Alpa Soni graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with a BA (hons) in International Business and is a qualified CeMap certified broker. She has lived and worked across the globe facilitating new starts up in South Africa, UK and India.
With 10 years plus experience in Business development in the financial/commercial/property service sector, Alpa has established a long standing global client base and diverse experience working across varied business cultures and is currently working as a Business Development Manager at Sanco Global. With a keen interest in Sales & Personal Development, her extended qualifications in NLP (Nuero Linguistic Programming) has enabled her to work with a greater understanding of people and working effectively in any environment.
In addition, Alpa’s extracurricular stints have included hosting Financial Services Awards ceremonies namely at the House of Lords, Asian Achievers Awards, shows on Zee TV and property events respectively.
A gym fanatic and committed vegetarian, she enjoys travelling the world, spending time with her friends and family, is an avid reader and enjoys writing.
Alpa is also involved in philanthropic projects.
1) Which place, or city or country do you most feel at home in?
Anywhere and everywhere, but if we are narrowing it down, Cape Town and Mumbai come top of the list.
2) What are your proudest achievements?
Standing tall in the face of adversity.
3) What inspires you?
I find inspiration every day in all sorts of things/situations. From human connections of all types. I am intrigued by how we communicate through writing and bring meaning to our experiences. Little children can teach you some thing just as much as the wisdom of the elderly. Those that can express themselves and show me their soul, not through material connections but by being their true authentic selves. Spiritual babble, may be - but we are human beings, first right? Connection in all forms is a wonderful thing.
Also I have an appetite for risk. Risks that people take to start up new projects/ business on their own. I have been a part of two new start-ups, not really being certain where they would lead other than seeing the potential and bigger picture then find my way. Facilitating the right people to make it grow. Life for me is all about progressive growth.
4) What has been biggest obstacle in your career?
When I graduated from University most of my friends went and followed the route of securing roles in a Corporate Organisations. I chose to be a part of a new start up in 2001, with no security of an income and making the role successful on my own. I had no training and just got out there and secured business. This was challenging and daunting. After the crash of 2008 I was set back and had to start again. After many failures and not knowing which way to turn, opportunity found me. A new start up led me to move to South Africa for a year. I am happy to say 4 years of hard work is finally becoming worth it.
5) Who has been the biggest influence on your career to date?
My father
6) What is the best aspect about your current role?
Flexibility, creativity and the fact I can pursue other interests.
7) And the worst?
Too many nice restaurants within close proximity of my office!
8) What are your long term goals?
I want to live as the best version of myself and continue my personal interests, push forward in my development work, write my father’s story - inspire others, and tick off as much as I can from my bucket list (it is long)! We only have this one life right?
9) If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
Introduce yoga, mindfulness or personal development as part of the curriculum for education.
10) If you were marooned on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why.
Steven Hawkins. A true testament to how the power of your mind can achieve anything! Although he was told he only had two years to live, he left a fabulous legacy.
