Nicole Rodrigues-Larsen

Nicole Rodrigues-Larsen
Born Nicollette Mary Rodrigues
20 March 1973
India
Residence United Arab Emirates
Nationality Indian
Other names

Nicollette Mary Rodrigues Larsen

Nicole Rodrigues Diva
Occupation Managing director, Diva Modeling and Events
Known for Founding Diva Group Of Companies and Diva Modelling and Events
Children 2

Nicole Rodrigues Larsen is a former top model and a serial entrepreneur is the founder and CEO of Dubai based Diva Group of Companies. She initiated her entrepreneurial journey with the launch of Diva Modelling and Events in 2003.[1][2] After the phenomenal success of her modelling agency, the company branched out into real estate by starting Diva Holdings.[3] In 2010, the company established NM Investments and further expanded its horizons by venturing into consulting and accounting services.[4][5] By 2011, Nicole added two more business lines, Diva Laundry and Diva Salon. Nicole has been bestowed with several awards over the years. In 2015, she was recognised in the Outstanding Category at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards. In 2014, Nicole was acknowledged as one of the Forbes Top Indian Leaders in the Arab World. She also won the CEO of the year at the CEO Awards in 2014.[6] Today, Diva Group of companies is capitalizing on its home grown success and expanding its operations to Qatar, Kuwait, Doha, Bahrain, Turkey, India and Pakistan.[7][8]

Early life and education

Nicole Rodrigues Larsen was born and raised in Mumbai, India. At a nascent age of 16, Nicole started her career in modelling. She participated in various inter-college fashion shows and was eventually discovered by Vikram Phadnis, a popular Indian fashion designer who launched her as a professional model. In the years to come, she graced the covers of various leading magazines like Femina and Health and Nutrition.[9]

Nicole pursued her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and graduated in 1995 from National College, Bangalore. In 2013, she also completed a segree in Owners President Management from Harvard Business School, USA.

Career

In 1995, Rodrigues Larsen moved to Bahrain when she began working for Gulf Air. There she met her husband, Henrik Larsen, and later moved to Copenhagen after their first child was born.[6][10]

In 2003, Nicole Rodrigues moved to United Arab Emirates and established Diva Modelling & Events. A venture that was nurtured with a loan of AED 110,000 soon started turning into a multi-million dollar business empire. Back then, modelling industry in the UAE that was still at a nascent stage.

In 2010, the Diva group diversified into financial services sector by establishing NM Investments. The company provides consulting and financial advisory services to businesses. Nicole continued expanding her business line by establishing Diva Salon and Diva Laundry.

Personal life

Nicole has a son, Victor (9) and a daughter, Victoria (12) who are currently pursuing their education in Europe. She lives in Dubai.[11]

Further reading

References

  1. ↑ Joumana Saad (3 May 2012). "The diva behind the brand". SME Advisor. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  2. ↑ "2013's Most Powerful Indian Women in the GCC". Arabian Business. 6 October 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Hot 100 2011: Nicole Rodrigues". Ahlan Live. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Top 100 Indian Leaders in UAE: #73 Nicole Rodrigues Larsen". Forbes. 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Top Indian leaders in the Arab World 2014 : Top Owners- #94 Nicole Rodrigues". Forbes. 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  6. 1 2 Shiva Kumar Thekkepat (19 July 2013). "Former model Nicole Rodrigues on the secret of success". Friday Magazine. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "LuLu Exchange CEO named Indian CEO of the year 2014 in Financial Services category". Indian-Kuwait. 20 February 2014. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  8. ↑ Staff writer (18 February 2014). "Ashish Mehta takes top honours at Indian CEO Awards". Arabian Business. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  9. ↑ Sananda Sahoo (20 November 2012). "Dubai modelling agency is the model of decorum". The National. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  10. ↑ Hina Navin (16 August 2012). "Nicole Rodrigues Larsen". Gulf News. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  11. ↑ "Nicole Rodrigues Larsen". Ahlan Live. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  12. ↑ "New book reveals Indian achievers in UAE". Emirates 24/7 News. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
  13. ↑ Faisal Masudi (21 February 2013). "Lives of Indians in UAE portrayed in new glossy book". Gulf News. Retrieved 11 February 2015.
  14. ↑ "Second book on Indian achievers launched". Khaleej Times. 22 February 2013. Retrieved 20 February 2015.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 6/14/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.