Physical presence important in hospitality business: Ramola Bachchan

Business woman Ramola Bachchan, who is now foraying into planning weddings, was earlier in the hospitality industry and says that the physical presence of the owner is vital to the success of any hospitality business.

She thinks it is important to be physically present because people identify with the owner of a hospitality unit.

"You've to be physically present for a lot of time because it's all about personalities, how you interact with people. People tend to identify with the owner," Ramola told IANS.

Years back she moved base from London to here and in 2007, she opened her own restaurant Manre, which she later sold off.

"I wouldn't say it's woman-friendly industry. It's more male-dominated because the hours are such. It's a 24/7 profession. You've to be on call at anytime especially when it's your own restaurant," she said.

After a few years, she joined Olive Bar and Kitchen for a while as a partner.

"It was lovely working with A.D. Singh (MD of the restaurant). It is a fantastic restaurant, but I felt I needed to be on my own, so took a break," she said.

Ramola, who holds a business degree and is qualified to be a lawyer, now does events and exhibitions under Nirvana Concepts, where she is a co-partner and director.

The first edition of Runway Rising exhibition took place in October 2012. The third edition that happened recently has certainly grown since then.

The number of participants has gone up from 30 to 75 and Ramola is open to taking the exhibition to places like Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Mumbai.

"It's growing very well. I see a great future for Runway Rising. There is a huge amount of enthusiasm on both ends of the spectrum (designers and shoppers)," she said.

If that is not enough, she is all set to be a wedding planner too.

"I've started doing weddings as a wedding planner. I will start this year," said Ramola.

Also known for having great sartorial taste and a well-maintained body, she feels the age barrier for fashion has melted.

"Age doesn't have to be the determining factor. It's about confidence, and the body to carry it off. I am not saying to dress up like a teeny bopper, but age boundaries seem to have melted," said Ramola, who wears designer labels, flaunts high street fashion brands and apparels designed by participants of her Runway Rising exhibition.