/ Sexy & Successful 2011 - Chris Achar

by Anokhi Admin

Sexy & Successful 2011 – Chris Achar

Jul 16, 2013

President And Founder Of Genesis Life Sciences and of Divya Wines

You'd be hard-pressed to find another half-Chinese, half-Indian man who is quite as sexy or successful as Chris Achar. The Los Angeles native is the president and founder of pharmaceutical company Genesis Life Sciences, which focuses on the development of generic drugs. His company is conducting clinical trials for two products in India with another four to five in their product pipeline. Business was always in Achar's blood and in fact, his father and grandfather were entrepreneurs themselves. Achar got the bug early on and he even started off his career working in the mailroom of his dad's pharmaceutical company. Achar studied Business Marketing at California State University Northridge and has an MBA in Entrepreneurship from Pepperdine University.

Achar's other passion (also shared with his father) can be found in the vineyards. The two men launched Divya Wines in 1996, recognizing that grapes are a lucrative business and tapping into the burgeoning interest in wine among the South Asian community. The name Divya Wines was inspired from the Sanskrit word meaning “divine” and their label designs are a definite nod to mehndi designs. Divya Wines sets itself apart from the pack as their wine collection pairs exceptionally well with the strong flavours and spicy aromas of South Asian and Pan Asian cuisines. This year, Achar hopes to expand both his pharmaceutical and wine business. He's also testing the waters to see if consumers are interested in buying “health-conscious wines,” such as red wines that lower one's cholesterol.

Q&A

Zodiac sign: Capricorn.

Relationship status: Single.

Best way to unwind: Depends on what I need to unwind from. If it's life, then a couple- days escape to Goa, India, while of course stopping to see my grandparents in India, which always relaxes my soul. Otherwise, I can always count on a glass of smooth red wine to do the trick.

Fave Bollywood movie: Dostana because it was hilarious and the music is great.

Favourite Hollywood movie: Snatch. Can't go wrong with a Guy Ritchie movie involving gypsies, boxing, and one big diamond.

Favourite book: It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins. As you can imagine, it's an incredibly inspirational read.

Guilty pleasure: When I'm in India, pani puri is a must and when I'm States-side, a McDonald's ice cream cone.

If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why? Teleportation! So I could go anywhere my heart desired on a moment's notice. No more booking flights, no more security, no hassle . . . just instant satisfaction. Of course I'd be able to take my friends along too.

What is on your iPod? I listen to everything. I always have a mix of Bollywood songs that I've come across, both old and new, and I also keep up to date on most of the top 40 stuff.

Something quirky about you no one would know: Whenever I'm at a restaurant with someone, and we're done eating, I have a tendency to clean up and stack plates neatly on top of one another followed by utensils and napkins. Call me crazy, but I hate clutter at a dinner table.

Best personal feature and why: My smile. I've noticed that a simple smile has always helped get things moving in the right direction.

Best feature on the opposite sex: Eyes.

Celebrity crush: Sonam Kapoor.

If you had to choose, would it be romance or hot sex? Hot romance followed by…

Three things you can't live without: My family, my iPhone, my afternoon tea.

Most memorable professional moment: Thus far, the launch of our Divya wine label since it was something cool and unique (or should I say ANOKHI) for the Indian-American community. Our labels are inspired by mehndi artists . . . but believe me the best is yet to come.

Most valuable life lesson: Life is about living in the now. While having goals and dreams are never a bad thing, we must not forget that living in the NOW is what will eventually get us to our goals and dreams. So live, appreciate, and enjoy life now . . . tomorrow can wait.

Motto you live by: "Get busy living, cause baby, dying is a pain in the ass." – Frank Sinatra.

_{BY: TAMARA BALUJA / PUBLISHED: 8TH ANNIVERSARY SEXY & SUCCESSFUL ISSUE/ JANUARY 2011}