Israt Ara Younus, Managing Director of Richmond Consultants
From a finance professional to becoming a well known entrepreneur, the professional journey of Israt Ara Younus, Managing Director of Richmond Consultants & Services, was not easy. The challenge-loving finance professional came to Qatar in 2008, leaving behind an illustrious career that began as management trainee and saw her joining multinational banks, and some other big names later in Bangladesh.
After coming here, she decided to have a break from hustle and bustle of corporate world and began devoting full time for her family.
“With in a year I realised that sitting at home is more difficult than challenging professional life,” Israt told The Peninsula.
She joined a multinational bank in Qatar and has broken many stereotypes since then. She became the first female corporate banking relationship manager for the bank. In the world of financial services, widely seen as male dominated turf, she closed many deals successfully, proving her capability once again.
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Rather than resting in the comfort zone of her ongoing successful job, she opted to take plunge in the challenging world of entrepreneurship.
“With my experience in financial services and strong network, I realised that the time has come to start my entrepreneurial journey and set up my financial and management consultancy firm. After getting required approval, the firm began operations in 2017,” added Israt, who is an active member of Bangladesh Forum Qatar.
Now her firm is well established in Qatar and provides consultancy services to several companies. Being a woman added some extra challenges to her professional life, said Israt, looking back at her career. “Being a woman and an expatriate added few more roadblocks in my career, but I always believed in myself. My advice to other aspiring women entrepreneurs is to have perseverance and commitment. These two qualities have helped me a lot in my life and career,” she added.
Despite her busy life, she manages to find time for social activities and get involved in social activities of Bangladesh Forum Qatar.
“I want to take my consultancy firm to a point in future where if anybody thinks of financial and management consultancy, then our firm’s name should come to her or his mind,” said Israt.
