Writer: Shangida Islam Dipti
“One day, I want my success story to appear on the cover of Time magazine.”
It is an ambitious dream, one that Rubina Akter Munni has carried since childhood. But unlike many dreams that fade with time, hers became the driving force behind a business that now creates employment, represents Bangladesh in international markets, and aspires to transform thousands of women’s lives.
As the founder of Design by Rubina, Rubina has built a brand that blends craftsmanship with purpose. Today, her enterprise manufactures premium leather and jute products, employs 64 people, and has showcased Bangladeshi craftsmanship in nearly 22 countries. Yet, behind these achievements lies a journey shaped by persistence, creativity, and an unwavering belief in her own potential.
Growing up in Dhaka in a family of two brothers and two sisters, Rubina was always drawn to art and design. While others viewed creativity as a hobby, she saw it as an opportunity. Long before entrepreneurship became a popular career choice, she began exploring business while she was still in Class 9. After completing her MBA, she officially launched Design by Rubina in 2016, determined to turn her passion into a sustainable enterprise.
The road, however, was far from smooth.
Building a manufacturing business requires capital, skilled workers, and market access; resources that were difficult to secure. Financial constraints constantly tested her resolve, while finding trained artisans became another major obstacle. Although she participated in entrepreneurship development programs offered by organizations such as the SME Foundation and BSCIC, Rubina quickly realized that success would ultimately depend on her own determination. Instead of waiting for perfect conditions, she learned, adapted, and kept moving forward.
That resilience gradually opened new doors. Design by Rubina expanded beyond the local market, exporting products to countries including Qatar, the Philippines, and the United States. International trade fairs and exhibitions introduced her work to buyers across the world, allowing her to travel to nearly 22 countries with her products. Yet despite this global exposure, she proudly notes that her strongest customer base remains in Bangladesh, a reminder that local craftsmanship continues to hold immense value.
For Rubina, however, business has never been only about profits.
Her biggest dream is to build two nationally recognized brands; one for leather products and another for jute while creating employment for at least 5,000 women. She believes countless women in Bangladesh possess the talent to succeed but lack access to training and opportunities. Through skill development programs, workshops, and hands-on employment, she hopes to help women become financially independent and rewrite their own stories.
Entrepreneurship, she says, has given her the opportunity to create far more than products. It has allowed her to create jobs, transfer skills, and inspire others to believe in themselves. Her message to aspiring entrepreneurs is refreshingly simple: invest in your skills before anything else. Success, she believes, is built on continuous learning and the courage to keep going despite uncertainty.
When asked what being an entrepreneur means to her, Rubina doesn’t describe titles or financial success.
She answers with two words that perfectly capture her journey:
“A creator who embraces risks and challenges.”
For Rubina Akter Munni, every handcrafted product tells a story. More importantly, every woman she empowers brings her one step closer to the dream she has carried since childhood; not simply of becoming successful, but of creating opportunities for thousands of others along the way.