Boss Lady

Una Problema Grande

"You are featured on the Economic Times, 'Most Powerful Women In Business'. You also made the Forbes Under 40 list for the richest people ranking number 24.", Ethan whistled impressed.

"I have been featured on the list at least ten other times. It has lost its appeal.", I replied going through my email. My inbox was about to blow through the roof. One of these days I was going to have to hire an email assistant.

" I saw your face on a billboard. It was so weird, let me tell you. I never had a girlfriend whose face was on a billboard before."

"So you did have a girlfriend?", I ask typing rapidly on the IPAD.

"One in college. It lasted for three weeks anyway. Med school is a trial by fire for any relationship.", he said as he took a sip of his coffee. He had come over to the office at ten o'clock at night after his shift because I couldn't make time to meet him this week. The upcoming gala was taking all my time and energy. There wasn't space to breathe for me. It had gotten so bad that I had skipped gym for two days to attend 8 o' clocks.

"Not a playboy, then?"

"Only golf."

"How did that come about?"

"My dad was a golfer and really good at it. He taught me."

And that was all he said. His tone clearly indicated he wouldn't appreciate talking about it anymore.

"What are you upto?", he asked coming behind my rotating chair.

"At our D2C website. We need to constantly keep updating our platforms. Content marketing is such a huge space for expansion right now. My team suggested 15 second reels to display each piece we sell. We have to recruit influencers for this. Plus, there is a lot of research to be done."

"Research?", he sounded curious. " Tell me more about this research you are going to do. ."

"It really boils to our understanding of the generation of the consumers we are dealing with. Before selling, we need to know what to sell. You can't sell the wrong things. There are problems with this. Currently we make more revenue from our retail stores than our website. This would be a significant step towards which direction we want to go, digital or traditional."

"From my overly limited understanding of your business, the world is going digital. You guys are global yes?", he asked.

"Yes"

"Then wouldn't it save money to not open stores but simply sell online on websites. The stores need maintenance cost don't they?"

"People prefer an experience when they are going to buy expensive and intimate things like lingerie. You can try them on to check the style and fit. They would be more comfortable to spend 200 dollars on a product which thay have seen firsthand. Online exchange and return are such a hassle that it leaves consumers unsatisfied to buy things again. I like my customers and their money too much to displease them."

"Not a bad argument. How do you know so much about the market?", he asked.

"I am a Saleswoman first, CEO later. I am basically selling things. I used to work in a lingerie store before starting the business. I might not have traditional Business School knowledge but I do know my customers."

"So you are a glorified saleswoman. My God! You earn in billions. Why didn't I become a salesman?!", he asked horrified.

"Well not everyone has the talent to do what I do!", I exclaimed.

" But, seriously explain to me why you are so reluctant."

"About 20000 women depend on me for their daily income. If I thoughtlessly transform my business online simply because it's easier to manage the digital side, then I will be turning thousands out of job. Companies sack employees at slightest change in the policy. I don't want to be like that. These women helped me reach where I am. I won't cut them off without thought. My artisans are very proud people. Their integrity has to be taken into serious consideration. Going online comes with its own set of challenges. Cyber security, financial safety is such a huge problem, plus attracting the right customer base and building loyalty takes a lot of time."