Sangeeta Khan has many identities. She is the Managing Partner of Divine Beauty Lounge, Partner of Take Out restaurant, but above all, she is a successful woman who is inspiring many more. This aspiring lady believes in woman empowerment. She recently received "YELLOW Inspiring Female Entrepreneur Award". Here, we give you a little insight to her success story.
How was your childhood?
I was a tom boy. I was very sporty in my childhood. I even considered going in that line. I played football, cricket, you name it! I was ranked 3rd in a national cycling competition in 1977. I was also in junior Red Cross. My sports teacher Aleya Ferdousi inspired the girls in sports. I always thought why can't girls play the games that boys play? I even rode bike in those days!
Some of my friends and I had started a little magazine called "Amra Shurjomukhi" when I was in class 8 or 9. Shakila Jafar is a childhood friend and she was a part of it too.
Tell us about your family.
My mother is the well-known Poet Khaleda Edib Chowdhury. She had won Bangla Academy award, Literary Award and wrote many literary pieces. She started her career as a journalist but then turned into a poet and writer. My father Anwarul Haque was a semi-governmental service holder. He was a very simple man with a cultural mind. He loved origami and had wonderful handwriting.
We are three siblings. I am the eldest. My brother Tanvirul Haque Probal is an engineer. And my sister Sumona Haque is the famous singer and painter.
My whole family is culturally rich. Shomi Kaiser, Mahi B Chowdhury, they are my maternal cousins and they all sing. Our family gatherings is incomplete without a singing session.
What did you want to be in your childhood?
Honestly, I don't remember what I wanted to be in my childhood. Some say they want to be a doctor or an engineer, I can't remember what I said at that age. But I had a wish to travel that's why I joined Singapore Airlines later on.
Tell us about your educational institutes.
I was born in Karachi. My education began here in Bangladesh. I was in St Francis School, then Shaheed Bir Uttam Lt Anwar Girls' College, then passed my SSC from Viqarunnisa Noon School. My college was Holy Cross College. Then did my Honors and Master's from Dhaka University in Public Administration.
How did you come into business? And tell us about your work life.
I didn't think about doing business, ever. I belonged to a family of service holders. My parents both were doing jobs.
I got married in class 11 in 1979. I have a very supportive husband and in-laws because they persuaded me to continue my education. I studied at my husband's office. Because of his support, I got 1st division in HSC whereas I had 2nd division in SSC. Then I completed my graduation.
I never really wanted to do any job after that. I had two kids and I wanted to be with the family and be a home maker. But just out of curiosity, I dropped my CV at Singapore Airlines and got the job. I worked there for almost 19 years since 1989 in the reservation ticketing department. It was hectic at times because the office moved to Gulshan and I lived in Wari.
First time I got into business was in 2005 when Time Out got re-established. I became a partner with Sangeeta Ahmed. She is my mentor. She also brought me to Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BWCCI) in 2012. And now I am a Board Director there. I must say Chambers worked as a platform for me. It helped me, guided me, gave me confidence and empowered me.
After leaving the airlines job, I was called for a Travel Trade by Princeton Education which I managed. Now I am the Director of Marketing at Regency Travels Ltd.
Well, I was doing all these, yet I wanted something do for myself. I wanted to do something on my own. In 2014, I started Divine in partnership. Our tagline is 'Every single face is a canvas'.
My patience, support from my husband, in-laws, children and BWCCI are the reason behind where I am right now.
What are your future plans?
Now I am focused with Divine. I want to make Divine more stable. And I want to promote this brand called MrilQ in Bangladesh. They are absolute amazing, I use their products myself and I would suggest others because it is cosmeceutical. It is totally herbal and works for the wellness of skin, hair and health.
I will continue my work with Chambers. We train girls there so that they can contribute in the economy and gain financial independence.
What would be your advice for the girls?
Every girl dreams of being something. They need to start working for it. I love this quote- 'A dream without a goal is just a dream'. I would advise to help the young women achieve their dreams.
And why should women only do boutique business or work in saloons? They need the courage to go for the big guns like IT sector, garments business, shoe business etc. Take a loan and get your own factory. Bring the women to the economy and get into versatile sectors.
Most of all, everybody should learn to love themselves. I started Divine for the sole reason because I wanted to give some time to myself. I told my girls at Princeton to look at themselves in the mirror, the first thing every morning.
With a notion of self-love, Sangeeta Khan graced us with her lovely smile as she talked about her life.
