In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Nurain Jamal, Co-Founder of Majara DXB, for a powerful and personal conversation about leading with empathy in the architecture and design world.
Nurain shares her honest take on building a career—and a company—on purpose, flexibility, and inclusion.

You’ll hear:
- Why Majara DXB hires for values, not just experience
- How Nurain balances business and motherhood
- Real talk on return-to-work moms and flexible work
- The importance of neurodiversity in design thinking
- What makes a portfolio stand out more than a CV

This is a must-watch for creatives, leaders, and anyone rethinking what an inclusive work culture should really look like.

👉 Watch now or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

✨ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more industry insight, career tips, and real stories from inside the world of design.

#TheDesignerRecruiter #MajaraDXB #WomenInDesign #InclusiveLeadership #NeurodiversityInDesign #CreativeCareers #DesignStudioLife #MotherhoodAndCareer

Keep up with us:
Website: https://www.the-designer-recruiter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcrecruitment/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-designer-recruiter/

Follow Nurain:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nurain-jamal/?originalSubdomain=ae



Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:35 Founding Story of Majara DXB
01:41 Challenges and Growth in the Design Industry
02:25 Studio Culture and Hiring Practices
03:23 Balancing Motherhood and Career
06:54 Shaping Futures
12:25 Leadership and Empathy in Design
17:07 Quick Fire Questions and Personal Insights
21:35 Closing Remarks

What if construction leadership put people first?

In this episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria sits down with Hamed Parnian, Managing Director at Vedra, to talk about building more than just spaces—he’s building a values-driven business.

Hamed shares his journey from corporate frustration to founding Vedra, a boutique consultancy focused on trust, culture, and real relationships. He explains how empathy, clarity, and mindset shape everything he does.

You’ll hear:
- Why culture matters more than credentials
- How to hire for personality, not just skills
- Building trust with first-time clients
- The power of branding and authentic leadership

👉 Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen now on any podcast platform. If it resonated, don’t forget to follow and share the show!



Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Hamed Parnian
00:41 Founding Vedra: The Journey Begins
02:10 Building a Human-Centric Company
02:44 Challenges in Team Management
04:40 Vedra's Business Model Explained
08:12 The Origin of the Name 'Vedra'
10:35 Maintaining a Positive Mindset
17:09 Values and Hiring Philosophy
21:48 Interview Process and Company Culture
23:19 Balancing Empathy and Business Systems
24:03 Challenges of Scaling a Company
26:08 Maintaining Human Elements in Processes
27:12 Staying Positive and Handling Difficult Situations
31:23 Finding Your Career Path
34:23 The Importance of Branding and Marketing
38:49 Quick Fire Hiring Questions
40:37 Final Thoughts on Personal Development


Keep up with us:
Website: https://www.the-designer-recruiter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcrecruitment/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-designer-recruiter/

Follow Hamed:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamedparnian/?originalSubdomain=ae

What happens when you pivot industries, start over in a new country, and raise a child—on your own? In this inspiring episode of The Designer Recruiter, host Esther Echeverria speaks with Katrina Tasbaz, a showroom manager at VitrA and board member of Return to Work Mom.

With over 20 years in the bathroom industry across the UK and UAE, Kathrina opens up about:

🔹Making the leap from design to sales
🔹Building credibility in a new market
🔹Balancing single motherhood with career ambition
🔹Facing bias in the workplace—and rising above it
🔹Why “no” doesn’t always mean the end

Whether you’re changing careers, returning to work, or navigating a challenging season, Katrina’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple, and all podcast platforms
📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube

Keep up with us:

Website: https://www.the-designer-recruiter.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lcrecruitment/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-designer-recruiter/

Follow Katrina:

Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-tasbaz-91247593/?originalSubdomain=ae

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Katrina's Journey

01:15 Early Career and Education

02:13 Transition to Sales and Specification

04:14 Roles and Responsibilities in the Bathroom Industry

06:26 Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

13:53 Balancing Career and Personal Life

17:47 Return to Work Mom Initiative

20:02 Quick Fire Questions and Closing Thoughts