'Respecting yourself is the key to personal success'

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Respecting yourself is the key to personal success

Sharon Jutla, founder Sharon Jutla Interiors, on the benefits of travelling, loving yourself and working hard

by

Janice Rodrigues

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Published: Thu 1 Feb 2018, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Fri 2 Feb 2018, 1:00 AM

The number one item on your wish list.
At the moment, it is purchasing a second home somewhere exotic where I can retreat to every year. 
If you could move to any place in the world, what place would that be? 
San Francisco because it's one of the most cosmopolitan and beautiful cities in the world - I've always wanted to explore its hill terrain, scenic beauty, museums, world-class restaurants and discover its culture. It's a long flight though!  
The biggest learning point or experience in your life.
My most challenging-yet-rewarding experience was travelling for work to various countries very early in my career. Travelling the world for work has taught me so much and given me great insights into the real design world. The places I have been, the people I have interacted with, and the things I've seen about how business is conducted - that itself is book of stories waiting to be written. 
If you won a million bucks tomorrow, what would you do with the money?
I would invest back into my business and team, spend some on a shopping spree and buy a new car and perhaps a new property.  
What advice would you give your younger self, if you could? 
Respect yourself. Everything you do, all the choices you make, and your success and your failures are all directly related to how you feel about yourself. When you love yourself and live with confidence, your choices reflect that. Respecting yourself holds the key to personal success and living a happy life. 
The most interesting app you've come across - that's not one of the usual social media suspects.
I love my phone and, as a designer on the move, cannot be without it. I have a number of apps I use to communicate with clients, team and contractors. The one I use daily and cannot live without is Paper - it's great to sketch, draw, write and share. It's like my concept board; I can share it via social media and email. 
If you could trade lives with one person - dead or alive - for an entire day, who would it be and why?
Serena Williams! Who wouldn't want to play tennis like her? I love that she does not care what anyone says about her and does not give up. She's not afraid and, for me, it's inspirational how she fought and worked really hard and came back after each failure only to reach the number one spot. 
Favourite fictional character of all time - and why.
It would have to be Dora Marquez from Dora the Explorer! She reminds me of a younger me, travelling the world at a young age and working on projects. If you don't know Dora, she's the heroine of a popular cartoon show, seven years old, bilingual, and charts her way across rugged terrains with her talking backpack and singing map! She's the ultimate adventurer, always overcoming obstacles blocking her path - a positive female role model at that!  
The best thing you've ever bought yourself?
My iPod Classic has to be the best thing I ever bought and still remains with me every day. It holds a sentimental value in my life. It has travelled with me and accompanied me through some of my best work. The music inspired me and it's been a part of my life for a very long time. I now find it like a dear friend. 
If you could have your pick of superpowers, what would you choose?
I guess it is fun to envision how different life would be if I had superpowers. If I had to choose, it would be superhuman endurance so I can exert myself every single day without getting tired or exhausted... I would just keep going. Another great super power would be Omnilingualism. It would be great to understand any language and remove that hard language barrier when travelling or meeting people from different countries.  
- Staff reporter
 


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