Finding work that blends creativity, strategy, and service can feel like juggling a lot at once—but for many driven Filipinos, that mix is exactly where purpose is found. Her name is Glydel Dalguntas, and over just four years abroad she has built a life in Dubai that connects scent, space, and smart investing.
As the founder of G LAB Perfumery and an entrepreneur who moves confidently across real estate and interior design, Dalguntas has shaped a career around helping people express who they are—through homes that fit their lives and fragrances that tell their stories. “I am an entrepreneur, property advisor, investment consultant, and advocate of smart investments, currently based in Dubai,” she says. “What I do, revolves around helping clients find their dream homes while also guiding them through interior renovations to create spaces that truly reflect theirvision.” It’s a crisp summary of a path she began in 2021, when she moved to the UAE to test her ideas in a global market and discover how far her curiosity—and grit—could take her.
From Manila classrooms to Dubai’s fast lane
Dalguntas studied Architecture at Far Eastern University in Manila, where she learned to respect both the discipline and imagination behind good design. Even in college, she kept a full plate: freelance house design projects, night shifts as a call center agent, and a small cheesecake business that she launched during the pandemic. “I studied Architecture at Far Eastern University in Manila, and even while I was still in school, I was already exploring multiple paths such as freelancing on house designs, working night shifts as a call center agent, and running my first formal business selling cheesecakes during the pandemic,” she recalls. Those early years would prove useful later, when quick decisions and resilience became essential.
When she arrived in Dubai in 2021, her first role as a junior architect didn’t last. Rather than retreat, she adapted—taking a secretary post in an architectural and fit-out firm, balancing part-time commercial modeling, and listening closely to the market around her. “After that, I moved to Dubai to work as a junior architect, but the role didn’t last long,” she says. “Soon after, I transitioned to working as a secretary for an architectural firm and fit-out company, while also pursuing commercial modeling part-time.” Within a year, she took a risk many only dream about: she launched her own ventures in perfumery and interior design, while steadily building her footing in real estate.
G LAB Perfumery, founded in 2022, became the signature milestone. “The highlight of my career so far has been launching my own perfume brand, G LAB Perfumery, in 2022, a passion project dedicated to offering luxury fragrances to people who share my love for fine perfumery,” she says. The brand opened a new channel for her creativity while keeping her rooted in the practical work of advising clients on property purchases and renovations. “Alongside this, becoming a property consultant has allowed me to combine my expertise in real estate with my love for design, helping people not just secure a property, but transform it into a home,” she adds. The common thread is value that lasts: “My focus on smart investments enables me to guide clients toward opportunities that deliver lasting value and sustainable growth.”
Building a business that blends scent, space, and smart investment
Ask Dalguntas what keeps her energized and she goes straight to the craft itself. “What I love most about what I do is the variety and creativity each field brings,” she says. “Crafting scents allows me to tell stories through perfume creation, giving people a way to express themselves and capture moments in a bottle.” On any given week, that may mean briefing a lab on a new accord, shipping bespoke orders to repeat customers, or presenting an investor with data on a property’s rental yield and renovation potential.
The Dubai market makes that mix possible. “As a property advisor in Dubai, I connect with people from all over the world, helping them find homes and investments in one of the most dynamic property markets on the planet,” she explains. In parallel, her design work shapes what those properties become. “And with interior design, I get to transform spaces into experiences, crafting environments that inspire, comfort, and reflect people’s personalities,” she says. “Together, these ventures let me combine business, creativity, and personal connection in ways that are both rewarding and endlessly exciting.”
Choosing the UAE was deliberate. “I chose to work abroad to expand my professional horizons, challenge myself in a dynamic international market, and connect with a diverse range of clients and opportunities,” she says. “Dubai, in particular, offers a vibrant business environment where innovation, luxury, and investment potential come together.” That environment encouraged her to explore: real estate, perfumery, fit-out, interior design—fields that rarely share the same sentence but, in her hands, reinforce one another. “It provided the ideal platform for me to grow as an entrepreneur, explore new industries such as real estate and perfumery, and position myself in a city that attracts ambitious people from all over the world.”
The approach is simple and disciplined: listen to clients, study the numbers, design with empathy, and deliver consistently. “My path has been driven by a commitment to excellence, an eye for opportunity, and a belief that success is built on creating value and memorable experiences for clients,” she says. That philosophy now steers everything from G LAB’s product pipeline to the way she advises first-time buyers and seasoned investors.
Resilience, growth, and the road ahead
The arc was not without struggle. “Moving abroad was far from easy,” Dalguntas says. “When I first arrived in Dubai, I faced the challenge of starting over, navigating a new city, adapting to a different culture, and finding my footing in a competitive job market.” Losing her first role forced a reset. “My first job as a junior architect didn’t last long, and I had to quickly reassess my path,” she adds. The grind that followed—day jobs, side gigs, late-night brainstorming—was real. “There were moments of self-doubt, long nights of juggling work, modeling, and brainstorming business ideas, and times when the uncertainty felt overwhelming.”
She credits family and friends for steadying her when doubts grew loud. “What helped me get through it was a mix of determination, flexibility, and mainly the support of family and friends who encouraged me to keep pushing forward,” she says. Role models mattered, too. “I also drew inspiration from people I admired entrepreneurs and creatives who had built their dreams from scratch and their stories reminded me that resilience and perseverance can turn challenges into opportunities.” Looking back, she sees those years clearly: “Over time, those struggles became stepping stones, shaping not only my career but also the person I am today: adaptable, confident, and ready to embrace new ventures.”
Life overseas sharpened her perspective. “Living and working abroad is like stepping into a perfume you’ve never smelled before. It’s full of surprises,” she says. “Experiencing another country opened my mind, helping me understand life more deeply and broaden my perspective. If I had to choose one benefit, it would be the chance for self-development. Growing in ways I never imagined.” Four years on, that growth shows in her companies, her client base, and the clarity of her next goals.
She sees the future as expansion—of brands and of impact. “Looking ahead, I see my time abroad as a springboard for bigger dreams,” Dalguntas says. “Once I complete my tenure overseas, I hope to expand my perfumery and interior design businesses further, creating brands that reflect creativity, elegance, and personal expression.” She also wants to mentor the next wave. “I also aspire to make a meaningful impact through mentorship and advocacy, supporting young entrepreneurs and creatives who, like me, are navigating the challenges of building something from the ground up,” she says. The guiding principle is purpose. “Ultimately, my goal is to blend passion, innovation, and purpose, turning the lessons I’ve learned abroad into opportunities that inspire, empower, and leave a lasting mark on both my community and the industries I love.”
She is candid about uncertainty—and undeterred by it. “I don’t know exactly what the future holds, but I’m confident that I will always see opportunities wherever life takes me,” she says. “Every experience abroad has taught me to stay open, embrace change, and turn challenges into growth. Whatever comes next, I hope to keep learning, creating, and inspiring others while following the path that feels right for me.”
For Filipinos building new lives overseas, she offers quiet, steady advice. “To my fellow kababayans working abroad, my advice is simple: stay grounded, stay patient, and trust yourself,” she says. “Life overseas can be challenging whether it’s managing finances, finding the right job, or building meaningful relationships but every difficulty is an opportunity to grow. Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you, and don’t be afraid to seek guidance from those who’ve walked the path before you. Remember to balance hard work with self-care, and never lose sight of your dreams. Most importantly, stay true to your values, and opportunities will find you, even in the most unexpected places.”
