What is your background – who really is “Amani”?
My parents had a comfortable life in Palestine before they became refugees working in Kuwait. The impact of this urged them to prepare us for whatever obstacles life may bring our way, they instilled a philosophy of self endurance and not to take our blessings for granted, teaching us to work hard to gain our independence. For a weekly school allowance or a new pair of shoes, we had to do extra chores to earn the money. Being “simply good” a something was “not good enough”. Competitive instincts were implanted in me from a young age, starting with competing for my parents’ affection, since I was the youngest of five children.

Twice a week, my father planned a special method that infused motivation in me. He wrote encouraging notes on small pieces of paper and hid them in my school uniform, bag, pencil case or other items I took to school. It was like an exciting treasure hunt which I took very seriously.

Education in a classroom on all levels is essential, but I believe George Santayana said it best: “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child” …

Looking back, I believe my parents felt that developing a child’s character is like creating a sculpture — one must be hands on to properly shape it before it reaches a stage where no adjustments are possible.

What brought you to Cyprus?
We came to Cyprus for summer holidays every year since I was 10 years old. In 1990, while we were in Cyprus with my mother, Kuwait was invaded, our passports seized to exist and from holiday makers, we became refugees in less than a heart-beat. Most devastating was the loss of my father and the home I only ever knew at the same time.

Before that summer was over, whatever financial means my mother had rapidly diminished and we all had to start working. I was 15 at the time when my friend’s mother took me to work with her to wash dishes at Taurus Steakhouse in Limassol. I will never forget the kindness of “Athina”, a waitress at the restaurant, who would request from the owner food to take home to my family, he too had a kind heart and thankfully never said “no”. A year ago I was fortunate to see Athina working for one of my best clients Carob Mill Restaurant and it reminded me of her human kindness when it was so needed, probably more than she would ever know.

I couldn’t find a full time job at the time so I had to take on several part time jobs which involved cleaning, baby sitting, waitressing, secretary assistant, cashier at a bakery as well as making burgers and spareribs at a small factory in a basement of a building across the main police station. It was a matter of survival above selection.

How did your career develop?
Mr. Sotos Diacos, a manager from the Four Seasons Hotel kick started a steady path for my professional journey when he interviewed and hired me an hour later to work in their restaurants. From there on he guided me through my career journey, encouraging me to strive for advancement which emulated my father’s philosophy. Through the 19 years of my employment at the Four Seasons Hotel, my determination to succeed through hard work gained me the privilege to learn from the elite management team, which at the time included Mr. Costas Tseriotis, currently at Le Meridien Hotel, Mr. Bambos Charalambous, currently at Columbia Plaza and Mr. Andreas Georgiou, currently at Amathus Hotel.

During my long journey starting from food and beverage department I finally reached my former post as Quality Control Manager retained for 11 years, overseeing customer relations as well as all aspects of the hotel’s Quality Control and Mystery Shopping programme. This included interviewing, selecting, training and briefing of mystery evaluators for their tasks, prior and during their onsite visits to the hotel.

Having worked for over 2 decades in the hospitality industry, I developed a passion for quality and in 2013 I decided to draw a new map for my career, which challenged me to step out of my comfort zone by leaving the Four Seasons Hotel to open my own company Quality Focus.

What has it meant to you to win the prestigious title of 10th Cyprus Business Woman of the Year Award?
In such a competitive industry, it is truly an honour to receive such a prestigious award that has a significant impact as an affirmation of the merits of my company’s services with an objective to serve as a market differentiator. This award has undoubtedly raised the bar for my vision and challenges my ongoing efforts of professional and personal growth. Furthermore, the award delivered a lot of brand exposure and opened new doors for expansion and opportunities. I enthusiastically look forward to a very successful year ahead.

Do you have a Mentor or someone who has played a significant part in your career?
Often we look at a tree with nourishing flowers, but don’t stop to think what’s beneath the surface. For that tree to develop strong branches a seed had to be planted. It grew deep roots into the ground before it could grow above the surface and develop a strong trunk that can hold on to all these branches.

Although my father is no longer with me and I miss his shadow of strength, until today the seeds he planted in me have nurtured my character and taken root. His efforts started the domino effect that consistently heightens my curiosity and constantly makes me question how far I could go from where I am at any given point.

I used to think that a Mentor is someone who guided me through a situation and helped improve something in my life, experience taught otherwise. I now know that anyone who contributed to my development even through a negative experience should be considered a Mentor. As well as those who were tough on me, they too played a major role in adding to my determination. There are people who have remained in my life and stood by me through thick and thin, but my gratitude will also remain for those who passed through my life, taught me valuable lessons and moved on.

Who Inspired / Inspires You?
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference”. Reinhold Niebuhr

The first time I came across this quote was in 1995 when I heard it from Ms. Takouhy Ashdjian at a Dale Carnegie seminar. Until today, I live by this quote and the strong impact it had on me back then hasn’t worn off.

Whether directly or indirectly, Mr. Sotos Diacos, Mr. Christos Mouskis, Mr. Costas Tseriotis, Mr. Andreas Loizou, Mr. Christos Pashias, Mr. Marios Nicolaou and Ms. Christina Christodoulidou, all played a significant role in my growth and I will always be indebted to them for that. They made a difference in my life and through them I clearly understood that building a career was more than just a job, it soon becomes a way of life and hard work reaps rewards.

What do you think makes you successful?
It’s the passion!

I feel now I am on the right tract. I have a long road ahead and a list of long term goals to reach before I can classify myself as successful. It’s the perfectionist nature in me that continues to pave my way.

I feared change; I now embrace it, as it is the only way progress will be achieved. I believe that there is always a positive side to every difficulty we go through, if we don’t search for it and embrace it, we automatically re-enforce the roadblock in the way of our progress and willingly become a victim of our own self-pity. Every problem has an expiration date and staying focused on positive thinking proved to bring that expiration date closer.

How do you see the future for women in business on a global scale?
Just like men, women contribute in building a stronger economy. Women generally see things from different angles to men. It does not make women better than men, it just arms us women with extra tools to handle situations with enhanced emotional intelligence and passion, which heightens our performance and potential for a wider future in business. Looking back at women’s place in business decades ago and comparing it with today, they have come a long way and I eagerly see a very bright future in this aspect.

What are your future plans?
I have a list of long and short term goals in alignment to my vision and values. I aim to walk to the beat of my own drums and not rush into anything if my intuition tells me not to. I regularly update my goals whenever adjustments are necessary in accordance to certain strategies already in place, all of which are aimed at further expansion of my brand name and services in Cyprus and abroad.

What is your favourite pastime? Do you have a particular country you like to visit?
I doubt I can find the right formula for a consistent balanced home and career life, if there is such a successful formula to begin with. Spending time with my husband is a true stress reliever for me, depending on our mood and level of energy at the time, we both enjoy sharing different sporting activities, unwinding at home watching TV or travelling together when possible. I also enjoy mental fitness through reading; it gives me lots of food for thought and helps me think outside the box.

Each country I have travelled to has had something special to offer. Generally I love traveling and enjoy meeting people from different cultures. I used to have a preference a few years ago but now depending on the purpose of travel, how many vacation days I can take, the time of the year and what I aim to find and experience, determines my destination.

 

Amani Vernescu Managing Director Quality Focus

Амани Вернеску – исполнительный директор Quality FOCUS

P.O. Box 58073 Limassol 3730 Cyprus

Tel: +357 25 344 450, Fax: +357 25 364 646

Mob: +357 99 444 820

E-mail: [email protected]

www.quality-focus.net