When a Genumarker has a big order that they need to make sure is right, they call upon the “Cheetah.” Our Project Manager, Shuchita Ukidave is always there, ready to back you up to help you accomplish any project! An 8 year Genumark veteran, she has come a long way, from her small town of Panvel in India to sporting her cowgirl hat in Calgary where she also acts as Office Manager of the Genumark Calgary Office.
Changing it up from the regular Zoom talks, we picked up the phone and had a little chat with Shuchita!
SHUCHITA, WHAT DO YOU DO ALL DAY?
Well, I wear many hats. I am the Office Manager here at the Calgary Office but also the Project Manager for all of Genumark. My regional role is currently limited due to the pandemic but it generally involves receiving products to our warehouse, cataloguing and maintaining our showroom, and of course, keeping the lights on! As Project Manager, I help Genumark Account Managers from across the country in coordinating “big project” orders for clients. Especially with so many working from home, kits have been so important, so I help make sure the project flows seamlessly.
DO YOU HAVE ANY NICKNAMES?
Chita (Cheetah). It was one way to help people pronounce my name, which is properly pronounced as “Shoe-Cheetah.”
WHAT DID YOU DO BEFORE THE PROMO INDUSTRY?
Housewife, prior to which I worked as an Urban Planner.
COOLEST PROMOTION PRODUCT YOU’VE SEEN AT GENUMARK?
The Ugly Christmas Sweaters for WestJet were a project I coordinated. I thought they were so cool and trendy!! So happy we have a case study on them!
DREAM JOB AS A KID? FIRST REAL JOB?
I thought I would be a poet, or an architect, since I love building design. My first real job was as a drafts-person, which is someone who assists architects.
YOU LOVE ARCHITECTURE, WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PIECE?
The Taj Mahal. It is huge!! It is a monolithic mass with just one arch! It is superbly intricate with so many details to look at, especially up close.
IF YOU COULD LEARN ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would like to learn how to swim. I never really had the chance before.
DEAD OR ALIVE, DREAM DINNER GUEST?
It would be my parents! Because they still live in India, I don’t get to see them in person often. They have visited Canada only once and now, with the pandemic, it is even harder to try and meet them.
INTERESTS OUTSIDE GENUMARK?
I am an avid Toastmaster and I enjoy painting. I have actually had my art selected to be showcased in a gallery in Scarborough. I was very proud.
WHAT IS YOUR INSPIRATION WHEN YOU PAINT?
Most of my art is black and white. I like the clarity and contrast it brings. A lot of my paintings are inspired by buildings
FAVOURITE FOOD AND ADULT DRINK?
I have many adult drinks that I like 😉 Martinis, Manhattans, White Russians. Many of them go great with Italian food too, which I love!
THREE WORDS THAT DEFINE YOU?
Simple. Sincere. Strong
IF YOU COULD RELATE TO ANY FICTIONAL CHARACTER, WHO WOULD IT BE?
When I was growing up, I loved and felt like I totally related to the Indian goddess Parvati. She is a very simple but beautiful god.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW?
FawltyTowers. It is a British TV show. They only had 12 episodes, but it is so well done and amazing. AMAZING! The main character, Basil Fawlty, is hilarious!
WHAT IS THE BEST EVENT IN CALGARY
Stampede for sure. I have been twice. I live downtown and get lucky a lot of the time with being able to see the festivities from my balcony. Not only that, but I can enjoy it in my pyjamas!
WHAT WOULD YOU TELL YOUR YOUNGER SELF?
Go to Canada much sooner! I could have started my career earlier.
WHAT IS THE BEST DISH YOU CAN MAKE?
I can make so many well!! Pourin pouli is probably the best Indian dish I can make.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE POEM?
My favourite poem is by Portia Nelson. It is called Stages of Change:
Chapter 1
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in.
I am lost…
I am helpless.
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe
I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes me a long time to get out.
Chapter 3
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in.
It’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.
Chapter 4
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.
Chapter 5
I walk down another street.
HOW MUCH COFFEE DO YOU DRINK A DAY?
I am a tea drinker… it is hard to count the number of cups because the kettle is always going in my house. Let’s say 4-5 cups, plus 2 cups of coffee.
WORDS OF ADVICE TO OTHERS?
Karma is a… well you know!
