1. How should I introduce you?
A curious, empathetic, emotional observer and a
lover of all things beautiful, my love language is jewellery. On a personal and professional quest to absorb the whole wide world through my work.
A designation
Founder and Creative director at The Slow Studio
Troubleshooter-in-chief/ Reluctantly dynamic entrepreneur who would rather be left alone daydreaming and designing.
An adjective (What is your superpower?)
Empathy
2. What does your work aim to say/do?
In a big way, through my work I want to undo the notion that India is a manufacturing-only country. We have the oldest and richest forms of art in this world and it is a shame that the world does not see more of our design and craft. Another primary objective for me is to make gorgeous, well-crafted ornaments that inspire confidence and self-love in their wearer, as well as their makers. Happiness at both ends of the supply chain is very important to me.
3. What purchase of Rs. 5,000/- or less has most positively impacted your life in the last six months (or in recent memory)?
Absolutely feel free to omit this answer but I am a proper grandma when it comes to shopping for myself.
My most happiness-inducing purchase in the last 6 months is a
game-changing citrus hand-juicer from a brand called BTC, which helps me get ‘Café jaisa’ fresh cold-pressed orange juice every morning for breakfast! It was a Diwali gift for
myself and I got it from Amazon for Rs.1500
4. How has failure or apparent failure set you up for later success?
I am very scared of failing and am still learning how to come to terms with it. I am a very sore loser. So I work super hard to make sure I succeed, I guess!
5. If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it - metaphorically speaking, getting a message to millions, what would it say and why?
Billboard of my choice would say (Taking the liberty of 3!):
1. ‘Would you like you, if you met you?’
2. ‘Sorry, Please & Thank you are still in vogue’
3. ‘This is your cue to say I love you to them’
6. What is the best or most worthwhile investment you’ve ever made? Could be investment of money, time, energy, etc
Investing more faith in myself over the last few years, especially my grit and perseverance.
7. What would you (if you could) tell yourself when you were 18? What advice would you ask your younger self to ignore?
I would tell my 18 YO self to trust the meandering trajectory of her life and back herself way more than she did, through it all.
I would ask her to ignore naysayers and anyone who said anything to the tune of ‘Girls can’t/ shouldn’t do xyz’
8. How has your practise changed over time? Tell us about a client/event that touched your heart, and tell me about a client/experience that changed you or your approach to life.
I have learnt to trust and accept all parts of the process, even the confusing ones that make you tear your hair off. They exist for a reason.
A client once purchased my jewellery for her mom, who had recently recovered from Cancer and did not particularly enjoy looking at herself in the mirror each morning. She said her mother had been an admirer of the brand and she was excited to dress up and go out after a long while, when she got the jewellery as a gift. And that she kept checking herself out after she wore the pieces. That was so, so special and that
day I thanked god that ‘I’ get to do this! Nothing is more special than assisting people in falling a little more in love with themselves.
9. In the last 5 years, what have you become better at saying no to (distractions, invitations,
etc)?
Have gotten better at telling off rude people, soul-suckers and negative folks.
10. When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I have a folder on my phone with Screenshots of all the lovely things people have said to me when they saw/wore their jewellery for the first time. It helps me remind myself of why
I started.
11. What should I ask you that I didn’t know enough to ask?
When was the last time you cried? Yesterday when an excel sheet would not save and kept getting stuck.
More about Asmita: