With a degree in Public Relations from the Erasmus Hogeschool Brussel, Siham Makrache joined the Grand Casino Brussels VIAGE when it opened in June 2010. Since then, she has progressed within VIAGE, holding a management position where she works with more than 200 people. Since 2019, she has also been President of the Artemis network of women entrepreneurs in Brussels.
How did you end up in a management position at the Grand Casino Brussels VIAGE?
‘Almost fifteen years ago, I responded to a job advertisement. It said that a 14,000 m², 7-storey entertainment centre with a gourmet restaurant was looking for someone to look after events. I applied, not knowing that it was a casino. If that had been the case, I probably wouldn't have applied. I went through the interviews and was hired. My first job was in the marketing department, where I only dealt with events and internal communications’.
Was it easy to find your place?
‘You have to be passionate about it, because it's a field that's largely dominated by men, both in terms of the teams and the clientele.
Asserting my position was particularly complicated, because some people didn't tolerate my decisions, especially as I was very young. But it wasn't just a question of age: as a 27-year-old woman of colour, I found myself up against much more physically imposing men. However, coming from a Moroccan family of six children, with four girls and two boys, I was brought up to respect traditions. I learnt to defend myself and to forge my own identity. I've developed a strong character and I've been careful not to let myself be intimidated.
I also have the great advantage of being multilingual. Not only am I perfectly trilingual (Dutch, French and English), but I also speak Arabic, German and Spanish. As for the rest, I was faced with the usual obstacles that anyone can encounter when starting a career’.
Your responsibilities have gradually increased. Have you suffered any discrimination, particularly as a woman?
‘I courageously asserted my personality. Remarks like ‘She's not going to tell us what to do’ became so frequent that I lost sight of them.
I earned my various promotions by putting my skills to work for VIAGE and by working 14 to 15 hours a day.
When a man holds a position of responsibility, nobody questions his promotions. But when it's a woman, there will always be suspicions’.
You're a young mother. Is it difficult to combine your professional and private lives? Are there any tips or miracle recipes?
‘I worked at VIAGE for ten years before having my first child. I was there from morning to night and I couldn't imagine being a mother. I couldn't see how I could combine becoming a mother with my professional life. I had a really hard time telling the CEO that I was pregnant. I didn't know how to tell him. I almost felt at fault. I didn't think he would accept that I was less available. On the contrary, he supported me and congratulated me. He assured me that I had my full place at the casino. As women, we sometimes put pressure on ourselves that doesn't have to be there’.
How are you dealing with this major change in your life?
‘Today, I'm the mother of two children, a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year-old boy. The advantage is that I can work short shifts.
As this is a day and night job, my hours are flexible and can easily be adapted to my family life. The other side of the story is the long days, because life at VIAGE never sleeps. I also organise my days with some teleworking, but it's difficult for me to delegate because the heart of my job is to be present at all events. In the end, I don't have much time for myself, even to go to the hairdresser (she smiles as she touches her hair) or do sport’.
Since 2019, you have been chair of Artemis Brussel, a network of Dutch-speaking women entrepreneurs.
‘In Brussels alone, it brings together between 200 and 300 active, CEOs and independent women. Even when I'm exhausted, I don't miss any of the events because they're incredible sources of positive energy. We give each other advice and tips on how to cope in a man's world, how to position ourselves, how to find a balance... It's not true that women don't get on with each other’.
What advice would you give to a woman who is called upon to take on a management role in a company?
‘For a man, there are no specific criteria for applying. A woman, even if she meets all the criteria, will still hesitate to apply. We're always a bit too cautious. My advice is always to stay natural and true to yourself and above all not to become what others expect or what you think others want.’
What assets can a female manager bring to the table?
‘First of all, there's charm. With a smile, the message comes across better. You have to combine charm and intelligence. It makes us more courteous, more honest, more direct. We also develop a deeper respect for others. Maybe it's a maternal instinct, but it's hard to switch off, and our work constantly occupies our minds, even in bed. At least I do. The casino is like my child! I was there from the very beginning and I've been able to witness its evolution’.
Interview by
Julien Semninckx, Freelance journalist at BECI