Manali Manan Desai's Blog, page 66

When the Chaos Around You Ceases to Exist Because of Art ~ A Biotechnologist & Upcycling Artist Shares Her Journey

Pete Seeger says,

“If it can’t be reduced, reused, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refinished, resold, recycled, or composted, then it should be restricted, designed or removed from production.”

In our #MondayMotivation blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we present a woman who follows this philosophy through her artistic pursuits and passion. Meet, Monali Mohanty, who is a biotechnologist by profession and qualification, and an artist by passion. She is the founder of RANG, a platform which deals in hand-painted customized home & office decor and utility products. They are also are into upcycling of old furniture and revamping them as per the clients need. Rang does corporate gifting and workshops as well. So, what led Monali to give up her love for science to pursue her passion for arts and how does she manage time between managing a one-woman business alongside her personal responsibilities? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“By profession and qualification, I am a Biotechnologist and by passion I’m the Founder of RANG. RANG deals in hand-painted customized home & office decor and utility products. Also, we are into upcycling of old furniture. Revamping them as per the clients need. We do Corporate gifting and workshops as well. My father is a Doctor, so I always had this inclination towards the medical field. Hence, science is my first love. Though I loved what I did, I found solace in art. I  have never had any formal training in fine arts which in retrospect I feel I should have had. My mom used to love painting and as a kid I have seen her paint and that’s the only training I had, which was “seeing her paint”

I quit my job during my pregnancy as it was a difficult one. And just to do something productive I used to paint in my free time. I had always loved to paint. I just feel at peace, all the chaos around me just seems to cease. It was a tray that I painted first, which a friend saw and ordered a few customized products for gifting.

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And with God’s grace I haven’t looked back ever since. I never took it seriously that anyone will be interested in buying my products and always questioned my works, thinking, “Is it really good enough for someone to buy?” That’s when my family was a solid support and kept encouraging. My mom and dad, and my husband were always my rock and critic both. I got a lot of word of mouth publicity and gradually things picked up. That’s how RANG came into being. 

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Since I am not a trained artist, I was looking at making utility products. The painting was not the difficult part. But sustainability and finesse had to be there to compete with the digitally printed products available in the market.

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And also, hand-painted products are expensive and have a niche market. So the major struggle was to understand how to go about making the products more sustainable , what base to use , what sealants to use , how to source material, networking , promoting the work, etc and I am a one woman show, managing my business and my little one altogether. When I had started my business, my daughter was just 1 year old and since we are a nuclear family it was a challenge to manage taking care of her as well the business at the same time.

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But I guess it’s a gradual process where you learn from your mistakes. I also believe the process is more important as that will finally give you the end result you desire. No shortcuts!! 

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I always have this desire to try something new and keep exploring new things. There are so many different art forms, so many different ways that art can touch our lives and add colour to it. I guess that keeps me going. Being always on the lookout for something new and pushing myself to see if I can achieve it. I love the challenge. Self-motivation is the key!!

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The journey so far has been great. Whatever small space I have built for myself I’m grateful for the same. But miles to go before I sleep. In this digitalised world I wish to keep the part of hand painting art alive and my ambition is to see RANG grow and venture into customized hand painted furniture, customized corporate gifts and wedding gifts.

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This is purely because I believe that customised gifts add so much more value to gifting. 

My biggest learning has been to

“Fall in love with the process and the results will come “

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Because, if you wish to make beautiful things, you have to give it time and have patience.

“All beautiful things have their own journey to make before they become what they are. “

Unlike so many tutorials available today, and all social media platforms where now you can get advice from the seasoned artists, when I started in 2014 there wasn’t much of a social media boom. No one to ask and get answers. So, I kept trying out options to see what works the best for me and what makes my products look good and never did I get bored of trying or not enjoying what I did. And eventually the eureka moment came. It was a big deal for someone like me who knew nothing about this field expect that I loved and enjoyed painting!! And these learnings that I learned the hard way are something that I won’t forget all my life.

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To drop in a message to Monali, check out her wonderful art pieces, or to inquire and order her products and services, follow the links below:

RANG Instagram page
RANG Facebook page

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When You Consider Each Day A Blank Canvas To Be Filled up Creatively and Colorfully ~A Graphic Designer & An Independent Artist Shares Her Story

Georgia O’Keeffe said,

“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.”

In our #FridayFeature blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we present someone who courageously took on her passion for creativity to turn into a full-time profession. Meet, Clacia Valancia Pereira, who is a Graphic Designer & an Independent Artist. She pursues this through her creative venture Callistrophy. Her forte is calligraphy, lettering, watercolors & acrylics. Besides engaging in art, Clacia also teaches the said art activities through workshops. What got her into this field and how does she keep herself motivated to pursue these artistic activities? Let us find out in her own words.

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“When I say calligraphy, I was into it from school days, right from the 6th grade. But I never thought I would take it up as my profession. After getting my Fine Arts degree, I was trying to figure out what to do next and I thought let me start off by creating an art page. That’s how Callistrophy came in. I used to share my calligraphy work here regularly and it drew in a lot of compliments. When a client ordered a piece of an art from one of my posts, quite a number of orders followed, and I myself was amazed. But I guess that’s what growth is all about, right?

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The turning point came when one day I decided to do something other than just creating art for myself or for selling. So, I advertised for my brush lettering workshop. Surprisingly within just a short span there were quite a number of people texting in, wanting to participate in the workshop and learn from me! I was just starting out and to receive such a response was hugely motivating. In fact, this became even more encouraging, when one of the people who contacted me was a journalist wanting to feature me in the Navhind Times.

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I guess these little things are what keep me going. The compliments after delivering each order or after putting up an art piece and the messages of the well wishes after my article that was featured on the Navhind Times have kept my mind positive and convinced me that I’m doing the right thing. I mean my work is touching so many lives and reaching out to so many people, so it must be good, right?

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The journey so far has been really challenging and mesmerising. I consider each day to be a fresh new canvas and take it up as a challenge; as in, it is up to me as to what art I can create on it, so I make the best use of my time and my talents, to paint a beautiful picture out of each day. The future plan is to make my art and abilities as an artist reach those who need love and healing. I really hope to teach and help the autistic kids grow in art and in turn also learn patience and resilience from them.

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Born and brought up in Goa, I’m a simple girl with a love for the arts, which she refuses to give up on.

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To all those reading this, I would just like to say, that,

“Though you haven’t touched the moon yet, “just start” and things will automatically fall in place.”

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To drop in a message to Clacia, check out her calligraphy and lettering art works, inquire or order one or more of these for yourself, or to know about and participate in one of her upcoming workshops, follow the links below:

Callistrophy Instagram page
Callistrophy Facebook page

Clacia’s work has been featured in an article on the Navhind Times. You can have a look at this article through the link below:

Navinhind Times feature article

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Other professional and personal social media handles:

Facebook
Instagram
Youth 4 Work

 

When You Wish to Create Art That People Can Cherish ~ An Accessory Designer, Illustrator and Paper Artist Shares Her Story

Charles Todd says,

“The point of working with one’s hands is that it gives the mind something else to do besides worry.”

In our #WisdomWednesday post focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we bring to you a woman who feels similarly about handcrafted and handmade products. Meet, Kanupriya Ahuja Asnani, who is an Accessory Designer, Illustrator, and a Paper Artist. She is the founder of Hopping Chidiya, a creative venture which on her own words is a platform where, “You can expect everything that’s handmade with paper, care, patience and love”. So, what gave her the motivation to get into this creative field and how does she manage time between her professional and personal life? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“What got me into it was my passion for Design and crafting things with my own hands. The joy that came out of creating something out of nothing has and is even today the most motivating and satisfying agent in my journey as an artist.

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Of course, it wasn’t all easy. The initial struggle began right away, as I had no background or guidance related to Design when I got admission to NIFT.

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Later, because of various personal commitments that I had to take care of, I could not continue my job. However, this did not make me stop completely. I started my work from home all over again after 2 years of break. The problem with this is that people do not take you when you say, “You do your professional work from home”

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They take it for granted that it’s just a hobby and often ask but what do you do for work! The other challenge is with the kind of work I do as an artist. In my case till this day and date people think since its paper how does it retain its shape and will get damaged if they wear it.

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I have always been passionate about handcrafted stuff and hence took it up as a profession too, but the turning point came when I started paper Quilling from home and opened my Etsy Shop.

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Alongside this I also did a small catalogue design project for a friend. Both these drew in lot of positive feedback and it motivated me to continue.

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My motivation is the urge to keep working even when I had no projects as I really wanted to keep my Design carrier. There was a point of time in my life when I had to leave work for some personal commitments.

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But in my heart, I knew I would start again. So, the hunger to work kept me motivated every day and now I have the entire community of designers and artists that keep each other motivated all the time. It all started with a paper exploration project in my second year of college at NIFT. We had to develop a range of paper goods for gifting purpose keeping in mind the emotional bond between a father and a daughter.

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After this, the same paper project got selected by an NGO and there was no looking back. This went on during college but once I graduated, I started work for a Design house and was there for 4 years.

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Post that I decided to start my very own Hopping Chidiya in 2012. Initially I was getting orders through friends and family but as the orders picked up, I expanded and started my online shop on Etsy. So, it has been a journey of growth and learning.  I wish to create beautiful art through Paper and Design products that are sustainable. More than that I want to create beautiful art pieces that people can cherish in their lives and make them worthwhile. Meanwhile, I am enjoying the process, the present and not waiting for the end because I believe that kills the joy of present. If you are new just take it easy and give it your heart and soul.

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My learning has been that,

 

“ The whole beauty of design or creating something is in the process.”

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And one must remember to,

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“Have dreams, nurture them and enjoy the process.”

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To drop in a message to Kanupriya, have a look at her products, or to inquire and order one for yourself or your loved ones, follow the links below:

Kanupriya’s website
Hopping Chidiya Instagram page
Hopping Chidiya Facebook page
Hopping Chidiya Twitter page
Hopping Chidiya Etsy shop

Other professional and personal social media handles of Kanupriya

LinkedIn profile
Indiefolio
About Me

Kanupriya’s work through Hopping Chidiya has been featured on many platforms. Follow links below to have a look at her multiple features

Feature on Shaadi Saga

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Feature on Wed Me Good

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Feature on NRI News 24*7

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Instagram features

Candypops
Etsy
Etsy

 

 

 

 

 

 

When You Believe There is A Sacred Purpose to Art & Creativity ~ A Macrame Artist & Home Decor Entrepreneur Shares Her Story

Vandana Shiva, says,

“The fact that I still find so much beauty in a handicraft is because my mother taught us to see not just the craft as a product but the craft as an embodiment of human creativity and human labor.”

In our #MondayMotivation blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we present a woman who feels similarly about crafting and creativity. Meet, Kanisha Acharya, who is a Handicraft Curator and Macrame Artist. Owing to her attachment and passion towards creativity and home décor, she combined these two to become a Home Decor Entrepreneur through her creative enterprise, The Hippie Vibes. What made her quit her journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant to begin a journey inclined towards a creative passion and from where does she draw the motivation to continue on this path? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“As my early childhood went into conquering great academic highlights, the only thing I missed the most while doing Chartered Accountancy was the creative spark in me which used to make me feel complete as a person. After passing my Inter CA, I happened to read about dreamcatchers and their concept and decided to weave one myself. It gave me a sense of contentment after a long time. It also left behind a feeling of self-appreciation.

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Since then, I took it up as a passion and have never looked back. The struggle was setting up this passion as a profession. While I wanted to pursue it professionally and of course also be successful in it, after spending years creating my own designs and my own brand story, the bitter truth hit me that no one believed I should take this up as a profession.

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You see, this forte was not so famous back then and it was believed that artists earned less than corporate employees. Starting my page on Instagram without any expectations of what the future holds came as a true turning point. Getting appreciated on this platform motivated me to stay on this path despite facing challenges.

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I strive to create authentic dreamcatchers inspired by nature, paying homage to its truest roots. Every Dream Catcher under The Hippie Vibes, honours the magical nature that surrounds us. All totems are carefully handmade with love using natural and vegan materials.

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These have all been sourced while travelling to various untouched parts of the world, while I followed my other passion of travelling. My passion for my work and refusal to not make compromises when it comes to quality has brough me in contact with some truly ethical traders in different parts of India and abroad.

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As a wanderer, I always seek inspiration from nature. All my creations start with a vision which comes from a place of curiosity, passion and serving the world through my art. I have always loved watching my visions come alive and being appreciated as I have travelled with them.

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Right from sourcing the materials to making each of the art pieces under my venture The Happy Vibes, I am the sole creator and believe in putting my best energies to craft a beautiful piece for those who seek them.

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I believe there is a sacred purpose to art and creativity and if laced with the perfect intentions, it provides joy to both the maker and the receiver. There has been no looking back in my journey as a Home Decor Entrepreneur, Handicraft Curator, and Macrame Artist since the day I decided to pursue this rather than becoming a CA.

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Besides our social media presence, which draws in a lot of orders, we also get a great response while exhibiting in various curated art exhibits. Custom orders for interior projects are a constant.

 

At The Happy Vibes, we also employ unprivileged women from our neighbourhood, teach them this art and help them thrive and not merely survive. 

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I also have a studio to work in the best environment and cater to clients based in Ahmedabad and conduct workshops. We also are blessed to be selling our creations worldwide through Etsy. 

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My love for art is my biggest motivation because it made me whole by myself and more importantly it made me love myself when everything was falling apart. Quitting Chartered Accountancy was a brave as well as scary step but having art as my solace has been helpful like nothing else. I started travelling and ended up being in Himachal Pradesh learning Macramé’ in the company of the mighty Himalayas. I started creating new designs, not for the result but to awaken my soul. Since then, I have never stopped.

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I wish to learn many art forms in my journey on this beautiful planet and travel to as many places I can. I think nothing brings me more joy than creating and travelling. So the future plan, as of now, is to keep creating, and learning and growing along the way.

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My biggest learning has been to

“Always believe in yourself and set your heart towards what you love.”

One must remember to,

“Be the most unique in your offerings to the world.”  

And also to,

“Make your intuition your best friend and believe in persistence and always live with integrity.”

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To drop in a message to Kanisha, check out her gorgeous macramé creations and dreamcatchers, or to inquire and buy one or more of these for yourself or to gift someone, follow the links below:

The Hippie Vibes Instagram page
The Hippie Vibes Facebook page
The Hippie Vibes Etsy shop

The Hippie Vibes has also been featured on City Shor and LBB. You can have a look at these feature through the links below:

The Hippie Vibes on City Shor
The Hippie Vibes on LBB

 

 

 

 

 

When You Believe Its Not Impossible To Follow Everything The Heart Wants ~ An Artist & Illustrator Shares Her Journey

Charles Cooley said,

“An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one.”

In our #FridayFeature blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we present an artist whose love for the arts and creativity ensures she never fails to impress. Meet, Sangamalika Rajakumar, who is a Design Associate (at a Human-Centered Design Strategy Company) and an independent artist who does fine arts, illustration and creative designing. She is the founder of Sanga Studio, an artistic venture via which she enables her art pieces to reach art enthusiasts across the globe. What made her choose this field as a profession and how does she manage between a full-time job as an artist and following the same passion as an independent artist too? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“My love for Perspectives and Patterns got me into this field. I couldn’t un-see the interconnections among various human beings, their background, behaviors, history and their life. And I also couldn’t stop seeing the patterns and colors in anything that I laid my eyes on. The joy of creating something and then sharing it with the world for it to experience a part of that joy, is something that pushes me to stretch my potential every day.

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The struggle and challenge is managing my passion for all things creative. Apart from my profession and art explorations, I also love to read/listen to books, workout, learn new languages, watch series, play keyboard, volunteer for social causes and keep learning something new through online courses/webinar. I have recently taken a liking to cooking as well. It was not easy to follow everything that the heart wants. But I very strongly believed that it was not impossible either.

There were many little and a few major sacrifices that I had to do all along my way. There were voices of doubt, both from inside and outside, that pushed me to wonder if pursuing multiple things that my heart so stubbornly set itself upon, was leading me nowhere. However, those very same voices slowly helped me understand that if I do one thing at a time, and give my best at it, then I am one step closer to excelling at anything I pick. If it is worth the sacrifices, then I must just go for it.

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  Interestingly, and a little bit funnily, it was a planner from The Ink Bucket that turned things around for me. I was always into some or the other form of journaling. I love to plan my day, and I sometimes have a Monica Geller’s level of detailing to organizing things. But the toughest part of it is following through and implementing. So, last year, when I got this planner, it felt like it was made for me and something clicked, and I was able to implement most of my task list, while it also helped me with a bit of mindfulness exercises.

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My routine became better and the whole practice had an impact on how I took care of my day. I was beginning to get more things accomplished. While I started working full time, I also renamed my art account and launched it as Sanga Studio, to give it more. So, now, every day is a new opportunity for giving my best to what I have planned. The little changes we make to our lives have impacts that turnout unexpectedly amazing. 

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I would like to believe that motivation is something that always comes from within. When our mind and heart aspire to do something or be something, nothing can or should stop us from going for it.

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My journey so far has been very interesting. While living in various towns, cities and Metros, on one hand, made me curious about people, behavior and culture, on the other hand, the diversity that I witnessed all over and the beauty of the places I lived in, pushed me to explore the world of patterns and colors.

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Today, I am at a place where I am able to strike a balance between my profession and passion. My future plan is to explore more about human behavior, while I also expand Sanga Studio.

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My learning has been to,

“Keep going. One step at a time. One moment at a time. One action at a time. But never stop.”

When I see the world, I always have an underlying hope that the world gets a little more justice and happiness, with every passing moment. I hope to use what I do to contribute towards that cause.

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To drop in a message to Sangamalika, know more about or check out her artistic pursuits, inquire about or buy one or more of her art pieces, follow the links below:

Sanga Studio Instagram page
Sanga Studio Facebook page
Behance page of Sangamalika

Other professional and personal social media handles:

 

Medium profile of Sangamalika

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LinkedIn profile of Sangamalika

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Sangamalika is a passionate reader and writer as well, and she shares her musings on YourQuote. Sangamalika has even recited a piece written by her on YourQuote open mic. You can have a look at this on YouTube through the link below

YourQuoteOpenMic video of Sangamalika

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Another public platform where Sangamalika shared her knowledge is YIF (Young India Fellow. Sangamalika was a part of 2018-19 batch of YIF) Talks, in which she spoke on the topic “Be Unapologetically You”.Below is the YouTube link to the video:

YIF TALKS || Perspective by Sangamalika Rajkumar

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When You Learn To Be Financially Independent At A Young Age ~ The Founder of A Crafting Venture Shares Her Story

Clare Boothe Luce said,

“A woman’s best protection is a little money of her own.”

In our #WisdomWednesday blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we bring to you a woman who similarly learned the value of financial independence at a very young age. Meet, Crafter and Creative Entrepreneur, Muthupriya Maniraj, who is the founder of BrownGirl Crafts and BrownGirl Unwraps. Besides this, she also does a full-time job. How and when did she start this venture and how does she manage time between a job and a business? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“My official name is Muthupriya Maniraj, but most people know me as Priya Maniraj. I am a self-taught crafter and the founder, owner and creator of BrownGirl Crafts and BrownGirl Unwraps. Also, along with my passion for crafting I have a full-time job as a Junior Executive Tech-Support at a Food Processing Company in Mumbai. Crafting and making handmade gifts were something I never thought I would end up falling in love with. You can call this a miracle.

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So, I had made a small sample of explosion box during my summer break in my degree college. Post this, a friend of mine asked me if I could help her with a similar gift, and then that one creation turned to 81 today with lots of learning and patience. I would like to confess here that I underwent depression due to personal problems. During this time, crafting was an escape and strength that got me back to being the cheerful person that I am today. 

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I had a creative inclination since I was a kid but learning to make gifts for selling is another ball game entirely as I had to learn all the techniques of how to make the products, what kind of materials to use, the time-money balance, pricing and marketing my products, etc all on my own. Balancing my daily commute time, studies and crafts, was initially a struggle to cope up with and once I got my job, it took me nearly 2-3 months to settle down into a routine of balancing it all. When I started in 2017, I received 5 orders and in 2018, which was my final year in degree college, I had to give up on crafts to give my full attention to studies, which majorly consisted of the final year thesis and exams.

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During this year, I could manage to complete only one order and almost stopped post that. My dad had lost his job at the same time. This brought on a financial crisis on the family and crafting became a way for me to manage my basic requirements of travelling and college. Also, exploring social media made me realize how many amazing creators were already out there. These creators were making amazing content and I felt maybe this is not my ally.   But you know God never leaves the one who is lost and has missed the direction. I felt something was missing in my life and those craft materials lying in my shelf gave me a hope that no matter what, I’ll not give up.

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So, I scheduled my day, learnt new skills and 2019 welcomed me with more than 80 orders. Today when I look back at that time, it makes me feel proud that I didn’t give up despite not being a professional. My family, best friends and my classmates never missed any opportunity to support and motivate me. Also, my social media skills, marketing skills and urge to learn something new at every chance, made me and my crafts move towards new designs, fresh ideas and creative content at a price which is feasible for someone’s pocket money savings, to someone’s planned surprise party.  My God is the ultimate motivation for me because he never let my prayers go in vain. His gift, my family is my ultimate support and motivation and my best friends who are my biggest critics as well as strongest motivators. My inner happiness, the feedback I receive, and the customer’s smiles too, motivate me every day to grow my little business little by little.

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As a girl child in my family, I also want to prove to my extended family that I am not any lesser than the boys. To be honest, my journey hasn’t been that easy but its surely been a journey worth experiencing. I never thought I’ll be able to manage this mini business alongside my full-time work. I am so happy to help my family financially because we really had hard times to even fulfil our monthly grocery needs at a certain point when my father lost his job. I turned into more of a responsible woman every day and someone who can multitask efficiently. As I make handmade gifts, it requires a lot of time and effort. So, because of my full- time job I sometimes don’t find it easy to make these.

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Hence, I have planned for gifts that fall under the customizable, jewellery and accessories category. I also plan on reselling products at an affordable price which will help the one who creates to sell and set an online base for their products. This will help all our customers get a wide variety of gifting options too. BrownGirl Unwraps is the current page I have launched on this women’s day and am currently working on it.

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Also, if God’s grace is on me, I am planning to expand my team from one to 5 and instead of reselling, we will be aiming at creating our own environmentally as well as budget friendly gifting options. Also, we are working on our website and planning to launch our YouTube channel which will be out very soon! My crafting and other personal as well as professional life experiences have taught me that,

“Patience and openness to learning are key aspects before setting up one’s own business.”

I also learnt that,

“It is okay to go slow and build up on quality rather than making haste and delivering something which isn’t all that special.”

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I learnt how to design and use colors as well as patterns. Because I have a coral draw and DTP course degree, this helped me in designing my logo. Learn to manage my finances is also something I owe to my crafts because it has taught me how to invest, negotiate, save and spend.

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I would advice everyone out there to,

“Practice every day and follow your dreams no matter how busy life gets.”

But the most important thing is that

“One needs to treat the customers as friends for the relation last longer and to build a trust”

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Also,

“One shouldn’t give up by just seeing the dark clouds. Because this can stop you from experiencing the bright moon hidden just behind that darkness.”

I would like to thank A Rustic Mind for including me in such a beautiful segment. Also, if anyone wants help in setting up their crafting business or if they want to be a part of our crafting family, they can send us an mail at thebrowngirlcrafts@gmail.com or DM us on our Instagram page.”

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To drop in a message to Priya, check out her amazing crafts, inquire about the handmade gifts she provides under her creative venture, and to place an order (or more) through her page, follow the links below:

Instagram handle of BrownGirl Crafts
Instagram handle of BrownGirl Unwraps 
Facebook page of BrownGirl Crafts

Other personal and professional social media handles

Personal Instagram handle of Priya Maniraj
Personal Facebook profile of Priya Maniraj

Priya’s work through her page BrownGirl Crafts has been featured on another Instagram page where various handmade artists are promoted and featured. You can check this feature through link below:

BrownGirl Crafts featured on Instagram handle of Handmadeestate

BrownGirl Crafts is currently looking for creative helping hands. They’re also willing to teach eager learners about crafting and gift making. So anyone who wants help in setting-up a crafting business or wants to be a part of the crafting family of BrownGirl Crafts can send them a mail at:

Mail ID: thebrowngirlcrafts@gmail.com
DM them on their Instagram page (BrownGirl Crafts or BrownGirl Unwraps)

They’re soon planning on starting a Pinterest page and a YouTube channel too. So do keep a tab on their Instagram and Facebook pages to know when these are launched.

 

 

 

#WritingInLockdown Challenge ~ 1.0

I started the #WritingInLockdown challenge on the Facebook and Instagram pages of A Rustic Mind, where I have been writing and posting a poem on each day, beginning from 21st March, 2020. Answering below, a few FAQs I got on this segment/challenge:

What gave you the idea to start this challenge?

I hadn’t been getting time to engage in hobby writing/creative writing since the past few months. The only writing I had been able to do since the beginning of this year was professional writing. The lock down brought in some free time, mentally and physically. And I was badly missing my writing hobby which was a solace for me. Also, I saw many people engaging in nominating friends and family over various challenges. Since this is the only thing I’m good at, it led to the ideation and implemetion of #WritingInLockdown challenge.

Has this been helpful?

Oh yes! I haven’t felt so liberated, at least mentally, in a long time! My creativity as a writer is coming out superbly!

Do you plan to continue this segment/challenge now that the lock down has been extended?

Yes, very much so! I intend to post a poem, microtale, musing, or just about anything, for each day of this lock down, till it continues.

In what other ways has this challenge been helpful?

Honestly, this has kept my mind off the negativity surrounding the Covid-19. Not to mention it keeps me creatively engaged too.

That’s about everything I have been asked on DMs regarding this challenge. Since lock down 1.0 has ended, I thought of starting on a new note with the lock down 2.0 (starting on 15th APril, 2020)

So sharing all the writings of the lock down 1.0 in this blog post. So far I have written 24 poems/musings under this challenge.

1. World Poetry Day

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#WritingInLockdown challenge Day 1: Wrote a little poem (after a long time) on this World Poetry Day. May the reader, writer and poet in you be inspired by the magic of poetry and words, today and always. Happy World Poetry Day, folks.

2. Life in Quarantine
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#WritingInLockdown challenge Day 2:

What to do?

Wake up and exercise and exercise at home, together if you can.

What to do?

Decide what to have for breakfast, lunch and dinner, help each other prepare the meals and have them together.

What to do?

Clean the house together because nobody got time to do it in busy schedule and right now calls for it.

What to do?

Watch a movie together, get your family into the ‘Netflix and chill’ mood.

What to do?

Listen to music together, dance to it or let it play as you cook, play games or clean the house together.

What to do?

Help out the women with household chores like cutting and chopping, cleaning the utensils, starting the washing machine or putting out the washed clothes for drying.

What to do?

Play card games, board games or read a book together.

What to do?

Call friends and relatives to catch up and ask them how they’re doing.

What to do?

Engage in DIY activities like painting, baking, and other creative activities, together.

What to do?

If out of options to do stuff and bored, stop each other from stepping out of the house.

What to do?

Be there for each other and with each other.

What to do?

Stay indoors as much as you can, because THIS TOO SHALL PASS.

What to do?

Use this time to analyse and realize your mistakes, and strive to BE A BETTER HUMAN once this is over.

3. The Little Joys

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#WritingInLockdown challenge Day 3

And when the dark times passed,

Never again did she take for granted, the simple things in life.

From a walk in the park, to enjoying a sunset on the beach.

From a hike up a hill, to witnessing the sunrise indicating a new day and beginning.

From the scent of the flowers, to the sound of birds chirping and water flowing by in a stream.

From family to friends, checking up regularly and hoping for everyone’s well being.

From the house help to the cleaner, valuing everyone’s work whether small or big.

.

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Here’s hoping we come out healed, whole and better on the other side of this world health crisis. Stay strong, people

When You Find Your Ikigai in Making India A Period Positive Society ~ The Founder of A Menstrual Care Venture Shares Her Story

Courtney Cox (our beloved Monica from F.R.I.E.N.D.S.) famously said,

“I’m the first girl to say the word ‘period’ on television.”

No, she didn’t say it on any of the episodes of the popular series. The word was actually spoken by her in 1985, when she appeared in a Tampax commercial. Can you believe that it was an unspoken word on television till then?

In our #MondayMotivation blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, we present a woman who is breaking similar taboos when it comes to periods, the stigma around them and the much-needed health and hygiene which seems to be lacking for women undergoing menstruation. Meet, Sanjana Pai, the founder of The Pink Box by Crimson Fuchsia Retail LLP. The Pink Box is a subscription service for everything women need on their period. Right from sanitary pads and tampons, to personal care items like pain relief cream, patch and roll-on; and other items like hand sanitizers, sweets, chocolates, etc, these boxes are everything a woman needs during her period. From where did Sanjana get the idea and inspiration to start this venture and what challenges did she overcome or face even today while keeping The Pink Box active? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“Crimson Fuchsia Retail is our start-up, and we work in the menstrual hygiene space. Crimson stands for blood, which is the most vital element of our body. And Fuchsia stands for the fuchsia flower, also called The Dancing Lady, which represents freedom and joy. Our product, The Pink Box, is a subscription service for everything women need on their period. Our vision is to see India as a period-positive society, where women aren’t held back by taboo and stigma.

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Some alarming stats around periods and menstrual hygiene got me into this field. In a joint paper, Christine Lagarde (MD of the International Monetary Fund from 2011 to 2019) and Erna Solberg (PM of Norway, 2013-present) said that raising women’s participation in the labour force to the same level as men can boost India’s GDP by 27 per cent! Barely 50% of Indian women have access to sanitary napkins. Social beliefs surrounding menstruation prevent women – in Urban as well as Rural India – from making the best use of their skills and unleashing their true potential! These facts and many experiences in my teenage and early adulthood motivated me to work in the menstrual hygiene field.

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The biggest issue we’re facing, as a venture, is the stigma around menstruation. We have to constantly play our part in de-stigmatizing taboos, while also being sensitive towards various beliefs and traditions. Besides this, like any other start-up, we too face operating challenges often. The best way to get around these concerns is to hire the right talent and to consult professionals.

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The turning point was coming face-to-face with the women facing problems during their period. I’m a firm believer of women’s rights and development, and children’s education. I’ve wanted to contribute to these fields since I was 16!

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During my college years, I noticed a lot of my peers having to miss classes due to period discomfort. Although we were lucky to have a store on campus that stocked sanitary pads, we wouldn’t always get our preferred type of pads. As I interacted with more and more women, I became aware of diverse beliefs surrounding menstruation (one girl would throw pads away only in the morning, at the cost of leaving a used pad in the bathroom all night! – wrapped up in newspaper, thankfully).

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I realized that the taboo and stigma behind menstruation was not exclusive to the grassroots level. It was an Urban Indian problem too! School-going girls are laughed and jeered at when their school uniforms are stained. College-goers have to go long hours without changing sanitary pads. I delved deeper into these social issues by speaking to women in different careers, reading research papers, scanning through forums, and more.

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I was looking at a stark contrast –

On one hand, women don’t have a safe space to openly discuss their menstrual and reproductive health. And on the other hand, menstruation is normalized to an extent where we neglect taking care of our body – when it needs us the most! This led me to work on The Pink Box – a care kit for everything you need during that time, including timely delivery at your doorstep! We enable our subscribers to make their cycle a worry-free and comfortable one.

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 Despite the number of successful women in business, education, sports, science, and every single field one could think of, there is a stark gender disparity in India which needs to be worked on. Menstruation and the beliefs surrounding it holds back a lot of women from excelling in their education, work-places, at home, and more. Enabling them to be comfortable and worry-free about their own biology is the first step in unleashing their potential. With more women completing their education and contributing to their respective fields, we are sure to see a positive mindset change in our society.

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I believe I’ve found my ikigai (a Japanese concept of finding your ‘reason to be’, which is an intersection of – what you love doing, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you are good at) in making India a period positive society. And that’s what keeps me going!

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  In the entrepreneurial journey of The Pink Box, the major milestones have been

In the very first year of our operations in 2018, our start-up was incubated in the first cohort of Flame Origins Program, an Incubator by FLAME University in Pune.
On Menstrual Hygiene Day (28th May) 2019, we were featured in Period Party, a first-of-its-kind event to celebrate periods and come together as a community.
We conducted the ‘Gift A Pack of Pads’ campaign to gift sanitary napkins to girls who are less privileged than us. We’ve benefitted over 500 kids so far, with 1000+ more to go! We also educate them about menstruation and personal hygiene.

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  So far, w e’ve launched 4 different variants of The Pink Box

The Ultimate Period Kit , where you received a curated box of healthy snacks, sweets, stress busters, collectibles, and your choice of sanitary pads or tampons.
The Bio Box , where you can upgrade the regular pads in the Ultimate Period Kit for, yes you guessed it right, biodegradable pads! The healthy eats and stress busters are featured in this box too! This one’s for the eco-conscious women.
The Travel Kit , which is curated to make your period – during trips and travel – more comfortable. We’ve also got handy hygiene products, along with a travel-friendly pouch!
The PCOS Care Box , which is India’s very first subscription service exclusively curated for women diagnosed with PCOS. The goodies in this box are all part of a PCOS-friendly diet.

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We’ve also initiated the ‘Back to the Sisterhood’ campaign, to promote sisterhood between women at workspaces. We also conduct educational sessions on Menstrual Health and PCOS /PCOD at offices and workspaces.

Right now, we are amidst a ’21 Days of Self Care’ challenge on Instagram and Facebook, where we’re engaging people with feel-good self-care activities to keep them going during lockdown.

The future plan is to expand into further in this field itself through,

Sustainable Menstruation – We are focusing on making menstruation – as well as menstrual hygiene products – sustainable and eco-conscious. Each of us needs to make efforts to reduce our carbon footprint, and we aim to play a vital role in this.
Community Building – We are creating a community for women where they can discuss women’s health without any reservations.

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My biggest learning has been that,

“For just about anything, perseverance, patience and passion is all you need!

Perseverance because,

“Hard work is the way to go for any start-up, you have to constantly keep working at it.”

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Patience because,

“Things work out when the time is right, don’t lose hope and don’t be disheartened. Keep hustling!”

  And passion because you need to,

 

“Do what makes you happy and give it everything you’ve got.”

  For those of you reading this, and have liked our concept of The Pink Box, we have some exciting news! We’ve made a Facebook group and page, and Instagram page called Creators Community. It’s a space for creators to express themselves – through art, poetry, music, recipes, workouts, anything that calls out to them. Through Creators Community, we aim to promote hobbies being developed during this tough lockdown period, as well as spread positivity. 

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**Source for Christine Lagarde and Erna Solberg’s joint paper:


The Business Standard

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To drop in a message to Sanjana, check out the various sizes and types of menstrual hygiene boxes available on The Pink Box, inquire about them or to subscribe to this wonderful and much-needed service, follow the links below:

The Pink Box website
The Pink Box Instagram handle
The Pink Box Twitter handle
The Pink Box Facebook page

Other personal/professional social media handles of Sanjana:

Instagram personal handle
LinkedIn profile
Facebook profile
Medium page

Sanjana’s life story and the exemplary work she does through The Pink Box has been featured in many blogs and on YouTube videos. It even finds a mention in the book titled Hill Top Run: Making Ideas Happen, which is a book mentioning some of the finest start-up stories to emerge from SIBM Pune.

Have a look at these through the links below:

Hill Top Run: Making Ideas Happen on Amazon
Unboxing video of one of the many boxes of The Pink Box on YouTube
Blog link to being #5 on 20 Best Subscription Boxes for Moms in India
Story of The Pink Box on SheThePeople

If you are looking for a space where your hobbies (which most of us are engaging in during this lockdown) can be appreciated and reach an online audience, share them with Creators Community. Follow their social media handles through links below:

Instagram page of Creators Community
Facebook page of Creators Community
Facebook group of Creators Community

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If you like what The Pink Box is doing and would like to help out a woman/girl-child in need of menstrual hygiene, you can contribute towards their efforts (just Rs. 35) through the link below:

Contribute to The Pink Box cause

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When You Learn To Change With The Changing Times ~ An Architect, Entrepreneur & Dancer Shares Her Story

Sara Blakley says,

“Don’t be intimidated by what you don’t know. That can be your greatest strength and ensure that you do things differently from everyone else.”

In our #FridayFeature blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, today we present a woman who just like the quote above says, doesn’t fear the new or the unknown and isn’t afraid to change or adapt as per the changing times. Meet, Lakshmi Narasimhan, who is an Architect (Principal Architect at Aarabhi Design Build and MindMaps Architecture and Interiors Pvt LTD), Entrepreneur (Co – founder of SAHAA The crafters and Cafe Socialize) and a trained Bharat Natyam dancer. How did she get into so many varied creative fields and how does she manage time in between these professions along with her personal life? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“ Architecture is my main profession and I have been practising since 1998. We (at Aarabhi Design Build and MindMaps Architecture and Interiors Pvt LTD) have always been inclined towards vernacular architecture which also got us to incorporate antiques in our building designs. During our journeys while looking for antiques, we were introduced to a lot of local weaves and textiles. This inspired us into starting a venture SAHAA-THE CRAFTERS, in which we make handcrafted and largely handloomed apparel and jewellery. We also source antique home decor as a part of the Sahaa venture. 

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While we (the team of Aarabhi Design Build, MindMaps Architecture and Interiors Pvt LTD and venture SAHAA-THE CRAFTERS), are currently comfortable in our chosen field of profession, which is Design and Build, the initial struggles started as soon as I came out of college. An early pregnancy, which when I lookback at now , came as a boon because now I am able to do a lot more that the kids are grown up and I have a lot of time on hand to focus on work; which as new mother I wouldn’t have been able to do. But it was all not hunky dory then either!

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I started out of a small garage in my parents’ house and moved eventually into bigger spaces. Now we are currently housed in a space where we practice Architecture, house the showroom for Sahaa and also have a CAFE SOCIALIZE attached to it! 

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While our core strength has always been Design, there were and are still struggles of not understanding completely, the technicalities of our new venture because of the vastness and richness of the same. Every day comes a new learning for us. 

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As for any start up, financial aid is a challenge and we are no different.

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There have been several turning points in a career spanning 20 years. The first turning point was when I met my partner S K Ravindra in 2006! Traveling, setting up of new spaces, a partnership lasting for 14 years; there have been several blessings.  

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As an architect, my first recognition came when our work was featured on the front page of a leading newspaper. From meeting and gaining appreciation from actress Keerthy Suresh, to being told that people wait for our exhibitions in Singapore, the journey has been humbling.

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The recognition and appreciation we got and continue to get in Singapore has been a major turning point for us as far as SAHAA is concerned.

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Dance has taught me discipline and also the importance of prayer. It has taught me to win over disappointments and to rejoice at success! It has kept me grounded in a way that only true artists can experience. So, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that being a dancer motivates me to give my best!

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Being an entrepreneur, the main challenge is to keep oneself self-motivated.

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There have been struggles more in this than with anything else!! Great passion towards work that I love doing, my employees, the thought of doing something new every day, keeps me motivated! Designing has always given me a high and thankfully I don’t need other spirits.

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Supported by a great team back at office, we look forward to a bright future where we can work with many professionals in various fields. We would like to work with weaver clusters for textiles, use new materials for design and building and make conscious decisions on the end products, keeping in mind the idea of sustainability and responsibility towards this planet.

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There are a few things that I can list under my professional and personal life learnings.

The biggest one being that,

“You are here as long as you learn to change with time. Your ideas, your method of working, your perspective, all must change with the times.”

But also remember to,

“Keep the goals in sight but be ready to change the methods you adopt for the same.”

Never the one to undermine team efforts, I have learned that,

“If you keep your team motivated and happy you can achieve great things in a shorter span of time. And while doing this, you can enjoy it as well! Keep your employees safe and happy. Make them your primary concern.”

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Regarding managing the finances, I have realized that,

“While it’s easy to get carried away by creativity, its necessary to keep a tab on what you spend and keep your (finance) books healthy. It will take you a long way. Financial health is extremely important and builds trust in the brand.”

  We have been featured in several leading newspapers for our architectural work and have worked with many credible, responsible and popular bloggers and have participated in many large and small exhibitions just in a span of 2 years! We were able to get back 60 percent of investment in such a short span which is itself a proof of the success of our ventures. The reviews of our customers and clients has been our biggest awards so far!     

The plan is to continue moving in this direction with eyes and mind, both open.

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To drop in a message to Lakshmi, check out or inquire about her services and products through her three entrepreneurial ventures, or to know more about/visit her café, follow the links below:

Sahaa The Crafters website
Aarabhi Architects website
MindMaps Architects website
Sahaa The Crafters Facebook page
Sahaa The Crafters Instagram page
Aarabhi Architects Facebook page
Aarabhi and MindMaps Instagram page
Cafe Socialize Instagram page
MinMaps Architects Facebook Page

Other professional and personal social media handles of Lakhsmi:

Personal Insta handle of Lakshmi Narasimhan

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LinkedIn profile of Lakshmi Narasimhan

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The work of Aarabhi Design Build and MindMaps Architecture and Interiors Pvt LTD has been featured in multiple newspaper articles. You can have a glimpse at these features below:

Natural Lighting with Seamless Spaces

[image error]A glimpse at a newspaper article where Lakhsmi’s architectural work was featured

Old-world Charm in Contemporary Setting

[image error]A glimpse at a newspaper article where Lakhsmi’s architectural work was featured

Bright Interiors with Natural Light

[image error]A glimpse at a newspaper article where Lakhsmi’s architectural work was featured

 

 

 

When You Have A Zeal To Keep Learning & Reinventing Yourself ~ An Entrepreneur, Artist and Philanthropist Shares Her Story

Ayn Rand said,

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me?” 

In our #WednesdayWisdom blog focusing on the #WonderWomen segment, today we bring to you a woman who is just as relentless and unstoppable, having achieved success in more than one professional field. Meet, Entrepreneur (Co-founder of ICRAFT and Founder of Soul Tara by Sushma Neeraj Sethia), Artist (Founder of Colors of Life by Sushma Neeraj Sethia) and Philanthropist (Charter President of Rotary Club of Jodhpur, Padmini & Leading Contributor of Kalam which is a part of Prabha Khaitan Foundation). Sushma’s is a known name and face in the city of Jodhpur; and ‘impeccably dressed, well-spoken, flamboyant, go-getter’ etc are just some of the many adjectives by which she is known. How did she get into so many varied professional as well social work fields, what gives her the motivation to do so and how does she manage time between them all? Let’s find out in her own words.

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“I am an Entrepreneur, Artist and a Social Worker. Though I am into multiple professions, the work that gives me most satisfaction is by giving back to the society in whatever capacity I can. I was born and brought up in the City of Dreams, Mumbai. Maybe that explains why I’m constantly striving to fulfill all my personal as well as professional dreams.

We moved to Jaipur a few years after my marriage and I joined my husband Neeraj Sethia in his handicraft business. Soon after this, I started its offshoot, ICRAFT with my sister Sejal, who is now an architect in New York. Under ICRAFT, we have been designing and supplying home accessories to leading home decor stores in Mumbai, Bangalore and Jodhpur from the last 13 years and now the brand even has its presence on some of the most popular online sites.

I come from a family of prominent jewelers in Mumbai. From a very young age, I have worked actively and learnt about the jewellery trade at my father’s establishments. This, coupled with my zeal for creativity and love for accessories, made me start my own accessories line, SOUL TARA by Sushma Neeraj Sethia. Having already worked with my husband in the furniture line, I had gained practical knowledge about products and supply management too. So, I set off into yet another entrepreneurial journey. Under my jewellery brand, we’ve held several jewelry exhibitions in Jodhpur, all of which have drawn in a lot of positive reviews and feedback, which has kept me motivated to continue this venture.

I have no formal training but as I mentioned my zeal for creativity and love for colours brings out the artist side of mine. I am blessed with an aesthetic frame of mind. Using my own home as my muse and my space to decorate, I have honed my talent as an artist by creating eclectic works of art which adorn every room of our beautiful new home. I launched my art professionally with COLOURS OF LIFE Sushma Neeraj Sethia on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook . It makes me proud to say that the Facebook page of this venture got over 15000 followers within a very short span.

From a very early age my parents introduced me to philanthropy. It is a deep-rooted facet of my personality. Hence, being a for social worker runs in my genes as my parents have always believed in giving back to the society and we have learnt the same from them. I’m currently the charter president of Rotary Club of Jodhpur Padmini, an all-womens’ service organisation. Through this role and position, I strive to lead the club to newer heights by taking up ambitious projects with the welfare of society in mind.

A zeal to always keep learning and reinventing myself motivated me to become one of the Ehsaas Women of Jodhpur. Ehsaas is a group of women who support the activities of Prabha Khaitan Foundation and under this, I along with two of my friends, have started Kalam. Kalam is a literary platform to promote literature, art, music and authors and artists. Thanks to Prabha Khaitan Foundation we have been able to bring KALAM to the city of Jodhpur. I’m extremely fond of making new contacts, hence this is a perfect platform for me to learn about new topics and interact with people from varied spheres of life.

My husband is my biggest motivation and he is the best critic I can get to improve my work. He has always encouraged me and still continues to encourage me to give my best in everything I do. He guides me and boosts energy into me whenever I feel lost. From pushing me forward for every venture or every new learning experience and encouraging me to become the charter president of Rotary Padmini, to even pursuing my interest in painting, he has been the guiding force behind it all. He pushed me to start working and has always been a strong force behind my success. Neeraj (my husband) and our three boys (Harsh, Himanshu and Divyansh) are my biggest support system. I’m blessed to have such a positive and encouraging family who support me whole-heartedly, otherwise who can manage so much on their own, right?

My biggest learning has been that,

“No matter what you’re pursuing, if it is something that gives you joy, never stop doing it”

And also,

“As long as you have a few who always support you and your work, you can and will always be able to have a work-life balance.”

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To drop in a message to Sushma, or have a look at her varied home décor products, jewellery and paintings, or to inquire and order one or more of these for yourself, follow the links below:

ICRAFT Instagram page
ICRAFT Facebook page
SOUL TARA by Sushma Neeraj Sethia Facebook page
SOUL TARA by Sushma Neeraj Sethia Instagram page
Colours of Life Sushma Neeraj Sethia Facebook page
Colours of Life Sushma Neeraj Sethia Instagram page

The products of ICRAFT are also available on various online/e-commerce platforms. You can have a look at them or buy them through links below:

ICRAFT products on Jaypore
ICRAFT products on Amazon
ICRAFT products on Modern Quests
ICRAFT products on Prop Shop 24
ICRAFT products on Quirq Station

Sushma’s philanthropic work has been featured in multiple newspaper articles. You can have a glimpse at these below:

Feature in Prabha as Ehsaas Women of The Month: Jodhpur
Feature in Delhi Times for philanthropy work done under Kalam
Feature in Jaipur Times for philanthropy work done under Kalam
Feature in Noida Times for philanthropy work done under Kalam
Feature in a regional newspaper for philanthropy work done under Kalam