P.MAI Journal

Combining luxury and utility into the perfect bag. Carry on, beautifully.

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Pioneer Spotlight: Monica Ahanonu

As you may know, at P.MAI we continue to feature “role models” rather than “fashion models.” Monica Ahanonu is no exception. It’s hard not to develop a girl-crush on Monica, the LA-based animator for Dreamworks. Her unique style is enviable, and her playful outlook on life is a reminder us all to make time for what’s important. We were thrilled to work with her on a shoot and sat down with her to learn more about where her talents came from and what’s next. 

1. Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up (family, environment) and how that helped shape who you are. 

I grew up in Tucson, Arizona.  Very grateful that I grew up in a smaller city which forced me to be creative to entertain myself.  I have three siblings: two brothers and one sister.  My sister is the oldest, then my older brother, then me and then my younger brother.  My mom is very creative and I don’t think I realized how creative she is until I got older and began to question where my creative mindset came from.  I definitely feel that my mom was a big influence in my creativity and staying a creative throughout my life.  She was creative in the way that she would improvise and create new dishes for us kids such as making her own popsicles for us. When I was having trouble with my outfit, had to dress up for school, or struggled with a science project, she was always incredibly creative and helped me pull something together for whatever project or birthday party I was attending.  

My dad built computers and had his own computer business throughout my childhood.  I became very knowledgeable about computers, problem solving technical issues and learning many computer programs at a young age.  Another part of my childhood that shaped who I am was my competitive gymnastics career. I did competitive gymnastics throughout my childhood up until my junior year of high school. I had to stop because my parents felt I had too many injuries (which I did) although at the time I didn't think so.  I was a very active child because of my intense gymnastics schedule / natural crazy energy as well as a creative child. At the time I didn't realize that, but looking back I was always making calendars or brochures or cards for friends on the computer.  I loved taking photos, making up dances, writing my own TV scripts and then filming my own TV shows with our video camera, or drawing my own magazines.

2. What kind of career goals did you have growing up? How did they evolve? Did you always wanted to study art?

I wanted to be a photographer for many years. I also wanted to star in my own TV show and would often take my parents’ video camera to record myself.  I would write the scripts and plan the locations around our house or neighborhood. I will admit, I did fake being sick a few times when I was in elementary school and middle school so that I could stay home and record my TV shows.  It was quite a thing— I still can’t believe I did that.  

My interests evolved towards animation when I got into graphic design and taught myself how to use Photoshop so I could build fan sites for various Disney actresses I was obsessed with.  During the summer between 8th and 9th grade, I had surgery on both of my feet.  I had to sit around for 2 months while I was in a wheelchair.  So during this time, I taught myself how to animate gymnastics routines since I wasn’t able to do them physically during that time. These were my first attempts at animation and I grew more proficient in Photoshop and Premiere.

3. What has been one of your biggest career challenges? How did you overcome it?

My biggest career challenges so far have been making the leap from being on the production side of the animation industry to the artistic side.  Another career challenge I have been trying to keep on top of is seeing myself as a real person that is no longer in school.  I did so many internships in school and am so used to being told what is right and wrong and that I often forget that I have control over a lot of the artistic decisions I am making while I am at work or doing freelance.  I’ve gotten a lot better, but it is something I had to get used to when I was first hired as a full-time artist at DreamWorks Animation.  Other than that, I am still working on a lot of career challenges of figuring out where my personal artistic style fits best and what I am going to do with it as I move forward.

4. Your animated work is phenomenal and we’ve been girl-crushing on your style. Where do you go for inspiration to keep ideas fresh?

I look at fashion a lot for inspiration whether from Pinterest, in the books I have at my apartment or on Instagram.  If I see a pair of shoes that I think are super odd or interesting in the way they are designed, I may try to do an outfit based on some element from those shoes that stood out to me.  

I often let my mind wander and daydream. I will look at an object around me and imagine it in a direction that would seem unnatural or odd such as, “What if this was the silhouette of a shoe, what would the shoe look like? How would someone be able to walk in a shoe that had such a silhouette?” Or “What if this silhouette was a face, or someone's body, etc.” then see where it takes me. 

I might ask myself what if a common object was a different color or texture. Sometimes I create a challenge where I try to design something seemingly unrecognizable by altering some of its details but leave enough clues so people can still able to figure it out. I definitely get a lot of ideas and inspiration from day dreaming and the dreams I have at night.  

“A lot of my style is from intuition and working on things and playing with shapes and colors until they feel balanced or satisfy something inside of me that I really can’t fully pinpoint.”

5. Are there lessons or principles from art/design that you apply to your everyday life?

Being creative in the way that I dress, the way that I live my life and by not living a monotonous life, living it in color with variety, designing my days, designing a workout routine, staying curious about the world around me and the people I come in contact with.  I don't really like to wear the same thing twice because it gives me a challenge in the morning, forcing me to be creative and play with color, composition and silhouette which I love.  

6. What are some of your favorite places to eat in Los Angeles? To shop? To learn?

SHOP:  Wasteland, Crossroads, Rosebowl Flea Market, Fairfax Flea Market, Owl Talk

EAT: Umami burger, Nobu in malibu, Ysabel, Sugarfish, I recently got into ramen - there are some good places in the Sawtelle area of LA - then of course Din Tai Fung and Milk Jar Cookies are great as well. 

LEARN: The Broad or any of the museums around town, Wacko’s in Silverlake has a lot of fun stuff, Gallery Nucleus has great art shows/exhibits. I also learn from those I meet at various activities around town; I am part of a small group for young professionals and entrepreneurs and learn a lot during the dinners we have each month.  

7. What are you most excited about this year?

New opportunities, change, exploring and collaborating, continuing to expand my personal artwork and discover new areas that I am able to mix it with.  Travel - I plan to go to Tokyo this year with my brother and possibly Cape Town as well.  I am excited for new visuals and inspiration I can gather to create new art and perhaps take my style in a new direction!

8. Finally: How do you carry on beautifully? (This is our motto and can be interpreted in different ways.)

I carry on beautifully by continuing to make sure that I am happy and excited about life. If I am in a rut, then I work towards fixing it by exercising, which helps me clear my mind and allows me to be creative again.   It’s also important to allow myself to play!  I feel we forget to do so once we get older.

[pmai]

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P.MAI Pioneer Spotlight: Shama Hyder

Our latest P.MAI pioneer is Shama Hyder, the digital marketing maven, web and TV personality, a bestselling author, and the award-winning CEO of The Marketing Zen Group – a global online marketing and digital PR company. She has aptly been dubbed the “Zen Master of Marketing” by Entrepreneur Magazine and the “Millennial Master of the Universe” by FastCompany.com. Shama has also been honored at both the White House and The United Nations as one of the top 100 young entrepreneurs in the country.

Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I was born in India, and moved to the US when I was 9. Being an immigrant, and having somewhat of an outsider’s perspective on my new home, shaped me tremendously as an individual and in time as an entrepreneur. Growing up, I was an avid reader and had an insatiable curiosity for the world around me. In time, this translated to exploring new realms...such as social media. I ended up doing my thesis on Twitter when it had a few thousand users, and believed in the power of social media long before it became more mainstream. This same curiosity and passion led me to starting my own company, The Marketing Zen Group, a leading social media and digital PR agency  I started it right out of college, and today we serve clients around the world - from Lithuania to Hong Kong. 

You've been a recipient of so many awards from Business Week, Forbes, LinkedIn and more. Can you tell us how you began your career and the steps you took to become such a marketing guru? I’ve always been curious, passionate, and consider myself a lifelong student. I think in the world of marketing that type of attitude is crucial. Marketing in the digital age changes extremely fast, and I thrive on that challenge. My goal is to make sure that we are always being relevant to our clients. They count on us to keep up with the trends and to guide their campaigns, their departments, and their businesses.

What was the inspiration behind The Marketing Zen Group? A combination of market demand and professional passion. We were one of the first social media agencies in the world. There was such a hunger around understanding social media, and that is an ongoing demand we look to meet everyday. When I wrote my first book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing, I never expected that it would go on to a 4th edition or be used as a textbook to teach college courses on social media. It was one of the only books on the topic. In business, as is in life, so much is timing. 

What has been one of your biggest career challenges? How did you overcome it? I believe our own mindset is often our biggest challenge. For me, it is in allowing myself to think bigger! I work on this every day. Life is short, why not have more audacious goals?

What’s next for your company? I am very excited about 2017 and beyond. We are growing, and at the same time, we are very focused on continuing to be a leading social media agency.

What do you love most about your P.MAI bag? It is my grown-up "Dora The Explorer" bag. It works in the boardroom without losing an ounce of style.

Finally, how do you carry on, beautifully? By realizing that we all do the best we can, and none of us are getting out of here alive. Translation: life is too short not to be kind.

[pmai]

P.MAI Pioneer: Zoe Share

We had the chance to sit down with Zoe Share, marketing extraordinaire and founder of Schmooz, a Toronto-based Content Marketing and Consulting Firm that specializes in Social Media Strategy. With a vivacious energy, Zoe has the marketing chops that has won the attention of businesses both big and small. We took a stroll along the iconic waterfront in the Toronto and caught with how she started her business and what’s next for Schmooz.

4. Tell us a little bit about yourself.  I have an awesome family. When I thought about having my own business, I knew that making sure I created something that would allow me to spend time with my husband, family and friends was a priority. My parents run a successful business together, so I grew up listening to business talk and also saw them work together. I didn’t realize until I was a bit older how rare that is and how much they taught (and still teach) me. An unmatchable work ethic, strong collaborative skills and resilience to be your own person are all things that I have learned from the people around me, and have made me a stronger leader in my own company.

5. Can you tell us how you began your career and the steps you took that lead you to where you are now? My path to being Chief Executive Schmoozer at Schmooz Media was full of twists and turns. I always dreamed of being a teacher. After pursuing an English degree and a teaching degree, I taught Kindergarten. It wasn’t until I did my Masters of Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of Waterloo that I realized I could bring all my passions together with a social media marketing and communications business helping small-mid size business owners. Now, I get to employ a wonderful team, and in our work, help people feel back in control of their business’ marketing activities, teach them how to do it themselves, and celebrate all the growth along the way. It’s very rewarding and I’m honoured to do what I do every day.

6. What was the inspiration behind Schmooz? There are so many options in marketing technology and the people using it for their small-mid size businesses feel overwhelmed – what should I use first? What will the return on investment be? Do I have to do SEO stuff? I am inspired by empowering people to use technology in a way that makes them feel in control of their business and happy with results that fit the size and scope of their business goals.

7. What has been one of your biggest career challenges? How did you overcome it? These two things go hand-in-hand: growth and work-life balance. Growing your team and your company in the right way is one of the hardest things to do. Whether you need 1 or 10 new hires, you have to know what your goals are. This is why I mention work-life balance here. If your goal is to have more time at home while making passive income, that’s a very different goal than the goal of growing revenue by 100% in 6 months. Whatever your goal, just know that growth and finding a balance is hard!

8. What’s next for your company? Continuing on the same trajectory. I will keep providing amazing value to my clients and support them as they build their businesses. I will hopefully hire a few more amazing full time and part time employees to round out our service offerings. I will figure it out as I go!

9. What advice would you give to aspiring female entrepreneurs? Dream and then do, do, do! Whether you are doing something on a full time basis or a part time basis, the most important thing is to know yourself and what makes you feel comfortable and then do it! Start today and don’t make excuses! 

10. How do you see yourself using P.MAI bag? I don’t need to carry much with me when going to client meetings, but I do need my laptop and a notebook. These can be awkward to carry, and I need my body to support me for a long time. A structured and stylish piece like the P.MAI bag is a great solution for being on the go. 11. Finally, how do you carry on, beautifully?  Carrying on, beautifully means turning off the computer and walking your dog in the rain. It means ringing a cow bell when a new client signs an epic contract. It means scheduling in time for a manicure, Twizzlers and a candlelit dinner and it means letting yourself sulk when you’ve had a rough day. Beautiful in the imperfections. <3

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Visit Original Link

Win Kelly Charles is a four time published author and motivational speaker. Born with Cerebral Palsy, Win Charles has defied the odds by becoming an author. Her memoir I, Win is an amazing story of how she remembers her life through the years of having a condition called “CP”. Competing in the Kona Iron Man Triathlon, Win Charles truly is an inspiration to many. 

This week P.MAI founder, Phuong Mai, was interviewed on her "Butterflies of Wisdom” podcast co-hosted by Win Kelly Charles and Juan Carlo Gill. Take a listen!

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Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag: Fair and Local in Berlin

Our Valletta bag is in Berlin, Germany this week visiting Jovan Vialva. Jovan recently started the fair fashion company, J. Jackman, with the goal of producing beautiful, high quality clothing locally in Germany at a price that supports living wages yet doesn’t break the bank. As if starting her own company weren’t impressive enough, she’s done it all as an expat while continuing to work full time on the monetization team of eBay. We caught up with this American-born femmepreneur to talk entrepreneurship and inspiration.

1.) You just launched J. Jackman, a brand of high quality wearable statement pieces made fairly in Germany. What inspired you to create this company?  

Like most women who have worked a few years, I had gotten to the point where I was over buying clothes to wear for a season and then throw away, and I could finally afford to buy higher quality pieces. After moving to Germany, I found it difficult to find high quality pieces at a price I could still afford, in the feminine and classic style I loved. So - I created j.jackman to meet this need and to have some fun! I chose to produce all j.jackman pieces in Germany because I am a firm believer in supporting a local economy, and I try to do this with almost everything I buy.

2.) Why does fairly made clothing matter to you?

The question to me really is why wouldn't it matter? We all would agree that it is the right thing to do to treat others with respect. So at j.jackman we make sure of this because not doing so would just be strange.

3.) What has been the most surprising thing about founding J. Jackman thus far?

I am from Brooklyn, and I do everything pretty fast. j.jackman has taught me the value patience. Good things take time, and I want to make a really good thing.

4.) Who have been your biggest supporters as you launched J. Jackman?

There is a long list. The biggest supporter would be Florian, my boyfriend. He has been everything from chauffeur to CFO. Then my mother, who has pushed and motivated me my entire life. Then of course my network of friends.

5.) You’ve continued to work full time while founding your company. Do you have any words of advice for other women who might want to found their own business but aren’t quite ready to give up their day job?

This decision wasn't a matter of not being ready to give up my job. For me, it was very practical. I wanted to maintain my visa and, to be frank, after living in 4 cities in 5 years (across 3 countries!) I didn't have enough savings to make it without working. For others doing it this way I would say: you should be proud of yourself for hustling enough to start an entire company when most just want to recover and watch Netflix on the couch. Keep your priorities straight and go at your own pace.

6.) You’ve been living in Berlin now for a number of years. What’s it like to be an expat living abroad?

I am lucky enough to have moved to Berlin with the best possible conditions - I had a job and I moved with my boyfriend. So it has been pretty fantastic! I have tried to immerse myself as much as possible into this city. I have learned German to the point where I can now even start to understand the Berliner dialect and sometimes only remember the German word for something.  Still, I try to hold on to my roots with an annual Thanksgiving Dinner we host at our place.

7.) Where do you go for inspiration?

Sleep! No joke - my brain processes a ton of input when sleeping or even when doing something totally not related to design. Some of my best ideas came while Excel modeling. Sad, but true!

8.) How do you carry on beautifully? 

Stay positive, wear a smile, be 100% confident in the things I create. Oh - and carry my P.Mai bag, which I love and always receive compliments on :-)

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P.MAI Pioneer Virgit Canaz

To say Virgit Canaz is interesting would be an understatement. This London-based fashion blogger is nothing short of fascinating. Originally from Ecuador, the pink-haired style influencer grew up in the Netherlands and now splits her time between Amsterdam and London where she lives with her husband. 

She is known internationally for her unique yet classic sense of style and her trademark brightly-colored hair, yet few who know her would guess she was a kindergarten teacher prior to discovering her passion for covering fashion through her wildly successful blog The Preppy Fashionist. It was this multi-faceted nature of Virgit’s personality (and, of course, her incredible sense of style) that drew us to her in Amsterdam and eventually led us to partner with her on a giveaway promotion (more on that in a few!). Without further adieu, we thought you all would like the opportunity to know more about the pioneer behind The Preppy Fashionist.

1.) You were originally a pre-school teacher when you decided to become a fashion blogger. What was the moment you realized you had to pursue your passion?

One day I was searching for inspiration online and came across the LOOKBOOK website. At that time, it wasn't easy to access to it. You had to be invited. I got an invitation and was amazed at the professional photography that the website shared with cool looks. From that day I started uploading my looks on the page; and after a month or two, I created my blog and followed my passion. ;D

2.) What was the most difficult thing about starting out as a fashion blogger?

The most difficult part was shooting every day as I used to work full time and didn't have enough spare time except on the weekends.

3.) By all accounts, you’re an incredibly successful blogger now, having been featured in Cosmopolitan, InStyle and WhoWhatWear. What do you credit to your success?

Being original and not copying anyone else.

4.) You’re originally from Ecuador but grew up in the Netherlands and now live in London. How does your incredibly international background influence your style? 

Living and working in Amsterdam really opened my eyes to the importance of having a broader focus on diversity and inclusion, especially cultural diversity. People in Ecuador are very close minded. They love to wear colour but they always have a word of criticism that I especially don't like. Living in Amsterdam for 12 years made me be myself. No one says anything bad about your style; they actually embrace it and admired it if I have red or pink hair. No one will look at me weird on the streets or anything. While in the UK, if you have pink hair, you aren’t taken seriously. However, Amsterdam made me realise that I shouldn't care what people say but actually wear what I like, which made me into the person I am now.

5.) What’s your favorite trend of the moment?

The off-the-shoulder trend has to be my favourite this summer.

6.) What trend do you hope goes away and never comes back?

Palazzo trousers for sure.

7.) What’s one thing in your closet you can’t live without?

One thing!!! It’s hard to choose because I have a long list, but I will mention two: my black leather jacket and my camel trench coat. I can't live without them and wear them every season.

8.) What advice do you have for aspiring fashion bloggers?

Be persistent, honest and authentic in your blog and followers will bring you success.

9.) What do you love most about your P.MAI bag?

That it is elegant and practical at the same time, and it doesn't look like a  regular backpack.

[pmai]

SUMMER GIVEAWAY

What’s cooler than ice cold? A summer giveaway!

We’re teaming up with Virgit from **Preppy Fashionist **to giveaway one Valletta backpack + wristlet to a lucky winner! 

To enter, complete all rules below ⬇️:

1) Follow @pmaibrand and @preppyfashionist on Instagram

2) Tag at least 3 friends in a comment on our Instagram post here

3) Sign up for the P.MAI newsletter http://eepurl.com/b7vecH

That’s it! Winners will be chosen on Aug 7 and announced via direct message. Good luck summer bunnies!!! 💃❤️😁

XO, P.MAI

[pmai]

P.MAI Pioneer Maya Warren

1.) It sounds like you have the coolest job on the planet. Can you tell us what exactly does it mean to be an ice cream scientist?

As an ice cream scientist, I study the microstructure, sensorial, and behavioral properties of frozen aerated desserts. I love being able to use my scientific expertise to help the frozen dessert industry continue to make better and better frozen aerated desserts for consumers all over the world. Part of being an ice cream scientist is sharing what I do with people all over the world. I love sharing my passion for the science of ice cream to inspire people to follow their dreams and do what it is they want to do in life.  

2.) How did you get started as a food scientist? Was it something you always wanted to do?

My path to becoming a food scientist is interesting! I went to Carleton College in Northfield, MN where I majored in Chemistry. I thought I was going to be a high school chemistry teacher and taught for three summers in college and realized that the classroom was too restrictive for me and I needed to teach on a different platform. So that led me to pursue sports medicine as a career. I shadowed doctors, and well lets just say, it did not make my tube socks go up and down! During October of my senior year at Carleton, I found food science via the show Unwrapped on the Food Network. From watching an episode where they were showing how flavor chemist make soda taste like parts of the Thanksgiving meal (turkey and gravy, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce) I was intrigued. I knew that as an aspiring chemist, I too could do something just as cool as those flavor chemist! I ended up interning at Malt-O-Meal Cereal Company, which was a quick bike ride from Carleton and fell in love with food science. Although grain science did not make my eyes light up, food Sscience was where my heart belonged. I ended up asking myself what food do I love, and well, ice cream it is!!! So I applied and was accepted to the PhD program in food science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, specializing in the microstructure, sensorial, and behavioral properties of ice cream and other frozen aerated desserts. I love ice cream more today than I did yesterday and I cannot wait to inspire the world one scoop at a time!!!

3.) Favorite ice cream flavor?

My favorite ice cream flavor is one that I make…a double buttered candied pecan! I love it not only because it taste delicious, but it makes people so happy when they eat it! I love the smiles on their faces that every scoop brings. 

4.) Apart from being a food scientist, you were part of the winning team of the Amazing Race Season 25! What was it like being the third all-female team to win the Amazing Race? Was being a female team something you thought about going into the competition?

It is such an honor and a privilege to hold the title of winners of Season 25 of The Amazing Race and the 3rd female-female team to win it all! We were able to inspire so many young people to follow their dreams and to stay true to themselves no matter the adversity they face. Winning the Race was really awesome, but I am most proud of how we ran the Race, with integrity, compassion, humility, laughter, love, and a whole lot of FUN! I believe we showed people what women scientists look like, that scientists can be more than what is traditionally depicted, and how cool it is to be intelligent, fun, and determined female scientists.  

5.) What was something most surprising that you learned from your Amazing Race experience?

One of the most surprising things I learned from my experience on The Amazing Race was how much goes into the production of the TV show! The team of people who put it together are truly top notch in the industry and make it look seamless. Behind the scenes, it is eye-opening and intriguing to see all the things that must come together to make a multi Emmy Award winning television show.

6.) You’re also working on a possibly food TV show. Can you give us any previews of what that might look like?

It will be something around science education for kids…cant give away too much though…we will just have to wait and see!!!

7.) You’re smart, talented and clearly unafraid to take risks. What advice would you give to other women who want to pursue their passions but aren’t sure where to start?

I wear a bracelet that reads, “She believed she could, so she did!”  I encourage all to simply believe in themselves and what they want to pursue in life. Also, it is important to make the most of all situations and experiences we have in life as one never knows what impact it may have and where is may lead us. Also, don’t let fear keep you from moving forward as you never know until you try! I also enjoy living life without regrets and putting my all into everything and enjoying the heck out of every moment and opportunity that life brings!

8.) How do you carry on beautifully?

I absolutely love love love the P. MAI backpack! It is beautiful both inside and out! I love the quality of the backpack and how it is truly a luxury backpack for working women! I receive complements on it whenever I where it. It is truly the best backpack I have ever owned and I don’t think I will ever own another!!! P. MAI is in a league of its own and continues to amaze me every time I carry on! I carry on beautifully by sharing my passions and love for life with the world!  All that I have been able to accomplish in life, is not just for me, it is to inspire all those who wish they too could, who were told they could not, and who one day will!  

[pmai]

Adventures in Spakenburg

From the canals to the sweet stroopwafels, the Netherlands has served as a constant source of inspiration for us at P.MAI. On one particular adventure, we took a jaunt over to the small Dutch fishing village of Spakenburg. Though a quick 40-minute drive from Amsterdam, Spakenburg has an entirely different vibe. Whereas Amsterdam is a careful amalgamation of the old and new, Spakenburg feels like walking through a history book.

To get a better sense of the area, we visited the quaint Museum Spakenburg. The museum was set up by residents of the town who wanted to preserve the area’s culture and history. It is housed in a church annex, where a series of rooms present Spakenburg’s history through artifacts of clothing and household objects. Here, the female staff all wore traditional Dutch clothing. Many of them worked tirelessly on the exhibits, even painstakingly painting replicas of ancient Dutch floral patterns on plates and fabric.

We were lucky enough to have one of the museum attendants explain the nuances of one of Spakenburg’s most traditional pieces of clothing to us: the kraplap. This signature shoulder cover has a stiff structure and usually adorned with beautiful floral patterns. She explained that the kraplap is always worn with a black skirt and shirt with checkered fabric sleeves attached with safety pins. An apron is also worn with the outfit, varied according to the day of the week; on work days, the apron is of checkered fabric, on Sundays only the top is of checkered fabric and starched, and the bottom is dark blue. And hair is always worn up in a bun underneath a starched lace cap. In periods of mourning, the kraplap would be a darker colored floral pattern.

While Spakenburg is one of the only towns where women still wear traditional Dutch dress in their daily lives, the prevalence of the clothing is decreasing and some worry that soon the dress will be confined to history books. To remember our time in Spakenburg and support the efforts of the local community to preserve their traditions, we bought some traditional kraplap fabrics in the gift shop with hopes to use it for a future project. 

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Custard Ice Cream Recipe

2 1/2 cups heavy whipping

2 1/2 cups of half and half

6-10 egg yolks (depending on how rich you like it)

1 cup of condensed skim (optional, makes product sweeter and a slightly thicker consistency)

1 1/4 cup of sugar Pinch of salt

Vanilla or other flavoring to taste

Maya Warren, food scientist and P.MAI pioneer, shares one of her favorite ice cream recipes that’ll keep you cool all summer long.

1) In a pan, heat (low/medium) the heavy whipping cream and constantly stir so that there are tiny bubbles that form on the edge.  

2) In a bowl, combine the sugar and egg yolks until blended into a homogenous mixture.

3) Slowly add the sugared egg yolks to the hot heavy whipping cream while constantly stirring. Make sure the mixture is not too hot as you do not want the egg to curdle. Continue mixing until small bubbles form around the edge of the mixture.  

4) Add the half and half to the mixture (and sweetened condensed milk if desired) and constantly stir again until mixture forms mall bubbles around the edge.  Stir in your pinch of salt and take off heat.  

5) Place into fridge to allow to cool down to refrigeration temperature (I often make the mixture at night and let cool in the fridge for the next day’s events!). Once cooled, add vanilla or any other flavoring to taste.

6) Pour the desired amount into the ice cream maker and allow it to freeze following the directions of the ice cream maker. Once the viscosity of the product begins to increase and you see "ice cream" beginning to form, feel free to add your particulates (nuts, oreos, fruit) and 2-3 minutes before you take it out, add any variegate of your choice (caramel, fudge, raspberry jam, etc).  

7.) Stop the machine and serve up the delicious product!

Pro tip: You can also pack the product in containers with a layer of wax or parchment paper and a  lid, and place in the freezer and scoop up anytime you want! Keep the parchment/wax paper on top of the product to help keep down ice crystal growth and to preserve the deliciousness of your creation!!!

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Dutch Discoveries

We’ve been in Amsterdam a few weeks now introducing our Valletta backpack and wristlet to the European woman. In the midst of walking all over ‘The Dam,’ we’ve fallen in love with this beautiful city and its unique charms. Below are a few of the city’s gems that we’ve discovered:

Winkel 43 - Noordermarkt 43, 1015 NA Amsterdam - This cute cafe is the perfect place to sit outside when the weather is nice. Loved by locals and tourists alike, Winkel is known for its delicious apple pie which is made fresh daily. Eat yours the way the Dutch do and tell the waiter to put a bit of whipped cream on top!

MOCO Museum - Honthorststraat 20, 1071 Amsterdam - One of Amsterdam’s newest museums, the MOCO had its grand opening at the end of March. Its inaugural exhibition includes over fifty works of art by Andy Warhol and Banksy.

Travelteq - Kerkstraat 67B, 1017 GC Amsterdam - We’re big fans of the the guys at Travelteq, a line of timeless travel products that mixes high-quality fabrics with minimal design. Visit their new store on Kerkstraat to check out their beautiful briefcases, backpacks and bags.

CT Coffee and Coconuts - Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 LR Amsterdam - In a former cinema built in the roaring 20s – called the Ceintuur Theater – now opens CT coffee & coconuts, a funky and fresh place for you to enjoy a cup of java or sip coconut water from a freshly cracked coconut. CT Coffee and Coconuts is conveniently located in De Pijp so you can check out Albert Cuypmarket after your visit.

Vondelpark - Amsterdam’s central park is the perfect place to spend a sunny summer afternoon. With expansive trails and ample open space to sprawl out and enjoy the scenery, Vondelpark provides an escape from the surrounding city. Go to Openluchttheatre in the middle of the park to see free concerts and programming.

Foodhallen - Bellamyplein 51, 1053 AT Amsterdam - Located in a former train station in Amsterdam’s hip Oud West neighborhood, this food hall serves up a range of high-end food and beverages and also contains boutiques and a hotel. Be sure to say hi to our friends over at Denim City, a center for craftsmanship and innovation in the denim industry, where you can your jeans for repairs and alterations or order a bespoke pair of jeans.

Hutspot - Van Woustraat 4, 1073 LL Amsterdam - This innovative concept store carries a wide-array of Amsterdam-based brands and products. If you’re looking for the perfect unique gift to carry home, pick up some Farm Brothers cookies or an O My Bag.

Hannekes Boom - Dijksgracht 4, 1019 BS Amsterdam - Tucked away a short distance from Amsterdam’s Centraal Station is this hidden bar. Located on the water next to NEMO, this spot is the ideal location to grab a drink, enjoy the sun, and people watch as locals sail up to the dock in their boats. 

Rijksmuseum - Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam - Easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Amsterdam, this exquisite museum is home to some of the most famous works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, and other Dutch masters. It’s an easy go-to for an afternoon well spent.

La Perla - Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14, 1015 RZ Amsterdam - Try this Italian restaurant if you’re in the mood for delicious wood-fired pizza. Truly some of the best pizza in town, La Perla imports all its ingredients fresh from Italy, which explains why their buffalo mozzarella is so mouthwateringly good. La Perla is extremely popular so make a reservation if you want to try their pizza!

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#5: Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag: Hoop there is it

Today, our Valletta bag makes its way to Dubai. When most people think of this desert city, images of ultramodern architecture, luxury shopping and lively nightlife come to mind. What probably doesn’t come to mind is hula hooping, but one dynamic female founder is trying to change that.

Teeba Alkhudairi founded flowground in 2014 to reintroduce child’s play into adult lives through the use of hula hoops. Inspired by a trip to Burning Man in 2011 where she witnessed her first real hoop dance, Teeba became enchanted by the dancer’s happiness and joy, and began taking hooping lessons when she returned home. Through hooping, she found freedom, laughter, and play, as well as an outlet for creativity and fitness. Teeba had realized a few years earlier while attending Harvard Business School that she wanted to be a positive influence for people in her community. Hooping gave her a way to do this.

After moving back to Dubai, Teeba founded flowground with the aim of sharing her joy and love for hooping with the world. Together with her husband, Basel, she leads Dubai’s first and only flow arts center, where she brings the magic of hoop and poi flow to the UAE through classes, workshops and communal jams.

In less than two years, flowground has grown from one enthusiastic hooper to over 300 devoted followers. She believes the rewards of hooping are much greater than what is experienced in the classroom: “What is learned inside the hoop is applicable even outside of it, in everyday life. It allows for openness of truth, purity of voice and, frees us from self-judgment, often a bigger barrier than the judgment of others.” As for the key to her success? Tiba says, “We are all unstoppable. We just have to tune in to our own purpose!”

Teeba shared a few words with the Sisterhood on inspiration, entrepreneurship and P.MAI in Dubai.

Where do you go for inspiration?

I get my inspiration from my hula hoop. Whenever I feel stuck, I go into my hoop and as it helped unleash a part of me I did not know existed. I always believed I had a playful and free spirit, however, the hoop allowed me to express myself even more freely, creatively, and achieve a state of inner peace like never before, and that in itself inspires me. I also LOVE Ted talks.

Any advice for women interested in starting their own business? Don't let the fear of failure stand in your way of taking the plunge. Entrepreneurship is an emotional journey and the fear of failure can make that journey all the more emotional. "Failure" in itself is a harsh word and the best way is to think about it as another obstacle that you need to overcome. There will be setbacks and you need to find a new way to get over them. You can call them failures, but in reality, they are a part of everyone's journey and you just need to get used to them and be tough in the face of them!

A good quote that I always fall back upon: "I failed my way to success" - Thomas Edison.

You're an incredibly well-traveled lady. How do you carry on, beautifully? I LOVE my P.MAI bag!!!!! As I mentioned, I have scoliosis and move around the city quite often for meetings, classes or even to work from different coffee shops, and carrying my laptop on a handbag kills me. I would use this bag everyday to put what I need on a daily basis to be able to be comfortable to move around with and not ending up with a bad backache. I would also use it as part my carry on for when I travel. To be honest, it's suited for anyone who wants to still look stylish and feel comfortable. It's like the stylish comfortable flats or heels that we use for work, but instead is a backpack.

To learn more about flow arts visit her website at: flowground.com

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#4: Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag goes to Dar es Salaam

Once a sleepy fishing village, the city of Dar es Salaam is now a bustling center of economic activity, becoming one of the top 10 fastest growing cities in the world. The city’s name means “Abode of Peace” and is home to one of the busiest commercial ports in East Africa. In this lively city, our Valletta backpack traveled to Tanzania to accompany the talented entrepreneur Aneesa Arshad. Our bag continues to make its way around the world for different women to share their experiences with us—in our Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag. 

Aneesa holds an MBA from INSEAD and a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University. Though she was born and raised in the United States, she moved to Kenya in 2010 where she later became the CEO and founder of Lamudi, an online real estate marketplace backed by e-commerce giant Rocket Internet. While traveling throughout East Africa for work, she saw an opportunity in Tanzania for fast food outlets that have quality food and good customer service. She decided to start Pizza Pie, a hip pizza shop that draws from her Chicago college days. She developed a handcrafted sauce and sourced the best ingredients to create the tastiest pizza.

We caught up with Aneesa to discuss high-growth startups, pizza, and Dar.

    After getting your MBA, you ran a successful real estate listing startup Lamudi, backed by Rocket Internet. What’s it like leading a high growth startup?

Leading Lamudi in East Africa was definitely my most fulfilling professional experience to date. I found so much excitement in scaling the business across 11 countries in East & Southern Africa. There was one month in which I launched one country a week. Experiencing the high of opening an office, hiring a team and seeing the traction amongst clients was a high that never got old, even after the 11th launch. What I enjoyed most was building the local teams and interacting with some of the sharpest minds in each country. While the cultures of each country are so diverse, the drive and hunger amongst the young professionals I hired was inspiring everywhere. Most young professionals in these markets and many developing markets lack opportunity and seeing how they made Lamudi such a strong brand in each market was extremely rewarding.

You’re currently based in Dubai but run a company in Dar. Has it been challenging to start a company in a different region? How do you overcome these?

Challenging is an understatement. As anyone who runs an F&B outlet will tell you, you must be physically present to ensure consistency and monitor theft. I have tried to overcome this by using technology to make the distance as minimal as possible. I can view footage from the cameras in the restaurant on my phone 24/7, I can see sales reports live from our point of sales system, and I am on the phone/whatsapp with my managers, head chef and accountant daily. And of course, I make sure to visit the restaurant monthly. But despite these measures, we have experienced theft and keeping a tight hold on the operations, marketing, and finances is definitely a continuous process of improvement.

**What was the inspiration behind Pizza Pie? Why in Dar? **

Traveling around East Africa for work, the market opportunity for fast F&B struck me daily at lunch and dinner. While there are many restaurants in all cities, the number of quality fast food options is far fewer. I remember being in Kigali for a business trip and my Country Manager told me that we had TWO options for a quick lunch. Pizza was a clear choice for me as it’s a food item that appeals to everyone—locals and expats; the ingredients are widely available and if you have the right equipment, it’s foolproof in the kitchen. Dar is an extremely vibrant and growing city and unlike Nairobi, the city I was living in, there were far fewer pizza outlets. While Nairobi and Dar have similar demographics and population, there seemed to be 5 pizza outlets in Nairobi for every outlet in Dar.

In Dar, there were quite a few traditional Italian-style pizzerias, so I decided to tap into my roots and sell American-style pan pizza. So that's what I have delivered! Buttery, cheesy pizza with lots of toppings and a few delicious pastas and desserts. The response has been extremely positive so far and I am excited to continue to improve our service, expand our menu and grow deliveries. I also plan to open a second outlet this year.

Dar definitely seems to be evolving, given its crazy growth in hotels, restaurants and nightlife. What are some of your favorite places to eat in Dar? Favorite places to shop?

My favorite restaurant is 305 Karafu in the middle of a residential area; the owner Gasper has turned his garage into a quaint restaurant. My favorite items are the chili prawns and apple pie. For views of the ocean and fresh seasfood, try Karambezi and Cape Town Fish Market. And for a very local experience, try Mamboz in town for Indian style BBQ.

What’s one thing anyone who visits Dar must do—besides eat at Pizza Pie ☺ Go to the beach! Go up north to Kunduchi. Or if you have time, take the ferry across to Zanzibar and you have some of the most stunning beaches in the world. My favorite beach in Zanzibar is the northern most point of the island, Nungwi. White sand beaches, warm clear blue water, it’s truly a magical place.

**We admire how you’ve been able to pursue so many different passions. Any advice for women interested in taking the leap to pursue uncharted waters? ** Take risks, be confident and start now! If there’s an idea you are passionate about, don’t wait to start. Building a brand or refining a new business model takes time, so be patient and prepare yourself for the unexpected. Also, don’t feel that you need to quit your full-time job to pursue your venture. I’ve been able to work full-time and manage Pizza Pie as well. There are many hours in the day and technology makes our lives much more efficient, so try it out. When your venture becomes profitable and you can afford to pursue it full-time then you can make the transition.

**How did the P.MAI backpack fit into your busy lifestyle? ** I loved it. I had a fancy, travel-friendly messenger bag that I had been using for some time and I had just gotten used to the strain of all the weight on my shoulder. Using P.MAI backpack with the padded straps and spreading the weight across both shoulders was such a relief. It’s fashionable, functional and I don’t think I can go back to a messenger bag now.  

**Finally: How do you carry on beautifully? ** Despite my hectic travel schedule, I try to stay as connected as possible to my family and loved ones. Work travel can be stressful and lonely, so staying in touch with loved ones keeps me grounded and comforted to take on the challenges I am facing at work. 

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P.MAI Pioneer: Yael Averbuch

We had the honor of interviewing soccer elite Yael Averbuch. She’s a midfielder for FC Kansas and has even played for the US Women’s National Team. Fun fact: She holds an NCAA record for the fastest goal scored in a game when she scored four seconds into the match at Yale in 2006 on a shot taken directly after the kickoff touch.

We are so inspired by her discipline, resilience and love for the game. Watch our interview below and read on for more!

How did you know that you wanted to play professionally? Were you afraid to take this leap as a career? What other careers did you consider?

When I was 9 I wrote in my journal that I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I'm the kind of person who is extremely single-minded so my vision and goal has never wavered. It has certainly been a journey, and in a lot of ways probably not what I had thought or expected. But I've never wanted to do anything else.

You've been playing professional for many years now. How do you keep your A-game? Can you tell us about your training schedule?

Even as a professional player, there are so many ways I realize I can still improve my game. Part of what it means to be a pro is to be consistent and to be able to perform at your best day in and day out. But a large part of the process for me is to continue to chip away at refining my strengths and improving my weaknesses. My training schedule varies depending on if it is during the season or the offseason. The offseason is when I train the hardest because I don't have to be rested for games. I usually train for 2-4 hours a day, including on the field and in the weight room.

**Tell us about your national team experience. What are your future plans? ** The national team is run as an ongoing tryout process. I have been in and out of the team for a number of years, and most recently not part Of the group that won the world cup and is preparing for the Olympics. It's been a challenge for me to have always been kind of on the periphery of the team. I am the caliber of player who is in consideration, but has never solidified a spot. Some of it has come down to timing and decisions that are out of my control. I have been cut from the team several times and then worked to be invited back in again. It's been a rollercoaster to say the least but has really made me focus on only giving thought and energy to those things I can control and trying to release those that I cannot. 

**What advice would you give to other women who might be afraid to follow their passion? ** I think the only way to live is with no regrets. I hate the feeling of looking back and saying "if only..." so I live every day to the best of my ability to do the things I love and do them as well as possible. I don't think anyone has ever regretted fully chasing a dream, even if it meant multiple failures and pivots along the way. But I know a lot of people who have regretted not going for it.

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P.MAI Spotlight: Inesh Putri dishes on golf, pageants and culinary pursuits

_She’s young. She’s gorgeous. And she has a killer golfing handicap. Meet the role model Inesh Putri Tjiptadi Chandra of Bali, Indonesia. _

We had the privilege of working with this talented lady for our latest photoshoot in Bali and chatted with her about life as a professional golfer, beauty queen, and restaurateur.

_ Note: We tried her restaurant Bo & Bun in Seminyak and highly recommend it. Four words: 12-hour beef pho._

**Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up (family, environment) and how that helped shape who you are. **

I was born in Bali and grew up here with two older brothers in a loving family. I grew up as a tomboy (having two brothers and all) so I liked to play a lot of sports growing up.  I used to do basketball, badminton, football, athletics, swimming, and eventually golf. Sports have always been a big part of my life and taught me so many things to help to get where I am now.

You began golfing at an early age, and won the Bali Governor’s Cup at just 13 years old, becoming the youngest player and first female to win the event. How did you get started and how did you decide you wanted to go pro?

I started a bit late actually. I was twelve when I had my first golf lesson. My parents are also golfers who played regularly every weekend. My mom used to play for the Bali Team as well in the National competition.  I would normally go with them to the course and hit my sand wedge and chase golf balls. I wanted to start earlier, but I was too small and too skinny that my parents thought I wasn’t strong enough to play. Finally, when I reached 12 years old, I got my first golf lesson and the rest is history. ☺

** We heard that you’ll be representing the national team in a golf tournament later this year. Congrats! How are you preparing? What are you most excited about?**

Yes. I just got the news that I will be playing again for the Bali Team this year. I played the same tournament in 2004 and 2008 where we won the gold medal for the team. It was an awesome time for me, and this tournament will always have a soft spot in my heart.

Since I am currently still busy with my restaurant, I don’t have much time to practice like I used to. But I will definitely make time to practice 3-4 times a week and work on my mental game. I don’t have any pre-game rituals, but I just try to be calm and not get so emotional during the round.

I am most excited about being able to play with my friends during the tournament. Golf is normally an individual game, but this time you get to play as a team, work as a team, and of course represent our hometown together.

Are there lessons from golfing that you apply to your everyday life?

A lot actually. I always say, without golf I wouldn’t be where I am today. As a sportswoman, I learned the meaning of hard work, dedication, passion, and never giving up. I learned that everything we do in life needs effort, patience, and dedication. These things have helped me achieve things in life and make me a better person.

** In addition to golf, you're known for winning Miss Indonesia in 2012 and finishing top 15 in Miss World as well. What did you learn from your pageant experiences?**

That was a life changing experience for me and opened my eyes to a lot of things. I grew up playing a lot of sports and not exposed to other things besides golf. So when I was Miss Indonesia, I learned about makeup, modeling, public speaking, table manner and interviewing, and of course a lot of charity work.

Moreover, I learned more about my country, Indonesia by going to places I never imagined I would. (Indonesia consists of over 17,000 islands!) I was exposed to the problems the country faced and met some very influential people I could’ve only dreamed of meeting—from artists, musicians, politicians, and even the President! I felt I was in a special position where I could make a difference and help people.

Miss World was also another life changing for me. To be able to compete with 116 beautiful women around the world was such an honor for me. I met so many amazing people that I became friends with and learned about their unique cultures. I never dreamed of getting into Top 15, but I did and it’s a very humbling experience for me.

Of course it wasn’t always glamorous. One of the major challenges was being exposed to the public eye, which wasn’t the easiest thing for me. I would get hate tweets or messages every now and then that made me feel upset and down. I was also expected to always in my best behavior to avoid criticism from the media. I needed to learn to ignore the negative and focus on the positives. :)

**What did you hope to achieve going into the competition? Did it live up to your expectations? **

My hope was to promote awareness for education among children under 5 years old in Indonesia. Many children in the rural or underdeveloped areas of Indonesia are not getting any kind of education. We also found that children who were only exposed to school at the age of 5 and older were likely to quit school after a few years because they weren’t used to the learning environment and ended up in the streets. This can be a vicious cycle for their family.

We believe that children develop critical skills, behavior, and attitude during the first 5 years of their life or what we called “The Golden Age.” That’s why my program worked together with the people and leaders in those areas to create a small education center started for children under 5 years old to be able to get basic learning. We believe that once they received a proper education at an early age, they would want to continue their education even further. We donated books and learning materials, and put together small study rooms so they can come and get education for free.

I believe that in order for our country to grow and change for the better, we need educated generations who can help this country make a difference in the world. By joining Miss World and bringing this problem to the attention of the world, I hoped to help Indonesia’s education in the future.

We both share a passion for food—specifically Vietnamese cuisine. Can you tell us about your background in culinary arts?

I LOVE FOOD! My parents own a restaurant, so I had the luxury of eating different things growing up. My parents would always take us to try different restaurants, teaching us different foods and flavors. I love it because food brings people together. The feeling I get when I discover new food after eating a delicious meal is one of the happiest moment of my life. I appreciate food, the way people cook it, and the passion that goes behind it.

What was the inspiration behind your restaurant Bo & Bun?

Bo & Bun started because of my boyfriend’s and my love for Vietnamese cuisine. We created Bo & Bun because we want to introduce Vietnamese cuisine to the people in Bali. I fell in love with Vietnamese cuisine when I first had pho in Australia. I had the Vietnamese salad and I was in love! ☺

When opening Bo & Bun, we make sure that everything on the menu is the food we love to eat. So we weren’t trying to make a restaurant to please everyone. We want to make a restaurant with all the food we love to eat, and we want other people to experience what we think is great food. We want to share it with all of our customers.

What are some of your favorite places to eat in Bali?

The hidden places that is not very touristy but cooked with soul and love. My favorite pizza place is called Seminyak Italian Corner. It is a small shack with a few seating area but great awesome food that will keep you coming back!

**What’s one thing anyone who visits Bali must do? **

They must try BO & BUN! Hahaha kidding.

I think they should explore Bali’s nature such as Ubud, Uluwatu, Bedugul, and Lovina. They should visit the temple, hike the mountains, see the dolphins, and enjoy the paddy fields. If they are lucky, they should experience the Balinese culture that is very immersing.

We admire how you’ve been able to pursue so many different passions. Any advice for women interested in taking the leap to pursue uncharted waters?

I think the key is not get comfortable. Once you are comfortable, you can no longer achieve things. I always try to challenge myself with different things. I tell myself that I should be doing more or I can do more and I am still young.

The other thing I like to think about is: twenty years from now, if I look back to my life, will I be satisfied and happy with the person I become? Have I achieved enough?

Time goes by really fast, and I want to make the best out of it and live to my full potential.

Finally: How do you carry on beautifully?

I think a person can carry on beautifully if they keep challenging themselves. Educate yourself with new things, be happy with the person you are, and be the best person that you can be!

[pmai]

#3: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Bag (London, UK)

After visiting Chicago, our special Valletta bag has made it’s way across the big pond over to London—home of our favorite tea parlors and lemon curd, tales of Sherlock and other books among Charing Cross, and of course posh shopping.

We caught up with Asma Bandey, account manager by day and pashmina pro by night. She is self-taught in the craft of custom, hand-made embroidery, and aims to have her own embroidery atelier to supply bespoke embroidery and embellishment to fashion designers, interior designers and costume designers. She currently sells a limited number of hand-woven, hand-embroidered shawls from Kashmir—check out her impressive work here!

Asma took our Valletta for a spin in Kingly Court off Carnaby Street, an iconic London hidden shopping street with two things she loves: great food and the best yoga studio in London.

** Tell us a little about yourself—where you grew up and the path that took you to where you are now. **

I grew up in Saudi Arabia which, at the time, was not exactly a hot bed of creativity and fashion entrepreneurial spirit; however my Kashmiri background meant that I’ve always been in love with quality craftsmanship and in particular embroidery. Moving to London for college—and subsequently never leaving—has been a journey of discovery. I’ve always known I have a creative side, I just never knew where to channel it. Over twelve years later, I’ve been collaborating with craftsmen in Srinagar, Kashmir to combine my sales and relationship management skills with their unique knowledge of hand-made embroidery passed down the generations.

Tell us about your current role at BrightEdge. How'd you get started? What do you love most about it? I’m currently a Strategic Account Manager in the Global team at BrightEdge London, responsible for managing a portfolio of Marketing professionals who have bought our industry leading software to help drive their growth and success through Organic Search. Having spent several years in the Digital Marketing field, I was introduced to BrightEdge through my network last year when the company, HQ’d in the Bay area, was on the hunt for someone to help drive their European expansion. It’s been an awesome experience so far, learning lots more about SEO, working with some amazing brands and most importantly enhancing my negotiation and business development abilities. All of this contributes to my personal and professional success overall.  

In addition to BrightEdge, you have an incredible eponymous line of beautiful cashmere shawls. What was the inspiration behind this? It all started pretty ad-hoc really – I would buy a Pashmina shawl for my personal collection, someone would see it and fall in love instantly with the one of a kind quality and insist that I buy them one too. That person told her friend/sister/mother/colleague who would ask for one too and eventually someone said: “Hey why don’t you design a collection of them and give this a serious go?” So I did! The biggest challenge of course, is re-educating the market on what a real Pashmina is versus everything else out there (spoiler alert: it’s a hand woven shawl made from the wool of a specific goat indigenous to the Himalayan mountains.) There are a lot of alternatives out there, which call themselves Pashmina, but the word – and the shawl – really originated in Srinagar so I’m trying to reignite a value and appreciation for the real thing.

** Wow! So then how do you balance managing a corporate job with your own venture?** There really is no good answer for this—the reality is that it’s really tough and is a daily challenge. I think the main thing that keeps me going is meeting new people and clients who love the things which I do. It makes it worth it when I see the look on someone’s face when they run their fingers across the insane softness of their new shawl and hear the excitement in their voice when they tell anyone who’ll listen about their incredibly unique new wardrobe staple. Don’t get me wrong – I love a Topshop or Zara haul as much as the next girl! But knowing that I own something which someone spent 8 – 10 months creating with their hands and that absolutely no one, but me, on this earth owns. That’s a passion I keep looking to find in others and those are the people I want to share my pashminas with. So I keep working and searching for them!

**Any advice for women interested in turning a hobby into something more? ** Just give it a go. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

Finally: How do you carry on beautifully?  I read a great line somewhere: “We weren’t born to pay bills and then die.” It’s a bit melodramatic, but it resonated with how I felt and so now I try to remind myself that there’s more to life than being conventionally responsible. Sometimes the responsible thing to do is the thing that just makes you happy.