‘If there is an obstacle, you are nearly there’ – Vanitaa Bhatia, Founder, DIVAlicious

Dubai-based Vanitaa Bhatia, founder of DIVAlicious, a mobile boutique, was a private banker for six years before deciding to pursue her passion. Since she had a flair for fashion, she decided to create a concept where she would take fashion brands to different cities and create a platform to showcase them via exposure in media, exhibitions and fashion shows. Her company started as a small business but has now grown to be an international brand, associated with high end celebrity designers. Here are her answers to our Proust Questionnaire...

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What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Spending quality time with my daughters.

What is your greatest fear?

To have no control over a situation.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

I do not give myself a break from work.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?

When people lack ethics.

Which living person do you most admire?

I admire every person who follows their passion and is self-made. For me that person is a hero.

What is your current state of mind?

Wondering how many more cities my business can expand towards in 2019!

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

When people speak more than what they do.

On what occasion do you lie?

Sometimes people need a push to excel, on those occasions I believe it’s important to make them feel amazing and help them become positive.

What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I wish I was taller.

Which living person do you most despise?

People who do not utilize their potential and waste opportunities.

What is the quality you most like in a man?

Honesty and the inclination to follow their dream.

What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Women balance many facets of life beautifully, like being a mother, daughter, wife, sister and making everyone happy around them is a priority.

Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

‘Tell me the solution not the problem’ and ‘sorted.’

What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My mother and my daughters.

Which talent would you most like to have?

To be more diplomatic.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I am sure God has given me every situation for a reason and wouldn’t want to change his plans.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Being recognised for my work.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?

I would live my life the same way again.

Where would you most like to live?

In Dubai – I have grown up there and can’t imagine being anywhere else.

What is your most treasured possession?

My family.

What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery?

Depression.

What is your favourite occupation?

I love working on growing my brand Divalicious and being a platform to many emerging brands.

What is your most marked characteristic?

Hard worker and go getter.

What do you most value in your friends?

That they are there for me when I need them.

Who are your favourite writers?

Sidney Sheldon – I love the twists in his books.

Who is your hero of fiction?

Without a doubt – Wonder Woman.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

Woman warriors.

Who are your heroes in real life?

My father, as he is a self-made man. He lost his father at a very young age and had to support his mother and siblings.

What is your favourite name?

Surinaa and Saraaya – my daughters’ names.

What is it that you most dislike?

Clutter.

What is your greatest regret?

That I am unable to spend more time with my family.

How would you like to die?

In my sleep.

What is your favourite journey?

The journey of raising my daughters towards becoming as confident and independent women.

What is your motto?

Go for it – if it’s an obstacle it means you’re nearly there!

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