Aaliyah AnsariSeasoned Entrepreneur
I believe that design is a beautiful thing because it’s art, but when it comes to product or customer experiences, it’s not just art, it's a communication tool with the power to efficiently distil complicated messaging and change consumer behaviour. I am interested in this intersection of design, communication and technology to create an all-encompassing brand experience for the end user. For me, design and technology have to work in tandem from day one to communicate the story of the brand.
I started my career in fashion PR, but I quickly became disenfranchised by an industry that was slow in harnessing the benefits of technology. So I started TAGPIN, a fashion technology company that was an antidote to the declining revenues in the publishing industry. The technology utilised the power of digital storytelling while successfully capturing consumer desire at the source of its inspiration and creating a much-needed revenue channel for the brand and the publisher. I have since been involved in many startups, mostly in the disruptive digital sector ranging from Europe's largest beauty booking software, Treatwell to a subscription based e-commerce start-up and collected a few innovation awards along the way.
A generalist by nature, I enjoy designing and building experiences with the end user in mind, using a mixture of techniques. The challenge I have always looked to overcome is how to use my skills to evolve the business model, to create innovative revenue streams, so we don’t always have to pedal to keep the wheel turning.
Winner of:
"Innovator, Visionary and Pioneer Award" 2013 - The Hospital Club & the Guardian Culture Professionals Network
“Publishing on the Move” Nov 2014 - Innovate UK (pka IC Tomorrow)
Founding fellow of UNLEASH Global Accelerator, 2017; working towards Sustainable Development Goals
Fellow
since