Brands
Weekend Unwind with: Europe Girl Cosmetics Waqas Lasania
Mumbai: With another weekend upon us, it is time to unwind with the latest Q&A edition of Indiantelevision.com’s Weekend Unwind—a series of informal chats that peek into the minds of business executives through a fun lens in an attempt to get to know the person behind the title a little better.
In this week’s session, Europe Girl Cosmetics founder Waqas Lasania.
Without further ado, here it goes…
1. Your mantra for life
Ans: The mantra that I have always believed in is “Enjoy the journey.” Life is about savoring experiences and embracing the challenges that come along but what is important is finding joy in that. It is important to appreciate every moment and not just focus on the end goal.
2. A book you are currently reading or plan to read
Ans: One book that I am currently reading is the ‘Art of Thinking Clearly’ by Rolf Dobelli. This book opens the door to life-changing experiences and leads the reader to improve clarity and rationality in our daily lives.
3. Your fitness mantra, especially during the pandemic
Ans: My fitness mantra during the pandemic has been “adapt and persevere.” Staying active has been crucial not just for physical health, but for mental well-being too.
4. Your comfort food
Ans: My comfort food is a hearty plate of curry with rice. It’s simple, filling, and always hits the spot. The rich flavors and warmth of the curry bring me a sense of home and comfort, making it the perfect dish to enjoy when I need a little extra cheer.
5. A quote or philosophy that keeps you going when the chips are down
Ans: When the chips are down, I remind myself that tough times never last, but tough people do. I have always believed that challenges are opportunities in disguise and with resilience and a positive mindset one can overcome any obstacle.
6. Your guilty pleasure
Ans: My guilty pleasure is spending an evening with a great movie and some classic music. There’s something so comforting about losing myself in a good film and then relaxing with timeless tunes.
7. The last time you tried something new
Ans: The last time I tried something new was when I took up pottery. It was both relaxing and rewarding to shape clay into something beautiful. This experience reminded me of the joy in learning and creating from scratch.
8. A life lesson you learned the hard way
Ans: A life lesson I learned the hard way is that patience truly is key. I used to expect immediate results and grew frustrated when things didn’t go as planned but with time, I realised that true success requires persistence and resilience through challenges. Trusting the process has made all the difference in achieving my goals.
9. What gets you excited about life?
Ans: the endless possibilities for growth and discovery are what get me excited about life. Whether it’s exploring new places, meeting inspiring people, or delving into fascinating ideas, every day offers a chance to learn and evolve.
10. What’s on top of your bucket list?
Ans: On top of my bucket list is opening a store globally and ensuring every girl has the freedom to express her beauty with confidence through our products. Empowering women to feel their best and spread confidence worldwide is my ultimate dream and driving passion.
11. If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Ans: If I could give one piece of advice to my younger self, it would be to trust the process and be patient. Everything falls into place with time, and worrying won’t change the outcome. Embrace each moment, learn from every experience, and remember that growth often comes from the journey, not the destination.
12. One thing you would most like to change about the world
Ans: Equal access to education for everyone is one thing that I want to change about the world. I firmly believe that education empowers individuals, breaks the cycle of poverty, and encourages understanding and empathy across cultures.
13. An activity that keeps you motivated and charged during tough times
Ans: An activity that keeps me motivated and charged during tough times is running. Hitting the pavement clears my mind and gives me a sense of accomplishment. The physical exertion and fresh air work wonders for my mood and energy levels.
14. What lifts your spirits when life gets you down?
Ans: What lifts my spirits when life gets me down is spending time with loved ones. Whether it’s a heartfelt conversation, a shared meal, or just being in their company, the support and warmth from family and friends always brighten my day and remind me of the good things in life.
15. Your go-to stress buster
Ans: My go-to stress buster is taking a walk in the park while listening to music. The combination of fresh air, nature, and my favorite tunes helps me unwind and clear my mind.
Brands
Faber-Castell India appoints Sunaina Haldar as director – marketing
With stints at Tata, SleepyCat and ADF Foods under her belt, Haldar is primed to redraw Faber-Castell’s brand story
MUMBAI: Faber-Castell India has poached Sunaina Haldar from ADF Foods, appointing her director – marketing as the German stationery brand looks to muscle up in a category that is rapidly reinventing itself around creativity and self-expression.
Haldar hit the ground running. “My first couple of weeks have been incredibly energising, understanding consumers, visiting markets, engaging with retailers and immersing myself into the world of Faber-Castell Group,” she said.
She arrives with considerable firepower. At ADF Foods, Haldar ran marketing across India and international markets for a portfolio spanning Ashoka, Aeroplane, Camel and ADF Soul. Before that, she was vice-president – marketing at direct-to-consumer mattress brand SleepyCat, where she helmed brand, content and performance marketing. Her résumé also includes a stint leading marketing, new product development and CRM for Tata SmartFoodz at Tata Consumer Products, no small proving ground.
Between corporate roles, Haldar also operated as a fractional CMO for early-stage startups, building marketing strategy and operational structures from scratch, a signal that she knows how to move fast with limited resources.
With 18 years straddling FMCG, D2C and the startup world, Haldar now takes the reins at a brand that has long owned the classroom but is clearly hungry for the living room. In a stationery market where the pencil has become a lifestyle statement, Faber-Castell has picked someone who knows exactly how to sell that story.
