Mrs. Bushra Khan is a dynamic leader making waves in traditionally male-dominated industries like logistics and mining. Inspired by her father, she never questioned her place in these sectors, growing up immersed in the world of business from a young age. Today, she stands as a powerful force, co-founding and directing a deep-tech company while also expertly managing her family’s extensive logistics operations. Mrs. Khan’s leadership is characterized by a clear vision, unwavering dedication, and a deep commitment to the values instilled in her by her father. She balances the complexities of multiple businesses with grace and determination, driven by the desire to see her projects through to completion and the constant pursuit of self- improvement.

A strong believer in the power of support systems, Mrs. Khan credits her family, including her husband and parents, for enabling her success. She emphasizes the importance of mentorship, citing her father as her primary role model, alongside influential figures like Indra Nooyi and Anna Wintour. From her father, she learned invaluable lessons about honesty, building strong relationships, and treating employees with respect and care – principles that form the bedrock of her leadership style. Mrs. Khan’s commitment to these values is evident in her approach to business, where she prioritizes ethical practices, transparency, and the well-being of her team. She navigates the challenges of supply chain management and the rapidly evolving biotech industry with strategic foresight, ensuring her companies remain competitive and innovative. Her vision extends beyond profit, aiming to create a positive impact on the world, as demonstrated by her deep-tech company’s groundbreaking work in non-invasive cancer diagnostics.

Mrs. Bushra Khan’s remarkable journey and contributions have earned her national recognition. She was honored as the “Top Woman Achiever of the Nation 2024” by The Brand Story at the Global Brand and Leadership Conclave held in the prestigious House of Lords in London. This accolade celebrates her exceptional achievements, prominent role as a female leader in a traditionally male-dominated sector, and her inspiring journey, serving as a beacon of hope and encouragement for aspiring entrepreneurs, particularly women.

Q1: Ma’am, as a woman leading businesses in traditionally male-dominated sectors such as logistics and mining, what initially inspired you to take up this challenge?

Answer: My father is my biggest inspiration. While growing up, it never occurred to me that I was in a “man’s world” or that certain businesses and careers were meant only for men. For me, it was never a question of “if” I would join the business, but rather “when.” My father had a significant influence on my career choice. From a young age, I visited mining sites and ports with him. Looking back, I now realize that there weren’t many women around me in those workplaces—it was all men. But I never felt out of place because my father raised my sisters and me with the belief that we belonged anywhere we chose to be. To this day, I often find myself as the only woman in panel discussions, business events, and meetings, but I am never intimidated—because that’s how I was raised.

Q2: Managing multiple industries, each with its own complexities, requires immense dedication. What keeps you motivated every day to handle such diverse business operations with excellence?

 Answer: I focus on the end vision rather than the daily struggles. Every time I embark on a project, I already have a clear picture of how it will look once completed—whether it’s a year from now or six months down the line. This vision drives me to move mountains to achieve it. It might sound idealistic, but even in simple things like decorating a space, I visualize the final look and work toward it step by step. The same applies to business. As a co-founder and director of a deep-tech company while also managing logistics, I frequently step outside my comfort zone. My motivation comes from knowing the impact of my projects and the immense learning they offer. The person I will become after each endeavor excites me. I strive to be better than I was yesterday and to refine myself constantly.

Q3: Balancing professional and personal life is often a challenge for many leaders. How do you manage your leadership responsibilities while ensuring personal well-being?

 Answer: I don’t do it alone. I have a strong support system that enables me to focus on my work. There’s an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and I truly believe in that. I am incredibly blessed to have that “village”—an amazing husband, incredible parents, and supportive in-laws. My mother is a remarkable woman who handled complex responsibilities, and now, as a mother myself, I truly appreciate her resilience. Additionally, I have had exceptional male figures in my life—my father, my husband, and my father- in-law—who have always been progressive and non-traditional in their thinking. Although I lived in Berlin for 12 years, far from family, my husband and I navigated life through our strong partnership. Balancing professional and personal life is possible when you have the right people supporting you.

Q4: Throughout your journey, have you had any mentors or role models who have significantly influenced your leadership approach?

 Answer: My father is undoubtedly my biggest role model. He taught me the fundamentals of business—how to deal with people and build strong relationships. Leadership is about trust, respect, and ensuring that people follow you not just because they work for you but because they believe in you. Apart from him, I also look up to influential women such as Indra Nooyi and Anna Wintour. They have seamlessly integrated their femininity into their leadership styles while remaining highly influential and respected. Another historical figure I admire is Hürrem Sultan, an Ottoman queen who ruled from behind the throne. Many of the sultan’s decisions were actually hers, yet few knew of her influence. Visiting her tomb was a profound moment for me, as I strongly believe that understanding our past helps shape our future.

Q5: Your esteemed father has built a remarkable legacy in business. What are some of the most valuable lessons you have learned from him about entrepreneurship and leadership?

 Answer: The most important lesson I learned from my father is honesty—being straightforward and never hesitating to ask for what you deserve. It doesn’t matter how young you are, what gender you are, or where you are in your career—if you believe you have earned something, go ahead and fight for it. My father started as an employee, but despite his success today, he has never forgotten the people who supported him in the beginning. He still extends a helping hand to the family of his first employer, a testament to his values of trust and credibility. Another leadership trait he embodies is genuine care for his employees. He remembers their names, asks about their families, and supports them beyond just business matters. Balancing authority with deep respect and care is an art he has mastered, and I strive to incorporate that into my own leadership style.

Q6: Are there any particular qualities of your father that you deeply admire? How do you incorporate those values and leadership traits into your own management style?

Answer: One of the things I admire most about my father is his unwavering support for his employees. He serves as their shield, never allowing anyone to mistreat them. For example, when he was working on a project with Oswal, one of the company’s officials slapped my father’s supervisor. My father immediately took a stand, registered an FIR, and refused to proceed until the official apologized. His employees knew they could count on him, which built immense loyalty and respect. Another invaluable lesson from him is to stay grounded. No matter how high we rise, we should always remember our roots. My parents instilled strong spiritual values in me, which I hold dear. Praying five times a day reminds me of humility and keeps me connected to my core beliefs. These principles—standing up for my people, staying true to my values, and leading with integrity—are the foundation of my leadership style.

Q7: Considering the global challenges in supply chain management, how does your logistics business ensure efficiency, reliability, and competitiveness in such a dynamic industry?

 A: Over the past three years, we have specifically worked to reduce our dependence on retailers. Instead of relying on third-party suppliers, we have handpicked and directly connected with the people who supply what we need. We have worked very hard on creating operational efficiencies and stopping pilferage. This has helped us eliminate many of the problems that commonly arise in supply chains. We have also been strategic in selecting our fleet, considering the nature of our work, the projects we have undertaken, and the major projects we will be handling in the future. By leveraging the latest advancements in technology and implementing mindful tactics, we have optimized our supply chain, ensuring efficiency and reliability in our operations.

Q8: The biotech tools industry is rapidly evolving with advancements in healthcare and biotechnology. How does your company adapt to these market transformations while maintaining a strong competitive edge?

A: Gloport Enterprises Technologies Pvt Ltd, is the deep-tech company I have co founded together with a group on industry experts, is focused on healthcare, particularly in diagnostics. We are developing a groundbreaking diagnostic tool that is extremely new and in an unexplored territory. We have a team of highly skilled scientists, marketing experts and leaders who have successfully developed a prototype and we also have the global patent for our technology. Now, we are working towards commercializing it, though we anticipate certain challenges. Our technology is set to revolutionize how cancer is detected.

Cancer does not discriminate—it can affect both young and old. Research has shown that invasive cancer testing methods, such as biopsies, can actually contribute to the spread of cancer. The body naturally contains cancer within a tumour, but when it is cut open for testing, the cells can start to spread. The world is eager to move toward non-invasive testing, but many do not yet know how. We are working on making this a reality, and I truly believe this will be a game-changing innovation.

Q9: Your esteemed company is on the path to launching an IPO, which marks a significant milestone. What were the key factors that motivated this decision, and how do you envision it shaping the company’s future?

 A: This IPO is a significant part of my father, Khalid Khan’s, vision. Seeing the company take this step was the next obvious move for us. For our business, working capital is crucial—we need to keep the fuel running to take on massive projects. The IPO is primarily aimed at funding our working capital, allowing us to handle larger projects efficiently. For example, Govt. of India is pushing around ₹3,000 crore into the Paradeep port alone. Private companies like Mittal are also keen on starting operations there. We are also planning to diversify, with projects in Dubai and Indonesia. When an opportunity for expansion arises, we want to be ready to seize it.

This strategic move is designed to fuel our company’s growth, enabling us to pursue larger projects and expand our global footprint. With long-standing relationships with major clients like IFFCO, JSW, and JM Baxi, Paradeep Parivahan is well-positioned for continued success. We remain committed to transparency, ethical practices, and continuous improvement, ensuring that our values remain intact as we scale new heights.

Q10: For potential investors who are keen to support your company’s growth, what key strengths and unique attributes would you like to highlight about your organization?

 A: First of all, I encourage investors to look at our financials and the growth we have demonstrated—over 130%+. We are focusing on high-margin projects and putting more effort into the areas where we have expertise. Additionally, our order books are incredibly strong. In logistics, its very difficult to change your logistics partner due to the late infrastructure that’s laid out. Once you establish relationships, replacing them is extremely difficult. We have had a long-standing relationship with IFFCO for 18 years, and we also work with JSW and JM Baxi. These are stable, well-established companies whose future is not uncertain. Whether their logistics needs are small or large, we complete them with the same dedication and precision.

Q11: Considering the current economic landscape, what challenges do you anticipate in the IPO process, and what strategic measures have you put in place to address them?

 A: I believe that if your core operations are in place and your internal structure is strong, more than half of the work is already done. However, transitioning to a publicly traded company comes with its own challenges. We will need to adapt internally, ensuring a higher level of transparency and accountability. Our workforce will undergo extensive training to align with these changes. We are also implementing structured processes, audits, and monitoring systems to ensure a smooth transition. This preparation is already underway, and we are committed to making Paradeep Parivahan a strong, trustworthy public company.

Q12: Lastly, as a visionary leader, where do you see your company in the next five to ten years, and what key goals do you aspire to achieve during this period?

A: I see myself as a student, constantly learning and evolving. My biggest goal is to uphold the values and principles that my father, Khalid Khan, instilled in this company. While we aim to scale and grow, our core values must remain intact. Even as we go public, we will ensure that our employees feel safe, valued, and motivated to stay with us for the long run. My vision is for Paradeep Parivahan Ltd to reach new heights every day and establish a strong global presence. Currently, we are operating within Asia, but our next step is to expand internationally and represent my father’s dreams on the world stage. I firmly believe that within 5 to 10 years, we will achieve this goal.

However, I still have a lot to learn. I want to bring in more like-minded individuals to grow alongside us. No matter how big we become, I want to ensure that the essence of Paradeep Parivahan remains the same— where every employee feels the same connection as they did from the very beginning.