Nina Akbar, the CEO of Sukh Cha’n Wellness Club
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Nina Akbar, the CEO of Sukh Cha’n Wellness Club is a renowned business woman. Prior to launch Sukh Cha’n Wellness Club project, she had been successfully running restaurant chain of Salt’n Pepper for many years.
She has done her graduation from St Joseph College, Karachi. She actively participates in the NGO activities and organises walks for awareness about women’s rights.
She is planning to launch an NGO ‘Sukh Cha’n Trust’ in the near future to help the poor. Her are excerpts from interview with her:
Describe yourself in three words!
God loving, God fearing and compassionate.
Read more »Labels: Business, Interviews, Women
posted by Dilshad Rao @ 8:43 AM,
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Amina. Z on Beauty Industry
Monday, August 9, 2010
Amina. Z beauty salon in Defence, Lahore is one of the prominent beauty salons of the town that is running by the experienced and qualified make up artiste Amina Zahoor.
Prior to graduation in makeup course from London school of beauty and makeup in 2002, she engaged with one of the leading makeup artistes Masarat Misbah’s salon, Depilex where she learned the art of makeup and hairstyling. She has also done skin courses; one from Malaysian BML Skin care institution in 2003 and other of Makeup and hair-styling course from Juice Hair Academy, Mumbai in 2006.
In an interview with Sunday Plus Amina brings to light the hallmarks of her impressive working. She said that after graduation from Kinnaird College she joined Depilex to have an experience of learning the art of makeup and hairstyling in the professional environment. “During training I felt that it would be better if I adopt it as a profession. So I took a franchise of Depilex in 2002 which was in fact a turning point for my career,” she said.
She was running Depilex’s franchise successfully for seven years but contract could not be matured and then she had to withdraw and started working with the title of Amina. Z beauty salon.
She suggested that in the summer season, the makeup base should be light but it must be water oriented. It is better to use light colours like pinkish that is the real reflection of the summer tones.
As in the summer, people love to wear light colours that is why makeup of light colours looks better while in the winter everything happens entirely in a different way and fashion enthusiasts should use dark colours for the parties and weddings
“In winters the skin becomes dry and rough so foundation should be oil based. Dark shades are preferable as different colours like red, orange, and brown are commonly used,” she added.
Answering to query she said, “If we ignore the use of hygienic tools and equipments during makeup then a lot of problems in terms of skin diseases erupt. Makeup kits and tools should be sterilized daily basis otherwise its use can be harmful. We are always conscious about the tools and we don’t use them for a long time. Mostly people are complaining regarding these issues. But we have sterilizing machines to disinfect the make up kits.”
“Here at Amina. Z beauty salon, special care is given to this concern. People have to suffer because of various untrained beauticians that have come into this profession. They are just minting money and don’t care about the clients.” She maintained.
“It is necessary for every bride to look after herself carefully especially before wedding days. If bride has normal skin then no need to have especial treatment while if any bride has skin problem then she should start treatments like, acne facial or whitening facials for even tone and pigmentation but it should be continued at least till six months prior to the wedding. Hair styling matters too much for everyone whether anybody attends weddings or parties because it plays prestigious role for changing the look.
She recommends that every woman especially for the bride to look after the hands and feet as skin and hair. It is better to have manicure and pedicure two to three times before the wedding and authentic creams and beauty products should be used for hands and feet daily. Bride should take at least seven to eight hours sleep and take a lot of water, fruits and vegetables daily.
“Today everything has been changed and we have lot of clients sent by their husbands. Now every husband wants her wife to look beautiful. We always take the client’s opinion firstly then we come up with other considerations,” she further said.
“Beauty business is growing rapidly. Latest make up techniques have come into this profession that have made the profession easier. Trends of make up have not changed but hairstyles change frequently. Nowadays hair extensions have come to enhance the thickness of hair.” She added.
She commented that newcomers should come into this profession after proper learning and having professional beauty courses. It is good for the beauty business as well.
It is Amina’s confidence and professionalism that makes her prominent among many in the business. She is personally available in Lahore for the services while two branches of her salon in Toronto (Canada) and New Jersey (USA) as well are also running successfully. She has plans to have some more franchises in Pakistan and also she wants to establish training institution in Lahore that most probably would be affiliated with the London school of beauty and make up.
Labels: Beauty, Interviews, Skin Care
posted by Dilshad Rao @ 8:14 PM,
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All gastro diseases now treatable
Friday, July 30, 2010
Talks with Dr Mohammed Azam about increasing liver diseases in the country
Pakistan produces hundreds of doctors every year. A number of them get better career opportunities and leave the country for practising abroad. But there are few who prefer to live and serve the nation. Associate professor of medicine Dr. Mohammed Azam is one of them who instead of pursuing a better career opportunity in the 1980s refused to stay abroad and preferred to serve the nation.
He obtained national talent scholarship in matriculation and did MBBS from the King Edward Medical College University, Lahore in 1983. He accomplished FCPS in medicine in Gastroenterology.
As an associate professor he has been treating the patients with sheer commitment and dedication. Right now he is practising in one of the largest hospitals of the town, Services Hospital Lahore.
He has talked about various perspectives on life as a gastroenterologist in an interview with Sunday Plus.
Sunday Plus: What motivated you to become a doctor?
Dr. Azam: I was exceedingly determined to be a doctor since I was a little child. I have to struggle a lot in this regard because at that time there was no electricity in my village and I have to study in the candles’ light. In fact my parents were the real motivators. They supported me a lot in this regard and because of them I became a doctor though having limited resources.
Sunday Plus: Why did you decide to become a gastroenterologist and tell us about the gastroenterology diseases?
Dr. Azam: Gastroenterology was a natural for me because I believed that each specialty tends to attract certain personality types. I loved to work with my hands and that is why I decided to get into the gastroenterology’s specialization.
Basically in the 1980s it was too difficult to diagnose the abdominal diseases because there were not such equipments available in the hospitals. But with the arrival of the latest equipments and techniques like endoscopy, it’s not only so easy to diagnose a number of abdominal diseases but also these can be treated through endoscopy camera. Medicines are also available in the market.
Sunday Plus: Which are the major liver diseases and how can people be protected?
Dr. Azam: In Pakistan many people become victim of viral diseases. Hepatitis B and C is dangerous than Hepatitis A, E and D. Unfortunately the vaccine that can safeguard the body from the virus of B and C is not accessible in Pakistan while hepatitis A, E and D are now treatable here. No virus can spread rapidly among the people through infection except Hepatitis B. It is harmful than C in this regard because virus C affects the functioning of liver.
People should avoid the unhygienic and unhealthy food edibles and they should make assurance in using clean drinking water. Spicy food and cold drinks should not be used because these are also the source of spreading the abdominal and liver diseases.
Sunday Plus: In your opinion, what are the most challenging aspects of your career as a gastroenterologist?
Dr. Azam: I think the most challenging aspect is the constant pressure of the patients and it is very disheartening when I fail to treat the serious patients.
Sunday Plus: What would you say to those who are considering being a gastroenterology?
Dr. Azam: It is a great profession, even with all the limitations that doctors have to face today. It is a serious commitment, so you have to make sure that you are in this profession for the right reasons.
Sunday Plus: Do you think that the field of gastroenterology is going to change in future?
Dr. Azam: Yes! I think enormous latest techniques would be invented and government should take steps to empower the health sector in this regard. The need of the hour is to facilitate the people through installing latest machinery or medical equipments only then we would be able to prevent the liver diseases. Endoscopic surgical procedures may also replace many of the most common general surgery procedures performed today. Gastroenterologists should also be more flexible to learn the new techniques to overcome the abdominal and liver diseases.
Labels: Dr. Mohammed Azam, Gastroenterology, Interviews, Medicine
posted by Dilshad Rao @ 3:47 PM,
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Kashif Shahzad, CEO of Rijas - Innovativeness sets the brand apart
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Rijas has been a pioneer in fashion fabrics, Pret-a-Porter, saries, bridal bed linen & accessories since 1966. Augmenting the brand’s stature and establishing its global presence is a dedicated workforce of over 100 trained professionals in design and business.
Kashif Shahzad, the CEO of one of the prominent outlets of the town ‘Rijas’ has shared information about his brand and the product line. Rijas’s CEO Kashif Shahzad has graduated in finance and accounting from the Purdue University of the USA. Here are some of the excerpts of the interview.
Kashid Shahzad said “My family is associated with textile and real estate business since 1963 but I ventured into family business in 2003 after completion of my graduation. I took charge as a CEO Rijas International that is successfully operating across the country with 16 outlets while a number of franchises are running in India, USA, UK and UAE.”
“Rijas has professionally trained group of more than thirty designers. They are working in a team to bring new trends in the market and focus to design many clothes in various colours that attract our customers,” he said.
He claimed “Rijas has its own place in the fashion industry. Though there is a clutter of fashion designers but what sets apart a brand is its innovativeness. For the sake of penetration in the fierce competition we bring diversified yet unique embroidered fabrics, accessories, saris, designer shoes and bridal bed sets.”
“We offer something that never goes out in style for the fashion enthusiasts. Even the prominent designers visit ‘Rijas’ for buying embroidery clothing. After stitching ‘Rijas’ fabrics they are selling with their names. This is common practice.
Answering to a query he said, “Pakistan has a huge market while we have very few designers. It is difficult for one group or person to capture the market but through quality work and introducing the latest trends one can easily capture the market.”
“Rijas offer Indian and Pakistani delicate embroidery style in the fabrics for saries, bridal and western clothing, embroidered fabrics, designer shoes, bridal bed sets, and accessories under the one roof. There is a unique amalgamation of western line with eastern style using latest techniques” he said.
“Rijas is a completely life style brand that believes to bring new trends while experimenting with colours, embroidery, textile and texture, line and silhouettes.
“While preparing for the summer season, we arranged special meetings with our designers, technical staff and PR Company for making new strategies and plans to come with something new this season. It is basically teamwork.” He revealed.
On a query he expressed “He wants to expand his business and wants to have 50 to 55 nationwide franchises. We have a lot of options because we have product development and a human resource department that are working on the feasibility reports.”
“Rijas is also going to offer many packages to the fresh graduates. If they would like to work with us they would considered and if they want to establish their own business then also they would be accommodated. Rijas would be welcomed all the fashion enthusiasts. Though it’s too hard to manage the raw material including clothing, jewellery, home accessories and shoes but we are committed to accommodate the fashion business lovers.” Kashif was of the view.
“Rijas also offers alluring brand of jewellery named ‘Infinity Rijas’ that is designed by the Spanish and Pakistani designers after working together. Artificial and gold plated Jewellery has been designed with seven precious stones including ruby and polki. Jewellery sets can be available in pricing range from 3000 to 100,000. These sets can be used for weddings and all kinds of parties,” he said.
“Rijas offers latest various designs of the ladies shoes for weddings, party and casual wearing. We are doing with under the brand name ‘Lee Shoe’. It is entirely the creations of Hina Khurram who looks after all the matters regarding shoe making, production and designing. ‘Le shoe’ brand established last year by my sister. She herself designs after watching the latest trends of the international market. Lee shoe has become the most famous brand in the UK, Europe and UAE. Lee shoe has low prices than the market and single pair of shoe can be purchased 800 to 3000.
“Our products have a potential in the international market but precarious law and order situation, energy shortage, economic crises and increasing inflation rate are affecting the manufacturing sector adversely. This is causing the manufacturing cost to rise and thus we are losing the competitive advantage in the international market,” he regretted.
“Government should address these serious issues rather than mere debating. If government facilitates the business community and provides the direct access to international market then there is no need of negotiating with IMF and other financial institutions. We have to spend millions for producing electricity through fuel. Energy crises should be resolved soon otherwise textile sector that carries great significance for our economy would be dragged to deploring situation. It is high time for the government to do something for the textile sector.” Kashif demanded.
Talking about the future plans he articulated “We have been running the real estate’s business in UAE for many years but now we have planned to launch the projects in Raiwind Road and Gulberg Lahore. Under this, we will target the middle income people to bring the idea of such housing scheme that would be affordable for them.”
Further he said that they would also launch a microfinance bank that would be functioning across the country.
Despite the current crises he is optimistic about the future. “The government has to take some positive steps to create a conducive environment for the investment. Pakistan has a lot of potential; it is just have to driven to the right direction,” he concluded.
Labels: Business, Fashion, Interviews, Rijas
posted by Dilshad Rao @ 2:35 PM,
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