The ‘convent’ educating lass

Little did Sarita Hegde realise that she was on to something game changing when she started the Friday Convent... that brings together enterprise, entrepreneur and gives the female identity a platform to blossom

If one were to encompass Bengaluru-based Saritha Hegde’s foodie moments it would probably fill up a whole book. Listening to this senior vice-president, Li & Fung speak about her career with so much passion, is almost like a lesson for how every woman can eke out her life and instill a whole new meaning. She is also the founder of The Friday Convent, a dynamic group of women professionals and entrepreneurs who meet to bring the change they wish to see and likes to be in the thick of action.

“Since my dad was in the army, I studied all over the country and completed my degree from National College. Corporate career came by accident when I got a job at a Canadian firm. I would love my job and learnt everything on the job. I joined my company seven years ago. My job involves a lot of travel in India and abroad since I have to meet vendors and customers. I believe that if you “Do what you love you’ll never work another day in your life”. Since my head office is in Hong Kong, I go there quite often. Two of my favourite passions include food and travel. I love to explore local cuisine and witness the evolution of culture wherever I go,” shares Saritha of how it all shaped up for the best.

Ask her about some of her favourite places and she says, “I love Madagascar. It’s so fascinating to visit this island that drifted from Africa and evolved on its own. It’s truly a world apart and due to its geographic isolation, its flora and fauna are rare and exclusive to that place. I also took a small plane for a tour of the island and stayed in a hotel that used to be a king’s palace. I like to take helicopter trips to explore remote areas when I travel. You can actually find some hidden gems that can be reached by a helicopter ride. I always learn to cook new cuisines everytime I travel and some of my signature dishes have been inspired from my visits to Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong and even Tirupur. Next on my bucket list is Patagonia. I visit some unexplored places referred to by the locals and sometimes even go with them to their homes.” Sarita likes to dish up simple, tasty fare for her friends whenever she’s back from her trips. “I love to cook and shop for local ingredients, cooking utensils, pots and pans and bring back recipes from locals and replicate them with my own touch to it.”

That’s not her only claim to fame. The founder of The Friday Convent wants to empower women by getting them to work and give them opportunities. Whenever they need to connect with other women, there’s this space dedicated to them, not just online, but also a real time space. It’s now a member’s only space for women entrepreneurs where we meet once a month, conduct workshops and working labs. We believe in giving back and have adopted a few schools and colleges. We are sisters for these underprivileged girls.”