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An Industry Veteran Is Walking the Unique Path to Success leading PJP Investments Group, Tapan Vaidya

Tapan Vaidya, a passionate, innovative, and veteran in the industry and on Caterer Middle East Power 50 List 2020, is currently spearheading the growth of PJP Investments Group in the role of CEO with his own investment. PJP is the owner-operator of Papa John’s in the UAE & Saudi Arabia.

In his 35-year long work journey, across the Middle East & India, Tapan has been associated with the development of hundreds of restaurants across these markets with brands including Papa John’s, Chili’s, Burger King, Pizza Hut, Outback Steakhouse… it is a long list. Tapan also founded Talli Turmeric® – a hugely popular polished casual dining brand serving authentic Indian food from across Indian regional cuisines, celebrating Turmeric’s position in the Indian culinary landscape, in South Mumbai, India. This October, Talli Turmeric® will soon launch in Dubai in a virtual format through a partnership with cloud kitchen unicorn Kitopi. Currently focused on developing and expanding Papa John’s in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, Tapan is keen to give back to the industry from his deep knowledge and hands-on experience. With the current crisis that the industry has now faced for over a year, Tapan has dug deep to bring new insights and creative solutions in handling his business, and he is a successful versatile leader. In academics, Tapan has done BSc in Mathematics from St. Xavier’s College & a Business Diploma from NMIMS, Mumbai, India.

A Glimpse of PJP Investments Group

PJP Investments Group owns and operates 62 Papa John’s restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, with strong expansion plans to build 110 restaurants by 2026. PJP has recently signed on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and opened its first restaurant in Riyadh last month. The development plan includes 100 restaurant openings in 10 years.

While talking about his consumer base, Mr Vaidya said, “Consumers of all ages and nationalities are our customers – that is the power pizza enjoys as comfort food. Quality of ingredients and operational execution in our restaurants are two key elements that contribute to our success. These are not easily achieved, there are processes in place to systematically achieve these two on a daily basis, every day.” 

The Inspiration behind the Initiation

Tapan Vaidya waited at tables in a local restaurant during his university days and that experience made him fall in love with the restaurant industry, the trigger was the instant appreciation of a great effort. You serve great food and provide excellent service to a dining guest; you receive an instant reward in the form of a Tip. Simple start of falling in love, but has taken him on a roller-coaster-like exhilarating ride in his career.

Hurdles on the Way

The PJP Investments Group grew from one restaurant in 2005 to 62 restaurants today. This did not happen without teething problems, in fact, the problems grew exponentially large each year as the company struggled to ensure various elements were aligned with the objectives, including recruitment, training, supply chain, striking the right balance between menu price and cost of goods sold – this list is long. However, the team stayed focused on getting the quality of ingredients right and ensuring flawless restaurant operations. This helped them make customers happy and they kept coming back.

A Day in Tapan’s Life

“I wake up early at 5 am every workday and head off for my main physical as well as a mental exercise – half a round of Golf at Emirates Golf Club. I avoid the Golf Cart and walk the course. After a shower at the Club, I drive straight to my office for a day full of excitement. Once a week I would usually have a session with new joiners. I insist on spending a half-hour with them to talk about our Vision, Mission and Values. Then there are the weekly Trade Meetings where the entire management team comes together to discuss last week’s performance”, asserted Tapan when asked about his daily routine.

 “Every day, I personally spend time with our operations team from across all emirates, to discuss each feedback received from our customers, negative and positive. A customer who sent in negative feedback is informed and won back while customers who sent in positive feedback are thanked well”, he further added.

The Support System

Consistent focus on the quality of ingredients used and the passion to make every customer return is what has helped Tapan and his venture grow consistently. Papa John’s has a great brand promise of Better Ingredients Better Pizza and they stay true to it at all times, never compromise on quality. And this does not escape customers’ notice.

The visionary insists that the teams in restaurants focus on ROC and not ROI! ROC is Return of Customer – that each team member must focus on taking great care of each transaction, each customer in such a way that the customer only thinks about coming back to Papa John’s!

“If we take care of ROC, then ROI will take care of itself”, said Tapan Vaidya. 

Growing through the Pandemic

“At the height of the pandemic at the end of March 2020, when we were facing the closure of half our restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, I took the decision of not letting a single team member go. I knew the restaurants will reopen once the pandemic subsides, but where will we get trained personnel from? Who will make our customers return, if not our trained teams? I am happy and proud to confirm that we not only lived up to not letting any job go to COVID, but we started recruiting even more employees to fuel our expansion, with over a dozen restaurant openings since then”, Mr Vaidya proudly shared.

Favourite Book

My Experiments with Truth by Mahatma Gandhi

Future Roadmap

The future is very exciting! PJP Investments Group has 62 restaurants in the United Arab Emirates, with over 10 locations in the pipeline. The company is expanding fast, it will exceed the target of 110 restaurants by 2026. Recently, they have just opened their first restaurant in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia very successfully – all set to exceed their target of 100 restaurants by 2030.

Features in the Crown

  • International Franchisee of the Year in the global Papa John’s system for 2014.
  • Tapan Vaidya was named in the Power 50 in F&B in the Middle East by the prestigious Caterer Middle East Magazine for 2020.
  • He was appointed to the Advisory Board of Dubai Restaurants Group (DRG), patronised by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. DRG is the voice of the restaurant industry in Dubai.
  • He was awarded RetailME Icons Award 2021 by Images RetailME.
  • Featured by The CEO Magazine in their June 2021 EMEA edition.

A Piece of Advice for Aspiring Female Entrepreneurs

Use your instincts to make a decision especially when in doubt, your instincts have been more accurate since time immemorial, and second is a simpler truth easier said than done, ensure your revenues exceed your costs – you can do that if you make your customers return.

Favourite Quote

Have No Men in your team rather than have Yes Men in your team!

A Combination Of Inspiration, Innovation, And Expertise: Meet The Accomplished Legal Practitioner, Henzie Healley

Responding to the pressing need for a platform where lawyers can join and serve their clients, without taking the stress of running a sole business, an accomplished and skilled lawyer, Henzie Healley has launched Mezzle in the Middle East with her esteemed business partners Mel Kang and Raj Sumal, who also launched Mezzle in the UK. Henzie is a common law qualified lawyer living in Dubai but servicing clients from all around the world.

She studied Business Management in Canada, before going on to study law in New Zealand. She qualified with an LLB with Honors in New Zealand and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2014. She then moved to Dubai in 2014 after being offered a permanent role at an international law firm she interned for during her school vacations.

In 2019 Henzie founded her own legal consultancy and simultaneously, started an organic paint company both of which have been hugely successful and have grown very quickly. In 2021 she merged the Abu Dhabi legal consultancy with a UK firm, rebranded, and is now a partner in, and Managing Director of, Mezzle Middle East.

Mezzle, all set to Disrupt the Provision of Legal Services

Mezzle Middle East is a legal consultancy that is seeking to disrupt the provision of legal services and the way that lawyers conduct their business. Providing a platform through which lawyers can join and continue to service their clients, without having to worry about the endless non-billable hours taken up by admin and running a business solo.

Mezzle allows lawyers to join a global brand, have the support that they need to provide the highest level of service efficiently and effectively to their clients while having the freedom to enjoy life and be their own boss.

Clients & Corporate Ethos

Mezzle Middle East services clients from all over the world, having started predominantly with a focus on start-ups and high-growth companies, it has since grown to include many SMEs, large international companies, and family offices in the UAE.

Mezzle is a technology-focused law firm that provides clients with the best possible service. Here is a team of legal experts who strive hard to ensure each project gets done right, fast, and efficiently. The team is always looking for new ways to improve their services, whether it be through technological advancements or process improvements.

The Driving Force

God played a huge role in getting Henzie Healley to where she is today. From the beginning, when she started the company, they never had any problems getting clients. Big names wanted to work with them, and they would receive calls out of the blue from people they had never heard of, that wanted to help them grow their brand, promote them and use their services.

Further the leading lady apprised, “We have many people to thank for our success including Yann Mrazek  and the team at MH/Q, Greg Shippee/David Linklater and the team at Re/Think, Pratik and the team at Sanctuary, Tasawar Ul Haq, Preston McIntyre (one-man army), Sherif El Hennawy and the team at Plug & Play, Zille Rehman and the team at Astrolabs, Rosheen Ngorima (founder of Neeps Consulting), Maxime Casinelli (owner of MCG), Leo Garcia (Women’s Investment Empowerment Forum), and a mystery Mr X (who would like to remain anonymous, but knows who he is) and all of our clients that have supported us along the way.”

The Phenomenal Team

When asked about her team Henzie shared, “One is also only as strong as one’s team and we have been blessed with a phenomenal team at Mezzle. Everyone that is a part of the Mezzle team, is genuinely committed, pitches in, and works hard as a team. A special shout out to Shameeg who has helped me significantly along the way, my family, who invested in me and all pitched in when things got really busy (my mom, my dad, and my stepmom – literally, I would not have been able to do this without you), my friends who were always happy for me and stayed friends with me even though I was too busy to see them (and still helped me with all kinds of things which needed to be in the media when I could – Kohl & Rouge), and Khader who pushed me to start the business and supported me all the way.”

Creating a more Balanced & Equal Industry

The legal system is changing. COVID has shown people that so much more can be done remotely, and money is no longer the most important thing to work for. Traditional law firms are becoming a thing of the past. There’s never been a better time to join the movement and help create something new: one that works for you, not against you.

Henzie stated, “Everyone loves money, don’t get me wrong, but a lot of people are seeing that freedom from a desk is way more valuable. In my opinion, companies need to be more flexible, understanding what is important to people and realising that not everyone’s the same. They should embrace technology and be open-minded to new ways of doing things”.

Favourite Book

The Efficientpreneur by AK.

Future Roadmap

Henzie Healley is most excited about the possibilities that Mezzle provides and how it can change people’s lives. It gives lawyers freedom, freedom to work for themselves, earn a good living, but also make more time for the important things in life and loved ones. Mezzle is the way of the future. It’s what every lawyer should strive for. Life is short and time is precious. Time spent is time that one will never get back… it should be rationed and used wisely. Mezzle is for people who are tired of the old ways.

A Piece of Advice for Female Entrepreneurs

“You can do it! We live in a society that tells people they can do anything and achieve anything. Some think that’s wrong and breads entitlement or too much emotional sensitivity, but I truly believe the sky is the limit. If you put your mind to it and have God supporting it, you can do anything”, advised Henzie.

“While many women have found it challenging to enter the workplace and have encountered various obstacles, I don’t want to offend anyone, but I have never felt that my gender has been a hindrance to my success in the workplace or in the legal sector. Quite the opposite actually. I believe both men and women in this industry can achieve equal success”, she further added.

Favourite Quote

“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more days to do the things you wanted. Do it now”.

Farah Emara, Young Inspiring Entrepreneur Focused Towards Disrupting the Agri-value Chain with FreshSource

“There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work and learning from failure.” – Colin Powell

Quote that describes the mindset of the inspiring young entrepreneur Farah Emara, CEO, FreshSource, a great initiative to streamline the fresh food value chain through the use of data and technology.  The 30-year old leading lady, Farah is passionate about entrepreneurship, value chains, and getting rid of unnecessary inefficiencies. With her co-founder, Omar Emara, they are the brains behind FreshSource Global, they launched the firm in January 2019.

The inception that happened just three years ago, grew into a strong innovative platform.  FreshSource is currently disrupting the Egyptian agriculture industry by streamlining the value chain through technology. It is the region’s first platform for fresh produce, transforming the lives of producers, businesses, and consumers. As of now, the firm is working with many established businesses in the country with a belief that the level of service it provides is what makes them loyal to FreshSource. Because of their outstanding contributions and innovative solutions, Farah and her venture were honoured with the Digital Agriculture Award of the year by the World Bank and the IFC. They were also awarded the Mashrou3 Amal award by MBC.

Further, the leading lady apprised, “An idea, no matter how unique or great it is, is just an idea. Determination, perseverance, and transforming your setbacks into comebacks is what will build a truly successful enterprise. We work hard to prepare our team and our company for exponential growth and always make data-driven decisions for our strategies. We are building a strong team with a solid foundation and processes in place that will enable us to transform the Egyptian agriculture industry.”

The Inspiration behind the Initiative

Omar and Farah grew up in the agriculture industry and it was always a passion for them. At the time she was working in P&G and Omar was in London. Farah had a background in FMCG and Omar in Finance and Technology in Goldman Sachs London.  They always knew that they wanted to start something that will have an impact on their country. They started researching the industry and uncovered immense inefficiencies that exist in the value chain. Through their research, they found that an average of 45% of crops are lost before hitting store shelves due to poor harvesting, transportation, and storage. With an exponentially growing population, greater stress is being placed on food security. Producers are not getting their fair cut due to middlemen and businesses are overpaying for their crops making prices extremely high for the end-consumer.. So, they launched FreshSource to revolutionize agriculture in Egypt and transform it through technology.

Major Hiccups & Support on the Way

 The agriculture industry is always very risky and dynamic, so challenges are how to withstand some of the changes that were caused by the global pandemic and how to build a foundation that can strive.

While talking about her support system, Farah happily said, “My co-founder, Omar, is the number one reason I am where I am today. He provides unparalleled support and a great direction for FreshSource that has made it possible for us to achieve what we have.” 

“To create a More Balanced and Equal Industry, Always focus on the female representation in the workforce, if you are not tracking it then odds are you have an extremely low number of females in your team. Without this diversity, companies are missing out on so much, from Sales to Operations”, she further added.

A Day in Farah’s Life

She wakes up at 7 every day as the fruit and vegetable industry is one that is most active in the mornings. She begins her day by checking the communication channels with the team. After that, she gets up and walks her two beautiful dogs, Mocha and Yogi. Then she goes to the gym at Gezira Club to get some morning endorphins and grabs a coffee. After that, she either goes to the office, meets with investors, farms, or cold storage facilities depending on the situation.

Favourite Source of Inspiration & Education

A podcast- Startup Theory.

“I love Startup Theory and I recommend all entrepreneurs listen to it. Being an entrepreneur can sometimes be a lonely journey. I am lucky enough to have my brother with me, but other sole founders don’t. They need to get the message that obstacles will always arise and sometimes doubting yourself can be more detrimental than the actual issue you are facing. We usually only see the tip of the iceberg on media platforms of startups raising millions and it usually looks so easy. However, each startup is going through its own pains, and keeping your headset in the right direction is what will make you sink or swim”, Farah apprised.

The Future

The young woman believes that blockchain will have an immense impact on the value chain of food. This has already started happening and will only continue to transform the industry. Agriculture accounts for 40% of the global workforce and represents 6.4% of the entire world’s economic production. Getting food from farm to table is an extremely complicated process with a lot of intermediaries. People are oblivious to what has been sprayed on the food they are eating or how it has been handled. Using blockchain to promote the traceability of food will have a transformative impact.

Advice for Female Entrepreneurs

You must be aggressive, while it may be uncomfortable for some people to be assertive and it might not come naturally, unfortunately, it is seen as a sign of weakness by investors and other stakeholders. So, if you want to get far, you must be determined and assertive.

Jeremy Denisty: Nurturing The Business Growth With Comprehensive Consulting Solutions at Scopernia

Founded in 2011, Scopernia has been connecting with big and small enterprises, offering them a sneak peek of what’s next and help them flourish in an evolving world under the guidance of Jeremy Denisty. Scopernia is the brainchild of two visionaries, Dado van Peteghem and Jo Caudron. They founded this company 11 years ago and Jeremy took the helm in 2020 as the Managing Director.

Personifying an amazing, hardworking, organized, inspiring, optimistic, and self-motivated individual who diligently transverses the path to achieving, Jeremy holds great expertise and extensive knowledge because of his continuous dedication.

The 30-year-old business leader was born and raised in Belgium, and he grew up walking on the path of artistic life. Jeremy started acting lessons when he was 4, was a child actor as main characters in French feature films from 2005 up until 2019, worked as a radio host, and in some TV programs.

Besides his involvement in the media, Jeremy continued his studies and ended up getting a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Sciences and 2 MSc in International Management and Management Sciences. His first business professional experience was at Procter & Gamble in France, working on Pampers.

At the end of his studies, Jeremy decided to put his artistic life aside and had the opportunity to join Henkel, P&G, or Unilever. He chose Unilever and spent 5 amazing years at Unilever as a Sales & Marketing Manager in France, Belgium, and The Netherlands.

Jeremy and his wife always wanted to move abroad, so when she had the opportunity to transfer to Dubai at the end of 2019, he quit his beloved Unilever job and they moved to Dubai. The day Mr Denisty landed in Dubai he met Scopernia’s Founding Partner, Dado Van Peteghem. One week later he started working as an Engagement Manager. 5 months later, in the heart of the COVID crisis, Jeremy took the lead of the office with a clear strategic plan in mind for the Firm’s future. And, the plan was successful, they tripled their revenues in one year.

Scopernia, Making Organizations Future-fit and a Force for Good

At the core, Scopernia helps people transform and grow faster & better in a complex and fast-changing world. Concretely, they help public and private organisations solve complex problems to:

  • Optimize their core business to accelerate growth
  • Transform their business ideas into a reality
  • Find new revenue streams
  • (Re)Define their Organization of the Future
  • Target Gen Z through Gaming with Scopernia Gaming

A lot of consulting companies claim they do all of that What really sets Scopernia apart is how they do it:

  • By focusing on: involving employees, stakeholders, customers in the process
  • Through innovative methodologies
  • By co-creating the solution with the client
  • By making it fun and engaging for all involved, creating faster buy-in and ownership
  • By focusing on the implemented impact

“Our vision is to change the way strategy & management consulting is being done, and help clients across industries grow, whether they are not sure how, don’t have the people, or don’t have the time”, said Mr Denisty.

What Inspired Jeremy to be an Author?

Communication and playing with words have always been something Jeremy enjoyed and felt comfortable with, from his early days in his acting career.” When he understood the force for good it could be in business, it pushed him into writing.

Clients & Unbreakable Faith

Scopernia serves every organization with more than 100 employees. By design in the region, since the company got here through a massive transformation project with the Chalhoub Group, they tend to have more clients in Luxury, Retail, and Consumer Goods.

List of 10 current and past clients:

  • Chalhoub Group, the organization itself as well as many of their portfolio brands individually: Faces, Lacoste, Tumi, Level Shoes, etc.
  • Trafalgar Luxury Group (distributors of Patek Philippe, Tag Heuer, Chopard, and many other luxury brands in the Middle East)
  • Mapyr (leading distributors of baby gear brands in the Middle East)
  • Sprecher Berrier Group of Companies (distributor of perfume brands)
  • Unilever Middle East
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • HSBC MENA
  • BNP Paribas
  • Engie Mescat
  • Aliaxis (global leader in water and energy solutions)
  • Cartamundi Group (worldwide leader in card and board games)

While discussing how he assures the faith of the clients, Jeremy apprised, “We have 0 compromises on delivery quality and our clients know it. We are 100% reliable, strive to deliver above expectations, always, and consider ourselves as advisors rather than contractors. That mindset is a standard in our organization. On top of that, we don’t price based on hours spent but fixed on the value created.”

Hurdles on the Way

When asked about his initial challenges, Jeremy Denisty said, “The primary challenge was to re-think who we were going to serve, helping them solve which problems. We re-focused our organization on business growth and transformation (what it was initially founded on) and managed the pivot with success.”

The Driving Force

Here are the 10 things that so far worked out for Jeremy Denisty and led him to where he is today.

  1. Having focus: single-minded focus will put you closer to your goal(s)
  2. Be curious: be open-minded and learn new things every day
  3. See the world through others’ eyes: search for new perspectives, whether it is to innovate or to empathize
  4. Strive for perfection: never settle for average, details matter and will make a difference
  5. Be loyal and operate with integrity: great leaders will want you at their side, trust unlocks everything
  6. Hard work is easy: be disciplined, commit to yourself and what you can accomplish.
  7. Live multiple lives: be open to new opportunities, pivot, change, add, and subtract
  8. Don’t let failures take you down: they are part of the process, they exist to make us better, smarter, and more mature.
  9. Leverage every skill you have: what do you do better than 99% of the people you know?Figure it out, leverage it.
  10. Love, and be loved: nurture relationships, listen more than you talk, be truthful, thankful, and genuinely happy for the success of others

“On top of that, I’ve had the chance to be trusted by amazing mentors. Dado Van Peteghem in particular, our Founding Partner, has put his trust in me to lead this office, and I am very thankful for that”, shared Mr Denisty.

Favorite Book

Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath

Future Roadmap

Jeremy Denisty is focused on building a niche boutique consulting firm with exceptional people, delivering unparalleled quality of work. He believes in changing the way consulting has been done for the last 50 years.

Besides, in the coming 3 years, he would also like to open a pro-bono vertical with a dedicated team, helping social and purposeful entrepreneurs & businesses to grow in the region.

Awards & Milestones

Jeremy proudly shared, The first book, Written and published by our Founding Partners, “Digital Transformation: A model to master digital disruption” (2012) is an international bestseller sold in more than 55 countries.

And, Scopernia’s Founding Partner, Jo Caudron’s last book “The World is Round: An optimistic master plan for the transformation of business and society” (2020) has won a Management Book of the Year award.

It was published the day the lockdown started, and it appeared most transformations that he had thought of for the next 10 years happened in 10 days because of COVID.

A Piece of Advice for Female Entrepreneurs

Reach out and get in touch with female entrepreneurs that are a bit further in the journey. Don’t go at it alone, there are many brilliant entrepreneurs out there, reach out, get support, share your ideas, listen to others that have done it, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Favourite Quote 

“A plan without execution is the slowest route to victory. Execution without a plan is the noise before defeat.”– Sun Tzu

What Characteristics Are Necessary to Work in the Legal Profession?

Whether you want to work in employment law, commercial law, or legal executive, you need the proper abilities and traits to succeed in the legal field. If you or your business are in a tough spot and need help navigating the legal system, you should not hesitate to turn to an experienced lawyer. The life of a client can be changed dramatically and positively by a skilled lawyer. It doesn’t matter if it’s helping them through a difficult family law situation or protecting them from false charges after an accident. Lawyers are there for clients when they need them most. It’s important to have a lawyer.

 Here are ten such characteristics that may be the key to making your goals a reality.

  • A willingness to put in the time and effort necessary to succeed in a field as competitive as the law is an obvious prerequisite for any aspirant hoping to make it to the top.
  • One trait that all highly successful attorneys share is an uncanny ability to pay close attention to the smallest of details. It can be the difference between winning and losing a lawsuit in the long run.
  • Because the sector needs so much of your time and work, it necessitates your complete dedication. As in sports, you’ll need to make tough choices to offer yourself the best opportunity of succeeding in the legal field.
  • To succeed in this field, you’ll need a competitive spirit and a strong sense of ambition. If you want a position in the legal field, you must be willing to go above and beyond what anyone else is willing to do.
  • Although knowledge is a valuable tool for a solicitor, today’s hectic pace necessitates that you not only be up-to-date on recent developments, but you must also be eager to learn new things throughout your career.
  • When it comes to vying for desired positions, winning cases, and leading the way for the companies you work for, passion for your profession will be of tremendous assistance.
  • As you begin to have a role in significant cases, the ability to work well both individually and collectively may be essential.
  • Strong organisational abilities are essential for solicitors since their work on behalf of clients often necessitates extensive planning and strategy.
  • Many of your clients may need legal support and counsel, and for that, you’ll need a sympathetic ear as well as a helpful demeanour. To secure future work, you must have the ability to assist your client through a challenging legal process.
  • Due to the breadth and depth of the legal industry, having a specific area of expertise would be helpful. If you want to work in litigation law, for example, you’ll need to have a lot of experience in the courtroom. In fact, you may visit Duluth Accident Attorney to know how experienced lawyers work.
  • Every law student should have a set of essential legal abilities if they hope to succeed in the profession after graduation. Although the responsibilities and scope of legal jobs vary, the impact of these talents on the legal profession as a whole remains constant and unchanging.

Trust Capital TC – Enriching lives, creating Reliability!

Businesses come and go, what stays is the presence, the impact, and the name of the enterprise. Business is more about creating a relationship between the company and the customers than selling something to someone.

A company is always on the search and hunt for the next big innovation, which could carve their name in the hall of fame, but, what about the existing products/services they offer?

There are a lot of companies offering similar products/services but only a few prevail and take the top spot. What makes the customers follow these names only, and overlook any other, despite discounts, extra benefits, etc.?

The answer is Trust and Reliability.

Farah Hawilo is one of the leading and eccentric businesswomen of 2021. She is not only an effervescent leader but also a great persona, inspiring budding entrepreneurs and exiting businessmen/businesswomen.

Farah is the Executive Director of Trust Capital TC. Trust Capital TC provides a secure, reliable, and transparent environment to trade CFDs on Forex, Metals, Commodities, Indices, and Cryptocurrencies.

Offering direct access to the financial markets with the benefits of competitive pricing, tight spreads, low commission, and negative balance protection.

Since Brokers do not share a good image in the market, Farah and her company aim to eradicate that by providing services that are unmatched, top-notch, and completely transparent. Trust Capital TC revolutionizes the traditional image and perception of Brokers.

Farah, and her will to create something extraordinary and change the face of trading and the air around it, makes her one of the most dynamic businesswomen to watch in 2021

“To achieve something that you’ve never achieved, you have to do something that you’ve never done”

The Company, the Journey

Trust Capital TC started a revolution in the securities market. Licensed in 2018, with a mission to provide an environment where traders have transparency and reliability. Their base of operations is set up in Cyprus, with the representative office in Dubai UAE.

They offer a trading platform for clients to invest, whether they are retail or professional clients. They offer a lot of instrument support, such as Forex, Metals, indices, energies, Commodities, and now cryptocurrencies.

To cater to clients of all kinds and offer different account types suited for all kinds of investors, professional or starting out, Trust Capital TC offers a one-stop solution.

Being a broker, a company faces many claims, which are on the negative side. But Trust Capital TC rises as the knight in shining armor for all those cheated, mistreated, or conned by traditional brokers. The defining characteristic feature of Trust Capital TC is the education they offer, and that too free of cost! They conduct webinars, seminars, and provide online education. They also have a program called the Forex Mentor, providing one-on-one training.

Trust Capital TC and its team know trading into Indices, Forex, etc. is a risky job. They offer education so people and their clients can learn. They impart education, not to get accounts, but to establish trust and eradicate improper knowledge which stains the occupation of trading as a whole. They are the change, by being the change!

They also offer practice accounts, so people can practice trading with virtual money. This does not stop here as Trust Capital TC monitors the account with them, and tries to give them some tips, etc. on how to trade and how to get better, and much more.

One of the most challenging tasks for Trust Capital TC and its team was to get their license. As they moved and chose Cyprus as the base of operation, CySEC (Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission) had introduced regulatory changes, implied stringent rules, and regulations. As the leverages were reduced to 1:30 from 1:100, making it less risky for traders, brought in a lot of compliance work, etc. to get a license.

Moreover, to get the license they had to plan and regulate policies, in adherence to the regulations, keeping it completely transparent at all times. With dedication, hard work, and luck on their side, they were one of the last companies to get a CySEC license!

After the license, next was the task of setting up the company, but that was something they were already prepared for, making it easy for them to establish their firm.

What pushes Trust Capital TC to grow and succeed?

A lot happened during the pandemic, and for Trust Capital TC it was a make-or-break situation. There were many changes going on in the markets and people’s mindsets too. The shuffle in employment opportunities pushed people to become more aware of what trading can offer, especially as a second income source.

To tap this space, Trust Capital TC conducted online webinars, a lot of them. Projected towards educating and creating awareness about trading online, what it means to invest online, and it is not as difficult as it seems. This not only led to more clients, but traders who are educated, aware, and understand trading, which Trust Capital TC strives to achieve.

People of different fields also became more interested in trading, because Trust Capital TC broke many myths along its journey for its clients and students.

‘You can only trade if you know finance’.
“This is not true; you can learn anything that you’re interested in. All it takes is time, effort, and education. This is why we are here to help”. – Farah Hawilo, Executive Director, Trust Capital TC

Trust Capital’s roots for its long-standing success

What makes Trust Capital TC successful and the first choice of traders is its reputation with its clients. As there are hundreds of brokers, spread across different instruments, regulated, and not regulated, etc. The unregulated ones, unfortunately, have made a bad reputation. There are many cases where clients face difficulty receiving their profits, customer service was bad after they opened an account, and so on.

Trust Capital’s ethics is to have great customer service and to make sure client is aware of every stage of their account. Even after they closed the account, they make sure they’re doing okay. They keep a check and make sure their clients receive anything they need, along with the surety of debiting/crediting funds on time. They do frequent follow-ups, making sure the client has received profits, is up to date, etc.

Another factor making Trust Capital TC sought-after and acclaimed is the transparency with cost. Their pricing is everywhere, on the website, and on terms and conditions, etc. They make sure the client doesn’t miss anything because it is the money that they’re investing. So, they make sure to take care of that very much and be transparent with the client!

Services offered by Trust Capital TC, and what sets them apart

Trust Capital TC offers a variety of instruments to trade in, right from Forex, Metals, Gold, Silver, Commodities, Indices, and now offering Cryptocurrency. They offer CFDs (Contract for Differences) on these instruments. CFDs are more based on speculation, thus allowing one to trade without purchasing an instrument. This means one can trade with a higher quantity, with a lower amount. CFDs on crypto are being offered by very few, but with reliability and trust on Trust Capital TC, there is no better option out there!

As mentioned earlier they provide education too. They have created a mobile app that helps the client track their trades, making their trading simple and easy, thus, saving their on-screen time. Clients also get pop-up notifications showing trade information, etc. They also receive other benefits right from the calendar of news to calculators that they might need, and much more.

They also offer affiliated partnerships. If someone wants to refer clients, they have a program for them. Also, liquidity offering is also provided. If it’s a corporate account and they want to open an account, get liquidity, etc. Trust Capital TC also provides that.

There are a lot of factors that set Trust Capital TC and its services apart. They make sure that pricing is competitive. They offer different account types with different pricing and different commission. So, clients can choose accounts, pricing, etc. to their needs.

They also provide as many payment methods as possible. They have PayPal, Neteller, Skrill, credit card debit card, and bank transfer, so no one feels restricted with one payment method.

Also, the free education is a huge plus, because almost all the Brokers have great offerings but only a few offer education, and that too on a condition if you’re a funded client with them.

Trust Capital TC also offers immersive and proactive customer service. It’s 24 hours, 24×7, all days a week, even when the markets are closed, making sure clients receive regular updates about everything, are always in the light!

New additions to Trust Capital’s service arsenal

They are in the works of offering equities, which would make Trust Capital TC a one-stop-shop for the client. Clients will be able to open a trading account with them and trade Apple, Amazon, and other equities. The best part being, one account with Trust Capital TC enables you to trade a variety of instruments, right from crypto to gold, crude oil, currency, and much more!

What makes it interesting as now equity CFDs will be available to trade along with education, making Trust Capital TC a complete solution for traders and investors.

How Trust Capital TC goes ahead with changing times and trends

Trust Capital TC offers various instruments to trade and invest. They are integrating new instruments, such as cryptocurrency, which is being offered by very few in the market. Also, the regular additions and updates to the mobile app, making the whole experience seamless. Moreover, the team is always looking for changing trends, new technology, etc. which can be integrated to make sure their services are unrivaled and always the best the industry has to offer!

The Leading Lady, Farah Hawilo

Farah started her education in finance, got her bachelor’s degree in banking and Finance in Lebanon. Right off the bat she started working and initiated her journey to get some experience in the Forex industry.

She started from customer support, to learn all the ins and outs of the Forex world, right from client account opening, back office, etc. She also pursued and accumulated few certificates including risk and investment compliance by Reuters, Bloomberg terminal, etc. that fetched her more knowledge, skills, helping her get up the ladder.

All this prepared her and provided her the knowledge she needed to start her company. Followed the start of Trust Capital TC, where she was handling different roles and departments, such as operations, HR department, Compliance department, dealing with sales, etc.

Farah feels the highlight of her professional journey is getting the CySEC license, owing to stringent norms, compliance, regulations, etc., and nurturing her company to become a successful and respectable name in the market.

From there to open up a new office in Dubai, dedicating herself to bring more awareness and education amongst traders, eradicating the bad image around Brokers, and expanding the business is one of the major highlights of her career!

What Farah thinks are the responsibilities of an entrepreneur

Number one is to be true to what you are doing. If you’re working on something and comparing yourself all the time to similar businesses, you won’t ever be ahead of the competition. Your work should keep you more into a tunnel vision, towards the goal, in the end, to have other people look at you, copy you, and not the other way around!

Be true to yourself, true to what you are doing, and at the same time don’t only look at it as a profit-making making business. It will get there as long as you have your ethics and the company. You have to make sure about the way you treat your employees, make sure to relay the message that the employees are not working for you, they’re working with you. To build a culture where works towards the same goal.

Always keep learning. No One Ever Knows enough. Keep trying to develop yourself, make sure you’re up to date with whatever new is going on in the markets and technology because times are changing very fast.

“They say you have to do what you love but to be honest to get to that goal you want; you have to go through phases, where you are not enjoying the process so much. I was doing compliance work, working in different departments that were not my initial passion. But in the end, this is what led me to the goal. You’re going through phases that you don’t love and you don’t enjoy at that point. You have to get through them. And you will reach your end goal!” Farah adds.

Team of Trust Capital TC

Every member of Trust Capital TC goes to work with the goal of personal development, which is something that they love in the company.

They don’t go for a nine-to-five shift, they focus on their personal development in the company, and how to best provide their clients. Trust Capital TC and its environment promotes learning and pushes its team to pursue certifications, seminars, and education.

So, this approach helps the team grow and motivates them to apply their knowledge and skills, bringing out the best of Trust Capital TC!

This culture inspires the team to branch out, and do even more than their job description. Inspiring a feeling of oneness towards the company, providing clients with 110% dedication and focus, and innovating along the way, make the team of Trust Capital TC exceptional and one of the best there is!

Farah’s views on constant vigilance- as a need or strategy

You cannot be naïve about what you’re doing, the company, etc. thus. You have to be aware, and keep up with the changes. So, definitely, it’s a need and a strategy!

You need to see what’s going on around you, need to see what market is offering, so you can offer better.

“Whether it comes to marketing your products, you always have to be listening”

You have to be doing your research, see the trends, etc. Then comes the part of keeping up with the trends around practices, this is where your strategy kicks in!

Farah’s take on the competition in the market, and how she deals with it

On a personal level, one has to get some balance in the personal life. As the work doesn’t stop after 5 or 6 p.m. and keeps going. So, you have to have that balance, for your mental health, for your well-being, etc. you need to balance.

Also, spending time with oneself is important. Give your thoughts space and time, moreover, give yourself the time you deserve!

On a professional level, always read the news. Stay in tune with what’s happening, so you can keep up. “If you get drowned in your work only and you’re not aware of what’s going on the outside, you won’t be able to reach the daily tasks that you want to reach.” – Farah adds.

Bagus Nur Buwono, A Proficient Legal Practitioner, Offering Excellent Corporate & Commercial Advisory Solutions

One of Indonesia’s leading corporate and commercial law firm, located in Jakarta Selatan, Bagus Enrico & Partners’ foundation was laid in 2009 under the able leadership of Bagus Nur Buwono, Founder & Managing Partner. Bagus steers the strategy of the organisation with his  25 years of advisory excellence, spanning multinationals and domestic transactions.  He specializes in mergers and acquisitions, banking and finance, construction, strategic investment, and general corporate or commercial matters, including corporate restructuring, insolvency, and employment, across various sectors of industries throughout Indonesia.

Bagus is highly admired for his business knowledge and legal expertise in recognition of his years of continued excellent work and expertise. He has won the trust, respect and many accolades for his significant contributions. The Guide to Asia’s Commercial Law Firm has acknowledged him as a recommended lawyer in the practice areas of corporate, M&A, employment, and restructuring and insolvency; AsiaLaw – Euromoney Asia recognised him as a leading lawyer in the areas of banking and finance, and corporate, M&A and as the expert in commercial law; and Asia Business Law Journal has been awarding him as one of Indonesia’s 100 Top Lawyers since 2018-2021.

In academics, Bagus graduated from the Faculty of Law at Gadjah Mada University in Indonesia in 1996. Subsequently, he received the Chevening Scholarship to undertake the International Business Law (LLM) from the University of Manchester, the UK in 2005. He also attended a Mini – MBA programme held by Mizuho Corporate Bank in cooperation with Hitotsubashi University, Tokyo, in 2009.

BE Partners, “Boutique Practice Focusing on Client Service”

Bagus Enrico & Partners is a boutique law firm that caters to domestic and international clients alike. They are made up of a collection of prominent individuals duly recognized for their expertise and professional experiences in handling various notable transactions in Indonesia. Their practice covers areas including corporate and commercial law, banking and finance, technology media and telecommunications, insurance, energy, and natural resources, construction, and litigation among others.

BE Partners’ clientele mostly consists of corporate clients, both local and multinational. They always strive to go beyond just the legality of things and consult their clients in a variety of aspects; they help their clients develop and grow their business long term, catering the services to what is relevant and tailoring it to their needs.

The Inspiration & The Journey

Bagus was inspired by this film he saw back in the day about a wrongfully convicted inmate who went on to study law remotely from prison and ended up defending himself until he was rightfully exonerated.

He believes that everyone should have access to proper legal representation, and in turn, make informed decisions on how to proceed with whatever issue they may face. He initially wanted to become a litigator and to defend the weak and marginalized, but considering the political and social climate at the time and how uncertain the justice system was, it was impossible to go very far in terms of practicing within that area of law in an imperfect democracy. So, he decided to switch gear and do corporate law instead but still with the aim of fighting for his clients and providing the best possible solution for them, just from a different perspective. It is to ensure that these corporations will provide more job opportunities for Indonesians.

Bagus worked as an in-house counsel and intended to keep doing so, but at one point in his career, he sat down and had a think about whether he wanted to stay in this corporate system where everything was set and they all did their own tasks or if he wanted to go out and start his own firm – the latter option struck a nerve and that was what sparked the beginning of BE Partners.

He wanted to start a firm with the right idealism and purpose, to create a working environment that puts clients first, and be a safe space for young talent to develop. Teaching is a very pivotal aspect for him as a lawyer so apart from mentoring the lawyers at the firm, Bagus also lectures at universities and teaches company law so as to share knowledge on current issues along with the legal theories behind it for a more practical approach in applying their knowledge as lawyers.

“It was never my intention to become an influential figure, I’m not actively involved in any sort of association or group. I do, however, focus on growing the firm and delivering the best advice and service we can offer. It is very humbling to know that it has resulted in recognition and appreciation within the legal community”, said Bagus talking his journey of becoming an influential leader in law.

An Edge Over the Peers & The Exciting Part about Legal Industry

Bagus always approaches his clients’ problems from a business perspective. He puts himself in their shoes and tries to solve their problems in a way that mitigates risk and promotes efficiency. The leader believes that lawyers should pave the way for their clients to move forward, not hinder their path to growth and expansion. He and his team walk hand in hand with their clients and go beyond just legal services.

“I solve problems for a living, which can seem to be quite a mundane job for some people. For me, it’s the excitement in taking charge and finding creative and out-of-the-box solutions for my client’s legal issues. Having to think of all the angles and challenging the way we think is very stimulating and fulfilling”, apprised Bagus.

From the Founder’s Desk

Back when I first started working as a lawyer, because a lot of information was only privy to a select few, it became a valuable commodity that people were looking for. However, now it is very easy to get any and all information with the help of the internet nowadays; all the rules, regulations, and even cases and legal forums are inline and accessible to anyone. The challenge is to improve the critical and analytical skills to get only the most relevant information and to underline the upcoming and potential legal and business risks.

So, the skill highlighted in this new age of lawyers is how to think critically and analyse the relevant information. Connecting the dots from the legal issue at hand, what the law says, how we want to move forward, the implications of said action, and how we present it to the client is what sets us apart.

New and more diverse specialties are also on the rise given the number of emerging industries that have started popping up on a global scale such as e-commerce, blockchains, and cryptocurrencies which did not exist when I first started my career.

Bagus’s Advice to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Just go for it, give it all you’ve got and let it fall into place. Regardless of how much control you think you have; things will always take their course. Prepare as best you can, plan as best you can, but don’t be so stuck in your ways that you’re not able to redirect and take the necessary steps to move forward.

Closing Quote

All big dreams require steps; it’s a process that requires time and effort. Rome was but once a dream, built brick by brick over a long period of time. Consistency and determination are the foundation. Make sure to start, everyone has big dreams but only some follow through and actually do it. Failure is never a reason to quit, there is always a lesson in it that we take and keep in mind moving forward.

A Combination Of Innovation, Passion, And Expertise: Meet The Influential Leader, Meti Ketner

Incepted in 2008, an Excellent Legal Consulting Firm offering a comprehensive and strategic approach to the Intellectual Property Challenges of modern times, both for corporations as well as individuals is KETNER, the brainchild of dynamic leader,  a businesswoman, Founder and  CEO  of KETNER® Ltd, Meti Ketner.

Meti, is a well-known name in the legal field due to her work on key issues. The firm has established a reputation for delivery of quality legal advisory services in different fields with a special focus on industrial property protection (patents, trademarks, industrial designs, etc.) It is constantly progressing and expanding and following the key trends of Intellectual Property Protection to which clients can rely on. Strategic and progressive advocacy is the hallmark of KETNER!

Law is a profession like any other profession, but it is used to be a male-dominated turf. That was past tense. In the last few years, there has been a shift as more female power have made the choice to lead rather than to follow. A lot of strong-willed women have come blazing through and have made their mark in the legal landscape.  And Meti Ketner is the perfect reflection of the influence of female leadership in the legal sector.

The passionate and innovative lawyer, Meti Ketner is creating her unique mark with her talent and inspiring countless young women. She possesses over 21 years of rich professional work experience as a legal practitioner. With her venture, Meti tackles everyday tasks ambitiously. Her goal is to raise awareness of the importance of intellectual property and its protection and encourage the development of copyright, industrial property rights, and other rights arising from human creative activity.

KETNER– CUTTING OUT LEGAL NOISE WITH EXPERIENCE AND VISION

With foundation stones of knowledge, faith, integrity, and trust, KETNER® has grown from advising its first client on industrial property to becoming with a notable service portfolio with a comprehensive approach to the Intellectual Property Challenges of modern times. Meti Ketner is aware that the Intellectual Property Protection sector is constantly evolving. Ideas of the future are already changing the present moment. She is very proud to show the world the intellectual capacity of Slovenia – the rising star of this world.

KETNER®’s professional field extends from the personal touch of in-depth analysis of the idea itself focused on problem-solving inventions and related patent technical documentation, supported by legal advice, expert reports, IP searches, and monitoring, evaluating, to the other specialist support in the field of industrial property rights and beyond.

To maintain a strong market position KETNER® company represents their clients in Intellectual Property Proceedings at the national, European, and international levels. Operating with vision and optimism, KETNER® ‘s protected Intellectual Property is manifested through brilliant industrial property rights reflecting the originality of its owners. The KETNER®’s coverage ranges from representation in the process of acquisition, registration, maintenance, to enforcement of industrial property rights in Slovenia and worldwide.

WHAT MAKES KETNER STANDS OUT?

KETNER is a Slovenian law office specializing in the field of intellectual property with an emphasis on industrial property ( trademarks,  models,  patents …).

The firm focuses on providing commercially sound and pragmatic legal advice while cutting while ensuring regulatory and statutory compliance. The endeavour focuses on providing the most effective and efficient delivery of quality legal services for all sectors.

Backed with all-rounded experience covering the entire spectrum of matters in the corporate commercial arena and expansive career experience, Meti propels KETNER to fulfill the legal advisory role as a legal partner in the industrial property protection strategy being at the heart of achieving pragmatic legal solutions.

The team of experienced professionals is ingrained to have a client-centric approach and in-depth understanding of practical legal issues faced by the clients focusing on efficient and effective service delivery.

They offer legal advice and expert opinions, perform inquiries, perform tracking and provide other professional support regarding industrial property rights and other areas with the most effective solutions.

They represent clients in the procedures of acquiring, registering, maintaining, and enforcing industrial property rights (patents, trademarks, models …). We are an official patent attorney entered in the Register of Patent Attorneys at the Office of the Republic of Slovenia for Intellectual Property (No. 258) and at the Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market (EU) (No. 46191).

BEING A LEGAL LEADER

Meti Ketner has had an exciting journey since the inception of her career as she held various leadership roles in her career. What motivates her? Well, the strong leader believes, her work is her passion and whether working for the larger Slovenian professional legal offices or as for institutions of public importance and in the frame of international projects of great importance for Slovenia, she continues to deliver the best. Meti Ketner strives for success working together with a team of highly qualified experts by doing the best for their clients.

Here is the timeline of Ketner’s emergence in the legal industry prior to practicing law in her own company:

  • 2006-2009: AGENCIJA VEBO, družba za invencije, pravno svetovanje in nove medije, d.o.o. – Director
  • 2005-2006: HIGHER COURT IN MARIBOR – Judicial intern
  • 2004-2005: INSTITUTE OF SHAREHOLDERSHIP – Legal consultant and project manager
  • 2003: MIRO SENICA – ODVETNIK – Attorney, lawyer intern
  • 2001-2002: SCHOENHERR, d.o.o. – Head of Legal Department
  • 2000-2001: STATISTICAL OFFICE OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA – Lawyer intern

In academics, Meti has done her Law from University of Ljubljana and different other training course from reputed institutions. During her studies, she worked as an Assistant in the framework of two international PHARE projects; “Further Alignment of Slovene Statistical Methodology with EC Requirements and Reinforcement of the Institutional Capacity of Slovene Statistical Office in View of Accession to the EU” (SORS) and “Approximation of Legislation and Enforcement Programme” (Government Office of the Republic of Slovenia for legislation).

South African Film, New Material, To Have Worldwide Release On Streaming Platform Eventive

Global audiences can catch Riaad Moosa alongside Joey Rasdien, Schalk Bezuidenhout and a bevy of stellar South African talent in much-anticipated film release

In a first for South Africa, international audiences will be able to watch ‘New Material’, the much-anticipated sequel to the hugely popular, award-winning ‘Material’ (2012) featuring acclaimed comedian & actor, Riaad Moosa, as a virtual cinema offering. The film will be available from 30 November worldwide on the streaming platform, Eventive, excluding South Africa, where ‘New Material’ is currently playing in cinemas exclusively.

After what has been a very difficult year for most people, New Material offers battle-weary South Africans and the global community a good laugh and a little respite from the gloom of the pandemic.  “I think comedy is a great way to defuse pain and anguish,” says Riaad Moosa. “When we laugh together with family or friends or with strangers in a cinema, we are able to find release”.

In ‘New Material’, the much-loved character, Cassim Kaif (Riaad Moosa) is back and, together with his best friend Yusuf (Joey Rasdien) and opening act, Hendrik (Schalk Bezuidenhout), the three blaze a trail of mayhem across South Africa, with every stop of their comedy tour delivering a laugh-a-minute.  While international fame beckons in the distance, Cassim has to deal with the immediate complications of the national tour all while balancing the demands of a marriage, a young child and living with his ageing parents. 

‘New Material’ also stars Vincent Ebrahim (The Kumars at No 42, Material), Denise Newman (Material, Disgrace), Carishma Basday (Deep End, Material), Zakeeya Patel (The Girl from St Agnes, Material), Kurt Schoonraad (Tali’s Baby Diary, Skeem), Rajesh Gopie (Mayfair) and Shashi Naidoo. The film is directed by award-winning director Craig Freimond and produced by Robbie Thorpe. The film is produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and Blu Blood Africa and is distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.

“Eventive is a technology platform designed specifically to enhance the film screening experience, and was built by independent film lovers,” says Helen Kuun, MD of Indigenous Film Distribution. “It is keeping the indie film ecosystem thriving. It’s great virtual solution during the pandemic, and also for the future. We are delighted to be able to make New Material available to a global audience and we urge people to take the opportunity to see some of South Africa’s best comedians in action in this wonderfully heartwarming film.”

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