Daughter of a coffee planter, she learnt to ride a bike at the age of 12. So, if her son, just 10 years old is off with a mountain trekking group somewhere in the Himalayas seeking adventure, that shouldn't come as a surprise. It's in the genes.

Sameera Zia's foray into Fashion Design and Beauty happened because one of her goals in life was do something of her own. Not stay at home and raise kids. Born in Hassan, she went to boarding school at Chickmanglur and college was at Mysore where she stayed in a hostel. Though she graduated in Commerce, her life was all about fun and energy. Car racing and bike rallies came as easy to her as did double entry bookkeeping.

Once college was out of the way, she got married and made up her mind that she'd start working only after her second child was 6 years old. Until then, she'd don the role of the typical housewife; spend time with the children in their growing years. That's precisely what she did before venturing into dressmaking and fashion. "The urge to do something was there, but at the same time I was happy I spent quality time with the boys," says Sameera, flashing a confident smile.

Interestingly, many in her family tree were involved in manufacture and export of garments and that perhaps prompted her into designing fashion wear. Initially she started off with western wear and conducting sales through various outlets. The idea seemed to have caught on and she immersed herself more and more into designing of different attires. Fabrics would be sourced from Tirupur; she'd design and supervise the tailoring of the garments, add intricate embroidery and then announce a sale in Bangalore as well as in Hyderabad. And these exquisite products would sell like hot cakes.

One day she got an idea. Why not combine the Boutique with Beauty services? So, she did a course in Beauty, specialized in hairstyling and facials and all systems were in place for LIPS-STITCH to start operations. This was just about a month ago and already things are happening.

Koramangala has so many beauty salons and parlors and the question that springs to mind is "Where would Sameera's venture fit in?" The answer is simple. Sameera is talented and committed to her work. She isn't into this to pass time. And if her go-getting attitude is a pointer, then the only direction that Sameera is headed is forward. On the fast track.

Check out Sameera Zia's Lips-Stitch Beauty Parlor & Boutique