Contemporary women are capable of carrying multiple responsibilities on their shoulders, as is proved by Sandra Fernandes, who is the director of two hotels in Goa, a lecturer at Sharda Mandir Higher Secondary, a fashonista and also a writer... The Goan speaks to this woman of substance...
Armed with BA and MA degrees in Economics, a B Ed teaching degree and a course in hotel management, Sandra Fernandes made her foray into the hotel industry in 1997 when she got married to hotelier Inacio Fernandes in Goa. His Casa Menino restaurant in Ponda became a full-fledged Hotel Menino in 1995 and Hotel Menino Regency was inaugurated in Panaji in 2003. After the sudden demise of her husband in 2011, Sandra successfully managed to run both the hotels and now her elder son Shawn Fernandes, alumni of IHM Goa, helps her run the business. Conferences, birthday parties, occasional celebrations, engagement ceremonies at their hotels keeps Sandra busy but she has not discontinued teaching.
Apart from managing two hotels, Sandra teaches Economics and Business Studies at Sharada Mandir Higher Secondary School in Panaji. Boasting of a teaching career spanning over two decades, she asserts that teaching is not a profession but a vocation to her. That’s not all. A fashionista, Sandra offers fashion advice, curates different looks, and outfits, and has showcased ‘Sanskriti’ – a solo designer exhibition in Panaji and Ponda. She is looking forward to start a fashion venture soon. Her passion for entrepreneurship developed post marriage, but the knack for business was in her DNA.
Social activities keep Sandra busy. She was the past president of Rotary Club of Panaji Riviera. Providing scholarships for students, helping rebuild houses of people who lost their homes during the heavy rainfall in Goa, conducting health camps for women and children and have been a part of the First Rotary Pink Auto project in the State of Goa.
At present Sandra is the vice chairperson of the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)’s Women's Wing. “Here, we work to support women in business by conducting packaging and branding workshops, arranging FOSTAC training, organising FSSAI licensing melas across Goa and engaging in financial literacy programs,” briefs Sandra who feels blessed to have a very dedicated team at both her hotels. “They are more of a family and I always encourage women at the workplace, so important roles in our organisations are held by the women,” discloses Sandra whose team strives to give their guests a very homely atmosphere.
Utilising her skills of teaching within the business, Sandra organises regular training courses for staff on service, etiquette, manners. At both her hotels, the in-house multi-cuisine restaurant, ‘Casa Menino’ puts thrust on health-conscious items in the menu.
As a hotelier, she finds transitional changes in the tourism industry after the pandemic. “We are experiencing a high. A lot of domestic tourists are travelling more than before. I won't say booming, it's a mixed bag as many tourists are now opting for foreign destinations. The pandemic hit us quite badly and we had to stay shut for almost six months but we revived slowly and gradually,” she shares.
Speaking about her guests at the hotels, Sandra agrees that they have all kinds of tourists – locals, business clients and international. “Lot of tourists from France, Italy and Portugal have stayed at both our hotels. There are many regulars from UK and Portugal who have been our regular clients for many years,” she adds. According to her, tourists generally come for casinos and beaches in Panaji and Ponda being the temple town, the tourists visit more during temple festivals.
Goa is the favourite destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Sandra feels, “We really need to revamp the image of Goa. Goa is not all or only about beaches and alcohol. We need to promote the hinterland tourism in a big way. Secondly, our films should also portray Goa in an appropriate way. That's my sting grouse against the portrayal of Goa and Goans.”
Mentioning that her hotels face a drop in occupancy during off season, Sandra recalls of a big challenge that came her way in 2011 when she lost her husband and the sons were too young. Gradually she took the reins of the business and carried on. It was difficult to take orders from a lady boss but eventually the staff got the hang of it. Another challenge she faces today is the paucity of staff.
Before marriage Sandra was in the teaching profession. Having taught at Nowrosjee Wadia College in Pune and St Xavier’s College in Mumbai, Sandra takes pride in calling herself an edutainer and a business woman. In Goa, she taught management students at MES College in Vasco and conducted programmes and workshops at GVM College in Ponda. And her stint at Sharada Mandir School over the last decade has been a journey of excitement with a lot of learning and unlearning activities.
“I have taught Economics in Wadia College for a number of years even taking post-graduate classes. Teaching transcends all boundaries which I felt in my economics class in the BBA department of MES College Vasco where I taught a group of Afghani students. The most dedicated lot and always ready to learn. At one point they wanted to improve their handwriting and I even taught them using red and blue line books. Today they have gone on to do their MBA and are working in good companies across the world,” she shares.
As a student Sandra was passionate about writing and has had many articles published in Maharashtra Herald Pune dealing with women issues. She recalls interviewing eminent personalities like the ghazal singer Talat Aziz and the eminent lawyer late Ram Jethmalani. In Goa she has written for local English dailies. But somewhere down the line due to work pressures the writing has stopped. Throwing an assuring smile she quips, “I really need to get back to writing as that was a great stress buster.”
She asserts that one must have two career options in today’s times and tells her students to have plan A and plan B in life. Something may start as a passion and turn into a profession, you never know, she exclaims. Of all her roles, she enjoys teaching the most as it allows her to interact with the youth where she can try to make a difference in their life.
“In the ever changing times we need to adapt and change according to the times to get a holistic learning environment. Guiding aspiring and promising students in their future career choices is crucial. As per my mantra to success, maintaining a positive attitude and outlook even in the face of challenges and setbacks is the thing,” concludes Sandra.
