Biography of Saba Gul: Founder & CEO of BLISS (now Popinjay)- Entrepreneur
Biography of Saba Gul:
Saba Gul: Engineer Turned Social Entrepreneur
Saba Gul, the founder and CEO of BLISS (now Popinjay), is a
recent MIT alumna with degrees in both BS and MS. Transitioning from a career
in Silicon Valley, Saba redirected her focus towards social good, having worked
in Sri Lanka and Ethiopia. Her achievements include being recognized as a World
Economic Forum Young Global Shaper and a fellow of The Unreasonable Institute.
Saba's impact has been acknowledged by prestigious platforms such as the US
State Department and media outlets like MIT Technology Review, Vogue, NBC News,
and Fast Company.
Overcoming Challenges in Startup Leadership
Setting up Popinjay posed significant challenges for Saba,
particularly as a sole founder. She emphasized the difficulty of building a
cohesive team without a co-founder to share the journey's emotional and
operational burdens. In the early stages, when traction was minimal, she faced
loneliness and the absence of immediate support. Over time, she learned to
navigate these challenges, eventually attracting a dedicated team pivotal to
Popinjay's growth and success.
Saba Gul: Empowering Women through Fashion and Social Impact
Saba Gul is a distinguished engineer with degrees from MIT,
where she earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. Beyond her
engineering career, Saba has devoted herself to social work and international
development, contributing her expertise in countries like Sri Lanka and
Ethiopia.
Learning on the Job: From Engineer to CEO
Starting Popinjay without a business or supply chain
background required Saba to rapidly acquire diverse skills essential for
running a company. Her learning curve included mastering manufacturing
processes, supply chain management, design, fundraising, marketing, and more.
Saba relied on mentors, peers, online resources, and hands-on experience to
acquire these skills. She views the continuous learning process inherent in
entrepreneurship as a more valuable education than traditional MBA programs,
albeit with its share of setbacks and challenges.
Current Focus: Building Company Culture
As Popinjay evolves, Saba's current focus is on nurturing
and shaping the company's culture. Recognizing the importance of fostering a
positive and productive work environment, she actively dedicates time to
understanding and implementing effective cultural practices. This strategic
emphasis reflects her commitment to ensuring Popinjay not only succeeds
commercially but also thrives as a supportive and innovative workplace.
Starting from Scratch: Determination Over Capital
Starting Popinjay, Saba began with minimal resources after
working for just a year post-Master's, using half her paycheck monthly to fund
initial pilot projects in Pakistan. She emphasizes that one doesn't necessarily
need savings from a high-paying job to start a startup; instead, determination
and belief in oneself play crucial roles in sourcing capital and driving
success.
From Idea to Action: The Journey to Full-Time
Entrepreneurship
Saba's journey towards founding Popinjay began during her
college years, where she sought impactful experiences in Sri Lanka and Africa.
After a turning point during full-time work post-graduation, where she ran a
successful pilot project in Pakistan, Saba swiftly decided to quit her job in
the US. Motivated by the community's response and her desire to make a lasting
impact, she embraced uncertainty and embarked on her entrepreneurial journey
without hesitation.
Founding Popinjay: A Fusion of Fashion and Social Good
Known as the founder and CEO of BLISS enterprise, now
branded as Popinjay, Saba Gul has made significant strides in the fashion
industry. Her company specializes in luxurious, hand-embroidered silk and
leather handbags, combining aesthetic appeal with ethical production practices.
Embracing Entrepreneurship: No Regrets
Reflecting on her decision to leave her corporate job, Saba
expresses no regrets. She views founding Popinjay as a transformative and
enriching experience that has expanded her life's possibilities and brought
unforeseen opportunities. Quoting Anais Nin, Saba emphasizes that life expands
with courage, a principle she embodies through her entrepreneurial pursuits
with Popinjay.
Biography of Saba Gul: Founder & CEO of BLISS (now Popinjay)- Pakistani-American Entrepreneur/Angel Investor/leather bags/Fashion Enterprise/Success
Impact and Vision
Popinjay stands out as an early Pakistani startup that has
garnered international acclaim. By creating artisan accessories and bags, Saba
Gul's enterprise provides sustainable livelihoods for many women artisans
across Pakistan. The enterprise not only promotes luxury and style but also
champions social empowerment and economic independence among its workforce.
Raising Capital: Challenges and Strategies
Raising capital for Popinjay proved to be a challenging
endeavor, particularly as a woman entrepreneur. Saba approached the process
with relentless preparation, persistence, and confidence in her vision. She
emphasizes the importance of instilling confidence in investors by
demonstrating persistence and a clear execution plan. Saba advises future
entrepreneurs to believe deeply in their ventures, seek feedback from
experienced individuals, and select investors wisely based on shared values and
mentorship potential. She underscores the necessity of resilience in facing
rejection and the importance of persisting until finding the right investors.
Advocacy and Influence
Beyond her entrepreneurial endeavors, Saba Gul is actively
involved in advocating for women's empowerment and development in Pakistan. Her
leadership extends to her role in the MIT South Asian Alumni Association, where
she contributes to initiatives aimed at advancing educational and social causes
in the region.
Recognition and Future Directions
Saba Gul's contributions have earned recognition in both the
fashion industry and social entrepreneurship circles in the US and beyond. Her
work exemplifies a successful blend of business acumen with a profound
commitment to creating positive social impact, setting a precedent for ethical
business practices worldwide.
Family Support and Personal Journey
Saba Gul reflects on the varying support she received from
her family in Pakistan regarding her entrepreneurial pursuits. While her mother
encouraged her to follow her passion, despite initial concerns, her father
struggled with the idea of her venturing into entrepreneurship. Despite these
challenges, Saba acknowledges her family's tolerance and bemused support as she
pursued her unconventional path, appreciating their understanding even when she
couldn't always be present for them.
Saba Gul's story exemplifies resilience, determination, and
the transformative power of pursuing one's passions despite initial doubts and
challenges. Her journey underscores the value of believing in oneself and
taking bold steps towards creating meaningful change.
A timeline summarizing Saba Gul's entrepreneurial journey
and contributions:
Early Career and Education:
Education at MIT: Earned both Bachelor's and Master's
degrees in engineering.
Early Career: Worked in Silicon Valley before transitioning
focus towards social impact.
Founding Popinjay (BLISS):
Pilot Projects in Pakistan: Ran successful pilot projects
after graduation.
Decision to Start Popinjay: Quit corporate job in the US to
found Popinjay, focusing on ethical fashion and social good.
Building Popinjay:
Initial Funding: Started with minimal personal savings,
funding pilot projects in Pakistan.
Challenges: Faced difficulties in team building and raising
capital as a sole founder.
Company Growth: Grew Popinjay into a recognized brand combining
luxury fashion with ethical production practices.
Recognition and Impact:
Global Recognition: Acknowledged by World Economic Forum,
MIT Technology Review, Vogue, NBC News, and Fast Company.
Social Impact: Provided sustainable livelihoods for women artisans
in Pakistan through artisan accessories.
Advocacy and Leadership:
Women's Empowerment: Actively advocates for women's
empowerment in Pakistan and globally.
MIT South Asian Alumni Association: Contributes to
educational and social initiatives.
Personal Journey:
Family Support: Received varying support from family; mother
supportive while father initially apprehensive.
Personal Growth: Views entrepreneurial journey as
transformative, emphasizing the importance of courage and resilience.
Future Directions:
Vision: Continues to grow Popinjay while advocating for
ethical business practices and social impact.
Legacy: Sets a precedent for combining business acumen with
social responsibility, inspiring future entrepreneurs.
Saba Gul's journey highlights her transition from Silicon
Valley engineer to social entrepreneur, focusing on empowering women through
ethical fashion while advocating for broader social impact and ethical business
practices.
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