I joined Alshaya at age 20. With just 154 staff in Kuwait at that time, it was the only reputed company that gave me a break as a fresher. I worked up the ranks from being an Internal Audit Assistant, to Assistant Accountant, to Payroll Officer, and now Payroll Manager.

I have never felt the need to move out of Alshaya as it has provided me with job satisfaction, career growth, work recognition and the joy of working for one of the region's largest conglomerates.

My long stint here has helped me collect a lot of memorable moments. One instance I remember quite vividly would be the day it rained incessantly in Kuwait. The torrential downpour pretty much ensured that we could not go home that evening. Even Mr. Alshaya was in the office that day and all of us huddled up on the first floor. As there was no dinner available and since the group owns the Sheraton Hotel in Kuwait, Mr. Alshaya decided to get food from there.

A few of us took our office truck, managed to drive down to the hotel and parcelled food for everyone. It was surreal to see cars floating everywhere on the roads. When we returned, it was a feast, no doubt, and an experience that may never be repeated. By 5 a.m. the next morning it was safe to go home and the company decided to give everyone a two-day break from work.