Otara Gunewardene is a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist from Sri Lanka. She is the founder of ODEL, a leading fashion and lifestyle retail chain in the country, and also the founder of Embark, a socially responsible pet supply company. Gunewardene is known for her innovative and socially conscious business practices, which have contributed to her success as an entrepreneur.
Gunewardene's journey as an entrepreneur began in 1990, when she founded ODEL with the goal of bringing international fashion brands to Sri Lanka. Prior to ODEL, Gunewardene had worked in the fashion industry in London, where she gained valuable experience and insights into the industry. With her vision and determination, Gunewardene was able to turn ODEL into a successful business, and it has since become a household name in Sri Lanka.
In addition to her work with ODEL, Gunewardene is also known for her philanthropic efforts. She is the founder of the Otara Foundation, which works to empower underprivileged communities in Sri Lanka through education and training programs. The foundation has provided support to over 50,000 individuals, and has contributed significantly to the development of underprivileged communities in the country.
Gunewardene's success as an entrepreneur is a testament to her hard work and determination. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to identify opportunities and turn them into successful ventures, and her philanthropic efforts have had a positive impact on the lives of many people. Her dedication to innovation and social responsibility has made her a role model for aspiring entrepreneurs, and she continues to inspire others through her work and example.
Her Story
Realising that only further large-scale expansion and diversification in retail remained ahead, Otara sold her stake in the business she founded. Chandiram served as a senior executive at Odel and following their divorce subsequently served as a Director on the Sri Lankan Airlines board from May 2005 until March 2008. While economists deducewhy the Japanese are unwilling to step upconsumption, sociologists may point outthat the Japanese are no longer insatiable. Her father was a former Chairman of Aitken Spence and her mother, Delysia, established the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children. Keen observation and learning from early life became the blueprint which she used to propel herself to the top. In 2020, she launched an online platform, Who We Are, to promote Sri Lankan entrepreneurs and small businesses who sell local, eco-friendly, ethically-sourced, cruelty-free and sustainable products. Through Odel, Otara championed her causes on animal well-being and wildlife conservation with large awareness campaigns, supporting organizations that help animals and book promotions, along with many other projects and community work to help animals in need.
Otara opened Odel stores across the island — eventually culminating in the flagship store Odel Unlimited in Colombo 7, the first department store in the country. From folding clothing, to stacking shelves and helping at checkout, she did it all with the help of two staff who still work for Odel. Following the acquisition, Otara retained a 27. Gunawardene graduated from Bowling Green State University, Ohio with a degree in biology. Retrieved 27 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
Life was not smooth sailing— but the family made most of windows of opportunity. Retrieved 27 March 2018. An icon of its time, and still revered today, Odel expanded to stores around the country. She understood then, not only the importance of compassion but that her voice could be used to be a driving force of change in Sri Lanka. With a boundless love for animals as a child, after graduation Otara read for a biology degree at the University of Bowlingreen, Ohio with ambitions to work with animals.
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Otara through Odel has spearheaded many causes over the years, identifying key issues and tackling them with an admirable hands-on approach by store employees and other like-minded people who believed in the brand's dedication to the various causes. Otara Del Gunewardene was born on 30th August, 1964 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Illustration by Sam Weerawardena John Maynard Keynes predicted in a piece published in1930, given reasonable expectations for economic growth,that human society would be rich enough by 2030 that theywould have to work for no more than 15 hours a week. Perhaps economists needto invent a measure that subsumes everything, a measurefor happiness perhaps. Retrieved 27 March 2018. She expressed her sadness and disappointment regarding the treatment of these sentient beings. Her Mother, a humanitarian herself, founded the Chitra Lane School for differently-abled children which started with just 2 students and now has over 200.
Retrieved 27 January 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2018. Expansionist monetary policy has failed overtwo decades to stir the Japanese economyto a growth path. About Otara Gunewardene is a 58 year old Sri Lankan Business Professional. In 1990 she opened her first store, ODEL, on Dickmans Road in Colombo and by 2010 had eighteen stores throughout Colombo. Retrieved 25 January 2021. Whilst on holiday back home, she did some fashion modelling — shooting for high-profile brands and international apparel catalogues right after graduating from University.
Retrieved 29 March 2018. Growing up Otara was your conventional girl next door. In February 2010 she converted ODEL into a public limited liability company and it became the first fashion retail business to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange. Retrieved 27 March 2018. In 2007, at a time where countless numbers of street dogs perished on the streets due to being abandoned and uncared for, Otara created Embark, an organization dedicated to improving the well-being of homeless street dogs in Sri Lanka. In 2012, Odel saw a significant change in ownership when Parkson Retail Asia Limited purchased a 41. She had proved with Embark that in a harsh world, her distinct voice and a compassionate agenda could make all the difference.
Wanting to offer emerging trends to fellow Sri Lankans, Otara began selling locally sourced garments from the boot of her station wagon, her first unofficial retail store! Odel helped Otara combine the two things she was most passionate about; animal welfare and fashion. Of particular pride is the zero-corruption mandate she adheres to in all matters. Retrieved 18 January 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2018. Otara has always inspired loyalty and goodwill, which has ensured that people have come out in droves to partner it in many of its initiatives in the past.
It spentRs800 million acquiring land around its flagship Colombostore and also set up new stores in secondary cities. A typical family with big dreams, yet, what set them apart was the work ethic instilled within them — a success story in itself. It took just over another action-packed decade to see ODEL rise from a two-staffed single store to a 20-store lifestyle revolution spanning over 150,000 square feet and employing staff of over a 1000. Retrieved 27 March 2018. Parkson, which owns 47% of Odel hasannounced it plans to exit the company when Softlogic announcesa mandatory offer to buy out other shareholders. Advocacy In 2015, Gunewardene launched a campaign asking the government to enact the proposed Animal Welfare Bill which gained over 100,000 signatures and led to the Cabinet Approval of the said bill at the time. She says Parkson, which operates upmarketdepartment stores across many East Asian countries andChina, offered the opportunity to grow the business whenit happened.
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Retrieved 5 April 2018. As of 2018, Embark has re-homed over 4038 dogs, sterilized 23322, vaccinated 51980 and rescued and treated 20220 dogs since its inception. The driving force behind Odel was to open up fashion retail opportunities, and, particularly, to offer products that were Sri Lankan made. Retrieved 3 March 2021. Her unfurling as a cutting edge designer having unveiled a focused collection of wearability and chicness that rang real and true — and very her; reaffirming assurance and certainty that everything looks good from every angle cemented her entry into the world of fashion designing. Ladies College in Colombo, where she excelled in athletics and swimming, representing the country.
