CEO | StarLinks PR and Events | Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Shanaz Ramzi started her career as a freelance journalist and continues to write features to date. She is also a published author. Working at the largest entertainment television network of Pakistan, HUM, for 11 years, she left it as GM Publications and Public Relations in November 2015 to start her own PR and event management company, StarLinks. Shanaz landed the launch project of the largest mall in South Asia within six months of starting her company and won the bronze Stevies Award for Start Up of the year 2017. She also bagged the gold SVUS CEO World award in 2018.

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What do achievements mean to you?

To me achievements are those milestones that have left me a better person for having accomplished them, and have left others around me the better off also for those achievements. 

What excites you most about the work that you do?

Meeting new people and learning something new while working, practically every day!

Do you have a mantra or motto that you live by?

Be positive – the energy you give off is the energy you attract! 

What makes you yourself

I am told I have a very sunny, positive personality with an ever-smiling face, and I think that’s what makes me ME! Other than that, I cannot sit without having something to do, love to take on challenges, meet people, travel, and tend to be very organized, so invariably land up in leadership roles.

First job

HUM Network

Work philosophy

Never leave for tomorrow what can be done today. Nothing is impossible if you set you mind to do it.

Currently occupied with (business/job related activities)

PR of PDA (Pakistan Digital Awards), PR of IPPA 2020, working on PR of Hemani’s health kit and IPAQT, and StarLinks annual event. 

Recent successes

INTBAU International three-day conference held in Karachi and Makli in November 2019, with over 30 participants comprising top architects from round the globe and more than 250 delegates altogether. The event comprising workshops spread at two different locations was attended by the president of Pakistan, the British Deputy High Commissioner to Pakistan, Chief Secretary, Government of Sindh, among many other high profile personalities and was unanimously hailed as a one-of-a-kind, highly successful and immaculately executed event. We also provided boarding and lodging to all international and many national delegates at both venues — one a village with no basic amenities. 

What was your journey like to get where you are today?

Smooth! But, it goes without saying that a lot of hard work, dedication and commitment on my part was an integral part of this journey. 

How do you stay motivated?

I set myself daily goals and then focus on achieving them!

Guiding principle

Do good to others — it always pays in more ways than one!

Goal yet to be achieved

Have branches of my company all round the globe!

Best decision

Leaving my job and starting my own company

Definition of leadership

Being hands-on with your colleagues to achieve targets together

Best mentor

Duraid Qureshi, CEO HUM Network

One word that best describes you

Positive

Like best about job

The many challenges it offers

Like least about job

Clients that give a run-round when its time to clear dues!

How you’ve approached change

With an open mind.

What are you really into outside of work?

Writing, traveling, cooking, socializing

Pet peeve

It bothers me when people make commitments and then don’t see them through. I would rather I am told the truth from day one, no matter how unpleasant, than have people wasting my time and not delivering as promised.

Most important lesson learned

Always double-check everything!

Peers you admire

Hasan Rizvi, my son-in-law, who also runs an event management company.

Most respected competitor

Same

Idea of perfect happiness

Traveling to unexplored destinations with friends and family.

Greatest strength

My writing skills.

Exercise of choice

Hard core boot camp.

How do you learn?

By asking questions.

Most influential book read

Count of Monte Cristo. It has more pearls of wisdom than any self-help book! And of course, the Holy Quran.

Most ecstatic moment

Too many.

When it’s all over, how do you want to be remembered?

As a person who helped spread happiness and positivity and who left the world a better place for having been there.

How do you manage social media?

Mostly have my team manage it for me! Occasionally get on Facebook when I when the time, or tweet or Insta when I feel I need to.

Favorite quote

Life is too short to be ordinary

Countries you would like to visit

Greece, Japan, New Zealand, Portugal…

Favorite airline

Thai Airways

Favorite hotel (brand)

Four Seasons

Favorite apparel (brand)

Loose top and slacks

Favorite restaurant

Sakura, Japanese restaurant in Karachi

Favorite car (brand)

Mercedes