Otara Gunewardene is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist from Sri Lanka. She is the founder of ODEL, a leading fashion and lifestyle retail chain in the country, and also the founder of Embark, a socially responsible pet supply company. Gunewardene is known for her innovative and socially conscious business practices, which have contributed to her success as an entrepreneur.
Gunewardene's journey as an entrepreneur began in 1990, when she founded ODEL with the goal of bringing international fashion brands to Sri Lanka. Prior to ODEL, Gunewardene had worked in the fashion industry in London, where she gained valuable experience and insights into the industry. With her vision and determination, Gunewardene was able to turn ODEL into a successful business, and it has since become a household name in Sri Lanka.
In addition to her work with ODEL, Gunewardene is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She is the founder of the Otara Foundation, which works to empower underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka through education and training programs. The foundation has provided support to over 50,000 individuals, and has contributed significantly to the development of underprivileged communities in the country.
Gunewardene's success as an entrepreneur is a testament to her hard work and determination. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to identify opportunities and turn them into successful ventures, and her philanthropic efforts have had a positive impact on the lives of many people. Her dedication to innovation and social responsibility has made her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, and she continues to inspire others through her work and example.
Otara
Retrieved 27 March 2018. In 2007, at a time where countless numbers of street dogs perished on the streets due to being abandoned and uncared for, Otara created Embark, an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of homeless street dogs in Sri Lanka. Newstores take a few years to break even and sales at existingones were affected by a weak consumer sentiment for years. Retrieved 25 January 2021. As of 2018, Embark has re-homed over 4038 dogs, sterilized 23322, vaccinated 51980 and rescued and treated 20220 dogs since its inception. In 2012, Odel saw a significant change in ownership when Parkson Retail Asia Limited purchased a 41.
As the primary national female voice on social media, Otara shares a life that still takes the road less travelled, but these days it is a life that is almost entirely dedicated to philanthropy. Big achievements often start from humble beginnings. She continues to provide guidance, volunteer initiatives and leadership seminars to young people — nurturing their independence while teaching the importance of compassion in all aspects of life. More significantly - through ODEL - Otara helped to create job opportunities in her internally conflicted home country at the time, as well as rise and stand strong against an impending global recession. Retrieved 27 March 2018. Odel has also been deeply involved in providing relief to the victims of the 2004 Tsunami, constructing 18 quality houses to benefit families affected by the tsunami.
The decision to sell my shares in the company, was principally to allow me to spend more of my time helping animals, working with more people to believe in the importance of living in a world where we respect and care for all living beings. Odel soon grew to be iconic in its representation of Sri Lanka and expansion of fashion retail. This passion, along with her entrepreneurial spirit, continues to drive all that she does today. About Otara Gunewardene is a 58 year old Sri Lankan Business Professional. Otara has always inspired loyalty and goodwill, which has ensured that people have come out in droves to partner it in many of its initiatives in the past. Retrieved 27 March 2018. The youngest child and only daughter of Her father, Norman Gunewardene taught her the importance of hard work, the value of consistently striving while adhering to an honourable work ethic in all that she does.
Retrieved 18 January 2021. . In addition, community activities are carried out in partnership with local government and regional departments. Retrieved 28 March 2018. She says Parkson, which operates upmarketdepartment stores across many East Asian countries andChina, offered the opportunity to grow the business whenit happened. Retrieved 16 April 2018. Otara Gunewardene has achieved wide recognition in her home country and internationally.
It was an unconventional beginning, but then again so do almost all fascinating stories. The above is sustained by a comprehensive education campaign. Along with her two older brothers Otara, celebrating her degree in Biology with her parents. The Otara Foundation is focused on environmental and wildlife conservation as well as animal welfare in Sri Lanka. Retrieved 29 March 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
Wanting to offer emerging trends to fellow Sri Lankans, Otara began selling locally sourced garments from the boot of her station wagon, her first unofficial retail store! Keen observation and learning from early life became the blueprint which she used to propel herself to the top. Expansionist monetary policy has failed overtwo decades to stir the Japanese economyto a growth path. Remaining true to the highest ideals of humanity, she inspires, educates and empowers individuals on the importance of living in a world filled with respect and care for all living beings. The organisation became the channel by which Otara Gunewardene would once again change the scope of the country that she loved, and the voiceless animals in it. He also became the face of Embark — the organisation and brand set up in his honour to challenge the perceptions of street dogs, and to address their health and care. With a boundless love for animals as a child, after graduation Otara read for a biology degree at the University of Bowlingreen, Ohio with ambitions to work with animals.
Gunawardene graduated from Bowling Green State University, Ohio with a degree in biology. Retrieved 28 March 2018. Who are they dating right now? Growing up Otara was your conventional girl next door. In 1990, Otara married Raju Chandiram m. Born Otara Del Gunewardene on 3rd August, 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, they is famous for Animal welfare, Environmental conservation, Founding first public retail company in Sri Lanka. Despite the emerging disconnect it took Otara six months to figure for sure she wanted to sell the firm. I felt I had lost that balance.
The following years saw significant expansion of the Alexandra Place space to a 40, 000 sq. Whilst on holiday back home, she did some fashion modelling — shooting for high-profile brands and international apparel catalogues right after graduating from University. Odel is flushed with cash following a rights issue thatraised Rs2. Her strong focus on environmental protection, animal welfare, education and empowerment has quietly changed lives, while her Passion remains Embark. Through Odel, Otara championed her causes on animal well-being and wildlife conservation with large awareness campaigns, supporting organizations that help animals and book promotions, along with many other projects and community work to help animals in need. Otara Del Gunewardene was born on 30th August, 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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