Nairobi, July 23 -- The problem is that when you come from certain families, it becomes impossible to introduce yourself without people asking, "Oh, you're so-and-so's daughter?" The trouble, at least for Arjaa Shah, is that her name is an easy stick people use to beat her with.

She is part of the family behind the Kingsway Group of Companies, which owns Village Market Group, Tribe Hotel and Trademark Hotel. She currently serves as (acting) General Manager for Trademark Hotel and Village Market, and Deputy Corporate General Manager for Tribe Collection.

A graduate of Cornell University and Les Roches International School for Hotel Management, Arjaa does not deny her privilege; she just doesn't want to be defined by it. "I'm in the one p...