At BrilliantRead Media, we always strive to bring meaningful and inspiring stories from across the world to empower, educate, and motivate our growing community of entrepreneurs, professionals, and aspiring individuals. Through our exclusive interviews, we explore the journeys, experiences, and insights of individuals who are making a difference in their respective fields.
In this edition, we are delighted to feature Soumita Roy, a seasoned professional with over 16 years of experience in interior design, client management, and project coordination. As the Founder and Principal Designer of KALASUU HOMMES, she has built her professional journey around creativity, client relationships, and delivering thoughtful design solutions. Today, she is expanding her expertise into Dubai’s real estate sector, bringing together her understanding of design, property functionality, and investment potential to help buyers and investors make informed decisions.
Soumita’s journey reflects how professional experience, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities can open doors to new possibilities. Let’s explore her journey, entrepreneurial lessons, perspectives on Dubai’s real estate market, and vision for the future.
Excerpts from our exclusive interview with Soumita:
You have over 16 years of experience in interior design, client management, and project coordination. What inspired you to transition into Dubai’s real estate sector, and how has your design background shaped your approach to property sales and investment advisory?
My journey into real estate feels like a natural evolution of my experience in interior design. For over 16 years, I have worked closely with clients, understanding their aspirations, lifestyles, functional needs, and expectations. As an interior designer, I have always been fascinated by architecture and the way thoughtfully designed spaces can transform the way people live and experience their surroundings.
Dubai particularly inspired me because it brings together ambitious architecture, innovation, luxury, and a forward-looking vision of urban living. Having admired the work of architects such as Zaha Hadid, I have always been drawn to spaces that go beyond aesthetics and create a lasting experience.
My transition into Dubai real estate has allowed me to look at property from a broader perspective. I do not see a property merely as a unit with a price tag; I look at its layout, natural light, space utilisation, functionality, architectural identity, and potential appeal to future buyers or tenants.
My design background helps me understand the emotional and practical aspects of a property, while my real estate experience allows me to connect those qualities with location, market positioning, rental potential, and investment objectives. I believe this combination helps me guide clients towards more informed decisions, whether they are purchasing a home or building an investment portfolio.
As the Founder and Principal Designer of KALASUU HOMMES, what have been the most important lessons entrepreneurship has taught you about understanding clients, building trust, and delivering value?
Entrepreneurship has taught me that understanding a client is far more important than simply selling a service. As the Founder and Principal Designer of KALASUU HOMMES, I learned that every client has a different vision, budget, lifestyle, and definition of success. Listening carefully and translating those expectations into meaningful solutions has always been central to my approach.
One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that trust is built through consistency, transparency, and accountability. Clients want to feel that their requirements are understood and that their investment is being treated with respect. Delivering value means going beyond what is expected and paying attention to the details that make a genuine difference.
Entrepreneurship has also taught me to remain adaptable, manage challenges with patience, and balance creativity with commercial realities. These lessons are equally valuable in real estate, where every client has different financial priorities and emotional expectations.
For me, whether I am designing a space or advising someone on a property purchase, the principle remains the same: understand the person first, recommend the right solution, and build a relationship that extends beyond the transaction.
Dubai has emerged as a prominent destination for international property buyers and investors. What makes its real estate market attractive today, and how do you evaluate a property beyond its location and price?
Dubai’s appeal lies in its combination of global connectivity, business opportunities, lifestyle, infrastructure, and an internationally diverse population. It has established itself as a destination where people can build businesses, pursue careers, enjoy a high standard of living, and explore opportunities for wealth diversification through real estate.
For investors, Dubai offers a range of options, from relatively accessible apartments to ultra-luxury residences and premium waterfront developments. Its tax framework, investor-friendly environment, and international appeal are important considerations, although every investor must evaluate the applicable rules, ownership costs, and financial risks before making a decision.
My interior design background encourages me to evaluate a property beyond its address and asking price. I pay attention to the floor plan, usable space, natural light, ventilation, privacy, storage, quality of finishes, circulation, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor areas. In luxury properties, architectural distinction, material quality, amenities, and the overall living experience can also influence buyer demand.
However, aesthetics alone do not guarantee appreciation. I also consider the developer’s track record, construction quality, service charges, surrounding infrastructure, supply in the area, rental demand, and future resale appeal.
Ultimately, a well-designed property should combine visual appeal with everyday functionality and commercial relevance. That balance can make a property attractive not only to its first owner but also to future tenants and buyers.
Every buyer has different financial goals and expectations. How do you determine whether a property is the right investment for a client, and how do you help them choose between off-plan and ready properties?
I begin by understanding the client’s objective rather than recommending a property immediately. Is the client looking for a home, rental income, capital appreciation, a second residence, or long-term portfolio diversification? I also consider their budget, available liquidity, preferred holding period, financing requirements, and tolerance for risk.
A property can be excellent in the market and still be unsuitable for a particular investor. My responsibility is to understand that distinction and help the client make a decision that aligns with their financial priorities and personal circumstances.
Off-plan properties can appeal to buyers who prefer staged payment plans, newer designs, contemporary amenities, and the possibility of benefiting from future market growth. However, they involve construction and handover timelines, developer-related risks, and uncertainty about future market conditions and resale values.
Ready properties, on the other hand, may offer immediate occupancy or rental income, an opportunity to inspect the completed property, and greater visibility into current rental performance. Buyers must still assess the property’s condition, service charges, maintenance requirements, title status, and potential renovation costs.
I help clients compare the total acquisition cost, payment structure, expected cash flow, ongoing expenses, exit strategy, and downside risks of both options. Rather than assuming one route is universally better, I believe the right choice depends on the client’s financial position, investment horizon, and intended use of the property.
Negotiation and relationship management have been central to your professional journey. What is your approach to building trust with high-value clients and turning those relationships into successful transactions?
For me, successful negotiation begins long before the actual discussion about price. It starts with listening, understanding the client’s priorities, and establishing credibility through accurate information and realistic expectations.
My years in interior design and client management taught me that people value professionals who understand their needs rather than simply push for a decision. I carry that philosophy into real estate by asking the right questions, presenting relevant options, explaining the advantages and limitations of each property, and keeping communication clear throughout the process.
With high-value clients, confidentiality, professionalism, attention to detail, and respect for their time are particularly important. Clients need to know that their interests are being considered and that recommendations are based on their objectives rather than on the urgency to close a deal.
I also believe that negotiation should create value for both parties wherever possible. Understanding the seller’s position, the buyer’s expectations, market comparables, and the practical terms of a transaction helps identify a mutually acceptable outcome.
Ultimately, I do not measure success only by the transaction completed. I measure it by the confidence a client places in me, the quality of the experience, and whether they would feel comfortable returning to me or referring someone they trust.
You bring together expertise in real estate, interior design, and project coordination. How does this combination help you create a more holistic experience for property buyers and investors?
I believe that real estate, interior design, and project coordination are closely connected because a property’s value is influenced by more than its purchase price. Its functionality, presentation, maintenance, and suitability for the intended occupant also matter.
My interior design experience helps me assess how a property can be used, improved, or personalised. My client management background helps me understand individual requirements, while my project coordination experience has taught me to appreciate the importance of planning, timelines, budgets, and execution.
For an end-user, this perspective can help identify a home that genuinely supports their lifestyle rather than simply looks impressive in a brochure. For an investor, it can help evaluate whether a property may benefit from thoughtful furnishing, practical improvements, or better presentation for the intended rental market.
For example, a compact apartment with an efficient layout and good natural light may offer greater practical value than a larger unit with poorly utilised space. Similarly, an investment property should be assessed for its likely tenant profile, maintenance requirements, furnishing costs, and overall rental proposition.
My vision is to bring these perspectives together so clients can consider the entire property journey from selection and acquisition to functionality, presentation, and long-term ownership. This creates a more considered approach to real estate decisions.
What are some of the most common mistakes first-time property buyers and investors make? As you expand your career in Dubai and the wider GCC, what is your larger vision?
One common mistake is allowing excitement, attractive marketing, or a seemingly affordable payment plan to drive the decision without evaluating the complete financial picture. Buyers sometimes focus only on the starting price and overlook registration fees, agency fees where applicable, service charges, maintenance, financing costs, furnishing expenses, and the amount of liquidity they will need throughout the ownership period.
Another mistake is assuming that every new launch will appreciate or that projected rental yields are guaranteed. Market conditions change, supply varies by location, and the performance of one project does not automatically predict the performance of another. Buyers should verify the developer’s credentials, understand the contractual terms, review the payment schedule, and assess realistic rental comparables and resale demand.
My advice is simple: define your objective before choosing a property. Understand your budget, maintain a financial buffer, compare alternatives, verify all important information, and never make a significant investment solely because of the fear of missing out. Seek qualified legal, tax, and financial advice whenever necessary.
Looking ahead, my larger vision is to establish myself as a trusted, design-led real estate professional in Dubai and the wider GCC market. I want to bring together my experience in interior design, client management, and real estate to serve buyers and investors who value quality, transparency, thoughtful guidance, and long-term relationships.
I am particularly interested in the intersection of architecture, luxury living, and investment value. I want to help clients see beyond the immediate transaction and understand how a property fits into their broader goals, whether those goals involve lifestyle, wealth diversification, or building a legacy.
For me, this journey is not about moving away from design; it is about expanding its meaning. I began by helping people envision better spaces, and today I want to help them make more informed decisions about the spaces they choose to live in and the assets they choose to own. My ultimate goal is to build a reputation where clients associate my name with integrity, insight, and a genuinely personalised approach to real estate.
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