Guzal Ergasheva on running Privé7 and Russian Social Club in Dubai
Sophia Dyer
With female empowerment at the fore, this is how the bussiness woman thrives in the UAE
Guzal Ergasheva’s journey from her roots in Uzbekistan to becoming a highly successful Dubai businesswoman is defined by her desire to empower women.
“When I was younger, my passion was always fashion. My mother was the head of a fashion house in Tashkent, so I grew up with fashion all around me,” she recalls. This early exposure to the world of style would lay the foundation for her later ventures, even though her initial career path led her to academia.
Before venturing into the world of business, Ergasheva was an economics and international affairs lecturer at university. “I only started my own business eight years ago,” she explains. Prior to this, the mother-of-three had lived in South Africa, working as a stylist and looking after her young children.
Two years ago, Ergasheva decided to franchise the luxury beauty salon, Privé7 Dubai (@prive7_dubai). “Privé7 Dubai is a premium beauty salon for high-net-worth women,” she shares.
Speaking confidently about its USP, she adds, “It’s not only that though – the concept is completely different compared to other salons. It’s more like a private home rather than a salon.”
Emphasising its welcoming atmosphere, Ergasheva notes Privé7 Dubai is more than just a place for grooming – it’s a holistic space where women can attend lectures, private events, and meet with brands. “It’s also like a club,” the entrepreneur says.
The shift makes perfect sense for Ergasheva. Before Privé7 Dubai, she’d already laid the groundwork for creating a community in the Emirates. “We founded a Russian Social Club in 2018,” she says. Initially, it was more about building a social network for Russian-speaking women who felt isolated after moving abroad.
“It wasn’t a business idea at first, it was more of a community,” she explains. “But as the club grew, it became a platform for professional networking, education, and creativity. We invited some famous speakers from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other countries,” she says, proudly reflecting on how the club has evolved into a creative space in which many women have found life-long relationships.
But that’s not the only hat this serial businesswoman wears. In addition to her work with Privé7 Dubai and the social club, Ergasheva has also made strides in the beauty industry with her distribution company Avanta, which stocks only premium cosmetic brands.
“All my projects are about and around women,” she explains when talking about her latest venture. Juggling three businesses along with a styling career and an influencing role on Instagram (@g.ergstyle), one may wonder how she manages it all.
“I have more time now as my three kids have grown up,” she explains, taking the opportunity to mention that her eldest children work at prestigious firms in London, while her youngest has just started university in the USA. “I’m a proud mum as well,” she adds with a broad smile.
After spending just five minutes with Ergasheva, it’s clear that life’s joy isn’t just about material accomplishment. “Success, for me, means to be surrounded by my family, while being healthy and doing something useful for people,” she says. Her personal philosophy is one of connection rather than capital. “I think community and network are the most important things if you want to do business,” she states.
As Ergasheva looks ahead (she teases that there might be something new coming along soon), she remains committed to supporting women. Her advice to others wanting to take the leap into something new? “Don’t be afraid. Don’t pay attention to the opinions of other people. And it’s never too late to start a business. At any age.”
Follow @g.ergstyle on Instagram.
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