Angelique Dhama is the Chief Executive Officer at OBEETEE Private Limited, India’s leading producer and exporter of exquisite carpets. A 20-year veteran of the competitive world of lifestyle and luxury marketing, she is best noted for her expertise in international luxury branding.
Angelique joined OBEETEE in 2013 and is responsible for overseeing strategy, innovation, new business integration, customer insights, and expansion of the company. At OBEETEE, Angelique presides over the new developments, corporate strategy and brand direction. In addition to her responsibilities, she also identifies opportunities for growth of the business in India and international markets. Angelique has successfully conceptualized and executed various projects to promote India’s textile traditions and carpet weaving skills, across the world.
Q: What is that one factor that drives you to be a leader of OBEETEE?
A: Obeetee is a marquee brand, which has been operating in the home décor space for over hundred years. To me, it does not get any more exhilarating than working for a company, which is so deeply steeped, in history and culture. What is even more exciting is the fact that I have been entrusted with the responsibility of creating a thriving brand out of a company in a highly unorganized market. Having the chance to make strides in such unchartered territory drives me to be innovative and dedicated in each and every move and take the company and industry on a growth trajectory. Last but not the least, working in Obeetee allows me to stay close to the home décor space, an industry which is very close to my heart. I love the fact that the efforts I undertake in Obeetee helps “add life to the home of our customers”. To be a good leader, you need to believe in your company, your product, and all that it stands for, and I believe in Obeetee values and products wholeheartedly.
Q: What are the initiatives taken by you or your organization for the benefit of other women in society?
A: One thing I have realized in my 9 years of working at Obeetee is that it is an extremely progressive organization. At Obeetee, there are no gender roles whatsoever, be it at the level of the weaving work force or the corporate work force. We hire an individual based purely on their skill set and this decision has nothing to do with their gender. This ensures equal opportunities for women to be a part of the Obeetee family and to make a living themselves. Women are equally capable of reaching new heights if they are given the right opportunities. While these are still more easily accessible in the urban world, the rural world could use a helping hand. Obeetee takes steps to address this by providing weaving and other employment opportunities to the women of rural India and helps them stand on their own feet.
Q: Challenges that you have to face as a woman in your personal as well as professional career?
A: Being a passionate employee at work and a dedicated mother at home is no easy feat. Women play many different roles in their daily lives – daughter, mother, wife and CEO, just to name a few. The key to not only managing but also thriving in all these roles is balance. The balancing act between these is a constant challenge that presents itself every day in varied forms. There truly is no rulebook to when it comes to this and each situation calls for a different resolution. For me, it all boils down to time management. The daily to-do list often ends up looking like a long laundry list, and the way to effectively manage that is determine the order of tasks by priority and be mindful with the time that you allot to each individual task and role. The job is each of these positions is not merely to show up every day. It is also essential to me to constantly be the best at what I do and keep improving and growing. Balance and time management are two things that I swear by to achieve that.
Q: How do you manage motherhood and profession together? Biggest moments that you will cherish as a mother and as a professional?
A: Every day can look quite different when it comes to this. Some days require additional effort as a mother and some days could require you to clock in additional hours as a professional. However, the general outline to success is to compartmentalize the two different roles and follow through. Both motherhood and profession are deeply important to me and I ensure that my actions reflect that. When I set aside time for the mother role, I am fully present and involved during the playtime with my kid. When I put on my leader hat at Obeetee, I am a devoted employee making sure the work gets done and the company moves ahead. It is all about your level of dedication and commitment to the two aspects of life and how willing you are to conquer both worlds to the best of your abilities.
Q: Advice for other women and tips for being a leader in your own field?
A: A word of advice that I have for other women in the field is to set their own tone for their career. Gone are the days when we let society tell us what to do and what not to do. Tell yourself that there are no barriers because of gender and internalize the fact that goals and success parameters do not see gender. If you can convince yourself that the world is the way you want it to be, you will find the drive to make the changes necessary and the you will be surprised to see the avenues that open up for you. Pave your own way in the industry.
Q: Women can do anything and everything. Share your thoughts on the same?
A: I am a firm believer of mind over matter. There are no gender roles anymore that are holding women back from achieving anything that you set your mind on. The world as a whole has come a long way from the days when women were drown trodden in every field. We are progressing every single day and I am hopeful for an even better future.