We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Huma Mirza and Sarrah Ajabshah, the Co-Founders of The Styling Duo Dubai-based creative and tailored interior design company specializing in residential and commercial spaces.
Huma has an accomplished educational background. She has consistently been a top performer. Her achievements of being a gold medalist throughout school and a distinction Business degree holder from a reputable university in the UK. Her interest in fashion & interior started at a young age, leading her to take various courses from the London College of Fashion. She has a natural aesthetic intellect that inspires her to bring her visuals to reality in designing & beautifying residential and commercial spaces.
Sarrah brings with her a creative & talented skill set that has been naturally acquired over the years. Her passion for Interior Design grew instinctively over time, and so she decided to pursue it professionally. Born & raised in the cosmopolitan city of Karachi, Sarrah is driven by creativity and positive vibes! She has a diverse portfolio of professional experience in the USA, UAE, and Pakistan.
They combine their complementary skills and passion for design to create unique and personalized spaces for their clients. Their attention to detail, creativity, and commitment to excellence has earned them a reputation as one of Dubai’s most sought-after interior design companies. Learn more about it through our interview below.
Passion As The Driving Force
We first asked, “Which career path led you to where you are today?”
“Both of us come from corporate backgrounds. We are grateful for the experiences and training we received in our corporate careers, which prepared us to thrive in a professional environment. However, in 2020, we decided to pursue our passion and turn it into our profession, and here we are today,” They said.
We were further interested in learning about how The Styling Duo came into existence. So, we asked, “What inspired you to develop the idea for your company?”
With that, Huma Mirza shares, “It was mainly our passion and shared interest in interior design that led to this company’s formation. The Styling duo was a brainchild of two women who always had an entrepreneurial nerve awaiting its calling. We realized the rising demand for home renovations and styling as people spent more time in their homes post Covid-19 and wanted experts to help them do up their spaces.”
Ultimate Brand Management
The priorities of a business tend to evolve over time in response to shifting market trends and the pursuit of its goals. So, we further asked, “How have your priorities in terms of business evolved since you first started?”
“Since we started our business in 2020, a lot has changed. We have experienced slow but steady growth, and as a result, we began implementing essential structures, including team building, vendor management, and legal structures. Now that the business operations are in place, our priorities have shifted to focus more on brand management.” Sarrah Ajabshah replied.
Understanding The Reality
Our next question was, “What are the most challenging situations that your company overcomes? What’s the key strength to overcome it?”
“Challenges are an inevitable part of every business, and we understand this reality at our company. Although delays in projects can occur due to unforeseen circumstances, we approach such situations with a solution-oriented mindset. We pause to consider what actions and solutions can be taken to resolve the situation.” they replied.
Understanding Clients
We were also curious about understanding how The Styling Duo stands out from the crowd. So, we then asked, “What makes your company stand out from all the other businesses in your industry?”
Huma continues, “At The Styling Duo, we pride ourselves on our tailored and custom-built business model. We approach each project individually by taking the time to understand our client’s unique requirements. This approach has resulted in numerous recurring clients who appreciate working with our talented duo and seek their ideas and guidance for decorating their homes and maintaining them over time.”
“What key performance indicators (KPIs) do you use to measure the success of your business?”
Sarrah added, “Some common KPIs that we use include:
- Customer satisfaction
- Revenue growth
- Client retention rate.”
Ultimate Interior Designing Skills
To understand the services of The Styling Duo, so we further asked, “Tell us something about your services. What are you working on now?”
“We offer a wide range of interior design solutions for both residential and commercial spaces. Our services include turn-key projects as well as styling and staging to enhance existing spaces. We specialize in working with holiday homeowners and companies to design spaces that generate maximum revenue from their properties. Additionally, we offer art curation services featuring established artists from all over the world.
Currently, we are working on a stunning 3 BHK apartment in the heart of downtown Dubai with breathtaking city views. We are also designing a show home villa in an upcoming Furjan community.” They replied.
What advice would you give to starting entrepreneurs?
They added, “Never lose hope! Stay focused, and always remember why you started in the first place. Instead of being solely goal-driven, concentrate on improving the process.”
Connect with Huma Mirza on LinkedIn
Find Sarrah Ajabshah on LinkedIn
