Sonia John Paul: the marketing director
Sonia John Paul on marrying into the Joy Alukkas family, learning the jewellery business and thinking pink
Well, I’m able to use some modules of my studies such as marketing, operations and strategy in the jewellery business. I still have an opportunity to use what I studied in aviation management in Joyalukkas’ aviation vertical, Joyjets, which offers private chartered flights. I am yet to tap into that.
My husband and father-in-law trained me in the basics – the jewellery, stones, metal. I met suppliers, learnt how they negotiate and what gold rates are based on... I started off in the gold and diamond department, went on to figure out finance operations, and worked my way towards marketing and strategies. Now I am looking after the marketing, branding and strategies of the business.
CSR is a big part of the group...
So John launched this campaign in October 2011 with the theme, Take a Pink Pledge and the motto Self Check Saves Lives. The campaign urges women to undertake regular self-examinations. It aims to educate and create awareness among women about breast cancer in the UAE.
Is this campaign run in the UAE only?
Our group also organises blood donation campaigns every three months as part of our CSR activities in the Middle East.
Does it faze you to deal in a volatile market such as gold?
Life itself is uncertain. What you have today you may not have tomorrow. There are problems and unrest happening everywhere in the world.
What are your plans to take the family business forward?
What are your plans for the future?
I have a sweet tooth and am fond of baking. I’ve always wanted to start a bakery of my own. So, that’s one on my wish list. The other is designing – I want to start my own line of designer dresses.
Your husband, John, has been ranked among Asia’s top 10 wealthiest men…
Wow! I don’t know... it’s so unreal. I just feel humble. It’s just a big responsibility on us to see that we try and help the underprivileged and not keep everything to ourselves. The other thing is to not let it go to your head. The sobering thought is that all of this wealth could go in no time. Just keep your feet firmly on the ground and be thankful for every day you have on this earth.
