Q & A
Hear from inspirational women in your community!
Film director and Founder: Eves Skin, Force De Fem, Wattle Tree Productions
Founder: Cush & Coosh
Shirin Jelil:
What inspired you to start your business?
"I've always been drawn to the world of design and knew I wanted a career where I could express my creativity. Property staging and styling became the perfect outlet, allowing me to combine my passion for interior design with my eye for detail.
I love transforming spaces into warm, inviting homes that not only look beautiful but also help buyers connect emotionally with a property. Seeing a space come to life and knowing it has made a difference is what continues to inspire me every day."
What role has your faith played in shaping your journey, decisions, and definition of success?
"My faith has been the foundation of my journey, influencing both my personal and professional life. It gives me the confidence to be myself and the freedom to pause and pray whenever I need guidance or strength.
When it comes to decision-making, I always ask myself whether a choice aligns with my values and my faith. That principle helps me stay true to who I am and the kind of business I want to build.
My definition of success isn’t measured by wealth or status. Success, to me, is being able to earn an honest, halal income while doing work I love and providing for my children. If I can support my family with integrity and remain true to my faith, then I consider myself successful.
What advice would you give to young Muslim women who are unsure about pursuing their ambitions or entering spaces where they may feel underrepresented?
"My advice would be to always be yourself and never let the fear of being different stop you from pursuing your ambitions. Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you go out, create them, and represent yourself. If you keep waiting for someone else to lead the way, you may never take that first step.
Be confident in who you are and don’t be afraid to enter spaces where you may be underrepresented. Your presence matters, and you never know who you might inspire just by showing up.
Stay humble, hold onto your faith, and trust that Allah has written your path. When you remain true to your values and work with sincerity, the right doors will open for you."
What impact do you hope your work creates for others or your community?
"I hope my work inspires others to believe that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of your values. I want people to see that when you pursue what you genuinely love, work with integrity, honesty, humility, and dedication, you can achieve your goals while staying true to yourself.
Most importantly, I hope to remind others that your faith should always remain your foundation. No opportunity or amount of money is worth compromising who you are. I want my journey to show that it’s possible to build a successful business, make a positive impact, and stay grounded in your beliefs every step of the way."
Mariam El Houli
What is one lesson you wish you knew when you were starting your journey?
"I wish I had learnt earlier not to seek validation from people who have never walked the path I wanted to take. In the beginning, I shared every idea, hoping for encouragement, but not everyone will understand your vision.
Some dreams are meant to be protected until they are strong enough to stand on their own. Believe in your purpose, trust Allah's timing, and don't let other people's limitations become your own."
What message would you like to share with the next generation of Muslim women who want to build successful careers or businesses?
"Never let anyone convince you that your faith is a barrier to your success. Your values are your greatest strength, not your weakness. Invest in your education, master your craft, work with excellence, and lead with integrity. Success is not about becoming the loudest person in the room—it's about creating lasting impact through your character, your actions and your service to others.
Dream boldly, work relentlessly, and always remember that what Allah has written for you will never miss you."
What does success mean to you beyond achievements and financial goals?
"Success, to me, is no longer measured by money, awards or titles. Those things come and go. Real success is going to bed knowing I stayed true to my values, made a positive impact on someone's life, and left the world a little better than I found it.
It's raising children with strong character, creating opportunities for others, serving my community, and never compromising my faith or integrity in the pursuit of success. I want my legacy to be measured by the lives I touched, not the possessions I accumulated.
At the end of the day, the greatest success isn't what we leave behind—it's what we send ahead through our good deeds."
Was there a moment in your journey where you doubted yourself? How did you push through it?
"Absolutely. More than one moment. There were times I questioned whether I was good enough, whether I belonged in certain rooms, and whether I was capable of building the life I dreamed of. Self-doubt is something I think every person experiences, no matter how successful they appear from the outside.
What got me through wasn't suddenly becoming fearless. It was choosing to keep moving despite the fear. I stopped waiting until I felt confident and started taking action anyway. Every small win built a little more belief in myself.
I also learnt that confidence doesn't come before the work—it comes because of the work. My faith played a huge role too. I truly believe that if Allah opens a door for you, no one can close it. My job is simply to keep showing up, putting in the effort, and trusting that what is meant for me will never miss me."
What impact do you hope your work creates for others or your community?
"More than anything, I want people to realise that where you start in life does not determine where you finish. If my work can help one woman believe in herself, become financially independent, pursue education, or find the courage to leave a difficult situation and rebuild her life, then I have succeeded.
I also want to normalise conversations around mental health, financial literacy and leadership within our community, because strong, educated women create stronger families and stronger communities."