Art exists in all shapes and sizes. It can be
found in rough strokes of a painter at work as well as in the delicate patterns
engraved by sculptors. For me, wood carving had always been a form of art,
which is often underappreciated in our society – like all arts are. Wood
carving includes working with wood (obviously), cutting or carving or shaping
it by the means of carving knives, chisels, mallets and the likes, and finally
create a piece which demands attention for its grace and presence.
Another thing which defines art is rarity, and the
enterprise which I wish to highlight in this attempt has that element set as
well. You will not hear of many women, I am sure, in this line of business. Women
mostly start their entrepreneurial
careers in fields such as jewelry, garments, fashion accessories, cooking or
baking.
I would introduce and
retell the story of Mahnaz Amir Sheikh, who entered in a new business line and
started making wooden furniture, back in 1998, when she was persuaded by her
mother to take this step. She started her business under the name of “Wood
Carvers”.
She began with
furniture, initially, for those who prefer class with quality. She stuck
essentially to the aristocratic taste, but her designs were contemporary and
modern.
Like every other
blooming business, her immediate market was her family and friends but her
continuous struggle and dedication to her work brought her a huge success after
she exhibited her work for the very first time. She was supported by her family
and friends who advertised enthusiastically for her.
Every entrepreneur, I
am sure, starts with the motive of expanding their business and the same was
the case with Sheikh. She worked strategically in expanding her work, as she
reached out to various carpenters and people who could directly assist her,
thus growing her business immensely. Today, she works with a staff of 40 individuals,
who are all experts in the art of furniture making, upholstery, polishing and
painting.
She started with
furniture, which is a requirement of every household, office, guest house and
any other room you can think of. Like jewelry for a woman, classic furniture
helps in accentuating the beauty of a room, and Sheikh’s designs are evidence
that she understands this point. With her dedication and beautiful designs she
has built a clientele that loves her work.
She feels that the
media can play a very important role in the success and promotion of any
business and that proper publicity and networking through social networks helps
and benefits greatly. She also feels that her business has been successful
because of the rapid construction in Pakistan and around the globe. Countries
like Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, and Middle East, particularly, are easy to access
markets for Pakistani businesses.
The woman who
motivated Sheikh to start her own business, her mother, is her greatest inspiration.
She has supported Sheikh in every step from inspiring her to join the Women’s
Chamber of Commerce to funding her in order to establish her business.
Manhaz strongly
stresses on the need to be dedicated towards your work, to love what you are
doing and never give up. It is significant, she notes, for entrepreneurs to
participate in national and international exhibition and trade affairs. One can
learn and benefit a lot from them and one must never give up on their dream and
keep struggling because,
“A dream doesn't become reality through magic; it takes sweat,
determination and hard work.”
-Colin
Powell.
