NICOLE RODRIGUES

Founder & CEO

Diva Group of Companies

Nicole Rodrigues is not only an entrepreneur but possesses a diverse skill set, she is the founder of Diva Dubai Productions, the creator of Diva Group of Companies, a creative director for bespoke events and productions, a choreographer, a branding expert, and a former model. Nicole Rodrigues epitomizes the bold spirit of tenacious citizens that are redefining the UAE and have pushed boundaries to ensure multicultural and diverse society blossoms.

Using her keen business acumen, Nicole Rodrigues completed her OPM, from the Harvard Business School. With a career focus on business, Nicole Rodrigues has several years of experience in international marketing, developing international business relations and management consultation as part of her repertoire

Entrepreneur- “Be the human (roles, responsibilities, family work) and the being
(prayer, meditate, self-love, enlightenment, and awakening).

Being the complete Human Being to the highest and best version of self.”

Nicole Rodrigues – Pushing the Boundaries of Entrepreneurship

The art of entrepreneurship is one that requires immense efforts along with the skill to stand through the thick and thin that the company may go through. To dedicatedly follow a certain path and stay on it throughout is what makes an efficient entrepreneur. After all, one's goal is the key to creating plenty of opportunities. One such personality who has taken charge of these goals of hers and has been working on making her dreams come to true is – Nicole Rodrigues. She has been recognized as beauty with brains and has built a life redefining the cultural ethos of the UAE. Being born in the city that never sleeps – Mumbai, Nicole dreamt of a career that goes beyond the norms of society. One, where equality is of the prime focus. Before fulfilling these dreams, her journey started with a Bachelor’s degree in Science (Mathematics). It continued to Harvard Business School where she earned a Degree in Owners President Management. She then built her career by taking up various roles such as, a creative director, branding expert, and choreographer among others.

The inception of an Extraordinary Enterprise

Nicole Rodrigues forged a career in the fashion industry as a model but, with marriage and maternity in the picture, she decided to take some time off. But in the year 2003, she noticed a minor shortcoming in the talent agency industry in the UAE. Knowing the efforts and responsibilities of being in the position, she decided to bring some variation by utilizing her exceptional entrepreneurial skills. The change she wanted to see was to bring some structure in the field of talent acquisition, talent promotion, and any associated initiatives. Her first step was utilizing her knowledge which she earned from being in front of the camera. She understood the courage required and tried to build the same among other aspiring models. The key element to build was for them to feel comfortable in their skin. Elaborating on her appreciation for real beauty, Nicole states, “Beauty is not just about the segregation of looks but about how one view themselves.” This formed the base of the Diva Modeling Agency. The company eventually witnessed tremendous growth, and Nicole broadened her horizon to establish Diva Holding for real estate, Diva Salon, and Diva Laundry. This acted as a catalyst towards the founding of a branched out company which came to be known as Diva Group of Companies.

The One-Stop Shop for All

Diva Group of Companies has placed its emphasis on creating opportunities for a lot of people while also providing services to many. Each of them is guaranteed to have perfection and is hassle-free. It provides high-quality services including model training, events management, and exclusive productions to all kinds of companies, including various forms of marketing communications. Diva Modelling and Events has transformed the professional promotional industry across the Middle East. A major list of facilities goes as below:

• Print Production • Promoters / Hostesses • Video / Still Production • Film Production • Exhibition Staff • Planning / Budgeting • Model Management • Sound / Stage Setup • Production • Fashion Shows • Studio Rentals • Location Permits • Session Stylist • Set Decoration • Government Permits • Stylist • Exhibition Stands • Location Scouting • Entertainers • Catering • Light and Equipment Rentals • Portfolio Services • Logistics • Pre-production • Crewing and Casting • Scheduling • Post-production

Building on Motivation Through Passion

Being a woman of utmost dedication and love towards people, Nicole has always found her motivation from those around her. With no differentiation intended towards a car cleaner or the CEO, she believes every individual has something one can be inspired by. As she states, “We just need to be open, attentive and be willing to learn, and understand. I’m so focused on people I love that I tend to forget myself.” Her passion for her work also stems from this factor, where she believes in learning from others while sharing, what she has learned. She thus aims to share her knowledge with as many people as possible and add value to their lives. Describing her journey, Nicole also says that it’s the people who are the ultimate power, and this created a path for her to empower others via her talent agency. Her ultimate goal is to utilize all learnings and experiences into growing and developing, not only as a person but as an entrepreneur too.

Gulf and Its Growing Opportunities

2003 was a phenomenal year for Nicole as she set foot in Dubai to set up her multi-million dollar empire – Diva Group of Companies. This is where she found the platform to grow as an entrepreneur and inspiration under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed. She noticed the country’s immense growth which made it the ideal location for businesses to flourish. Some additional factors also included the level of security, the tax benefits as well as the multi-cultural crowd.

Accolades Galore and Advice for Budding Entrepreneurs

Efforts in the right direction usually tend to yield positive outcomes which may also manifest into recognitions. Nicole’s expertise helped the company grow, and for this, she received a myriad of awards. Some of them being recognized on platforms such as Top SME 100 Award-2015, Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2015 – Outstanding Category, Colors UMA Show Award, and many more. She was also named in the Forbes – 100 Most Powerful List 2013, in Arabian Business – 100 Most Powerful List 2013 as well as in Forbes 2014 as one of the Top Indian Leaders in the Arab World. Nicole Rodrigues's Net worth is 292,000,000 USD.

Her advice to many aiming for a position in the business world, is to stay clear of any false beliefs and negative influences. Nicole also urges them to be mindful of their lifestyle by keeping themselves healthy. In her own words, she says, “Never resent, revenge, regret or reject. Love life, pray /mediate be grateful, accept, surrender, eat healthy, sleep well exercise and be happy.”

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Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum palace Iftar Invitation

Forbes Middle East

Nicole Rodrigues; Top Indian leaders in the Arab World 2014 : Top Owners ; Lists; ... Nicole Rodrigues, Founder, Owner & CEO of Diva Group was born India and received a bachelor of science degree before going on to realize her childhood dream of modeling.Nicole Rodrigues, Founder, Owner & CEO of Diva Group was born India and received a bachelor of science degree before going on to realize her childhood dream of modeling. Larsen went on to continue her education at Harvard Business School. The Diva Group provides a wide range of services related to modeling and events, and has also diversified into salons, investments and laundry services - See more at: http://www.forbesmiddleeast.com/en/lists/people/pname/nicole-rodrigues/pid/10325#sthash.UKbK8t5q.dpuf

2013's most powerful Indian women in the GCC

Nicole Larsen, owner and managing director, Diva Modelling and Events --- A Harvard Business School graduate, Nicole is right at the heart of the Dubai glamour scene, having founded the now hugely successfully Diva Modelling agency. It has become one of the largest in the country for booking models, but under her leadership the company has grown rapidly – just about anything from equipment hire to providing extras for movies, organizing events and putting on wedding parties. You want fun, you want glamour – Nicole is the woman to call.

Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2015- Outstanding Category

Fifteen of United Arab Emirates entrepreneurs and business leaders were named awardees of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2015 at a glittering gala at Shangri-La, Dubai. Over 250 attendees were present at the by-invitation only event, comprising of industry leaders, leading entrepreneurs, dignitaries and the who's who of the business world, including, Ambassador Talmiz Ahmad, former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and UAE, Lt. Gen. Sudhir Sharma, member of the board of Enterprise Asia, and Dato' William Ng, president of Enterprise Asia

Kuwait Times

In a recent glittering ceremony marking ITP Publishing Group’s Indian CEO Awards 2014, Adeeb Ahamed, Chief Executive Officer of the LuLu Financial Group, was conferred with the award in Financial Services category. The Indian CEO Awards 2014, in its third edition this year, was held at The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, on Monday, 17 FebruaryDubai Islamic Bank CEO Dr Adnan Chilwan was voted Banking CEO of the Year, while the Philanthropy award went to K V Shamsudhenn. Al Tayer Motors CEO Ashok Khanna won Motoring CEO of the Year, and Eros chief executive Deepak Banbani bagged Electronics CEO of the Year. Diva Modelling founder Nicole Rodrigues Larsen won Female CEO of the Year.

PETROCHEM GR8! WOMEN AWARDS 2013 - MIDDLE EAST (DUBAI)

The 3rd Petrochem GR8! Women Awards – Middle East, 2013 powered by Gitanjali was held at the ritzy ‘Joharah Ballroom’ at the Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai. An initiative of ‘GR8!’,women achievers from all walks of life, like Arts, Science, Medicine, Commerce, Social Awareness, Sports and many others across the Middle East were felicitated.

Entreprenuer - Ms. Nicole Rodrigues

APEA 2015 UAE Winners

Fifteen of the UAE’s entrepreneurs and business leaders were named awardees of the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2015 at a glittering gala at Shangri-La, Dubai. Over 200 attendees were present at the by-invitation only event, comprising of industry leaders, leading entrepreneurs, dignitaries and the who’s who of the business world, including, Mr Talmiz Ahmad, Former Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman and UAE, Lt. Gen. Sudhir Sharma, Member of the Advisory Board of Enterprise Asia, and Dato’ William Ng, President of Enterprise Asia.

Nafa celebrates with Manzari furs in Dubai

THE 30C DEGREE TEMPERATURES IN THE OUTDOOR AMPHITHEATRE OF THE ONE & ONLY ROYAL MIRAGE HOTEL IN THE POSH JUMEIRA BEACH AREA OF DUBAI DID NOT DETER THE MANY LOCAL GUESTS, FOREIGN VISITORS ALONG WITH TRADE AND GOVERNMENT VIPS FROM JOINING THE FUR GALA SHOW CO-HOSTED BY NAFA AND MANZARI LUXURY FURS.

Diva unveils ambitious expansion drive

Gulf Capital SMEinfo Awards contender Diva Modelling and Events has unveiled ambitious plans to expand into the high-octane Qatar marketplace. Following the phenomenal success of the Dubai-based haute couture fashion and luxury events house across the U.A.E., Managing Director Nicole Rodrigues says now is the time to capitalise upon Diva's home-grown dominance and extend the brand into Qatar.

Arabia500 United Arab Emirates - 2012

Rank 22

Wikipedia

Nicole Rodrigues Larsen is a Dubai-based talent agent and entrepreneur. She is the founder and managing director of Diva Modeling and Events, an agency for models, entertainers, promotional staff, and hostesses.[1][2] Additionally, Rodrigues Larsen manages Diva Beauty Salon, Diva Laundry and NM Investments.[3]She has been included on Forbes list of the Top 100 Indian Leaders in UAE[4][5] and in 2011 SME Advisor Middle East magazine awarded her the People’s Choice award at the SME Advisor Stars of Business event.[6] In 2014, Rodrigues Larsen won CEO of the Year at the Indian CEO Awards

Nicole Rodrigues and Dr. Sassan Dieter KhatibShahidi At Home

The modelling industry in the UAE was taken by storm in 2003 when Nicole Rodrigues decided to start Diva Modelling and Events, which then expanded into a multimillion dollar business empire. Nicole, who is now the Founder and CEO of the Diva Group of Companies, is a full-time mum, entrepreneur and probably one of the warmest people we have ever come across.

Her husband, Dr. Sassan Dieter Khatib-Shahidi complements her perfectly. A trained lawyer, he is now the CEO of German Imaging Technologies, a company that produces OEM compatible toner cartridges for the Middle East and North Africa. Truly gracious and

Nicole and Sassan are the proud parents of Victoria, 13 and Victor, 10 who are as different as they are similar. The siblings share a very strong bond, despite being in very different phases of their life. “They are my constant learning platform. Every day I learn something from them; their little smiles and dreams are so precious and they teach me how to retain my own child like sense constantly”, Nicole says with a smile.

It seemed fascinating to me, to be given the chance to see the inner workings of a family as diverse as Nicole and Sassan’s. A family that truly believes in the spirit of friendship and camaraderie, we were truly privileged to be invited into what is essentially Nicole and Sassan’s private space.

NICOLE RODRIGUES

Founder & CEO