Leadership By Design

CMA Investment Holding’s 20-something director, Shweta Wahi, explains how she forged her path in the world of business, from fashion entrepreneurship to family firm

- Shweta Wahi

AT JUST 28 YEARS of age, Shweta Wahi has already had a career that people twice her age would be proud of.

As director of CMA Investment Holdings she is a leading figure at the investment company founded by her father Rakesh Wahi in 2002, and which has holdings in companies across the media, education, IT and technology, and hospitality sectors – not only in the Middle East, but India, Africa, Asia and Asia.

As if this isn’t enough, the businesswoman is also associate vice president of strategy and special projects / operations at Transnational Academic Group – a role that sees her travel extensively to Africa, Europe and Australia for negotiations and feasibility studies.

Even more impressive is that before stepping foot in the family business, the young businesswoman had already spent eight years in the fashion industry – something she believes gave her a solid grounding in the world of business.

“My first exposure to business was when I launched my own fashion label in 2005,” she says.

“Since this was unrelated to our family business, it was a huge challenge as I had to learn like any young entrepreneur, taking knocks on main street.

“This included conceptualising my designs, creating samples, sourcing fabrics, outsourcing production to tailors, marketing and selling my work. It was very challenging and required hard work and perseverance. A lot of support came from my mother who mentored me both from a creative and business standpoint.”

He label, Shweta Wahi Creations, enjoyed success on the runways of Ottawa Fashion Week in Canada, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week South Africa, and India Fashion Week Dubai.

It was only in 2013 that Wahi joined CMA – entering the firm as its youngest board member. And despite the inevitable pressure this brought, she recalls that her early impressions were ones of meritocracy.