Boss Babe Payal Shah Opens Up Her New York Address Book

Payal Shah Parikh in New York City

She doesn’t believe in getting things the easy route. She believes in a generation of being self-made and being known on a first name basis rather than being known by family name, family wealth, or family success.  Meet Payal Shah Parikh, as she contributes to the world as a designer, creator, and founder of Jewel House L’Dezen, and she certainly enjoys the hustle.

Of Indian origin, raised in Hong Kong, living in Antwerp, and traveling extensively for work, Payal is a successful entrepreneur in her own right who believes in supporting other young entrepreneurs by investing in the shared economy space sector. She is always thinking of entrepreneurial ideas – she watches, and has downloaded, every episode of Shark Tank, she designed her parent’s’ business logo at age 12 using Microsoft paint, and she is about to teach website-creating lessons to the young entrepreneurs of Antwerp.

Payal started early on in the social media arena- particularly when Facebook was in its university students-only stage, and has garnered a huge following since, on all of her social media handles. She is outright fun, always up for an adventure, approachable, down to earth, thoughtful, and spiritually religious. Truly a #bossbabe, we met up with Payal in New York and had the opportunity to get to know her better and to find out where she likes to go when she hits up New York.

Payal Shah Parikh in New York City

Favorite Saying: That’s amazing

Motto: Excuses are Tacky

Residence(s): Hong Kong, Antwerp, Mumbai and London

“I’m not obsessed with cheese, pasta, or pizza- it’s not a palate I was raised in. I love my Asian and Indian food though- tofu and idli’s all day!’

Passionate About: Going Green

“Leonardo Di Caprio’s national geographic documentary recently changed the way I live. I believe in trying to not waste, living simpler and strategically, and attempt in living green as possible”

Lessons learned: “People invest in you based in your likability.  You need to be both business savvy and creative- it is a Ying-Yang relationship”.

Go-To Apps: Twitter, Instagram and Cathay Pacific and British Airways Apps

“While I love all my social media handles, I particularly enjoy twitter because you hear a tone of mature voice, you get to know what is trending fast and you get to know what the real world is discussing- from people who would in real-life be hard to approach, and who are not following you”

On her airline apps: “I time it when check in is about to open as when you are the first one to check in, you chances of automatically getting upgraded increases”.

On The Bedside Table:  Chargers, laptop, headphones, a box of coins from all of my travels and an emergency stash of chocolate.

Favorite Designers: Dolce & Gabbana, Roberto Cavalli, Wallace Chan, Aruna Seth, Manish Malhotra

“I know when I’ve made it, I just want to go in there, and say “everything please”.

The classics you like to wear: Boots, A tad of funk, my L’ Dezen diamond studs, representing Hong Kong local designers and finds.

Most Luxe destination in the world: Maldives

Most Luxe thing you’ve ever bought: A limited edition Goyard handbag in pink

Currently coveting:

Intangible: to be able to be seen as someone who has been part of a positive revolution or change

Tangible:  I want my own jet and boat named Payalia

Favorite Muse: Priyanka Chopra

“She owns her brands – she’s a businesswoman but creative too, a go-getter, and she does her homework”.

Role Models: my mom and dad, and I believe I’ve taken both their best traits. I particularly admire my mom because she got married, had a baby, and moved to Hong Kong all at age 18. She self taught herself the local language and improve her English. She even learned how the stock market worked to land a job and soon co-founded the family business with my father.

Definition of Success:  Success is able to be independent and happy.

In the pipeline: a jewelry collection co founded by my best friend in London – Oly & Pie.

Payal Shah Parikh, overlooking the Empire State

How do other people see you: quite social, always up for a good energy. A hard worker, a go-getter, and an opportunist when need be.

Who are you really?  Emotionally, I can be more of a man than a woman sometimes. Being independent, I don’t dwell on things, I don’t hold grudges – as you learn over maturing, I’m a listener and a talker!

What you want other people to think you are: approachable, but in the right way.  A voice of the millennial, who want to work not only hard but to also work smart.

“There is a professional way to approach people – Don’t beat around the bush, don’t play games – be straight forward about your intentions and be fair”.

How do you think you’re supposed to be?  You are supposed to be a living example of what you stand for. You should be living what you say and speak.

Can you open up your New York Address Book?

Favorite Hotel:  Mandarin Oriental Lobby, NoMo in Soho

Favorite Brunch: Cafe Cluny

Favorite Thing To Do: Walk the busy streets

Favorite Restaurant:  Bond Street, L’ artusi

Cocktail hour: Aria Wine Bar, Rose Bar

Hidden gem: Employees Only

Adventure: Streets of NYC

Haute Spots: Blonde Bar

Power Lunch: ABC Kitchen

Retail therapy: Soho

Given it is Thanksgiving, what are you thankful for?  I am thankful for the life I’ve been given and my upbringing that has opened the many opportunities today. I am thankful to all the family, friends and supporters who have continuously encouraged the best. And foremost I am thankful for being born this era- where we live in a time which I believe will go down in history – being able to witness it firsthand.

We can’t wait to see what’s next in store for Payal as she continues to dominate, contribute, and build her empire.

-GG & PS