Supported by
Reaping the rewards
The MENA region’s achieving women
2. Use your online influence to support causes
“I do a lot of work with breast cancer awareness and social media has allowed me to share my message of the benefits of early detection as my mom is a survivor. Most recently, Ralph Lauren and I teamed up for an event where I hosted the Ralph Lauren Ricky World Tour for my VIPs, and Ralph Lauren generously donated to Pink Caravan charity.” 3. Establish guidelines for online material
“I work with high net worth clients and VIPs, so the way I present myself is very important and I do consider myself a brand. I mean my name is on my company -Rosemin Ratanshi & Co otherwise known as RR&Co.so brands are investing in me to represent them in best way possible.
I have made a conscious choice to keep my family away from social media; I want to separate that part of my life and keep my private life private. I don’t want holiday photos of me in a swimsuit to appear online, nor do I want personal family photos or intimate and special memories. Remember that not everyone wants to be in the media or have their images up for public display, so be considerate as well.”
“Social media is a great tool to express yourself and give the client a visual glimpse in your world. I rarely post immediately. I usually take time to find a photo I want to share with the world. I never rush to upload.”
The Timekeeper Hind Seddiqi
VP of Marketing, Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons
Hind Seddiqi
Haute horlogerie is a difficult field to penetrate in any region, and even more so in MENA. The Vice President of Marketing for Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, Hind Seddiqi, probably knows this better than most, simply because she has firsthand experience in the industry from top to bottom. Seddiqi was the first woman in her family to successfully join the corporate office of Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons, entering at the intern level and working her way up the ladder after graduating university in Sharjah, UAE. In addition to her current role, she is also a board member for the Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons Executive Committee. Seddiqi quickly realized the value of educating the fine timepiece client about quality watchmaking, true craftsmanship, nuances of creative development, and brand history, and put that to work to gain market share and to develop brand loyalty. Her niche communication tactic, fine-tuned while working in educating herself on the industry, soon set Seddiqi apart as an influential and savvy marketeer with a knack for capturing client attention.
The Trendsetter Ingie Chalhoub
President and Managing Director, Etoile Group Ingie Chalhoub springs Ingie to mind whenever the Chalhoub subject turns to the business of fashion and luxury. Chalhoub, the powerhouse President and Managing Director of the Etoile Group, oversees a mammoth lineup of brands enough to leave even the most jaded collector starryeyed. Some of the global names on the roster? Hallmark House Chanel and urban staple Ralph Lauren, and wardrobe cornerstones like Tod’s, Hogan, and ISSA. A Creative Director of her own made-in-France label, INGIE Paris, she is also the founder of her own original multi-brand fashion-forward concept, Etoile La boutique, reining in the region’s glitterati as key clients and self-motivated brand ambassadors. Lauded for her creativity and brand proliferation skills, Chalhoub is a driver of the style segment in the region.
The Go Getter Joelle Mardinian Host and Executive Producer, JOELLE, MBC1 Founder, Maison de Joelle Joelle Mardinian, one of the Middle East’s foremost beauty pros, has headlined her decade-long eponymous television show on MBC1. Her role as the Regional Creative Director for Max Factor helped to make her a household name across the region. In addition to all of her public endeavors, Mardinian is also a successful entrepreneur. She’s the founder of the chain of salons Maison de Joelle with locations in Dubai, Abu Joelle Mardinian Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Qatar and Erbil, Dubaibased Clinica Joelle, and her line of skincare and haircare products under the brand Joelle Paris. Her social media presence has helped connect Mardinian to her audience in real-time, and pushed her beauty businesses further. february 2015 Entrepreneur
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