Today we’d like to introduce you to Shayreen Parupia.
Hi Shayreen, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Hello, my name is Shayreen Parupia, and I’m an 18-year-old entrepreneur and pre-pharmacy student. This is the story of how I built two businesses while still in school.
Growing up, I was always the “spark” in my family—the one who loved being involved in everything. Whether it was helping at weddings, organizing events, doing makeup, or creating short recap videos of family trips, I naturally gravitated toward creativity and connection. One thing that shaped me deeply was moving from Chicago to Dallas in 2018 at a young age. That transition was difficult, and I quickly realized how much of my identity was rooted in my family.
To cope with that distance, I started making videos—capturing moments with my cousins and replaying them when I missed home. Those videos weren’t just edits; they were comfort. They reminded me that even when life felt heavy, there was always something to look forward to.
At the same time, I discovered makeup. I’ve always been a girly girl, but my real introduction came through my mom, who is a makeup artist. During a time when I felt lonely, she brought me into her world—teaching me, involving me, and giving me something that became both a skill and an escape. What started as helping her eventually turned into something of my own.
My parents always emphasized having a stable career path, which is why I chose to pursue pharmacy. That structure gave me discipline and focus. But alongside that, they also taught me something just as important: life isn’t meant to be limited to a 9–5. They showed me what it means to build something for yourself—to create, to grow, and to be independent.
I’ve always been someone who pushes myself. Not because I was forced to, but because I was raised to believe in my potential. If I got a 99, I wanted the 100—not out of pressure, but because “good enough” was never where I wanted to stop.
In high school, makeup became more than just a hobby—it became my first business. At first, I struggled with feeling like I was only in that space because of my mom. But once I built my own platform and started getting clients who chose me for my work, everything changed. That feeling of earning something for yourself is something I’ll never take for granted.
Still, I wanted to build something beyond makeup—something that reflected my creativity in a different way. Through my makeup business, I met Eshah, who is now the co-founder of Ishq Edit. What started as just an idea quickly turned into something real. Together, we built a content creation brand focused on capturing meaningful moments—giving people memories they can relive over and over again, just like I once did during my time in Chicago.
What began as a creative outlet turned into a growing business. Today, we’re approaching one year of Ishq Edit, and we’ve expanded beyond content creation into digital marketing for businesses. By August 2026, we’re also launching wedding coordination services.
Looking back, everything connects—from the little girl making family videos to now helping others preserve their most important moments. Alongside my journey in pharmacy, entrepreneurship has become a huge part of who I am. It’s shown me that you don’t have to choose just one path—you can build multiple passions and turn them into something meaningful.
And this is only the beginning.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Starting a business—or pursuing anything meaningful—comes with challenges that people don’t always see.
One of the biggest struggles for me was everything that comes before the start. When you get an idea, especially during a low point, there’s this sudden rush of motivation where you want everything built overnight. I’ve felt that many times. But what I had to learn was that real growth takes planning, research, and patience—things that don’t happen in 30 minutes, no matter how driven you are.
Another major challenge I faced was fear of rejection. I struggled with putting myself out there, whether it was reaching out to vendors for content creation opportunities or taking on my first makeup clients. I questioned whether I was good enough, and that self-doubt held me back at times.
What helped me push through was recognizing how much effort and care I put into my work. I’ve always given 100% in everything I do, and over time, that started to show. I began receiving positive feedback, referrals, and consistent support from clients. To this day, I’m grateful to say I haven’t received a bad review, and that’s something I truly take pride in.
Seeing real results from my work—people trusting me, recommending me, and appreciating what I create—gave me the confidence I once lacked. It reminded me that growth doesn’t come from avoiding fear, but from working through it. Each challenge pushed me to become better, and that’s something I continue to carry with me as I grow both of my businesses.
We’ve been impressed with The names of my 2 businesses are The Ishq Edit Content Creation & Glam By Shay, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of Ishq Edit, a content creation and digital marketing brand, and the owner of Glam By Shay, a makeup artistry business.
Glam By Shay focuses on bridal and event makeup artistry. I specialize in creating elegant, timeless looks while prioritizing the overall client experience. I am most known for my work ethic and the comfort I provide my clients during glam sessions. My goal is to ensure every client feels relaxed, confident, and cared for while still receiving high-quality, refined makeup. My signature approach is rooted in my motto: elegance in every look. What I am most proud of is the trust I have built with clients, especially brides, on some of the most important days of their lives.
Ishq Edit, which I founded, is a content creation and digital marketing brand focused on capturing meaningful moments and transforming them into intentional visual storytelling. We specialize in weddings, baby showers, cultural festivals, corporate events, and brand content for businesses looking to grow their online presence. What sets Ishq Edit apart is the ability to build strong, lasting relationships with clients, vendors, and organizations while delivering fast, efficient, and high-quality work.
Through Ishq Edit, I have worked with organizations such as the Immersive Ramadan Market (Houston), The Texas Halal Fest, and The Texas Suhoor Fest in Dallas, organized by The Halal Palate, along with multiple collaborations. I have also worked on events such as Ramadan N Pickle, numerous South Asian weddings, baby showers, and international events. Additionally, I have had the opportunity to work with public figures such as Dananeer, Ayeza Khan, and Danish Taimoor, along with upcoming collaborations.
Across both businesses, what I am most proud of is the community and trust I have built. My personality plays a large role in my work—I naturally focus on connection, communication, and making clients feel comfortable and valued. Because of this, I am able to deliver not just a service, but an experience that people remember and recommend.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was always observant, creative, and full of ideas, but not always vocal about them. In school, especially in settings like speech class or group discussions, I would often stay quiet even when I had plenty of thoughts running through my mind. I used to go home and replay those moments, frustrated with myself for not speaking up when I had the chance.
A turning point for me came from something my parents told me: that if I never learn to express my thoughts out loud, I would never reach my full potential or truly be heard. That idea stuck with me deeply and slowly changed the way I saw myself.
Over time, I began to shift from being someone who only observed to someone who actively engaged. I learned how to maintain eye contact, listen intentionally, and respond with confidence. What used to feel intimidating became one of my greatest strengths—communication.
Personality-wise, I’ve always been creative, detail-oriented, and very people-focused. I enjoy connecting with others, understanding their stories, and being part of meaningful experiences. That is also reflected in my interests growing up—I was drawn to organizing events, being a dance student, creating makeup looks, and making videos to preserve memories with family and friends.
Looking back, I realize I was always someone who thought deeply and felt things strongly. The biggest change wasn’t who I was—it was learning how to express who I already was. Today, that ability to communicate and connect with people is one of the strongest foundations behind both my personal growth and my businesses.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @theishqedit & @glamby.shay
Image Credits
Photographer: @softfilmsdania
