Success Stories

• Two sisters breathe new life into their late grandfather’s leather business by transforming it into a vibrant online brand.
• It offers affordable, high-quality leather products in bold, modern colors—breaking market stereotypes.
• Despite challenges in a male-dominated industry, the sister duo is steadily growing toward global recognition.

In a heartwarming tale of legacy, passion, and empowerment, two sisters from Karachi have reimagined their late grandfather’s humble leather business into a thriving online brand that’s turning heads both locally and globally.

What started in 1975 as a small leather retail shop in Saddar by master craftsman Turab Ali Ismail Ji Munniwala, is now making a bold statement in Pakistan’s modern retail scene—thanks to Marium (32) and Sakina Hussain (25), granddaughters of the founder and co-founders of ‘Turab’, a brand named in his memory.

The transformation began in February 2022, when the sisters, both professionally established in their own right—a graphic designer and a corporate lawyer—decided to step in to support their aging father, Aqeel Hussain, who had taken over the family business in 1985. In a society where sons are traditionally expected to carry on family businesses, the sisters defied norms and took the reins with determination and vision.

Their brand, Turab, is not just preserving a legacy—it’s reinventing it. Offering a variety of leather products such as tote bags, crossbody bags, duffel bags, wallets, laptop sleeves, and travel organizers, the brand stands out for its minimalist designs and bold colors—a refreshing contrast to the conventional browns and blacks that dominate Pakistan’s leather market.

From design to branding, photography to packaging, the sisters run nearly every aspect of the business themselves. Marium handles branding and photography, often capturing Sakina modeling the bags in their home-based studio, which they fondly refer to as the “Turab Room”—once their grandfather’s bedroom.

Yet, the journey hasn’t been without hurdles. At exhibitions, they often face skepticism—especially from men who question their expertise.  Today, Turab is fulfilling multiple orders daily, and their products have started reaching international customers in Dubai, Canada, and the USA. The sisters now dream of launching a flagship outlet and making Turab a household name—not just in Pakistan, but around the world.

Stay tuned to wow360.

Every year, as International Women’s Day approaches, the world stops to reflect on the progress made and the long road still ahead. But this year at The Coach360, we wanted to do more than just reflect. We wanted to accelerate action and hand over the mic to women who are driving change!

With IWD 2025 calling for a faster push towards gender equality, we knew exactly where to look for inspiration – in the stories of women who are already accelerating actions. Women who, in their unique ways, are redefining industries, challenging norms and paving the way for generations of women to come.

Representation Matters

Change isn’t a massive breakthrough every year. It happens in everyday conversations, on playing fields, in studios, in factories, in meeting rooms – wherever women step up and say I belong in this space too. This is why The Coach360’s campaign wasn’t just about picking women from different industries, it was about choosing voices that truly embody the spirit of action.

Meet The Women Leading The Change 

Mantahaa Tareen is a certified health and wellness coach. She helps people achieve balanced, stress-free lives through fitness, nutrition, and mental wellness. With international certifications, she focuses on preventive health and lifestyle transformation. Her wellness studio, based in Karachi, offers customizable programs for sustainable health and fitness.

Annie Arsalan is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience across HR, training, supply chain, and product development. She has excelled in global textile manufacturing, driving organizational growth through leadership and development programs. Certified in SHRM, NLP (ABNLP), and Situational Leadership, she brings expertise in HR operations and training.

Aqsa Muhammad is a seasoned midfielder for Karachi United Women’s Football team, bringing over 11 years of experience to the game. Aqsa has been a vital part of women’s football, showcasing skill, leadership, and passion on the field. She also represents Pakistan as a youth social ambassador for the Asian Football Federation. As part of her role, she is engaged with a number of workshops and programs that are focused on philanthropy, diversity and social development.

Aleena Akram is a passionate team manager at Karachi United Women’s team, committed to developing talent and encouraging a strong football culture. With a deep love for the sport, she focuses on skill development, teamwork, and empowering players to excel on and off the field.

Ayesha Pirwani is the CEO of WearKiswa, where she manages all marketing, procurement and operational responsibilities, leading the brand to success. Ayesha is an MBA in marketing, a Masters in Mathematics, and a UK-certified HR specialist. After working remotely for Canadian companies, she started WearKiswa to pursue her passion.

Farhat Kapadia Mehboob is the founder of Wow360 & CEO at Alphabyte Digital. She has led Brandsynario, launched VeryFilmi.com, and founded Syndicate, an independent content company. She founded Wow360.pk to highlight inspiring female role models. Her work spans global industry events like Cannes Lions and Effie Awards, showcasing her expertise in impactful communication.

Each of these women represent not just success but resilience. The kind that challenges the norms, changes landscapes and creates new blueprints for the future.

True empowerment begins by listening. It begins by asking the right questions and sparking a thoughtful conversation. And that’s what The Coach360 did. They asked these women what their biggest barrier to success was, what they think should be changed, or what can be done in a better way. The answers weren’t sugarcoated. They weren’t neatly packed with inspiring motivational quotes. They were raw and honest. Just how real change is, not comfortable.

Now, while these stories are powerful, they shouldn’t be rare. Significant barriers to gender equality still exist. However, The Coach360’s campaign showcases that progress is not only possible, but it is already happening. And the credit goes to the woman who refused to wait for permission, who created their opportunities, and who led with action, not just words.

It’s easy to celebrate Women’s Day, but real change? That takes consistent action, support and encouragement to keep pushing forward. So this Women’s Day, The Coach360 celebrates women who are driving change, making way for a better world for the women to come. Because when women rise, the world rises with them.

While Women’s Day is a day to celebrate and reflect on the progress made, it also serves as a reminder of the hard work that still lies ahead. As a women led community, we are committed to being a part of this transformative journey by empowering women around us – providing a platform for an equitable future. Let’s all pledge to accelerate action within our capacities because as they say charity begins at home.

Stay tuned to wow360.

• • Suboohi Arif develops Pakistan’s first AI-powered fabric defect detection system, ensuring 99% accuracy.
  • The AI system boosts efficiency, reduces costs, and enhances export potential for textiles.
  • This innovation positions Pakistan as a leader in AI-driven textile manufacturing.

In a groundbreaking achievement for Pakistan’s textile industry, Suboohi Arif, an innovative engineer, has developed the country’s first AI-powered fabric defect detection system. This revolutionary technology aims to enhance quality control, minimize waste, and boost efficiency in textile manufacturing—one of Pakistan’s most significant economic sectors.

The Problem: Fabric Defects Cost Millions

Textile production is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, contributing significantly to exports. However, maintaining consistent quality has always been a challenge. Defective fabrics lead to massive financial losses, increased material waste, and dissatisfied customers. Traditionally, textile manufacturers rely on manual inspection, which is not only time-consuming but also prone to human error. Even skilled workers can miss subtle flaws, leading to costly rejections in global markets. Recognizing this gap, Suboohi Arif leveraged artificial intelligence to create a game-changing solution that automates fabric inspection with unmatched speed and accuracy.

AI to the Rescue: A Smarter Way to Detect Defects

Suboohi’s AI system is trained using advanced machine learning algorithms and computer vision technology. By scanning fabrics in real-time, the system can detect minute defects, including:

• • • Weaving faults
    • Color inconsistencies
    • Thread misalignment
    • Holes and snags
    • Pattern distortions

Unlike manual inspection, which can take hours and is subject to fatigue-induced mistakes, AI-powered detection is precise, fast, and reliable, ensuring 99% accuracy in identifying fabric flaws. This means fewer defective products reach the market, saving both time and resources for manufacturers.

Impact on Pakistan’s Textile Industry

The introduction of this AI system could redefine textile production standards in Pakistan. Here’s how:

Increased Efficiency – The system scans fabrics faster than human inspectors, improving production speed.
Cost Reduction – Early defect detection means less waste and lower rejection rates from buyers.
Improved Export Potential – Meeting high international quality standards can strengthen Pakistan’s position in the global textile market.
Worker Empowerment – Rather than replacing human workers, AI assists them, reducing workload and allowing them to focus on more specialized tasks.

A Proud Moment for Pakistan’s Tech Innovation

Suboohi Arif’s AI-powered solution is not just a breakthrough for textile manufacturers but also a testament to Pakistan’s growing potential in AI-driven innovation. The technology has already caught the attention of major textile exporters and international investors, paving the way for widespread adoption.

As industries worldwide embrace automation, Suboohi’s pioneering efforts highlight how AI can be a game-changer for traditional industries, driving economic growth and positioning Pakistan as a leader in smart textile manufacturing.

With this revolutionary step, the future of Pakistan’s textile industry looks brighter than ever.

Stay tuned to WOW360.