Since my childhood, I’ve had a keen fascination with art and craft. As I grew up, my love for art grew along with me. Because I was good at it, I wanted to pursue it as a career or a business. Unfortunately, things didn’t work out that way. Now I’m almost thirty, and I still have that deep urge to create my own business. That’s why, when I came across this week’s topic, it felt like it was written just for me. As I have so much to say!
My passion for art started to grow when I learned how to write, and my mother was the pioneer behind it. Whenever there was a special occasion like a birthday, wedding anniversary, or Eid, my mom would let us make handmade cards. The funny thing is, I still have those cards and old drawings. They help me realize how far I’ve come.
Let’s cut to the chase—my love for art and craft never left my side. As I grew older, I started experimenting with colors on literally everything: glass, canvas, bottles, fabric, fans, curtains—everything! After high school, social media became popular. When I started posting my paintings online, people loved them. When my close friends and relatives wanted to buy my artwork, I was surprised. Am I really that good? It felt amazing to earn money from my art. From then until now, I’ve sold many handmade products—but not in a commercial way. My customers were only people related to me.
Whenever they came to collect their products, they would ask why I didn’t have a page or a website, and why I wasn’t starting a proper business. I still ask myself the same question. Because money, manpower, skills, and talent—none of these are actually an issue for me.
Before marriage, the main problem was family support. My father wanted me to have a white-collar job. To him, selling art wasn’t a proper or long-lasting career. He also believed there were many challenges in starting a business. And since I’m a woman, those challenges felt even more prominent compared to men. Social validation was also a concern for him. Because of this, whenever I had client orders, I couldn’t work on them openly in front of my father.
In our Asian culture, girls usually stay with their parents until marriage, so it was extremely difficult for me to run a business while living under my father’s roof. My plan was to start my business once I had my own home. After getting married, I started a job, but whenever I found time, I continued doing commission work. I was lucky—my husband is very supportive of whatever I want to do.
Just when things were finally starting to settle, I got pregnant, and managing everything on my own became difficult. Still, I sold paintings until my daughter was born. Now she needs my full-time attention, and I can’t fully focus on running a business. I think when she learns to walk, I’ll start thinking seriously about my business again. I just need to wait a little longer. But now, I’m determined—I will do it.
Although I still sell my art pieces occasionally as a hobby, it’s only on a small scale. Deep down, I still dream of establishing my own art business. And maybe one day… I will.