Not Your Typical CEO: My First Impressions of Mansi Panchal

 As an MBA student in Dubai, opportunities to intern at exciting startups always come with a bit of adrenaline. When my placement committee told me I had an interview lined up the next day for a marketing internship, I was thrilled. The role itself sounded like a perfect match for my interests, and I knew I had to give it my all. That evening, I did what every eager candidate does: I started researching. I went through every social media page of the company, tried to understand its tone, its audience, and its positioning. I was already mentally preparing my pitch and even noted down a few areas where I felt they could use a stronger marketing push. That’s when I first came across Mansi Panchal.

Her profile stood out instantly. At first glance, I noticed her beauty, her confident energy, and her photogenic presence. There was something about her that didn’t fit into the typical box of “corporate CEO,” and I was instantly curious. I assumed I’d be meeting someone sharp and professional, but I didn’t expect what came next.

The day of the interview, I walked into the Founder X office with nervous excitement. Just before my interview, I stepped into the washroom, trying to gather myself. There, I saw a woman talking on the phone, wearing a glittery outfit and confidently walking out like she owned the room. I didn’t think much of it, I assumed she was someone from an event or perhaps from the creative team. I went into the first round of interviews, and after a successful conversation, I was told I’d be meeting the CEO next. I was the first candidate lined up and asked to wait while she arrived.

About ten minutes later, the door opened and in walked the same woman from the washroom. That moment genuinely caught me off guard. I couldn’t help but smile wider. It wasn’t just the surprise of seeing her again, but rather it was the realization that the CEO, the face behind the company I had been researching, was this woman with the bold presence and unfiltered confidence.

As soon as Mansi sat across from me, I felt the atmosphere shift. She greeted me with a smile that felt warm and fierce at the same time. There was no air of superiority, no corporate coldness, just a powerful sense of clarity. She listened attentively as I pitched my ideas, took notes, and asked sharp, intentional questions that showed she wasn’t just listening but also processing. The more we spoke, the more I could see how she led this brand with not just strategy, but soul.

Then, mid-interview, she said a line I’ll never forget, “I like you.” In that moment, all the nerves I had been carrying melted away. My smile grew wider, and I felt genuinely proud of showing up as myself. That sentence didn’t just make my day, it reminded me that sometimes, the most powerful leaders are the ones who see you, hear you, and acknowledge your potential without fluff.

Meeting Mansi Panchal broke every stereotype I had of what a CEO is supposed to be like. She’s bold, she’s real, and she leads with both style and substance. From that very first impression, I knew she wasn’t just building a company; instead, she was building a brand with vision, authenticity, and unapologetic confidence. And as an intern, I knew I wasn’t just going to learn marketing, but also was going to learn how to lead.