WE ROAR Magazine April 2024 - Magazine - Page 65
Is there a personal story or anecdote you'd like to
share that's relevant?
Growing up, my family faced significant challenges
due to abrupt policy changes in Sri Lanka. My father
owned a textile manufacturing company, but we lost
everything, including our home and the business.
Despite these hardships, my father was resilient. He
embarked on a new career path in immigration law,
demonstrating incredible perseverance. During this
tough period, I was in the UK, working the maximum
hours allowed for an immigrant, but still struggling to
afford meals.
Although there were soup kitchens available, the
stigma associated with them deterred me from
seeking help. This personal experience has profoundly
shaped my belief that no one should have to face
hunger or the stigma associated with it. It's alarming
that, in the UK, one in seven people experience hunger
simply because they lack money. In today's world, in
any country, this is unacceptable.
Motivated by this, I wondered: why not leverage
technology to tackle this issue? That's how I came up
with the idea for a hot meal vending machine, aiming
to remove the stigma and provide accessible, dignified
solutions to hunger.
What is the biggest hurdle (in life or business)
you've had to overcome and can you briefly share
how you did or didn't overcome it (and why it
matters)?
Do you believe there is (or should be)
a strong emphasis on diversity within
an organisation?
Absolutely.
Diversity
fosters
innovation, creativity, and resilience.
It's crucial for addressing complex
global challenges, offering multiple
perspectives and solutions.
Who is a person that inspired you
along your entrepreneurial journey?
My dad inspired me deeply on my
entrepreneurial path. He showed me
the power of never giving up, even
when faced with tough times, and the
importance of pivoting when things
didn't go as planned. His resilience and
ability to adapt in adversity taught me
to keep pushing forward, no matter
what.
Do you have a favourite quote?
"The best way to predict the future is
to invent it." - Alan Kay. It reminds me
of the proactive role we can play in
shaping a sustainable future.
Balancing rapid innovation with sustainable practices.
By prioritizing long-term benefits over short-term
gains, we've managed to overcome this challenge,
making sustainability a core aspect of our innovation
process.
65
