We recently had the privilege of interviewing Sarab Malhi, Founder, CEO, and Managing Director at Malhi Group of Companies, which includes Malhi Healthcare Services, Malhi Building Cleaning Services, and Malhi Recruitment Services.
Starting with humble beginnings as a nurse, Sarab decided to take a big leap in her career and moved to Dubai. Realizing the endless possibilities of the region, she ventured into different sectors, from healthcare to cleaning services. Leading multiple successful enterprises in the region, Sarab is an empathetic leader, committed to excellence and a human-centric approach.
Impact of Nursing Experiences on the Career Path
We started the interview by asking, “How did your early experiences as a nurse shape the kind of leader you are today?”
Sarab Malhi shared, “My journey began in a small village in Gurdaspur, Punjab, where I pursued nursing intending to serve others. Working as a nurse taught me discipline, empathy, and resilience. It showed me how every small act of care can change someone’s life. These values became the cornerstone of my leadership—where people come first, and service is the foundation of every decision.”
An Entrepreneurial Leap
Sarab Malhi’s move to Dubai in 2017 marked a new chapter in her career path. We inquired, “What opportunities in the UAE’s healthcare landscape inspired you to take the entrepreneurial leap?”
Sarab Malhi mentioned, “Moving to Dubai with just 2500 AED in hand, I saw an incredible demand for quality healthcare facilitation and patient support. The multicultural environment and visionary leadership of the UAE opened my eyes to endless possibilities. I realized that if I could blend my medical background with structured coordination, I could create a business that made a difference.”
An Empathetic Leader
Empathy is a recurring theme in her story. So, we asked Sarab, “How do you embed this value across such different industries—from healthcare to cleaning services?”
“Empathy is not limited to healthcare; it’s a universal value. Whether we are assisting patients or managing cleaning teams, the ability to understand people’s needs, challenges, and emotions is key. I believe if you lead with empathy, your team feels valued—and that directly reflects in the quality of service we deliver,” Sarab shared.
Leading by Doing
Sarab Malhi has built multiple businesses grounded in service. Interested to learn more, we asked, “What’s one leadership lesson you’ve learned from managing teams across different industries?”
Sarab Malhi mentioned, “One lesson I live by is: lead by example. I never ask my team to do something I wouldn’t do myself. Whether it’s long hours in a hospital or ensuring cleanliness in a facility, I’ve done it all. This approach builds trust, loyalty, and a deep sense of responsibility across teams—regardless of the industry.”
Spark Behind the Launch of Malhi Cleaning Services
We further asked, “What inspired you to venture into cleaning services after launching a healthcare company? Was there a link between the two that sparked the idea?”
“Yes, absolutely. While working in healthcare, I noticed a recurring challenge—patients and clinics were constantly looking for reliable, hygienic, and well-managed cleaning services. That observation planted the seed for Malhi Cleaning Services. I wanted to offer holistic support—clean environments, quality care, and dependable staff,” Sarab added.
Lessons Learnt in the Process
Sarab Malhi has navigated different roles—from caregiver to strategist to business leader. We asked her, “Which of these transformations taught you the most about yourself?”
Sarab Malhi noted, “Becoming a strategist was the biggest shift for me. Caregiving came naturally, but building and scaling a business demanded a new version of me—one who had to take risks, make tough calls, and learn continuously. It taught me that no dream is too big when you’re willing to grow into the person it requires.”
Triumphs at Malhi Group
We also asked, “Looking back on your career journey so far, what has been one of your proudest milestones, and why?”
“One of my proudest moments was seeing the Malhi Group where we have created a great team of people. Coming from a humble background and now being able to provide livelihoods and opportunities to others—that’s what success means to me. It’s a reminder of how far we can go with belief and hard work,” she replied.
Values Guiding Sarab Malhi
As Sarab leads teams across varied sectors, we requested her to share how she ensures her values and vision remain consistent in each company she manages.
Sarab Malhi responded, “At the heart of every Mahli venture is one mission: to serve with integrity. I ensure our teams are aligned with this by investing in people, offering training, and creating a culture where every member feels they’re building something meaningful—not just doing a job.”
Inspiring the Next Generation of Leaders
Addressing the upcoming leaders of her field, we posed the question, “If your story were to inspire the next generation of women in healthcare and entrepreneurship, what message would you most want to leave with them?”
“I’d say this: Don’t let where you come from limit where you can go. I was a nurse from a small village with big dreams—and no shortcuts. Believe in your journey, embrace the hard work, and keep showing up. Your story has power. Use it to create change,” Sarab shared.
Follow Sarab Malhi on LinkedIn.
Find Malhi Building Cleaning Services on LinkedIn.
Find Malhi Recruitment Services on LinkedIn and visit their website http://www.malhirecruitment.com/.
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