Syeda Raafia Mamujee – A Business Woman, A Changemaker

Compiled by Pirah Aijaz

Syeda Raafia Mamujee (SRM), an Entrepreneur and well-known personality in the Textile Industry, has recently gained much attention on social media after visiting seven Countries in Seven Days for the “Hawk Yacht Project”.

She is the Founder of SRM Couture and managing it, since 2016 in Karachi, Pakistan. Prior to this, she was working as a Textile Designer and Marketing Coordinator for a reputed brand Gul Ahmed Textile Mills. She has a broad experience in her field, which has helped her build a name in the Industry. 

In 2017, Syeda Raafia Mamujee launched an online portal on Facebook “Darwaish Zindagi”, to promote Pakistani culture and heritage. Through this platform, she promotes Pakistan Tourism, Eco-Tourism & much more, paired up with international partners, such as; Mandarin Oriental, Peninsula, and the Elite Super Yacht Industry. 

In 2018, she launched “SRM Atelier” where SRM Couture showcased her Divine Spiritual craftsmanship creating handmade bespoke designs, screen printing, etc.“SRM Atelier” has an open-door policy to promote Women Entrepreneurs giving them Free of Charge space to promote their own products. However, this doesn’t end here as there is much more to know about this celebrated Entrepreneur, who is an inspiration to many. 

At Fempreneur, we have had the great privilege to learn more about the challenges she’s faced.  So, let’s meet her!

Tell us about yourself and how you got started with your business venture “SRM Couture”?

It was my ambition. Having qualified as a Textile Designer, I was fortunate enough to have been able to work with Gul Ahmed Textiles, where I learned the textile industry’s skills, which further inspired me to create my own brand “SRM Couture”.

What inspired you to become a Textile Designer?

My parents inspired me to explore my talents, and chase my dreams and I found that this field resonated with me the most.

What challenges did you face while launching SRM Couture?

Designer Wear by SRM Couture is a unique concept – that is, creating designer wear apparel with ‘affordability’. A price-effective formula that gives, the opportunity to women from all walks of life to be able to ‘own’ designer wear apparel, was a challenge for SRM Couture but it was able to bring this concept into a working reality.

In your entrepreneurial journey, what are some of the milestones you’ve achieved?

I am the first Pakistani to have made a breakthrough in the Super Yacht Industry which is prestigious breakthrough, as I embarked on my entrepreneurial journey, I have taken the lead to support Women’s Empowerment, Woman rights, and Business Entrepreneurial Skills for homegrown businesses during Covid and post-Covid. I was the Lean-in Circle Coordinator, I was appointed as the first MKP Corporate Group, Woman Chapter President (2021-2022).

I’m working with Pakistan’s leading Facebook Community Womenza Pakistan as the “Head of the Diplomate Department” & “Head of the Textile & Lifestyle Department”.

I launched “Darwish Zindagi” – Travel Portal Promoting Pakistan on the International Arena & in Pakistan.

Also initiated “Darwish Sadaqa Jariya” platform to support Rural Areas of Sindh by providing installation of Water Pump in remote areas, refurbishment of rural mosques small scale projects, education, cottage industry training, etc…

I Founded, the “Sparks Business Club” a platform of professional females who contribute to supporting Woman Entrepreneurship and an advisory group on female-related health matters, etc.

I’m serving, as the Executive International Affairs Coordinator & Lifestyle advisor for Womenza Pakistan.

You’ve worked in many areas including Women Empowerment, Education, Domestic Violence, etc. Which one was the most rewarding?

I found supporting and assisting women against domestic violence or any type of abuse, as well as Education to be the most rewarding.

Currently, I am engaged in creating guidelines for Women against Sexual harassment at the Workplace, verbal abuse/remarks protocols, street harassment, cyber-bullying, and exploiting of women – Law & Order implementation with Law Enforcement is being discussed. More News will follow on this subject.

What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?

You have the possibility to give back to society and be a front-line leader standing fearlessly with the women of Pakistan.

Please share your views about the current state of the Pakistani Fashion Industry.

The Fashion Industry in Pakistan is a robust Industry. We have an abundance of talent. Together we can become a reckoning force in the International Fashion Industry, we would have to stay united, as members of the Pakistani Fashion Industry. We have the colors, lair, and know-how, with traditional creativity that is in abundance, we together must be able to fine-tune the fashion Industry, in a unified manner, to be able to make our Brands reliable, with high-quality products.

What is that one thing you want to change in the Pakistani Fashion Industry?

The one thing that I want to change in the Pakistani Fashion Industry would be “To promote values of ‘unity’ and ‘selflessness”.

Where do you see your brand in the next three years?

I would like to see SRM Couture as a trusted, reliable brand to take on the global markets on a small scale giving the World a taste of Pakistani Design, Art, and Culture incorporated into formal & informal attires. The aim is to cater to Overseas South Asians, residing in the USA, UK, Canada, and the European Union.