Sahar Karoubi

About Beyond Cubicles

📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.

Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers. 

✨ Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.

It wasn’t one dramatic moment for Sahar Karoubi, but a slow build of frustration.

After a decade in digital marketing, she saw a pattern: people wanted better essentials, but options never changed.

That frustration led her to launch Bambuyu in 2021, a UAE-based tissue brand made from 100% bamboo; toxin- and plastic-free.

“Our mission is to make essentials gentler on skin, kinder to the planet, and enjoyable, without sacrificing quality or design,” she says. With Bambuyu, she is also focused on slowing deforestation and challenging the industry to think differently about everyday products.

When she started, Sahar had a toddler and a newborn.

Leaving a stable career with young children felt irresponsible, but she managed it by “leaning on trusted people for feedback, playing to what I was good at, and using my network”.

Each win pushed her forward. “Reminding myself of the bigger cause keeps me going.”

Reaching 7-figure revenue proved growth. But the deeper one came from repeat customers messaging, ‘I can’t use regular tissues anymore.’

Her own personal brand evolved. “I used to be a strategist spotting opportunities for clients. Now I see myself as a founder owning the vision: decisions, risks, wins, and setbacks.”

Her business has given her a platform to share the highs and lows of entrepreneurship. “I’ve become more purposeful and open,” admitting, “This is hard, but it matters.”

The journey taught her to embrace uncertainty, ask for help, stay calm, and trust her judgment. And the one truth she says she wished she’d known earlier: “Progress comes in bursts, not a straight line.”

Today, freedom means choosing priorities, innovations, and partnerships. Fulfillment is hearing customers say Bambuyu’s products make them think twice about the planet.

Behind that resilience is her husband. “My emotional anchor, sounding board, and unofficial CFO for the first year. From the early investors who trusted and backed my vision from day one to the customers who repurchased and spread the word, we gained momentum. The team carried so much; they’re family now.”

Originally from Iran, Sahar has lived in Dubai for over 20 years since studying marketing at the American University in Dubai. “It quickly became home, and I can’t imagine building my business anywhere else.”