Entrepreneurship

A Day in the Life with Shirley D'Mello

By
Bibiana Obahor
November 16, 2023
Shirley D'Mello
Today, we spotlight Shirley D'mello, the indomitable force behind the Dubai-based design powerhouse, 'By Shirls'. She unravels her influences, aspirations, and the nuances she encounters, steering the helm at her acclaimed studio.

A Day in the Life

A Positive Start

7:30 AM - The day begins with making the bed, setting the right tone for what lies ahead.

Musical Mornings and Breakfast

9:00 AM - Upbeat tunes fill the air while she cooks breakfast, a ritual that boosts her energy.

Tackling Business

9:30 AM - With breakfast done, it's onto emails and any urgent matters. This period is dedicated to business—client emails, calls, and content planning.

Afternoon Hustle

1:00 PM - After lunch, the focus shifts to creating posts for her brand and completing client projects.

Digital Detox

5:30 PM - Work ends, emails are muted, and SHIRLS gives herself the space to unwind, ensuring work doesn't spill into personal time.

Staying Active

6:30 PM - Recognising the importance of movement, especially when working from home, a 30-40 minute workout is essential.

Evening Relaxation

8:00 PM - It's time to either connect with friends and family or indulge in home-cooked meals.

Nightly Ritual

11:00 PM - After a session of meme scrolling, Shirley heads to bed, ready to recharge for another day.


Juggling Work and Life

Balancing isn't about perfection. It's more about allocating time to work and time to do other things. I've devised a routine, splitting my day into segments: home duties, business tasks, physical activity, and personal time. Some days demand more attention in one area over another, but this structure ensures I address each essential part.

Career's Most Valuable Lesson

The most important lesson I've embraced is the value of time. It's our most precious, finite resource, and I’m extremely careful about how I spend it. Both in work and personal spheres, being discerning about where and how I invest my time is crucial.

Managing Stress

Handling stress is still a work in progress for me. I face challenges head-on, often multitasking to maintain momentum across projects. It’s a bit chaotic, and I’m still exploring strategies for more peaceful management.

Growth Strategies for Brand Presence

Three pillars define my brand growth: leaning into my personality, staying flexible, and being consistent.

Legacy Aspirations

I envision SHIRLS being synonymous with outstanding design. When someone sees a piece of my work, I want them to instantly recognise it as something I created.

Timeless Style Statement

If I had to wear one outfit for the rest of my life, it would be a black crop top, black trousers, gold hoops, and white sneakers. And on days I feel bold, I'll finish with a dark lipstick.

Fashion Elevator Tip

A fashion tip? Throw on an oversized jacket!

Comfort Meets Style

Comfort always comes first. Once I'm comfortable then style is usually infused with a pair of earrings, bold lipstick or funky rings.

Power of Authenticity

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been monumental for my brand. My genuine love for acting, lip-syncing, and using trendy audio to showcase my work has forged a deeper connection with my audience. It's this authenticity that has greatly contributed to my brand's success.

"I didn’t feel like I was putting on an act, it was me being my most authentic self and my audience recognised that..."

"Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been monumental for my brand."

Dream Job for a Week

To be an actress! I’ve always loved the idea of being on screen since I was young.

On the Bucket List

Watching the northern lights in Iceland is definitely on my bucket list!

A Nostalgic Era

Given a chance, I'd travel back to the 70's and 80's (even though I'm a 90's baby). The music, the films, the dance—it all feels so nostalgic and warm.

"My love for dancing is also inspired by all the 70’s and 80’s hits."

Golden Advice

Remember, there’s no official right way to do anything. Experiment and do what works for you.

Go-to Mantra

It will pass.

Follow Shirley on Instagram @identitybyshirls

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Entrepreneurship

A Day in the Life with Shirley D'Mello

Today, we spotlight Shirley D'mello, the indomitable force behind the Dubai-based design powerhouse, 'By Shirls'. She unravels her influences, aspirations, and the nuances she encounters, steering the helm at her acclaimed studio.

By
Bibiana Obahor
November 16, 2023
Shirley D'Mello

A Day in the Life

A Positive Start

7:30 AM - The day begins with making the bed, setting the right tone for what lies ahead.

Musical Mornings and Breakfast

9:00 AM - Upbeat tunes fill the air while she cooks breakfast, a ritual that boosts her energy.

Tackling Business

9:30 AM - With breakfast done, it's onto emails and any urgent matters. This period is dedicated to business—client emails, calls, and content planning.

Afternoon Hustle

1:00 PM - After lunch, the focus shifts to creating posts for her brand and completing client projects.

Digital Detox

5:30 PM - Work ends, emails are muted, and SHIRLS gives herself the space to unwind, ensuring work doesn't spill into personal time.

Staying Active

6:30 PM - Recognising the importance of movement, especially when working from home, a 30-40 minute workout is essential.

Evening Relaxation

8:00 PM - It's time to either connect with friends and family or indulge in home-cooked meals.

Nightly Ritual

11:00 PM - After a session of meme scrolling, Shirley heads to bed, ready to recharge for another day.


Juggling Work and Life

Balancing isn't about perfection. It's more about allocating time to work and time to do other things. I've devised a routine, splitting my day into segments: home duties, business tasks, physical activity, and personal time. Some days demand more attention in one area over another, but this structure ensures I address each essential part.

Career's Most Valuable Lesson

The most important lesson I've embraced is the value of time. It's our most precious, finite resource, and I’m extremely careful about how I spend it. Both in work and personal spheres, being discerning about where and how I invest my time is crucial.

Managing Stress

Handling stress is still a work in progress for me. I face challenges head-on, often multitasking to maintain momentum across projects. It’s a bit chaotic, and I’m still exploring strategies for more peaceful management.

Growth Strategies for Brand Presence

Three pillars define my brand growth: leaning into my personality, staying flexible, and being consistent.

Legacy Aspirations

I envision SHIRLS being synonymous with outstanding design. When someone sees a piece of my work, I want them to instantly recognise it as something I created.

Timeless Style Statement

If I had to wear one outfit for the rest of my life, it would be a black crop top, black trousers, gold hoops, and white sneakers. And on days I feel bold, I'll finish with a dark lipstick.

Fashion Elevator Tip

A fashion tip? Throw on an oversized jacket!

Comfort Meets Style

Comfort always comes first. Once I'm comfortable then style is usually infused with a pair of earrings, bold lipstick or funky rings.

Power of Authenticity

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been monumental for my brand. My genuine love for acting, lip-syncing, and using trendy audio to showcase my work has forged a deeper connection with my audience. It's this authenticity that has greatly contributed to my brand's success.

"I didn’t feel like I was putting on an act, it was me being my most authentic self and my audience recognised that..."

"Platforms like Instagram and TikTok have been monumental for my brand."

Dream Job for a Week

To be an actress! I’ve always loved the idea of being on screen since I was young.

On the Bucket List

Watching the northern lights in Iceland is definitely on my bucket list!

A Nostalgic Era

Given a chance, I'd travel back to the 70's and 80's (even though I'm a 90's baby). The music, the films, the dance—it all feels so nostalgic and warm.

"My love for dancing is also inspired by all the 70’s and 80’s hits."

Golden Advice

Remember, there’s no official right way to do anything. Experiment and do what works for you.

Go-to Mantra

It will pass.

Follow Shirley on Instagram @identitybyshirls

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linkedinpinterestmail
Entrepreneurship

A Day in the Life with Shirley D'Mello

By
Bibiana Obahor
November 16, 2023
Shirley D'Mello
Today, we spotlight Shirley D'mello, the indomitable force behind the Dubai-based design powerhouse, 'By Shirls'. She unravels her influences, aspirations, and the nuances she encounters, steering the helm at her acclaimed studio.

While the brands mentioned are not sponsored or paid advertisements, some of the products highlighted may earn us a commission.

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