Corporate Vision March 2017

CORPORATE VISION / March 2017 109 , Karishma Samtani talks to Corporate Vision about what its really like to be a powerful woman in a corporate industry. Kashing In! KASH Events and Entertainment is an events management company and organises corporate and social events. Its clients list includes some big names from the banking industry to hospitality and personal clients. Ably run by founder and director Karishma Samtani (Kash), the firm was incepted in June 2012. “My role is to bring in new clients,” explains Kash. “I focus on business development for the firm. Prior to setting up this firm, I worked as a head-hunter.” Kash tells us more about the company, its mission and its strategy. “At KASH Events and Entertainment, we see a world of inspiration: inspiration that can draw people together and set individuals apart; inspiration that stimulates new ideas and new ways of thinking; inspiration that can make the world a better place. These are the values that define everything we do. “We connect artists, entertainers and motivational speakers from all over the world with audiences throughout Asia, exposing local communities to fresh insight and a whole new level of entertainment. “Entertainers and audiences alike stand by us because our philosophy is underpinned by a vein of trust. We honour this commitment each and every time by delivering in terms of substance, entertainment value and unparalleled vision, opening the local community to the best that the world has to offer.” Women in positions of power often come up against challenges in the corporate world. Kash tells us that her role is no exception and provides some stellar advice for other women look to get ahead in business. “Being a woman, and at the age I was when I started off my business, I definitely faced gender and age bias. I had to work extra hard to prove that, although I was younger and a woman, it did not hinder the output. “I think it’s a pre-set notion that women can’t do heavy duty work, and therefore it is taken for granted that women can’t even supervise when workers are putting up things for an event, when in fact it works the other waround as women are more detailed. There is an attitude of lack of confidence in women. Women take up several roles in both their personal and professional lives, which should be seen a little bit more of.” Kash believes that determination, drive, resilience, grit, patience and amazing communication skills are key to surviving in any industry, and women especially need to master these traits. “I would advise every woman not to quit! Stand your ground, especially if it is beneficial to both yourself and the firm. Yes if things aren’t exactly going as planned, it is fine to take a step up and re-evaluate. It is also fine to take a break and keep a low profile for a while until you step up direction, but never quit, always make it a point to go back with more energy and more enthusiasm. “I’d like to see more encouragement and acceptance of women in the industry. I would also like to see more equal opportunity for women based on their calibre and not on their gender and age.” Kash tells us that currently the firm is in the midst of re- evaluating the direction it wishes to continue in and exploring other avenues of growth, which may even digress from its initial plan of solely running and managing events. “Currently while I am running this business, I have doing several other things on the side, I have a full time position in a bank, and looking to leverage on the knowledge and experience I gain in my current role to take my events business to the next level.” K Company: KASH Events and Entertainment Name: Karishma Samtani (Kash) Email: [email protected] Web Address: www.kashgroupinc.com Address: Room B, 7/F Golden Mansion, 83-83 Chatham Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong Telephone: +852 6085 3937 BW160060