Faten Hodroge

I am writing a book on the Halloween Industry, spanning the last 15 years. The costume side of the Halloween industry is estimated at $3.2 billion by the NRF (pre-covid), growing from a base of $1.2 billion in 2005. In the last 7 years, the industry has seen a growing number of bankruptcies and closures at the retail side, and most recently at the manufacturing and wholesale level. I am looking at the forces that have shaped the industry and the extent to which what we see in the Halloween industry is a microcosm of what we have seen in the overall economy. The impact of Big Tech companies on the industry and small businesses will be carefully examined.

Fytz Design is home accessories design and manufacturing focused on functional minimalist authentic product, with modern flair, quality craftsmanship, yet within reach. A co-founder and involved in the venture since its inception. Some of work undertook includes preparing a business strategy, including market research, data analysis, competition assessment to identify various potential market niche to focus on and product to offer; evaluated proposed new products, undertook market test, and proposed changes to design; reviewed financial costing and financial plan; identified regulatory requirements; identified sustainable source of raw material; prepared key words analysis on market place, reviewed competitors positioning and planned launch strategy. Options for strategic alliance are being evaluated. Two products have been launched and 3 new products are being manufactured and expected to be launched January 2020.

Leading Canadian Online Halloween Costumes Store, for costumes, accessories, wigs, hat, décor, make up, and more. As a co-founder and president, involved in strategic planning and managing all aspect of the company's operation, including marketing, purchasing, finance, operation and staff hiring. Intimate knowledge of challenges and opportunities facing e-commerce businesses, and hand-on experience in website design, customer focused strategy, digital marketing, and market places.

As a member of Private Sector Operations Department, the position included evaluating investment proposals submitted to the Bank and seeking private sector partnership in line with the Bank operational strategy.

Team Leader of urban development loan and technical assistance, responsible for identification, conceptual design, appraisal and preparation of all aspects of a project, including the technical, financial, economic, social, environment and legal issues; supervising the input of expert specialists; liaising with high level government officials and developing consensus among the various stakeholders; and managing the overall processing and approval of the project and technical assistance at various stages. Financial analyst to various integrated urban development, municipal services, water supply, sanitation, solid waste, slum upgrading projects and technical assistances with responsibility for detailed financial analysis of projects, with particular attention to financial sustainability, economic rate of return, debt servicing capacity, sensitivity analysis on tariff, macroeconomics and other assumptions. Water as an essential service, affordability of poor constituent, political issues constraining tariff increase were important consideration in the analysis. Focal point for policy issues, strategy and initiatives in the water supply sector relating to private sector involvement and financial issues facing the sector; lead the technical assistance for the first pilot build-operate-transfer (BOT) project in the water supply in PRC; undertook policy dialogue with the Government of the Philippines on advancing the sanitation investments for the recently privatized Manila Waterworks and Sewerage System; lead assistance to revise the national water tariff policy, and improve cost recovery and debt financing by local governments. Attending and representing the Bank at a number of workshops and conferences (IFC conference on Housing Finance in Indonesia; USAID conference on Corporate Governance in Philippines; the Asia Water Conference in Singapore where she presented a paper on the Bank’s role in promoting private sector investment in water supply.)

Involved in various mandates in the UK, Eastern Europe and other part of the worlds, advising governments, prospective investors and companies on investment decision, corporate restructuring, policy and privatization strategy. She is particularly skilled in analyzing projects and assessing the financial risks associated with a given institutional and regulatory framework. Some of these mandates included: Advised on the flotation value of two integrated electricity companies in view of planned privatization. Valuation scenarios examined included restructuring, operational improvements and various tariff structures. Advised the Polish Government on corporatization and privatization of a major Polish mining company and possible alliance with strategic foreign investors. Advised the EC Commission on the development of a methodology to identify indirect subsidies to state-owned companies.

Involved in various audit mandates and special review in various sectors including Telecom, insurance and non-profit foundations.

Worked on various audit mandates in sectors covering manufacturing, infrastructure and non-profit foundation. Qualified as a chartered accountant in 1988.