Saba Gul is a Pakistani-American entrepreneur and the founder of Popinjay, a social enterprise that aims to empower women artisans in Pakistan by providing them with economic opportunities and a platform to showcase their craftsmanship. She founded Popinjay in 2011 while pursuing her master’s degree in International Development from the University of Cambridge.
Popinjay’s mission is to create sustainable livelihoods for women artisans in Pakistan’s underprivileged communities by connecting them with global markets. The brand creates high-quality handcrafted accessories, such as bags, scarves, and jewelry, that blend traditional Pakistani craftsmanship with modern design aesthetics. Popinjay’s products are sold globally, with a focus on ethical and sustainable fashion practices.
Saba’s inspiration for Popinjay came from her experience working with underprivileged communities in Pakistan while pursuing her undergraduate degree in Economics from the Lahore University of Management Sciences. She saw the challenges faced by women artisans in these communities, who lacked access to markets and fair compensation for their work. Saba wanted to address these challenges and create a sustainable business model that could benefit these women and their families.
Under Saba’s leadership, Popinjay has grown to become a well-known brand in the ethical fashion space, recognized for its unique designs and commitment to social impact. The brand has won several awards, including 2014 Echoing Green Fellowship and the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award.
Saba is also a prominent advocate for social entrepreneurship and women’s empowerment. She has spoken at various events and conferences, sharing her experiences and inspiring others to use business as a tool for social change. She has also been featured in several media outlets, including Forbes and CNN, for her work with Popinjay.
Saba’s vision for Popinjay was to create a business model that not only provided economic opportunities for women artisans but also showcased their traditional craftsmanship to a global audience. She spent months traveling to underprivileged communities in Pakistan, building relationships with women artisans and understanding their needs.
Under Saba’s leadership, Popinjay has grown to become a successful social enterprise that has created sustainable livelihoods for hundreds of women artisans in Pakistan. The brand has been recognized for its unique designs and commitment to social impact, and Saba has become a prominent advocate for ethical and sustainable fashion practices.
Saba’s work with Popinjay has earned her several awards and honors, including the 2014 Echoing Green Fellowship, the 2015 Cartier Women’s Initiative Award, and the 2019 Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Social Entrepreneurship category.
In addition to her work with Popinjay, Saba is also involved in various other initiatives that promote social impact and women’s empowerment. She is a member of the Advisory Council for the Harvard Business School Social Enterprise Initiative and a mentor for several social entrepreneurs.
