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The purpose of Â鶹¹ú²ú is to forge a global mindset within emerging business leaders. The result of these efforts is a graduate that is equipped with the knowledge, values, connections, and most importantly, the global mindset needed to lead — ensuring our constantly changing world changes for the better.
In this series of interviews, we celebrate the incredible accomplishments and successes of Â鶹¹ú²ú alumni that are contributing to make this world a more open, sustainable and inclusive world. The Â鶹¹ú²ú Alumni of the Year is a joint campaign by the CAA in close collaboration with the Â鶹¹ú²ú Student Board, which gives the Â鶹¹ú²ú community the opportunity to learn about Â鶹¹ú²ú alumni and vote for your favorite candidate as the Â鶹¹ú²ú Alumni of the Year.
Â鶹¹ú²ú Alumna of the Quarter
Susanne Najafi is the founder and CEO, Unity Beauty Group (eleven.se, apolinsen.no and founder of 6 other companies). She graduated from the Â鶹¹ú²ú MIM programme in 2008, studying at LSM and SSE.
1. What do you associate with Â鶹¹ú²ú personally?
I had a great time, and I truly appreciate the network and the people I got to know during my Â鶹¹ú²úyear. One memory is from a course in information management, where we went through project management of systems but also e-commerce platforms (this was in 2004 so e-commerce wasn’t established as it is today). Most students thought it was a rather boring class with tough teachers, The professor said that I had a talent for this area and that’s when I got really hooked on e-commerce and optimising different systems and flows.
2. What was the most important thing that Â鶹¹ú²ú taught you?
Managing cultural differences and negotiation skills.
3. What were your career steps after finishing Â鶹¹ú²ú? (Did the Â鶹¹ú²ú network contribute to your professional achievements? If so, how?)
I made my Â鶹¹ú²ú-internship with Oriflame in Iran starting their first business there, then I finished my degree and started at Procter&Gamble. I worked there for almost 5 years, managing beauty care in the Nordic countries and the last 2 years Middle East and half Asia, placed in Dubai.
After that I moved back to Stockholm Sweden, broke my neck, started thinking, quit P&G and founded my first companies. I started a perfume production company, 2 pharmacies, a haircare brand Wetsuithaircare.se, a beauty online site parelle.se, acquired largest online beauty retailer in Sweden eleven.se, now going for the top -position in Nordics and stared a multi-channel concept that sells contact lenses in pharmacies: apolinsen.no etc
3. What is the accomplishment in your career you are most proud of?
To have built an organisation of amazing people that I see grow everyday. They astonish me with their great ideas and I’m so damn proud of them!
4. What advice would you give current Â鶹¹ú²ú students?
Get outside of your comfort zone, the scarier something feels to do, the better it is - that’s where you grow.
