Ashish Panjabi is the COO of Jacky’s Group of Companies – a UAE-based electronics retail giant. Mr Ashish also runs Jacky’s Retail LLC, which manages Samsung brand shops across the UAE and multi-brand electronics retailer Jacky’s Electronics.
What is the best way to start your day?
The best start is to sleep on time. With experience, I’ve learned it is not about how long you sleep but what time you go to sleep. That sets you up for a successful start.
I typically wake up at 4:30 am on weekdays: it consists of an early morning espresso, some minutes to reflect on the day that just passed and the day ahead in my journal, which is followed by my morning exercise routine. Then, I take a shower and take turns dropping off my kids at school as they are in different schools, so I alternate between them on different days.
If you could be any character from a movie, who would you be?
Iron Man. To be able to fly and get a 360° view from above but also to be vulnerable as Tony Stark.
What is your greatest achievement?
Being the father to two wonderful girls.
Family is my first priority.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
Be more willing to take risks and come out of your comfort zone. I was someone who signed up the do the Duke of Edinburgh Award when I was young and even though I did most of what was required to get the Bronze Award, I never completed it, perhaps because I never got that final push from someone to make me do it. Today, when I see my kids, I see the potential in them to scale higher and I encourage them to do the same.
If you had 24 hours left on Earth, what would you do?
Enjoy it with my loved ones and have some wonderful meals with them.
Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
Myself. You have to motivate yourself to do better and grow. If you seek within for inspiration, the result can be extremely powerful.
What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?
I believe in Community and what you do for your Community. I’d like to see those that I supported grow to great heights. I get the greatest satisfaction in seeing people live up to th
