Bhakti Chalak

Everyone has heard about Mukesh Ambani as India's richest man but not many would know who is India's richest Muslim woman? It is Farah Malik Bhanji, the Managing Director of 'Metro Brands', daughter of billionaire Rafique Malik,  who helms a massive business empire worth Rs 26,000 crore,.

Farah Bhanji is a living embodiment of empowerment for millions of women across the country. Her grandfather, Malik Tejani, laid the first stone of 'Metro Shoes' in 1955. Today, Farah has taken the business to a new level.

Let's delve into the journey of this versatile female leader, a journey that started from a cash counter in Colaba!

Farah Malik Bhanji

Farah Malik speaks about an era when, footwear sellers used to name their shops after famous cinema halls. "At that time, there was a movie theater named 'Metro' on MG Road in Mumbai. Inspired by that, my grandfather named our brand 'Metro'."

Farah's grandfather initially worked as a salesman in a shoe shop on Grant Road in Mumbai. Later, he took a small laundry shop in Colaba and started his own business, which marked the beginning of 'Metro Shoes'.

Farah Malik Bhanji with her family

In those days, the success of a business depended on winning people's hearts and establishing a direct connection with customers. Recalling old memories, Farah says, "I think my grandfather knew how to say 'hello' in 40 different languages. That is why our shop became so famous."

When people visited Mumbai, they made it a point to visit three brands: Metro, Kala Niketan, and Charagh Din. Bollywood legends of that era, whether it was Amitabh Bachchan, Govinda, or Jaya Bachchan, loved visiting this shop in Colaba.

Thanks to the large number of air hostesses and Parsi customers visiting the store, the family caught the true pulse of fashion. Interestingly, in those early days, the prices of goods in the shop were not fixed or printed like they are today. The price of a pair of shoes was determined by the saree the female customer was wearing! If she wore an expensive chiffon or cotton saree, the price was quoted accordingly.

Farah Malik Bhanji

After her grandfather, Farah's father, Rafique Malik, entered the business. He started his work directly from the upper floor of the shop—the stock room where the shoes were kept. According to Farah, understanding exactly what the customer wants is crucial, and the person sitting upstairs becomes an expert at guessing the customer's preferences. Moving forward from there, Rafique Malik expanded the brand, transforming it into a national entity.

Having earned a degree in mathematics from the University of Texas in America, Farah initially had no desire to enter the family business. Farah shares, "My real interest was in math and finance. But when I came here, I realized that I was enjoying this work and learning new things every day. And after that, I decided to plunge into this business."

When Farah stepped into the business in 2000, digitization had just begun. She implemented a barcoding system, moving inventory control from manual to digital. Working as a third-generation entrepreneur, and that too as a woman, talking to suppliers was difficult in the beginning. Earning respect in a male-dominated sector was a big challenge. However, because of the freedom her father gave her, she stood her ground firmly.

Farah Malik Bhanji

Farah says, "My father always allowed us to make mistakes. He would always say that we learn from those mistakes and move forward. But we just shouldn't repeat the same mistakes again and again." Thanks to Farah's vision, a company that had 100 stores in 2010 has today grown into a massive network of over 800 stores across India.

The greaterst strength of Metro Brands lies in its ethical values. They work on the principle of 'Customer Delight'. Since the owner cannot sit in every branch, Farah's father created a unique management model. To this day, all Metro managers work entirely on a commission-sharing basis; they do not get a fixed salary.

Farah proudly states that all their managers have reached their positions by rising through the ranks from within the organization; they do not hire directly from outside. Over 700 managers have grown in this very manner. Giving an ordinary employee who started as a 'stock boy' in the shop the authority to make decisions like an owner is a prime example of financial and social empowerment.

Farah Malik Bhanji

Even though times have changed, the in-store customer experience remains Metro's true strength. However, at the back-end, Farah has heavily integrated technology. Today, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics are used extensively in their systems. Machines determine which product will sell more in which store. By studying systems like ChatGPT and Business AI, she is bringing changes to the business. Farah believes that adapting to changing times is the only path to success.

A mother of three, a strong wife, and a successful entrepreneur—Farah is managing all these roles with immense skill. She loves being close to nature, playing throwball, and spending time by a lake.

Beyond business, improving people's lives and making everyone financially independent is the main goal of her life. Farah says, "Today, our goal is to make everyone stand on their own two feet. I have received a lot in my life, and I want to give it back to society."

Farah Malik Bhanji with her team

Whether anyone from the family enters this business in the future or not, Farah is currently laying down solid plans to ensure the business survives for the next 100 years. She always follows a golden piece of advice given by her father:

"Your perspective is what matters. Life will keep throwing unexpected hurdles at you, but what happens to you is only 10%, and 90% is how you react to it. Everything depends on how you face the challenges."

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This journey, which started from a small shoe shop in Colaba, has today transformed into a massive empire worth thousands of crores, all because of determination, foresight, and the ability to recognize the shifting tides of time. Farah Malik Bhanji is not just the richest Muslim woman in the country; she is a living example of mature, modern, and empathetic leadership.