‘I tell women to turn weaknesses into strength’
When life gave Diana lemons, she made a cocktail out of it. The 45-year-old single mother who has a son with special needs, stood up to life chin up. Today, she also inspires and helps other women find their feet. “My son is my biggest strength. If it weren’t for him, I would not have made it to where I am today,” said Diana, who runs a makeover studio called Diana Beauty Castle in Dubai.
“I had to start from scratch when I got divorced in 1999. I resumed my education and secured a college degree to be able to manage my life,” she said. “I was working as a technical director for a German beauty brand. I gave up the high-paying job to come to Dubai and got trained as a hair dresser.” The journey was tougher with her son Ronnie Sherpa, now 24, who cannot hear or speak. But she weathered it all — unemployment, financial difficulties, depression, society’s ridicule.
Her son stayed in India to complete his studies at a special needs school. Meanwhile, she found a job as a hairstylist at Burj Al Arab hotel. “I started rebuilding my life slowly. Now I have my own business and even my son is here with me in Dubai, working as an assistant pastry chef at a five-star hotel,” said Diana. With more than 25,000 followers on her page, Diana says her business is all about inspiring women. “When I meet women who share their personal struggles, I tell them to turn their weaknesses into strength. My son is my biggest weakness, and there is no greater source for my strength.”
I had to start from scratch when I got divorced in 1999. I resumed my education and gave up a high-paying job to come to Dubai and get trained as a hair dresser.” Diana Lama