Meher Mirchandani: The queen in control

I believe the lack of awareness about self-love in the world is the greatest challenge faced by the women of our generation.

Being at the helm of the Palmon Group, one of the most illustrious and respected business empires in the UAE for over three decades now, is no mean feat. Meher Mirchandani, who joined the group six years ago as the Managing Director, proved herself to be more than capable of the task by effectively steering the family enterprise forward and being integral to the success of the company.

Meher is a woman of many talents and never ceases to inspire those around her. She leverages over 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur in the fashion industry, as the co- founder of the iconic fashion brand 'Meher & Riddhima, which set benchmarks for other fashion brands in the UAE during its laudable 15-year run.

In March 2018, she co-founded Manrre Logistics Fund registered in DIFC. In March 2020, Manrre was listed on the CSD of Nasdaq Dubai to enhance investor confidence through Nasdaq's high regulatory standards and support best practice of corporate governance.

The Conscious Leadership
Success has different meanings for different people. Explaining her version, she quips: "Success to me is not only measured in terms of stature and money but how we have evolved as humans and in our relationships."

She attributes her success to three traits - Persistence, Perseverance and Vision.

Meher's vision 2021 is to address and serve the 'Why' of her organisation. She is driven to discover the 'why' of her life and business as she explains that is what is required to live an enriched life. Her personal journey has brought about a transformation in her which she shares in her first book, 'Come Alive, don't just exist', which is due to release mid-October 2020.  


The Balancing Act
Meher balances her various roles with equal ease and persistent hard work, whether it is that of a business leader, entrepreneur, author, coach, wife, daughter, or a devoted mother to her twin daughters. Her day starts at 6am followed by morning routine of meditation, journaling, reading and exercise. She does weight training and yoga that helps her in improving her endurance and overall health. Fitness is not only about the body, but clarity of the mind.

Her journey wouldn't have been possible without the support of her parents and her in laws. "My parents and in-laws always encouraged me to choose my path and were present at every step of my journey. I believe a family is a team and every member contribute to the success," she said.

The Learnings
The extremely driven achiever perceives challenges as opportunities. Recalling the hurdles, she says: "I have had several challenges and they have made me the person I am today. The most heartbreaking was when I decided to fold my company Meher & Riddhima. I had a successful run for 15 years with 25 stores around the world, but as the online disruption affected many, we were hit too. Rather than an episode of heartache, I saw it as a beginning of a new chapter that was waiting to be unfolded."

Sharing a piece of advice for young women who want to make it big in the world of business she says, "I believe it starts with self-love, and what it means. I believe the lack of awareness about self-love in the world is the greatest challenge faced by the women of our generation. We cannot make it big on any front if we don't love ourselves and spend time with ourselves."

Achievements Galore
Meher who loves working in the family business, has largely contributed to the group's growth by redefining its overall strategic vision. Under her leadership Palmon was successfully able to sell 75 per cent of their facilities management business and take the strategic decision of consolidating their furniture businesses and exiting the interior business.
Featured on the Forbes next generation Indians in the Arab world list, winning the Entrepreneur Innovator award by Entrepreneur magazine, and receiving the Best Regional Designer Award by Masala Magazine, Meher feels privileged for some of her achievements.