05 Jan NAPCP Product Feature: Mirasa Design!
NAPCP is proud to feature the lovely Aashumi Shah and her company Mirasa Design in our very first Product Feature! Mirasa Design, based out of Washington, D.C., was started by Aashumi Shah in 2009. Aashumi is an experienced textile designer who formerly designed quilts and linens for the home.
A little bit about Aashumi and Mirasa…
What is mirasa?
In Hindi, the word mirasa means heritage. Taking its cue from the heritage of textile designer and mirasa founder Aashumi Shah, mirasa products incorporate the colors of the Indian landscape and traditional kantha and ari style embroidery.
How did you come up with the idea? What was your inspiration behind it?
I grew up in Mumbai, India and did my undergrad in Textile Design with a major in Print Design. In 2002 I moved to NY to major in Woven design at FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology 2002-2004). Worked in Home Fashions/Linens both in India and NY from 2000-2009. I moved to DC after marrying my husband in 2009 and started Mirasa Design. When my niece, Atia, turned one, I made some soft toys with tactile elements to stimulate Atia’s sense of imagination and play. The toys were bundled into a cloth bag that Atia could easily carry around with her. Watching her play with these toys inspired me to produce mirasa design’s My Fun line for infants and toddlers.The company was incorporated June 2009 and launched online January 1st 2010.
How do you make it all work? Tell us about how you maintain balance between your family, building your business, and time for yourself.
I love what I do – so I suppose the passion for designing and playing with color, textures and exploring creative imagination. Starting and owning a business is like having a child. It takes a lot of work, nurture and patience. I don’t have children so it’s between my company, myself and my husband. It’s very important for me to have my morning cup of coffee with my husband. We try cooking dinner together as often as possible and yes almost always eat dinner together. My husband’s support and belief in my efforts keeps me going. Mirasa Design has been participating at different events and markets in the DC area and without him it couldn’t be done. He drives me over with a carload and after setting up we share our morning coffee together. It’s nice to have that time together.
I generally start my day early at 7:30am and unless it’s super urgent I don’t work after 7pm. But taking a full day off does become challenging and something I am hoping to change. I’ve been practicing a lot of yoga in the past year. I volunteer as a studio assistant at Past Tense Studio 2-3 classes a week. Everyday that one hour of yoga is my space to relax and let go. It’s just wonderful in helping me balance as a person, wife and business owner. There is sacrifice for recreation – I don’t read as much, or go out as much but it’s also a choice and decision made by me. So, no regrets! I feel happy to be living a very satisfying life.
What are your goals and aspirations for Mirasa? Where do you see yourself and Mirasa in 3-5 years?
I am just about to finish year one. At this point I am grateful to have had a good start, thanks to the support of my family, friends and Mirasa shoppers. In March 2011 Mirasa will be at Playtime NY, an international trade show. So just working and hoping for the best. The idea is to keep going, creating more Fun and enjoy myself while doing so.
To learn more about Mirasa Design please visit the site here, or the blog here!
Aashumi and Mirasa design have been kind enough to also offer a giveaway to all you NAPCP blog readers! Mirasa will be giving away one brand new My Fun Bag!
Want a chance to win a My Fun Bag? Here’s how!
Rules:
(1) Must “Like” BOTH Mirasa Design’s and NAPCP’s Facebook page
(2) Write something nice on Mirasa Design’s Facebook wall on behalf of NAPCP
(3) Post a comment on the NAPCP Facebook page to let us know that you’ve completed all of these steps!
Deadline: Thursday, January 6th at 11:59 pm es
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UPDATE:
We would like to give a big thanks to Mirasa Design for hosting this giveaway, as well as a thank you to all who entered. The winner of a brand new My Fun Bag is…Sharon Neves! Congratulations Sharon!
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