Secret millionaire and healthcare entrepreneur Kavita Oberoi, 39, is the
Imelda Marcos of the business world, with a shoe count of more than 200
pairs and rising.
“I do love my shoes and I suppose I have got at least 200 pairs, with plenty
that haven’t been worn yet. I pick them up on my travels, often when I’m on
a work trip,” she said.
“I did spend £1,100 on a pair once. Then I was at a conference in Monaco and I
saw a pair for a couple of thousand pounds that I really wanted. They were
covered in diamonds, but I resisted. I told myself that if I landed another
big job I could reward myself with them and I know they have a 50% off deal
at certain times of the year. I’ll definitely get them in the end.”
Oberoi, 39, shot to fame on the Channel 4 series ‘The Secret Millionaire’. She
runs her own healthcare and IT consultancy, Oberoi Consulting, which she
started from scratch in 2001. It now employs around 20 people from a base in
Derby and makes undisclosed profits. Oberoi travels around the UK and
Europe, and occasionally on long-haul trips, to talk to clients, make
motivational speeches and look at new business opportunities.
So do you pack lots of shoes on business trips?
I’m actually quite good at travelling light but you do need shoes for
different occasions. If, for example, I was going on a two-night business
trip I would take a minimum of four pairs, but probably six or eight pairs
for the flexibility. I know that sounds a lot to a man, but women need
shoes to go with different outfits. I’ll only wear trainers if I’m running,
not if I’m out and about.
Tell us about your UK travel
I travel a lot to London and usually go straight down on the train. I’m lucky
because every half an hour there’s a train into London. It is horrendously
expensive – I’ve paid up to £200 return and it’s not unusual to pay £150
return. The trains are busy at that price, so I suppose they can afford to
charge that much. There’s no choice because driving into London is a
nightmare.
I recently went to Exeter on the train to see a client and that was a good use
of time because I could work while I was travelling.
Do you ever use the car?
I do drive to meetings, although not if I’m going to London because the
traffic is just ridiculous. But not all routes are accessible by train. I
drive a Mercedes CLK convertible.
What do you look for in a hotel?
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