Career Confidential: Natashah Keikhosrow Torki

Full name?: Natashah Keikhosrow Torki

Position / Job title?: Managing Director/COO at Beauty by Dolly

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to be a restaurateur and ultimately have my own business. I’ve always had an entrepreneurial mindset.

2. Fast-forward several years/decades. How did you land (or create) your current position?

I didn’t land or create my position. I had to fight long and hard to be where I am today. I had to prove to a lot of people that I am capable of doing what I do every single day. It wasn’t an easy road, and there are still plenty of miles left to walk.

3. Did you have to take on internships to get there? How important in general, do you think, are internships?

Since my mom and aunt started the business, it was perfect timing because I had just finished high school the year Beauty by Dolly opened. I was able to work at an early age, starting from the bottom up. I also held another position for a very well known company for 2.5 years while I was in college at UCLA. It gave me the skills I apply today in my everyday work, so I always find that experience is your greatest tool.

4. Tell us what a typical work day looks like for you. What is your job REALLY like, both the glamorous and not-so-glamorous parts?

Ah, nothing about my day is glamorous! I wake up; take my dog on a quick walk, then head over to my mom’s house to discuss work…before work! After that, I’m on my way to the studio to make sure everything is ready as soon as our doors open. I start off with responding to emails, working one-on-one with trainees and employees, shaping brows, being in charge of the reception desk, cleaning the bathroom (yes, when you have your own business you’re responsible for it ALL!), and much more. I would say the most glamorous thing about my job is that I have recently started to create my own line of products, which is still in the infant stages, but it’s definitely fun to see samples of something that was once just an idea from your imagination.

5. What is the biggest career mistake you’ve ever made?

The biggest career mistake I’ve ever made was that I once trusted the wrong people. It’s good to be nice, but it’s better to be smart. Trusting the wrong people with your work and your business can have a major impact (not in a good way!) on your company.

6. What is the single most important piece of advice you would give to other career-minded women?

It is so important to find employees and colleagues who truly understand your vision and your brand. Ultimately, they are your brand ambassadors and they represent not only your company, but you as a person. Being on the same page and truly understanding each other, and having the same drive for greatness can make or break a business.

7. Let’s talk about work/life balance. What does that mean to you? Is it important?

Work/life balance is something I find very important, but I have yet to achieve. I often find myself working to the bone, and then I suddenly realize that I am too tired to do anything else. I have missed out on so many great events and fun weekends with friends because I had to work. I am a firm believer in hard work, but I am a firmer believer in balance in life. It’s not an easy thing to do, and when it comes to your business and your passion, you may find yourself thinking, working, and breathing it 24/7. However, it’s important to take the time to step away, and enjoy something else you love.

8. On that note, do you think women can have it all? Both the baller career, and the happy family?

This one stumped me for a second! I really had to think about this one since I’m not married, nor do I have kids. When it comes to women having it all, I can’t help but think of my sister, who is a doctor and currently getting her Masters/finishing up her Fellowship. She reminds me everyday that having it all is possible! It’s very difficult. You really go through a lot of sleepless nights because of work so you could spend the day with family, but it’s really up to you to make it happen. You have to be willing to make sacrifices to have the balance.

9. If you could look into a crystal ball and see 20 years into your future, what would you want to see?

I would want to see our business flourishing with our full-line of products, and to have a beautiful family!

10. Do you have any career role models? Who are they?

Yes! I certainly have career role models like my mother, Kashmira, who has taught me what hard work means, and why it’s important. She keeps me grounded. My aunt, Dolly, is a wonderful career role model because she allows me to dream big and encourages me to bring all my dreams to life! Also, my business adviser, Judy Brooks, has helped me immensely in truly understanding business and internal logistics, which I would have never even known about or understood if it wasn’t for her!

11. What is the best piece of advice that you have ever received – career-related or otherwise?

“What you have to do tomorrow, do today. What you have to do today, do right now.” -my late Grandmother, who always said this, and it couldn’t be truer in work and everyday life.

12. Parents love to say, “just wait ’til you have to face the real world…” When you were in college or high school, what did you think the “real world” looked like? What is the difference between what you thought and reality?

My mom still says that today! She thinks I don’t live in the “real world”, because in her own way she thinks the “real world” is working a 9-5 job. I have to remind her that I sure don’t live in the real world, but not in the way she thinks – most people my age don’t work 70 hour weeks and run every aspect of a growing business!

13. Should you work for the money, or do what you love?

I think that doing what you love is important, because at the end of the day, what are you going to do with money when you’re completely unhappy with your career? This unhappiness transpires to your social and family life as well.

14. How important is money to you when considering a job?

Money is very important when considering a job. You have to live comfortably to be happy. If you have a true passion for what you do, it may be something you start out doing for free, (ie. an internship, or doing things for friends) but ultimately people will want to pay for your work when they start to see its worth.

15. What is the single most important factor of a job?

The single most important factor of a job is having mental clarity when you start working. You can’t begin your workday worrying about an array of things that have absolutely nothing to do with what’s right in front of you.

16. If you married a millionaire husband and didn’t have to work, would you? (Be honest.)

It’s funny because most people would assume this answer would be, “No, no, no!” But in reality, if you love what you do, you want to see it flourish, and it doesn’t matter how much money you have. A passion is something that will continue to remain important throughout your whole life, no matter what you or your significant other acquire throughout the years.