From a Childhood Passion to a Flourishing Career
Rashida Badlawala’s journey into the world of content and communications started early. As a child, she had a natural affinity for words—her school essays often earned her praise, and her mother encouraged her to refine both her writing and public speaking. This strong foundation, combined with a love for advertising, set her on the path to becoming a seasoned copywriter and marketing consultant.
Her breakthrough came in 2012 when she landed an internship at Namshi, a budding startup at the time. But it wasn’t just her professional career that was taking shape—her personal brand was also in the making. Inspired by magazine restaurant reviews, Rashida realized she didn’t need a specific job to share her experiences. In 2015, she launched @rashidablogs on Instagram, turning her passion for storytelling into something much bigger.
Choosing the Right Industry: A Blend of Creativity & Strategy
For Rashida, content creation is more than just writing—it’s about storytelling, experiencing new things, and sharing them with the world. Her expertise spans multiple disciplines, from copywriting to user experience (UX), event marketing, and social media strategy. Her ability to merge strategy with creativity has allowed her to work with some of the biggest brands across different industries, crafting unique narratives that resonate with audiences.
A Career Milestone: Diving into Formula 1®
Among her many achievements, one of Rashida’s biggest triumphs is stepping into the world of Formula 1®. Having never worked in sports or major event management before, she found herself immersed in the fast-paced world of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The challenge is immense—learning the ins and outs of F1® while managing high-stakes campaigns with tight deadlines.
Despite the pressure, she has thrived, overseeing time-sensitive content for pre-sales and public launches. Seeing her work drive engagement and ticket sales is an exhilarating experience, and along the way, she has became a true fan of the sport. This experience has proved that adaptability and passion can take you anywhere, even into uncharted territories.
Overcoming Challenges: A Story of Resilience
Rashida’s career journey has seen a fair share of obstacles. She started her professional path in fashion e-commerce, crafting compelling product descriptions. However, the 2009 recession made job hunting incredibly difficult, and it took her two years after her graduation to land a full-time role. In Dubai’s competitive market, determining fair compensation and value was another struggle, but she persisted and carved out a niche for herself.
Toxic work cultures and difficult managers were also hurdles she faced. Rashida has made the tough decision to walk away from jobs when they became detrimental to her mental well-being. She also encountered workplace discrimination, including a racist remark from a manager that deeply shook her confidence. However, she emerged stronger, realizing that such negativity often says more about the person delivering it than the recipient. By focusing on her growth and abilities, she refused to let these setbacks define her career.
What’s Next? Scaling @rashidablogs & Travel Ventures
Currently, Rashida is at the heart of content and communications for the Formula 1® Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. But her ambitions don’t stop there. She’s working to monetize her travel content and grow @rashidablogs into a recognized platform for travel enthusiasts.
A key milestone in this journey has been partnering with Marcopolo Holidays. Managing their social strategy has not only enhanced her expertise in travel marketing but has also opened new doors for collaborations with tourism boards and sponsorships. Her goal? To take her followers on a virtual journey across the world while turning her love for travel into a full-fledged career.
Lessons from Role Models & Everyday Inspirations
Rashida doesn’t have just one inspiration—she finds motivation from various sources. From Indra Nooyi’s leadership at PepsiCo to Michelle Obama’s grace and relatability, she admires qualities that blend innovation, strength, and human connection.
But some of her most valuable lessons have come from unexpected places—a barista’s kindness, a friend’s resilience, or even a LinkedIn post that shifted her perspective. These everyday interactions reinforce the idea that inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to learning from it.
Staying Motivated & Tackling Setbacks
Rashida believes in breaking down challenges logically and addressing them step by step. She emphasizes the importance of stepping back to see the bigger picture—what seems like a catastrophe in the moment often feels much more manageable with time and perspective. She also credits rest and reflection as vital tools in overcoming setbacks.
Career Lessons: The Power of Adaptability & Self-Worth
For Rashida, adaptability is the key to staying relevant in an ever-changing industry. From SEO-driven web content to AI-powered personalization and micro-moment marketing, she’s continuously evolving her skill set. Today’s content landscape demands more than just writing—it requires visual storytelling, video creation, and digital engagement, all of which she has embraced to stay ahead.
Beyond technical skills, Rashida’s biggest career lesson has been recognizing her worth. Office politics and biases exist, but she has learned that success isn’t defined by job titles or external validation. Networking, self-promotion, and confidently owning her skills have been game-changers. Some of her best career opportunities have come from connections rather than traditional applications, reinforcing the value of visibility and proactive engagement.
Final Thoughts: The Journey Continues
Rashida Badlawala’s journey is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and passion. From content creation to event marketing, social media strategy, and travel storytelling, she continues to push boundaries and explore new opportunities. With her unwavering determination and ability to evolve with the industry, there’s no doubt that she will keep inspiring and making an impact in the digital world.
Follow her journey on Linkedin and witness how she transforms everyday experiences into captivating stories.
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