Dr. Zarine Manchanda is the CEO of Zarine Manchanda Enterprises, a prominent parent company that oversees five businesses across various sectors, all of which proudly bear her name. Among these enterprises are the popular Zarine Manchanda Cafe, the innovative Heavenly Flavours Cloud Kitchen, and the exquisite Flavours of the Himachal Pradesh restaurant. Additionally, she manages Zarine Manchanda Premium Security Agency and Zarine Manchanda Productions, a successful film and entertainment production shingle.
In addition to her diverse businesses, Dr. Manchanda holds the position of CEO at the Zarine Manchanda Foundation, a noble charity NGO that she founded as her first organization.
With a grand vision in mind, Dr. Manchanda aspires to build an international, multinational business conglomerate. Her strategic plan involves expanding each of her businesses beyond Mumbai to various locations across India and even venturing into foreign countries. Moreover, she intends to explore new opportunities in sectors that align with her skills and passions, including Interior Design, couture clothing and apparel, specialty retail, and eventually, construction, hotels, and other industries. Through her ambition and dedication, she aims to leave a remarkable and lasting impact on the global business landscape.
Elevating Experiences
Dr. Manchanda believes that all companies under Zarine Manchanda Enterprises share a common goal – to bring luxury and a sense of spiritual charm to every market segment they operate in. For instance, her café holds the distinction of being India’s first seven-star café, boasting elegant and luxurious decor, crockery, cutlery, and other elements. Similarly, her new restaurant, showcasing the flavors of her native state, Himachal Pradesh, is also adorned with opulence.
Dr. Manchanda is committed to crafting a unique selling point (USP) that combines sophistication and elegance with a touch of spirituality. She wants her clients and customers to experience the best of both worlds – a refined and sophisticated ambiance alongside an environment infused with blessings and spirituality, creating a distinctive and memorable experience for all who visit.
Setting Trends, Not Following
As CEO, naturally, Dr. Manchanda has to remain focused that her vision is implemented in each of these business sectors, and also with her charity foundation. She says, “I want to be unique; I want to set the trend. I do not follow trends! I insist that there be a wow factor in all of my businesses, whether it is through the design and decor of my food establishments, or the crisp and unique uniforms worn by personnel in my premium security agency. I have hired a core team to manage and operate these businesses and my Foundation on a daily basis.”
As a woman entrepreneur, of course Dr. Manchanda feels there are opportunities for women to grow and lead in the business world. Happily, each generation sees an advancement in women’s education and training to be the leaders of tomorrow. She asserts, “I think we all recognize that the playing field is not completely equal at this time, but women are closing that gap, and I hope to lead by example in showing that each woman can bring her own skill set, bold vision, hard work and determination to fulfill dreams and implement strategic plans for commercial success.”
Key to Success in Multiple VenturesDr. Manchanda As CEO, it is vital to be thoroughly engaged and completely focused on each and every aspect of my businesses, so that the vision is achieved, and the strategic plans are implemented for success. For all of my companies and my Foundation, they all started as a vision in my mind. Of course, the vision was meticulous in many ways so that the launch and implementation of the strategic operational plans could progress smoothly, encapsulating, my USP, and to hire management and staff to run the businesses after launch.
Office Culture vs. Remote Work
Dr. Manchanda shares her perspective on the future, stating that she doesn’t have a crystal ball to predict the future of business. However, she thinks that business owners around the world now realize, because of Covid and its aftermath, that there can be a realignment of office culture versus working at home remotely. She emphasizes that it is up to each business owner or CEO to calibrate that balancing act appropriately for each business.
For her, her current entities in the hospitality and security sector require management and staff to work at the venue. The same can be said for her charity Foundation, where she wants management and staff to have “boots on the ground” to serve their important mission of helping the poor to the maximum extent possible.
A New Vision for India
Dr. Manchanda reveals that politics is in her DNA, having grown up in a prominent minister’s family in Himachal Pradesh. She fondly remembers witnessing the charisma, dynamism, and public service of her late beloved father since she was a little girl. With the success of hosting almost 400 charity donation programs through her Foundation and gaining phenomenal media coverage for her social activism, public service, and achievements in entrepreneurship and NGOs over the past few years, she is now ready to take her political aspirations to the next level.
She is launching a national political party, called the Zarine Manchanda People’s Party, with the plan to contest elections in 2024.
Dare to Dream
Dr. Manchanda advises young people starting their careers not to follow the crowd but instead follow their dreams and passions. She suggests incubating a strong Unique Selling Proposition (USP) for their businesses and not being afraid of being gutsy or taking risks. According to her, the most successful businesses, the pioneers, are always the most innovative and unique. They penetrate new business sectors with fresh products and services, and she strongly believes that an element of business success lies in being different and always having a distinct USP.
Global Recognitions
Dr. Manchanda was appointed Regional Director for Mumbai in the BRICS trade alliance, which is managed by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in December 2021. BRICS promotes increasing bilateral commerce and mutual economic interests with other BRICS countries such as Brazil, Russia, China, and South Africa.
She was appointed Chairperson & Editor-in-Chief of India’s National Council of News & Broadcasting for the states of Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, and Goa in June 2023.
Dr. Manchanda has been honored with various honors throughout her career. She received two National Awards and two Governor’s Awards for her outstanding charitable NGO work committed to assisting India’s impoverished. She was also honored with the Nelson Mandela Peace Award, which came with a doctoral degree.
Her humanitarian achievements were further recognized in December 2022 with an award from the All India Council on Human Rights & Social Justice in Delhi, India. She has also garnered numerous honors for her excellent business expansion and successful entrepreneurship, garnering recognition from nearly all of India’s prominent business and leisure periodicals.
Gratitude and Aspirations
Every day, Dr. Manchanda is filled with joy and gratitude since her businesses and charitable foundation are doing so well. They are now preparing to expand not only in India, but globally. She opines, “Naturally, when these organizations and businesses carry my name, I feel an added pride that things are going so well, and that my vision for each business to combine, luxury and spiritual charm has captured the attention of my clients, customers, as well as receiving extensive coverage by prestigious Indian and international media.”
