7 questions with … Minal Siyal

Minal Siyal is founder of e-commerce platform Beauty Binge, which stocks clean-ingredient skincare products. The company strives to offer products from the likes of environmentally driven start-ups and female-led businesses. With sustainability kept top of mind, Beauty Binge offers reusable and zero-waste packaging, such as cardboard boxes, jute bags, furoshiki gift boxes and tote bags. Siyal shares how Beauty Binge was born after leaving her career as account director at a marketing agency in Dubai.

What is the best way to start your day?  

Butter coffee and a nice morning stretch followed by my simple 3-step skincare routine. 

If you could be any character from a movie, who would you be?  

Not a movie character but I really like Ellen DeGeneres – her personality, wit and humour whilst making everyone so comfortable is something I adore. 

What is your greatest achievement?  

Building up the courage to quit my secure, successful marketing career to fulfil my personal aspirations. Being able to launch a purpose-driven, eco-conscious start-up amidst a pandemic in a market that is quite challenging and unique would be a personal achievement, if I may say so myself.  

What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?  

To take it easy in life. Life will take its course; one can try but not obsess and plan every little aspect of the future.

If you had 24 hours left on Earth, what would you do?  

Spend it with my closest loved ones, so leave then with the best memories and the warmest hugs.  

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?  

HH Sheikh Mohammad, the Ruler of Dubai. Yes, a leader who is an inspiration to many. He’s someone I’ve looked up to since I’ve aspired for success in any field of my career; someone who put Dubai on the map, transformed our country, city, community; gave hope, motivation, clarity to all those seeking purpose. If a person simply observes his actions and aspirations, that alone can be of immense learning. Having grown up in a city that I call my home but also a place that is world renowned for all its achievements makes me not only proud but confident that anything is possible if one has the vision and passion to make it come to life.  

What would you like to achieve in the next 10 years?  

Happiness in all my relationships. Contentment, with the person I am then and with those around me. Be a pioneer in clean beauty disruption, achieving my goal of ensuring conscious alternatives are easily accessible and available to all. Be a change-maker and reset norms that make us stagnant, thereby pushing boundaries driven by passion and purpose. 

7 questions with …Interviews

RELATED POSTS