Portrait Of Excellence: Meet Ginni Mehta (General Manager)
Q: Tell us, where are you from ?
I was born and raised in New Delhi, the capital city of India.
Q: Why did you join Okoko Cosmétiques ?
I saw Okoko's job posting on LinkedIn and applied for the position as it was my first job in a new country, and all the roles and responsibilities matched my skill set. I wanted to up for a challenge as this was a completely new industry for me. The excitement was sky-high, and the warm and friendly welcoming team made me feel comfortable. The business was driven by female leadership, which made me comfortable in my day-to-day job and inspired me to grow with the brand. After almost three years with Okoko, I have grown as a professional and as an individual. I consider myself fortunate enough to have encountered such a talented, inspiring, and enthusiastic leader whom I have always found committed to excellence.
Q: What does your typical workday look like ?
Every day is a new day, so there is no true "typical day'. I like to start each day by going over my schedule to make sure any calls or meetings I have are top of mind, and I get any prep work for those done first. Then, I usually answer my emails while I am still fresh. I like to make sure I am giving any warm leads my fullest, clearest attention, so I generally jump to those conversations first and reply right away or take immediate action. Once I reach the office, I would like to have a brief meeting with the team to discuss the tasks for the day. Generally, I keep the business meeting to early morning with my CEO when I am fresh and productive. My team knows that I am always there when they need help with anything that's come up during the day and then respond to any requests from other departments or people outside the company.
Q: What are you most proud of since joining Okoko Cosmétiques ?
I am proud of being part of such a reputed company in the natural skincare industry like Okoko Cosmétiques and working with an excellent mentor, boss Oyéta Kokoroko, dedicated team of artisans who believe in building cultural competencies, empowering customers with their knowledge, and giving back to the community. My various roles with Okoko have given me great opportunities to build a professional network, learn the ins and outs of the Industry, overcome new challenges, and expand my skill set and learn from exceptionally talented people in this Industry.
Q: What part of your job do you enjoy the most (and what motivates you) ?
I love exploring new avenues for the business growth for Okoko, connecting with new people in the skincare industry and playing with numbers.
Q: What is your favourite Okoko product and why?
I love them all. They all are so beautifully created by Oyéta. You cannot choose among your siblings who is your favourite. I am obsessed with Okoko's Trésor Moisturizing body cream, Sublime, Beauté Majestique, La Perle, L'Elixir D'or the list goes on…. It's hard to choose one.
Q: If you could only pick one place to visit in the world, where would it be?
India, I would still choose to visit my home country again and again. As a pure archer, I am fond of exploring new places with some heritage stories.
Q: What's your favourite dish?
Anything cooked by my Mom and Dad. :)
Q: Do you have any favourite movie? Book?
My all-time favourite author from whom I have learned a lot about all the nitty-gritty of entrepreneurial mindset will be Sir Subroto Bagchi and His book Go Kiss the World Life Lessons For The Young Professional.
I admire Khaled Hosseini's writings - The Kite Runner, A Thousand Splendid Suns, "And The Mountains Echoed."
I am a die-hard fan of romcoms, be it any origin and, of course, my favourite Suits.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Playing with my Daughter; Kiana is such a blessing to my family.
Q: What is one piece of business advice you would give to your younger self?
Stop being so goddamn scared. Just do it. A career takes the highway when motivation is in the driver's seat. A dream does not become a reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.
Q: What would be your advice for starting beauty entrepreneurs?
It's never too late to start over—ever! And surround yourself with people who will encourage you not to give up.
The key to success in any business lies in self-motivation and a focused approach towards your professional and business goals.
I have always learned from my mentors to believe that the world doesn't need anyone of us to think smaller; the world needs us all to dream bigger, be bolder, and figure out what makes our dreams come alive.
