1. How did your career start? Was it planned or did you get into it by chance? 

I come from a Gujarati family where it was not common for women to work and have a career. In my case, thankfully my Mom supported and encouraged me to work. Taking this opportunity and without having any expectations from the future, my career started when I decided to work for Loreal India as I also wanted to be independent. Then I got married and moved to Dubai in 2005. I joined Standard Chartered bank and worked with them for 3 years. My career in real estate started in 2010 when I joined Betterhomes and there is no looking back.

2. Have you faced any challenges in your career due to your gender? 

I have been fortunate enough to not face any challenges due to my gender. I have always been treated equally and given the opportunity to prove myself.

3. Do you think enough steps are being taken by companies to encourage women to enter C-level positions? 

I think a lot of companies are being conscious about gender equality including the government of UAE. About Betterhomes, well it was started by Linda Mahoney in 1986 and she was one of the very few women who entered real estate at that point of time which was considered a man's world. So I really feel proud to work for such a company where most of the C-level positions have women as their heads.

4. Is work-life balance real or fiction? 

We cannot say that work and life can be balanced. It is a matter of prioritization I would say. At times you have to give more importance to work when you have a project to complete, a target or a goal to achieve. There will be times where your family will need you more than your work so you then give more time to your family. The key is to maintain a harmony between both.

5. What advice do you have for young women who would like to enter the industry? 

I would like to advise them to go for their dreams, give it a shot even if you later realize that it was not meant for you. The young women have more opportunities in today's world and they should make the most of it. One of the very important piece of advice would be do not ignore yourself; the more you love yourself the more the world will love you.