How an Indian-origin entrepreneur returned to Dubai and rebuilt his father's struggling business into a luxury glass company

A family emergency forced Indian-origin Shabbir Mithaiwala to give up his dream of becoming a Chartered Accountant in India and return to Dubai, according to a report by Gulf News.

What followed was the revival of his family's struggling picture-frame business and the launch of a luxury architectural glass company that now works on premium hospitality and residential projects across the UAE.

Speaking to Gulf News, Mithaiwala said the biggest turning point came when his father lost his eyesight, leaving him with a choice between pursuing his career ambitions and taking charge of the family business.

From CA aspirant to entrepreneur

After completing his schooling in Sharjah in 2009, Mithaiwala moved to Mumbai to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce degree while preparing for Chartered Accountancy. He financed his education by attending college during the day, taking CA classes and working night shifts at a call centre.

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Recalling those years, he told Gulf News, "That's where the difficulty began. The actual life phase begins now."

He added, "That was a tough life that I went through and that's what my pace. My passion grew more bigger which helped me look towards a bigger perspective and a vision in life to do it."

A return to Dubai

While preparing for his CA final examinations, Mithaiwala learnt that his father had lost his eyesight. He returned to Dubai, where the family's picture-frame business was struggling.

He first explored job opportunities but said the salaries offered were not enough to support his family and his younger brothers, who were still studying.

"I had a business, which has got a trade license. And so I decided to take up my journey from there," he told Gulf News.

Turning around the family business

Mithaiwala took charge of Framesworld and spent the next few years rebuilding the business. Between 2013 and 2016, he focused on understanding the industry before expanding into new segments.

That led to the launch of Glass R US Industries in 2017, marking the company's shift from picture frames to luxury architectural glass.

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The business began with smaller assignments such as mirrors and glass tabletops before moving into large-scale hospitality and residential projects.

According to Mithaiwala, understanding customer requirements and remaining available whenever clients needed support helped the business grow.

"It was a pure hard work, effort and providing day and night services to them, whatever and whenever they needed it," he told Gulf News.

"I found a way to make this my strength. So, I can say that you give me a wall, I build a monument."

Building with family

Mithaiwala credited his younger brothers, Ali and Sadek, for helping expand the business.

"They are my backbone."

Today, the company supplies luxury glass solutions for several premium developments in the UAE, including the Bulgari Mansion and Royal Atlantis projects.

Although his career took a different direction from what he had planned, Mithaiwala said his focus remains on giving back to the people who supported him through the difficult years.

"I want to repay and give them back. That's my purpose," he told Gulf News.