Tanaz Pestonjee
A refreshingly fresh mindset
Tanaz Pestonjee has a clear outlook for Sri Lanka – not merely as a market but a destination with untapped lifestyle potential. As Director of Business Development of Abans, she plays a crucial role in shaping how global brands are introduced to and experienced by local consumers.
But for Tanaz, growth has never been about scale alone; it’s always been about relevance.
She believes Sri Lanka has the makings of a regional lifestyle and retail hub – ‘the Singapore of the Indian Ocean,’ as she puts it – driven not only by its location and heritage, but also the strength of local brands and creative talent.
I have learned that adopting a solution oriented mindset is essential to enhancing creativity, especially in business
Her approach has been to thoughtfully curate a mix of global names alongside homegrown labels, ensuring that what arrives on Sri Lankan shores feels considered, aspirational and rooted in how people live.
That philosophy is evident in landmark projects such as the launch of the BOSS flagship boutique, which she sees not merely as a store but a complete retail experience. From interior finishes to service standards, every detail has been designed to elevate expectations and set a new benchmark for luxury retail in the country.
For Pestonjee, empowering people to enjoy a better way of life also means raising the everyday experiences they encounter.
And her leadership style reflects the same balance: she values trust, clear values and a solution oriented mindset, shaped by years of working closely with international brands and diverse teams.
And while she respects the legacy Abans has built, Tanaz is equally focussed on bringing a fresh lifestyle perspective to the business.
In an evolving retail and lifestyle landscape, Tanaz Pestonjee represents modern leadership – thoughtful, grounded and quietly ambitious – that is focussed on building experiences that last.
– Compiled by Tamara Rebeira
DEFINING DIRECTION
Q: What was your vision when you set out to modernise Sri Lanka’s retail landscape – and how did you go about making that vision a reality?
A: I have always believed that Sri Lanka has the potential to become ‘the Singapore of the Indian Ocean.’ We have the history and scenery but our real edge lies in our incredible local lifestyle brands.
We constantly strive to bring this vision to life by introducing some of the world’s iconic lifestyle brands to Sri Lanka while at the same time carefully curating a distinctive mix of local and international brands at the Colombo City Centre (CCC).
Q: How have you balanced honouring your family’s legacy with injecting your own vision and identity into the business?
A: At Abans, our core purpose has always been to empower people with a better way to life. My vision is to build on that promise by combining the trust the company has earned over the years with a fresh lifestyle forward perspective.
We do this by thoughtfully infusing global lifestyle brands and products that we genuinely believe add value to Sri Lankan consumers.
At the same time, we’re shaping and elevating the future of the country’s retail landscape, and continuously raising the bar for the retail experience by keeping the customer at the heart of everything we do.
Sri Lanka is not simply a small emerging market but a unique destination with a highly discerning consumer base
Q: What did working on the ground with various brands teach you about creativity and the retail business that still guides you?
A: The best part of working with global brands is the people you meet and the ideas they share. I have learned that adopting a solution oriented mindset is essential to enhancing creativity, especially in business.
Furthermore, in retail – particularly in branded luxury retail – every detail matters when it comes to delivering an unmatched experience to consumers.
SHAPING LUXURY
Q: What was the original vision Abans had when conceptualising the flagship BOSS outlet? And how closely does the final result align with that vision?
A: This is a project that’s very special to us – one we worked extremely hard on. The original vision was not merely to open Sri Lanka’s first global premium luxury boutique but elevate the entire retail experience in a way that reflects how people want to live, shop and feel today.
The BOSS boutique is the first global premium luxury boutique in Sri Lanka; and from the high quality interior finishes to the overall client journey, we were determined to set a new benchmark for the country’s retail landscape.
Every detail was designed to create an experience that feels refined, personal and empowering – because at Abans, empowering people to enjoy a better way of life also means elevating everyday experiences and expectations. The final outcome aligns very closely with that vision.
Q: Bringing a global powerhouse such as BOSS to Sri Lanka is no small feat… What were the challenges and rewards of this journey?
A: Bringing any global brand to our shores hasn’t been an easy task. In this journey, patience is as important as passion; and it takes real perseverance to consistently demonstrate that Sri Lanka is not simply a small emerging market but a unique destination with a highly discerning consumer base.
Achievements such as this help place Sri Lanka more firmly on the world’s retail map, proving that we can deliver experiences that meet international standards while retaining our own identity.
Working with local artisans and communities to design and build brands from the ground up has been the most fulfilling part of my journey thus far
Q: On a personal level, what does this opening represent in your own professional journey?
A: The boutique turned out even better than we imagined!
And I hope it sets a new benchmark for uplifting retail experiences and service standards in Sri Lanka. Every intricate detail was a manifestation of the passion behind the project.
LEADERSHIP LENS
Q: You were recently honoured as a Transformational Business Leader of the Year at the 15th Top 50 Professional & Career Women Global Awards 2025. What does this mean to you personally?
A: It was a great honour to receive such a prestigious award; but personally, it was also an opportunity to pause and reflect.
We are often so focussed on the next big thing that we forget to appreciate the journey and celebrate our wins along the way. I hope this recognition encourages the next generation of entrepreneurs to do the same.
Q: Of all the projects you’ve spearheaded – from launching stores and creating brands, to mentoring teams – is there one that stands out as a highlight of your career to date?
A: Working with local artisans and communities to design and build brands from the ground up has been the most fulfilling part of my journey thus far.
Nurturing creativity and infusing purpose into everything we build has always been the Abans way.
Q: As a young female business leader in Sri Lanka, how do you navigate traditional expectations while forging a modern path?
A: I try not to let expectations distract me. When you are guided by strong values and self-belief, everything else becomes background noise.
This journey has also taught me to embrace failure and learn from it
CAREER WOMAN
Q: As a woman who has carved her own space, what advice would you give young females looking to build their careers?
A: It’s important to pursue what you are most passionate about and be prepared to put in the work to make it succeed. There is no substitute for hard work and staying focussed on what truly matters makes all the difference.
Q: Has success changed the way you measure achievement – and if so, how?
A: On the contrary, I’d say experience has changed how I measure success. While I still strive for business excellence, I now define ‘success’ through a different set of key performance indicators (KPIs): family, health and time.
Furthermore, building a successful business today isn’t only about profit and scale; it’s about the impact we create for our stakeholders and communities, while actively preserving and restoring the environment through our business practices.
‘A better way to life’ is part of our DNA – not merely words on a wall but a principle that guides how we lead and build.
Q: What has been the most challenging phase of your career? And what did it teach you about resilience?
A: Leading a business in an emerging market calls for a master class in resilience because you don’t face challenges only occasionally; you navigate them daily. Adopting a solution oriented mindset becomes essential as it pushes you to stay innovative and focussed.
This journey has also taught me to embrace failure and learn from it, rather than letting setbacks define me. I’ve learned that progress comes from choosing to move through the storm rather than around it.