Your interest in SQ is appreciated.

While as an entrepreneur I have always been comfortable being challenged regularly, choosing this career path was completely irrational, to the nearest few, since the odds of succeeding were minimal. I do not come from a business family, not my masters in Agricultural Economics nor my 15 years of bondage with the World Bank, shaped any stage for treading this uncertain path of SQership.

I went ahead, believing in Peter Drucker's quote that "The best way to predict the future is to create it". The same believe got me thus far in my cross-national marriage with Salima, foretold to be a failure 30 years back. The advantage I have as a founder and leader of the business - I am not a genius. Geniuses can be sometimes a threat for an organization as that may suppress others' skills and ideas. Leading by values is central to me. It is empowering, and I think much more motivating. Rather than burden our folks with excessive controls, I inspire them to make decisions and to act based on values.

Two decades on, I have breathed through the evolution from SQ's start-up to growth and to its maturity along with my life, which as the adage goes; Started at Forty in 1993. The journey continues, bringing the new generation on – the three sisters.

As a Moroccan national and Vice Chairman of the Group, I am the glue that holds the Faruq empire together. After graduating from Paris University and completing a fellowship with the International Monetary Fund in Washington, I moved to Dhaka in 1983. Before joining the group in 2006, I worked as the Vice Principal of Bangladesh International Tutorial (BIT) for a long 17 years.

Though I was skeptical about the idea of my husband leaving the comfortable and secure life at the World Bank to start his own business, I always respected and supported his initiatives. In order to align myself with him, I took one for the team by leaving my job and devoting my time to both the business and my kids. In my opinion, it was worth the investment as I hope they will continue to build on the future of the business. So far, I have done my duty for this generation and it is time to pass on the baton to the next.

I want to believe that if I did not follow my own professional career, I am the person behind the continuous success of SQ. It is said that behind every man there is a woman but in this case, I am not behind my man but standing right next to him in all of his endeavors.

Hello, I am Boutaina Faruq and, as you can see, we have been given this unusual task of writing our own introduction. So here goes..

Being the eldest daughter in the family, I was the first among my sisters to become a member of the board. After my A levels, I moved to UK to study Accounting and Finance at the LSE, but ended up completing my course as an external student from Singapore. Throughout my studies I have been a part of SQ's life, contributing wherever possible.

Now that I have joined the company on a permanent basis, I see how SQ is in a league of its own. At the moment, my first job at hand is launching SQ's own retail brand. There are times that I am at awe when I think of this corporate world that my father has created. He has also set up the path to immense growth and it is up to us, the next generation, to take it there.

It's been quite the experience growing up in a business family. Don't get me wrong, I love it. So much so that I grew up telling everyone that I wanted to grow up to be my father's secretary, sitting in his chair that seemed like a throne back then. With that in the back of my mind and joining the board after turning 18, it has given me all the confidence that I need in order to continue into my higher studies.

As I am set to study Social Science in university, it will ideally give me a well rounded education which will open more than a few doors for the future. Even though it is nice to know that these doors represent other job opportunities, my passion truly lies here, in SQ.

Being a third cultured kid, it's fairly easy to pick up new languages, new perspectives and new opportunities, something I would love to bring to the table when I join SQ. I have had the privilege to learn English, Bengali, French, Arabic and even teaching myself a bit of Swedish. I've made my bed as a multilingual citizen, so now I have to lie in it.

If you look back I have painted a picture with the opening of "doors", the mention of a "chair", as well as use of a "bed" - the bare essentials of a home, just as I call SQ my home.

As the youngest member of the family, my educational and vocational achievements are far fewer than everyone else's. Most significantly, I am yet to become a member of the board as a result of my age. Nonetheless, I doubt that anyone will deny that I have been more than forthcoming in voicing my opinion, no matter how controversial.

As my years in High School come to a close, the future of my education is fast approaching. While my vision differs greatly from that of my family's, I am still unsure about the path that I want to pursue. One thing that remains certain though is that whatever my future holds, will be ultimately decided by me.

In a business driven family, emotions and arguments can often get involved in our discussions. It is my determination and strong-will however, I believe will be my greatest attribute, if I am so privileged to contribute to SQ, in what is now still an uncertain future.