithage. Moreover, DIMO carried away multiple awards at the event, which included Best Public Limited Company (PLC), Special Category award for Excellence in Talent Acquisition and the top prize for ‘We love our Workplace’ video contest.

Great workplaces are built through the day-to-day relationships that employees experience. The key factor in common in these relationships is trust. From the employee’s perspective, a great workplace is one where they: trust the people they work for, have pride in what they do and enjoy the people they work with. Building high-quality relationships in the work place, trust, pride and camaraderie are the pillars of the Great Place to Work institute. Trust is the defining principle of great workplaces - created through the management’s credibility, the respect with which employees feel they are treated and the extent to which the employees expect to be treated fairly.

The degree of pride and levels of authentic connection and camaraderie employees feel with one are additional  essential components. DIMO has been representing the best engineered brands in the world since 1939. With over 1600 employees, a rich history of 77 years and more than 75 world’s best brands under the umbrella, DIMO today offers the latest technologies, the best working environments and the most conducive surroundings for career growth and personal development. These accolades are a testament of DIMO becoming a preferred employer among the professionals and the youth in  Sri Lanka.

How to select a proper colour makeup for you

Picking the right makeup palette to complement your complexion is not hard to do if you know how to select and stick to a family of colors that works for your skin tone, eye color and hair shade.

Find Your Match

Face it: A great foundation is a must for flawless-looking skin, but it's tricky to get it right. Only 15 percent of women choose the correct shade if the appropriate tools aren't provided, says Sarah Vickery, PhD, CoverGirl's principal scientist. And color is just one piece of the puzzle. From tinted moisturizers to loose powders, there are countless formulas and finishes and different techniques for applying them. We've got you covered with this simple three-step guide to finding your perfect match and putting it on like a pro.

Step 1: Find Your Formula

Take this short quiz to determine the product that best suits you.


How would you describe your skin?


A. Oily/combination

B. Dry

C. Normal

D. Sensitive


What's your biggest foundation gripe?


A. It disappears by noon.

B. It looks flaky and dull.

C. It feels heavy.

D. It irritates my skin.

What are you trying to hide?

A. Large pores and/or acne

B. Fine lines and/or brown spots

C. Nothing; I just want to blend minor imperfections.

D. Redness


The look you crave is


A. matte

B. dewy

C. natural

D. even

How to keep you Husband Happy - Top tips for Wives

Keeping a marriage fresh and exciting can be challenging, amidst the stress of daily life. Thankfully, there are small deeds that you can do to keep your husband happy and let him know that you love him more and more each day. Share in the responsibilities of marriage, and try different approaches to leading a happy, spontaneous life that gratifies you and your spouse both emotionally and sexually. Try some of the ideas below to tug on your husband's heartstrings and make your marriage thrive.

Keeping the Flame Alive


1. Be romantic. 

Romance can easily become a back-burner priority after years of marriage. Make sure to save time for romantic activities, like candle-lit dinners, beach walks at sunset, and cuddling up to watch a movie.

2. Spice up your sex life.

One of the main aspects of marriage where the excitement can quickly fade is the sexual aspect. You'll both have to work hard to keep your sex life interesting, but thankfully there are several things that you can do.

3. Make sex a priority. 

No big surprise here. Women understand intellectually that sexual fulfillment is a top need of a man. But do your actions demonstrate that you really get it? Maybe you’ve taken care of the kids, cooked a delicious dinner, and even endured an action flick. Compared to the other wives you know, you’re doing pretty well. Yet you may be discounting his need for fulfilling sex. Most husbands would rather have dishes in the sink and a wife waiting in the bedroom.

4. Make your home a haven.

The world can be a tough place. When your husband walks in the door, he needs to breathe a sigh of relief. He’s home. Think of how you greet your husband. Does he see the back of your head as you type furiously on the computer or do you look him in the eyes and say, “Honey I’m so glad you’re home”? Make your home a place where your husband feels welcome.

5. Respect your man’s needs.

What need does your husband have that perhaps you have discounted? It may be sex, quality time, the cookies you used to bake him, or going to ball games together. Don’t get defensive when your husband voices a need. Listen instead and then act positively to meet that need the best you can.

6. Let your man lead.

The idea of submission has many women up in arms. That does not need to be the case. The New Testament speaks clearly in three passages that we wives are to submit to our husbands as unto the Lord (Ephesians 5:22, Colossians 3:18 1 Peter 3:1). This doesn’t mean you become a door mat. What it does mean is that your respect your husband’s role as the leader of the home. After you’ve weighed in on a topic, the final decision belongs to your man.

7. Kiss every day for five to thirty seconds.

Here’s something your husband will really like! It doesn’t cost a penny and it hardly takes any time. A healthy daily dose of passionate kissing will boost your marriage and keep the pilot light lit between you. Give out plenty of kisses, just like when you were dating.

How to wear a saree properly

Here's an illustrated step-by-step guide that teaches you how to wear a Sari - India's national dress for females - one of the most elegant attires a woman can adorn...
Two essential parts of attire, that go along with the Sari, need to be chosen carefully to compliment the Sari. These are:

A petticoat which is a waist-to-floor garment, tied tightly at the waist by a drawstring. The petticoat color should match the base sari color as closely as possible.


Start wearing the sari by tucking its plain/upper end into the petticoat, at a position which is a little bit to the right of the navel. Make sure that the lower end of the sari should be touching the floor, and that the whole length of the sari comes on the left-hand side. Now wrap the sari around yourself once, with the sari now coming back in the front, on your right side.

Make about 5 to 7 pleats of equal width of 5 inches, starting at the tucked-in end. Gather the pleats together, neatly, ensuring that the lower edge of the pleats are even and just off the ground and that the pleats fall straight and evenly. A safety pin may be used to stop the pleats from scattering.

Neatly tuck the pleats into the petticoat, at the waist, slightly to the left of the navel, in such a manner that they open to your left.

Drape the remaining fabric around yourself once more left to right, and bring it round your hips to the front, holding the top edge of the sari.

Slightly raise the remaining portion of the Sari on your back, bringing it up under the right arm and over the left shoulder so that the end of the Sari falls to about the level of your knees.

The end portion thus draped, from the left shoulder onwards, is called the Pallav or the Pallu, and can be prevented from slipping off teh shoulder, by fastening it at the shoulder to the blouse with a small safety pin.

Different regions of India have their own distinct forms of draping a Sari. Some of these are outlined below:

Gujarati way: This version of draping, commonly known as the seedha pallu way, is also found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Bihar. Instead of opening to the left, the pleats are tucked so that they open to the right. Then, the pallu is taken to the back and brought over the right shoulder.

It is then spread across the chest, and the left edge is tucked in the petticoat at the back.

Maharashtra method: Instead of the usual five-and-a-half meters, the sari in this version measures eight meters. One portion of the sari is drawn up between the legs and tucked in behind at the waist, while another portion is draped as a pallu over the bosom. Thus it forms a kind of divided sari, allowing greater freedom of movement.

Tamilian version: Like the Maharashtra version, the sare in this version, too, measures eight meters. After wrapping around the waist, the pleats are positioned along the left leg. The rest of the sari is taken over the left shoulder, wrapped once again round the waist and tucked on the left side.

Bengali style: The sari is worn pleatless; it is wrapped around the waist, brought back to the right side and the pallu is thrown over the left shoulder. The pallu is then brought up under the right arm and once again cast over the left shoulder.

Top 10 Tips Every Women Should Know about apply Makeup

1. We all put on makeup (at least some of the time), but is your technique yielding the best possible results? Here, Kimberly Soane, the director of artistry at Bobbi Brown, offers up some simple pointers to make sure we're using everything from concealer to bronzer to mascara right.
2. Never put concealer or foundation on your eyelids as a base, it will cause your eye makeup to crease.
3. Use your fingers to apply your foundation if you want sheer coverage and a brush if you more polished, medium to full coverage.
4. Always apply powder where you are shiniest first, which it usually your T-zone, with a very light dusting everywhere else.
5. You should put bronzer on your neck, face, and chest to even out your skin tone. Be sure to take a step back and make sure everything is the same color.
6. When applying blush, first smile, then start on the apple of the cheek, blend the blush back towards the top of the ear, then down toward the jawline.
7. Always apply your brow pencil or powder to the upper portion of the eyebrow to lift your face up.
8. You want to make sure your lipstick is not too defined at your cupid's bow (the top of your lip), and that it goes all the way out to the inner corners of your mouth. Be sure to press down hard as you apply.
9. Always start with a base shadow without any shimmer that matches the lightest skin tone on your face and apply all over your lid up to the brow. You should use this base shadow to make sure the darker shadows used on your lid up to the crease are properly blended.
10. Instead of looking straight ahead at the mirror, get as close to it as possible, stick your head up and bring your chin toward the mirror. You want to look down as you apply, starting at the inner corner and making sure to go all the way out to the fold on the outside of the eye.
11. You don't want to do quick soft motions when you apply mascara. Instead, jam the wand into the root of the lash and do zigzag motions as you go up.

Select and pick a Dress to Show Your Beauty - Part 2

Small bust


How to pick a dress that works for your body and not the other way around

If you weren't endowed with ample breasts, avoid deep plunging necklines. Instead, select dresses with a scoop or bandeau neck and sequins or other adornments to add a little dimension up top. Layered necklaces are very popular right now and they can add some dimension and depth to your bust.

To draw some attention away from your bust and balance out a smaller lower body, choose a dress with an A-line skirt that falls one or two inches above your knees.


Slim


How to pick a dress that works for your body and not the other way around

Sweater or knit dresses are terrific options for thinner women. You can add layers to your dress, such as a cardigan or fitted jacket to give you some bulk. You can also add a thick belt to give your waist more definition. Bubble dresses are very trendy right now and can also give the appearance of a larger lower body.

For slim gals who are lean, lack curves and often have a more athletic build, Dr. Walsh recommends, "Add curves through ruffles, peplums and curvaceous patterns on your lower half."


The shift dress

How to pick a dress that works for your body and not the other way around

The shift is a dress, flattering on almost everyone, that hangs straight down from the shoulder. It skims your body nicely, but doesn't cling. For summer, you can find shifts in cool cotton, linen and light knits. When fall arrives, wool and heavier knit shifts will continue to be popular. Though the typical shift dress has a straight skirt, some fashion designers have created stylish shifts with a slightly A-line cut.

Dunn says, "Whether your legs are skinny, thicker or just right, there is always the question of proportion throughout the leg line. The most common imbalance in a woman’s legs is a disproportion between above the knee and below the knee. Here a woman’s upper leg (waist and thighs) will often look thick in comparison to their lower legs (calves). In this scenario, the best skirt and dress length rests at the top to the middle of the kneecap."

Whatever your body type, you can find a beautiful dress that will flatter your figure. Dr. Walsh says, "Learning your body type will help you select the right clothes to create a balanced, and when needed, curvy silhouette. You'll save time shopping and hours of frustrated moments trying to decide what to wear. Regardless of which category you find yourself, the key is to love you and let someone like me handle the rest!"

Remember to accentuate the positive and don't obsess with the negative. If you dress with confidence, you'll look and feel beautiful too.

Thanks All

Select and pick a Dress to Show Your Beauty - Part 1

Dressing to look and feel your best is all about focusing on the positive. Sure, most women have a few things they'd like to change about their bodies, but picking a figure-flattering dress is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the skin you're in. It's time to mentally shred that "perfect body" checklist and work with all of the beautiful features you were born with.

"There are two myths you must know when it comes to our bodies: One, there's no perfect size, and two, there's no perfect body," says Dr. Carol Parker Walsh of Vancouver, Washington, who has a PhD in human development and social psychology and is the stylist and owner behind Evolve Image Consulting. "Hopefully, this comes as no surprise, but more than not, I'm often dealing with clients who have a love, but mostly hate, relationship with their bodies. Why? Because of the never-ending challenge to find something that fits or the constant comparison with others. The key is to overcome this is to first learn to love and accept your body as-is and to learn how to dress your body appropriately for fit and balance."

With some guidance from the experts, we've put together these simple tips to help you play up your assets and embrace the physical "imperfections" that make you so unique:


Full hips and thighs


How to pick a dress that works for your body and not the other way

For pear-shaped women with full hips and thighs, the dress should shouldn't be shorter than an inch or two above the knee. Select a dress with an A-line skirt but not something too full. A short, super fuller dress will look like a tu-tu.

You'll know you're a pear if "you often wear a different size on the bottom than you do on top," Dr. Walsh says. "Add width to your top with horizontal stripes and bright bold colors, while keeping the lower half in dark colors. You'll find a better fit if you go for two pieces as opposed to a one-piece dress."


Full waist


How to pick a dress that works for your body and not the other way around

If you are apple-shaped with a thick middle, you may want to elongate the appearance of your torso and draw the attention away from your waist. Select a dress with an empire or drop waist to re-define your waist line. Avoid thick belts cinched around your midsection and instead choose a chain or sash belt slung low on your hips.

"Consider emphasizing your shoulders. Creating the illusion of more width in this area will make everything below it appear more narrow. Don’t rely on padding for this (too much bulk). Instead, wear a structured jacket (ending mid-hip) to accentuate shoulders or wear dresses that cover the shoulders (cap-sleeves are great) and have enough detailing, such as a bit of puffiness or blousing, to visually balance your hip-to-shoulder ratio without adding mass," says Constance Dunn, style expert and author of Practical Glamour.

To minimize fuller arms, sleeveless and cap-sleeve dresses are best avoided. Instead, select billowy, bell sleeves that are three-quarters or even full-length to flatter your upper body.