Sevil Taban

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.

For two decades, Sevil Taban built brands and led teams in corporate leadership roles across TĂźrkiye and the UAE.

Yet over time, she realized the pace and structure of organizations clashed with her natural rhythm.

“I love challenges, taking ownership, trying new things, moving fast, and learning from mistakes,” she says, adding, “But those same traits didn’t always fit within corporate systems.”

She remained in corporate until she found a passion that inspired her to start her own business.

“From the moment I picked up a padel racket, I became obsessed. But it wasn’t just the sport; I saw a gap: performance gear that celebrates femininity and style.,” she says.

That spark became SVL Padel (svlpadel.com), launched in early 2025. The brand name carries her initials and stands for values: Stylish, Victorious, Limitless. “SVL isn’t just apparel; it’s a statement for women who bring confidence, passion, and power to the court.”

The leap behind the vision tested her resilience.

“I walked away from a salary and the validation of titles, with that constant ‘what if it doesn’t work?’ in the background. I wanted freedom: my decisions, my pace, but I also lost the built-in sounding board you get in the corporate world. I became the sole decision maker, which was exhilarating but unexpectedly consuming.”

To cope, Sevil wore multiple hats: CEO, marketer, researcher, salesperson, and supply chain lead. “Sequencing work and time-boxing roles helped me turn overwhelm into progress.”

Her husband gave her courage. “He turned the stress of losing a salary into a choice to build something meaningful at my own pace.”

Momentum grew through small steps. One sleepless night, she wondered how to reach female padel players. She listed players from her Playtomic account, followed them on SVL’s profile, and many followed back. “There’s always a lever you can pull today.”

That mindset shift, action over perfection, is now her motto.

Today, success for her means impact, resilience, and the spark in people’s eyes. “I’ve merged everything I love into one lane.”

Originally from Türkiye, she moved to Dubai in 2017 for a marketing role. Now, through SVL, she has designed a life around what matters most. “Deep work, padel or the gym when I need energy, errands without asking permission. I work nonstop, but I live fully.”