alysa prabhu

1. What is your background and when and why did you decide to start your own small business?

ALYSA PRABHUPink Pepper Craft Studio facebook:

pinkpeppercraftstudio

The thought of dental nursing for life, Made me feel ill and got me into strife. Till in 2011 a zombie party I did throw, And got the surprise of my life, how was I sposed to know.

That guests would all love my handmade decor, From boa napkin rings to silhouettes on the door. To the point that half my creations went missing My guests were all thieves, or so I am guessing.

Alysa or how we all call her Aly has been with QatART since the beginning, since 2011 when the idea of QatART was born. She was cheering and helping that Dominika’s and Gabi’s idea of making a handmade community in Qatar become a reality. She also joined our board team as a membership coordinator. Aly is our funniest and boldest member and we would like you to meet her. So here is our interview we had with her at our 5th QatART Handmade Market at Katara Art Studios on 21st November 2014.

2. What sort of products do you market? Predominantly I make and market a variety of things.  I love to learn new skills, I love to dream and try to make the dream a reality.  I am always thinking and trying and I get really excited when things work, and sad when they don't.    While initially most of my work was related to paper-craft, my skills have evolved to including clay, wood, fabrics.  I've started learning to sew and some of my later items are a reflection of that as I work towards improving my skills.

3. How does your work differ from others of its genre? People recognize that Pink Pepper is a bit different and a bit of a mix.  I'm not sure that it always works, however I think people are enjoying the continuous evolution that keeps everyone on their toes and coming back for more. 

4. How does your creating process work? Anyone who knows me will know that my mind is chaos, and so is my creative process.  I take over 4 rooms of my house when I work, driving my long suffering husband to despair.     5. What's the best thing about setting up your own brand? If I were to be honest Pink Pepper has been the best decision I ever made in terms of career, not necessarily financially but most definitely in job satisfaction.   I have a total new lease on life, I'm far more confident, I'm constantly learning, making wonderful friends, meeting and dealing with people, developing relationships and more. It's also given me some new skills, or helped me improve on skills including organization.  (Ok ok you can all stop laughing now, you should see how bad I used to be);  marketing, presentation, finances etc.

6. Who are your customers? My Qatari customers tend to like my craft kits and string lighting.  Expats, particularly European expats tend to understand better my quirky side.  My main customer base tends to be adults purchasing for their own party or home deco needs, or for their children's decor or party needs.

7. What are some of the challenges you've faced? Organizing my time and craft space are huge issues for me.  Also coming from a dental nurse and equestrian background with almost no sales experience I do find the selling side quite overwhelming.  I tend to rely heavily on Camy to help me in that aspect due to my lack of confidence, but it is a work in progress and is getting easier over time. 

8. What do you love about selling at our handmade markets at Katara? The Katara market is so very special to me, I mean just look at the location for a start. I love the mix of customers that come through, it's so vast and varied. My favorite thing though would have to be its atmosphere.  We as a group are such a great relaxed fit and it throws out a really unique and special vibe at each and every market.   9. Do you feel QatART helped your business to grow and in which way? QatART has been instrumental in the growth of Pink Pepper.  The supportive and nurturing environment and team effort has helped me grow and  develop as a person which of course reflects on PP as a whole.

10. What do you love about being a QatART Member?

I love thee for your emails, That I find in my inbox tray. There's always something in the news, And a market for another day.

I love that as a member, There's so much kindness and help. In fact when I see you all, I get so excited I tend to yelp.

I love the way that dear ol Dom, Our head honcho through and through. Knows she has to pester me, To remind me what I have to do.

I love that all our members, Unite to get things done. I love that when I'm with you all, I always have so much more fun.

And from all the great and positive cheers, Pink Pepper started to grow right between me ears. Me dear ol Mum helped me come up with the name, Pink Pepper was born and I will never be the same.

So what started as fluffy cute boa napkin rings, Has turned into a monster of all sorts of bling. And to think I won't ever have to dental nurse no more, Warms my heart even when my fingers get sore. And from all the great and positive cheers,

Pink Pepper started to grow right between me ears. Me dear ol Mum helped me come up with the name, Pink Pepper was born and I will never be the same.

So what started as fluffy cute boa napkin rings, Has turned into a monster of all sorts of bling. And to think I won't ever have to dental nurse no more, Warms my heart even when my fingers get sore. 

11. Tell us 5 words to describe yourself. Poetic, weird, funny, forgetful, emotional.

12. Do you have a motto? My latest motto for xmas is "Think Pink and be Merry” My normal motto is "I'm a dingaling for bling"

13. What’s the best career advice anyone have ever given you? Years ago my boss and riding coach told me “If you fall off, get up, dust yourself off and get right back on that horse.”

14. What are your 5 favorite finds at today’s Katara QatART Handmade Market?