In today’s dynamic business environment, the influence of women leaders is profoundly reshaping industry standards, with their strategic insights and resilience driving remarkable success. Yashica Keswani, CEO of Cellopack Industries, brings this transformative impact. Yashica's journey is a testament to her exceptional resilience and global perspective. Educated in Nigeria, India, and England, and with professional experience spanning the US, Australia, and India, she has returned to Nigeria with a wealth of international expertise. Confronted with a debilitating Ulcerative Colitis diagnosis in 2009, Yashica navigated intense personal and professional challenges, using her recovery as a catalyst for growth. Her commitment to holistic health led her to becoming a Certified Advanced Skincare Formulator and she launched her natural skincare brand, MITTEE in 2018. Inheriting Cellopack Industries in 2021, Yashica has skillfully revitalized the company, leveraging her extensive background and formidable resilience to drive its ongoing success.

The Global Women Leader magazine engaged in a one on one interaction with Yashica, let’s hear from her.

Can you share your professional journey as a business leader? What key areas of expertise have you honed throughout your career in leadership?

My journey as an entrepreneur began in 2017 when I decided to bootstrap my skincare brand, MITTEE. To lay the foundation for MITTEE's success, I completed my Advanced Diploma in Organic Skincare Formulation from Formula Botanica in the UK. I then pursued multiple study programs from top global universities like IIM (India), Emeritus (Singapore) and Stanford University (USA), extending across a range of subjects such as entrepreneurship, accounting, digital marketing, and international law. My educational journey afforded me the opportunity to blend theoretical knowledge with practical application as I was able to implement my learnings in real time while growing MITTEE. My hands-on experience with MITTEE has essentially served as my homegrown MBA, sharpening my skills in Finance, Operations, Branding, Design, and Marketing. Over the years, I have also honed imperative soft skills like time management, prioritization, effective communication, and analytical problem-solving.

What inspired you to establish Cellopack Industries? Could you share the vision behind the venture and its core areas of expertise?

Cellopack was founded by my father and two of my uncles in 1986, pioneering Shrink Sleeve Label manufacturing in Nigeria. I came on board in January 2021, continuing the legacy they had built. While we have expanded our product offering to include other flexible packaging solutions, our primary focus and expertise remain in producing high-quality shrink sleeve labels. We are committed to preserving the excellence that has defined Cellopack since its inception.

As the CEO of Cellopack Industries, what are the main roles and responsibilities you oversee? In terms of driving growth, what are the major areas you concentrate on for Cellopack Industries?

When I joined Cellopack in 2021, the company was struggling to stay afloat, and for the first two years I found myself constantly firefighting and my entire focus was on streamlining our operations and accounting systems while simultaneously actively marketing our products to drive business. Flexible packaging was a completely new territory for me, vastly different from my previous career choices and experiences, however, I was determined to turn things around and I immersed myself in the functionalities of every aspect of running the business. With invaluable mentorship from my father and uncle, and steadfast support from my team, we began crafting a new chapter in my father’s legacy. By 2023, after almost a decade, Cellopack had officially made its comeback, regaining its position as the nation’s most premium shrink sleeve label manufacturer.

As a hands-on leader, I oversee every aspect of the business, ensuring that I remain informed and involved in all functions and operations. My primary focus areas for driving growth include building Innovation Management Systems in Competency, Structure, Culture and Strategy. We value every customer regardless of size and cultivating sustainable, symbiotic relationships with our clients is pivotal. Additionally, staying updated on industry trends, new technologies, economic shifts, and the competition is crucial.

Ultimately, growth is determined by the efficacy of your entire team, hence, skill building, system building and team building are key pillars that enable you to eventually leverage your strengths to achieve your goals efficiently and effectively.

What do you consider some of the most significant challenges you face as a business leader? How do you address and overcome these obstacles?

Your team can either be your greatest strength or your biggest weakness. You may have a vision worthy of Forbes recognition, you may invest in cutting-edge technology and build world-class infrastructure, but if your team lacks the necessary skill set and, more importantly, does not share your vision or embody your organization's culture, that can then become a significant impediment to your success.

I believe that growth is best achieved collectively, which is why I place notable emphasis on building and training my team. Intense training has been instrumental in our progress, helping us transition from survival mode to growth mode. However, the pressures of working through a paradigm shift can be challenging and this implies that employees must make a choice: to either grow with the company or get filtered out. This philosophy has been crucial in driving the company’s success.

As a business leader, I strongly believe in the power of effective communication, planning, and empathy-based leadership. It is important for me to consistently engage with all members of my unit. I meet with my senior and mid-level management daily and with the broader workforce twice a month. When communicating with your team, keep your message simple, keep them engaged, treat everyone with respect, and be an active listener. Fostering a growth mindset means ensuring that everyone within your organization thrives.

What are the significant milestones you’ve achieved in your career, and what has been your success mantra? Also, how do you foresee women's representation evolving in Nigeria's business landscape?

Through the course of my career, I have always celebrated every achievement, whether big or small. Eventually, there is no right or wrong – you either win or you learn. My life mantra is 'there is magic in the attitude of gratitude’, and my success mantra is 'the only time is NOW!' Planning for a broader vision is vital, however, this mindset has been fundamental in driving my achievements and keeps me focused on the present.

Regarding the evolution of women’s representation in Nigeria’s business landscape, I am encouraged by the growing number of female CEOs and top executives across various sectors from banking to the oil industry. Women like Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife Group, who has been listed by Forbes as 'Africa’s most successful woman’, and other trailblazers like Tara Fela-Durotoye, Adenika Adebola, and Tomi Somefun are transforming the Nigerian business environment. These influential women are creating a ripple effect, serving as role models and catalysts for female empowerment in what is still largely a patriarchal society.

The increasing visibility of these female leaders is uplifting, as it provides inspiration and proof that women can excel at the highest levels. I encourage my fellow women to keep rising and shining as our resilience and strength will continue to reshape the business landscape in Nigeria.

Yashica Keswani, CEO, Cellopack Industries

Yashica Keswani, CEO Of Cellopack Industries, Has Expertly Guided The Company Through A Transformative Period. Her Leadership Has Strengthened Cellopack's Market Position, Focusing On Innovation And Excellence In Shrink Sleeve Label Manufacturing. Yashica's Strategic Acumen And Dedication Have Been Key To The Company's Impressive Growth And Success.