1. A bite of success
LAYLA HAROON (Contributor)
15 November 2007
Seema Shetty, the Managing Director of NMC group tells City Times about her successful entreprenueral ventures
ENDOWED WITH a great personality, Seema Shetty, the Managing Director of NMC group and its
subsidiaries, is not one to rest on her laurels.
Born in Abu Dhabi, she completed her schooling at Al Khubairat Primary School and proceeded to
Chouiefat School for her secondary studies. She then earned her bachelors in Marketing and
Entrepreneurship at Boston University.
Seema Shetty speaks to City Times about her successful ventures and her passion for business.
What motivates you in business?
The people in business are extremely knowledgeable; it is amazing how much you can learn from them. It
is a place where an entrepreneur can grow. You learn something new every day, and that is the best part
of it.
What prompted you to start BiteRite?
It all kicked off three years ago, when I suggested to change my lifestyle to a healthy one, and limit my
intake of calories to 1500. As I love food, it was quite difficult to be on diet. I discussed this with my
parents, and they said 'Well, imagine how it is for us, being a diabetic.' The rest, as they say, is history.
What is BiteRite?
BiteRite is not a special food line, but it is a perfect food line primarily for people with diabetes,
hypertension and obesity. Its menus cover world cuisine and are low in sodium, cholesterol and calorie.
They are developed and screened by a panel of endocrinologists, nutritionists and expert chefs.
What impedes women from being triumphant?
The fact that she sees being a woman as an issue. Being a woman has worked to my advantages many
of the times. Predominantly because women are now growing in their respective fields, they always
support other woman. We build ourselves on grounded principles. That is proved by the latest research
that men find difficult to handle multitask jobs.
Many people believe that your father’s goodwill has made you successful. Would you like to
comment on this?
Yes, it is true that without my father’s goodwill, I would never have gained the support or confidence I
needed locally and internationally. However, you cannot say that it made my ventures become
successful. My father never gave me anything on a silver platter, however, I did get a lot of
encouragement and advice.
What does one need to be a successful businessperson?
Each person who drives the business should have three basic elements: innovation, dedication, and
honesty. A business should always grow under a person ensuring these three elements. Growing up in
such a diverse environment helped me a lot. Here I understood the various likes, dislikes, needs and
views of the different cultures, which is huge advantage when it comes to business.
What's next?
My present focus is on BiteRite; perfecting and expanding it. We are opening many BR outlets in Abu
Dhabi and Dubai. I am also currently working on opening up Zari Zardozi in Al Raha Mall with a huge
market sourcing from designers in India. It is three times the size of our current one in Le Royal Meridien
and I'am also working on expanding our jewellery stores from two to six by the end of the year.