In this interview, we explore the extraordinary journey of Zarine Manchanda, the Chief Executive Officer of Zarine Manchanda Cafe and a multifaceted entrepreneur. Join us as Zarine reflects on her unique upbringing, her foray into acting, the establishment of her charitable foundation, and her bold ventures into the hospitality and security industries. Learn about her guiding principles, leadership style, and the intersection of luxury and spiritual charm in her businesses. Gain insights into Zarine’s vision for the future, her commitment to customer engagement, and her aspirations as a global entrepreneur and political figure.
Starting Point
Zarine Manchanda’s journey commenced in the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, where she grew up in a prominent political family. Despite enjoying a privileged upbringing, Zarine pursued her dream of becoming an actress and moved to Mumbai after university. Faced with challenges in the glamour industry, she made a life-changing career shift, founding The Zarine Manchanda Foundation to build her political base. Despite the hurdles posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation conducted over 500 charity programs, establishing Zarine as a compassionate force in Mumbai.
Navigating the Entertainment Industry
Building on this success, Zarine ventured into the hospitality industry by opening the luxurious Zarine Manchanda Café. Her unique approach, combining stylish décor with spiritual charm, marked her as the founder of the 7-Star café experience in India. Recognized for her philanthropy, Zarine graced magazine covers, received prestigious awards, and earned titles like the “Princess of the Poor.” Her entrepreneurial spirit expanded into security services, cloud kitchens, and a 7-star restaurant, demonstrating her commitment to diverse business ventures.
Guiding Principles
Zarine’s guiding principles revolve around the fusion of luxury and spiritual charm in her businesses. Growing up in a Princess Life, luxury is integral to her, and she brings this element into all her enterprises. Simultaneously, her strong spiritual component, instilled by her mother, influences her commitment to good karma and intentions. This reflects in unique practices such as blessing patrons with Tibetan bells in her café and maintaining a courteous, professional demeanor in her security agency.
Zarine’s life revolves around serving others, and her businesses reflect her dedication to providing unique, high-quality experiences infused with spiritual charm.
Embracing Bold Innovation
Rejecting the notion of following trends, Zarine emphasizes bold vision and uniqueness. Her businesses’ USP of luxury and spiritual charm, she believes, brings enduring success without the volatility associated with fleeting trends. By being the trendsetter, not the follower, Zarine ensures her ventures stand the test of time.
Visionary Leadership
Zarine’s leadership style is deeply rooted in her personal background and passions. Her approach is a natural extension of her Princess Life, incorporating luxury and spiritual charm. Leadership, to Zarine, is organic and authentic, driven by a vision that aligns with her personality and values. As a young woman entrepreneur, she seeks to break stereotypes and demonstrate that a woman-owned business can be bold and robust.
Inspired by her father’s success, Zarine forges her own path, aiming to be one of the most successful women entrepreneurs globally. She envisions expanding her businesses nationally and internationally, driven by a commitment to luxury and spiritual charm.
Elevating Customer Relations
For Zarine, meeting high customer expectations is paramount. The concepts of luxury and spiritual charm are not just branding strategies but a commitment to providing a unique and memorable experience for customers. The user experience, matching customers’ high expectations, is the foundation of her businesses’ success, fostering loyalty and recurring clientele.
Environmental Responsibility
While environmental responsibility is not a central focus of Zarine’s current businesses, she emphasizes her commitment to environmental stewardship and reducing carbon footprints.
Strategic Initiatives for Success
Zarine believes in establishing a bold vision from the beginning, creating a consistent and logical path for business growth. The commitment to excellence starts with her, filtering through management and staff, instilling values and principles into daily operations. Success, to Zarine, is a result of adhering to the initial vision and crafting a synchronized journey towards milestones.
Empowering the Workforce
Zarine sees her employees as the cornerstone of her businesses. Hiring and training processes are meticulous, ensuring that staff embodies the luxury and spiritual charm integral to her brand. Employees are the face of her enterprises on a daily basis, and their alignment with the vision fosters loyalty and pride. Zarine’s unique leadership style inspires employees to be part of something special, contributing to the ongoing success and expansion of her ventures.
Overcoming Adversity
While Zarine’s businesses have witnessed remarkable success to date, she acknowledges the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure of her café and limitations on charity programs for the poor posed significant hurdles. However, her commitment to paying full salaries to employees during lockdowns demonstrated a strategic decision that strengthened the bond between management and staff.
Enriching Customer Engagement
Customer engagement is a top priority for Zarine. The user experience is carefully crafted to match high customer expectations. Feedback is actively sought, and prompt action is taken to address any concerns. Zarine recognizes the significance of honoring customer inputs and strives to ensure a consistently positive engagement.
Envisioning the Future
Zarine envisions expanding her businesses globally, franchising, and continuing her philanthropic work. Inspired by her father’s teachings, she aims to be one of the most successful women entrepreneurs worldwide. Beyond entrepreneurial success, Zarine has received prestigious appointments, serving as Regional Director for BRICS and Chairperson & Editor in Chief for India’s National Council of News & Broadcasting. As a testament to her commitment to societal change, Zarine has launched her political party, intending to contest elections and bring positive transformation to Mumbai’s residents.
