Leaders

In the vibrant tapestry of modern entrepreneurship, some of the most dazzling threads are those spun by women who refuse to be confined to a single narrative. These are not just businesswomen, they are storytellers, trendsetters, and visionaries who navigate across industries with the ease of an artist switching brushes. With a daring blend of artistic acumen, Shabana Gulrays Rangwala is a dynamic and creatively driven entrepreneur with a diverse professional journey spanning fashion, media, advertising, and interior design.

Coming from a creatively rich family, her mother was a singer and teacher, and her father is an advertis­ing veteran. Shabana naturally gravitated toward ex­pressive fields. Beginning her career in fashion design after studying at IIFT in the 1990s, she later transitioned into media by working on iconic shows like Movers and Shakers. With hands-on experience across television production and Bollywood film production, she eventu­ally took on leadership roles in brand solutions at Car­toon Network and Pogo under Turner International.

Post the pandemic, Shabana co-founded Studio Sabr with her husband, Shabbir Rangwala, where she now leads design, operations, and client management. She also runs a boutique design firm, ID Bono, serving elite clients. Entirely self-taught in media, Shabana attributes much of her adaptability and creative instinct to her upbringing and relentless on-the-job learning.

What have been defining moments in your professional journey? Highlight key business lessons you learnt in the early days of your career that are still relevant in your professional life?

My professional journey has been all about embracing change. I started out wanting to be a fashion designer, then moved into media, and now I am deeply involved in interior fit-out and design. Each shift might have seemed challenging at the time, but I have always trusted my instincts, something I live by, especially the quote, “Change brings opportunity.”

Throughout my career, I've learned key business lessons that continue to push my professional journey. As a business leader, no matter how prepared you think you are, always be ready for the unexpected. Thorough research is crucial and it helps one stay prepared for out-of-the-blue questions. Maintaining alertness at all times can give you a significant advantage. It’s important to never hesitate from ask what might seem like a ‘stupid’ question, even if you're concerned about being judged.

Take us through your diverse professional journey. What key areas of expertise have you developed over the years?

At 20, I entered the television world, despite always being behind the camera. The early years were overwhelming as I faced a lot of roadblocks, but I kept going, always holding on to my dream of being a part of the Bollywood world. I began as a Guest Relations Executive on Movers and Shakers, where I did research and invited guests for the show. Then I moved into costumes for daily soaps and eventually became a Project Head for Bollywood films. Television instilled in me a strong sense of adaptability and taught me some powerful life lessons.

My shift into advertising and brand solutions happened unexpectedly. Advertising has always felt natural to me, probably because of my father, Jameel Gulrays, an advertising guru for Cartoon Network, Pogo, HBO & WB channels. My last media stint was in Brand Solutions, working on exciting collaborations between brands and content. I was asked to temporarily take over brand solutions at Cartoon Network and POGO, which ended on a high.

Introduce us to Studio Sabr. Tell us about the underlying idea and vision behind the venture and its key areas of expertise.

Studio Sabr, founded by Shabbir Rangwala, brings over 25 years of expertise in turn-key interior fit-out contracting to projects. With experience spanning the Middle East, Europe, and India, we lend personal attention to every project, ensuring a high level of refinement and value engineering.

Over the years, Studio Sabr has cultivated a global network of resources, enabling us to deliver a diverse range of interior design solutions tailored to various levels of luxury and budgets. We have established long-standing relationships with clients, assisting them in sourcing and installing interiors for Residential, Contract, and Hospitality projects. We are proud to have an esteemed list of A++ clients who have entrusted us with their vision.

Tell us about your transition from the media industry to the interior design sector. What crucial responsibilities do you shoulder as Partner at Studio Sabr?

Transitioning from the corporate world into a full-fledged partnership wasn’t easy. I had to unlearn a few things and open myself up to new ways of thinking. In the beginning, I consciously stepped back to understand the design and interior space better.

From a creative background, understanding technical and practical aspects took time. I started by observing, sitting in meetings, listening, learning, researching, and slowly building my understanding through hands-on experience.

Today, I proudly stand with my partner in life and business, Shabbir Rangwala, who has truly been my masterclass at Studio Sabr. I actively participate in design pitches, lead execution, manage on-site operations, and engage in client meetings to ensure every detail is aligned. I also handle HR, team support, admin, and billing for projects.

Looking back at your journey, what has been your guiding leadership philosophy? What is your ‘success mantra’?

My mother, a kindergarten teacher for over 25 years, had a unique strategy for dealing with children who would cry in her class. She would start singing. It would take a few minutes amidst the noise, but slowly, one child would join in, then another, and then another. Soon, the classroom would be filled with singing and enjoyment, even after the initial tears. This strategy has deeply ingrained in me the understanding that while it's okay to express distress, the ability to gather oneself and bring calmness when needed is incredibly important. It's as simple as changing the energy of the situation, and in turn, the situation itself changes.

Reflecting on my journey, my guiding leadership philosophy has been rooted in fostering a collaborative and empowering environment. I believe in leading by example, prioritizing communication, and valuing diverse perspectives to achieve common goals.

Shabana Gulrays Rangwala, Partner, Studio Sabr

Shabana Gulrays Rangwala is a versatile cre­ative professional and Partner at Studio Sabr, an interior design and fit-out firm. Her career spans fashion design, television production, Bollywood film production, and brand solutions for major TV channels. She later transitioned from media to entrepreneurship, applying her adaptability and creative insight to the design industry.