The Art Of Success

Petrochem MD Yogesh Mehta on his amazing success in business and in life

Yogesh Mehta

 

Positivity comes easy to Mr Yogesh Mehta, Managing Director of the chemical giant, Petrochem. With an easy laugh and a gentle demeanour, it is impossible to not warm up to him at first sight. What really astounds about this man is his humility despite the staggering success he has achieved. After working ground-up and learning how to manage the vicissitudes of life with aplomb, Mr Mehta has learnt the key to being successful, namely, inner happiness. Apart from being the largest distributor of chemicals in the Middle East, Petrochem brings art, culture and colour into the UAE. In fact, they are the main sponsors of the Masala! Awards and enhance the social fabric of society in invaluable ways.

Where were you living and what were you doing professionally before you moved to Dubai?
I was born and brought up in Mumbai, lived there until I was 29 years old and worked in a chemical trading business which was pretty small and going nowhere. In 1990 I came to Dubai to seek my fortune and haven’t looked back since.

How did you turn your life around when you moved to Dubai?
When you are young, you have no fear and I had tears of blood in my eyes and a tremendous will to succeed. I had failed miserably in my business in India and had no choice. Sometimes when you dream and work hard, nature gives in and opens new paths and helps you succeed. I worked hard and must have worked right to open new doors. There was a plan and I had set goals; despite many obstacles I worked with a single minded determination to succeed under any circumstance.

What is your role at Petrochem?
I am the Managing Director of this great company. My business partner is David Lubbock who is the most incredible and fascinating person I have ever met. Petrochem
is the largest distributor of chemicals in the Middle East; we started small and today we are a household name in the region. My job is to think ahead three, five or ten years from now and chart the future growth of the company. We have a great team who are the reason for our success. At present I have moved away from sales and play a key part in managing the company and looking for new areas of growth.

Can you tell us what made you get into this field of work?
My family was in the chemical manufacturing business already so there was a lot of chemical talk amongst us. I started trading in chemicals as I liked travelling and interacting with customers. The chemical business, to me, is very dynamic and sophisticated. It requires strong education and an enterprising spirit. I love the world of chemicals – it is very mysterious and magical!

What challenges did you face when setting up Petrochem?
Petrochem was formed in late 1994. There were great challenges in the beginning as we were entering new territory. We had big growth plans and little money and hence, there was no room for failure. There was no internet at that time and the UAE was not very well understood by the rest of the world. Getting credibility and trade credit was very tough and our suppliers were apprehensive about doing business with us in the early years. I remember I used to travel to 18 to 20 countries each year looking for principals, buyers and sellers. In time Petrochem started opening offices around the world. Today, we have offices in Shanghai, Singapore, India, Cairo, London and Antwerp; our head office is in Dubai.

What are your thoughts on money, power and success in the corporate world?
The machinery of the world runs with the grease called money! With money comes success and power – they are all integrated. I strive to be a good human being and try hard not to loose myself. My happiness comes from within me and being with my wife, Falguni and our son, Rohan. Money does make the world go around – one must know where to get off!

How do you handle the stress and pressure that normally comes with a role at your level?
While studying at Harvard Business School I learnt the art of managing stress and handling pressure. If you are mentally organised and prepare yourself for the worst outcome in a positive manner then you will come out on top. I unwind with music and everyday, for one hour, I go into my shell and do only what I like. I call it my ‘happy hour with myself’. Try it – it really does wonders for your mood and energy levels!

What do you think is the most important key to success?
You need to be lucky to be successful; hence you must make your luck by doing the right thing, by daring yourself to go where nobody has ventured, to explore paths that have never been taken, to seek new avenues and to tempt lady luck to be on your side. If you give yourself a chance, the whole world will give you one; if you think you are a winner the whole world will cheer you and make you one!