Samia and Amanda are two sisters that share a deep connection with art. It’s a business opportunity and yet, also a passion that defines their personal lives. Tempo visited Art Beat, a bright and colourful studio where the duo teaches art classes to children.
SAMIA: The idea for Art Studio was inspired by my children. I’d been in Abu Dhabi for six years now. I live here with my husband and my two sons. And now my sister too. I used to work as a management consultant until last year, but it got too monotonous and I felt like I wasn’t getting to spend time with my family. Naturally the thought of starting up my own business seemed almost like an ideal solution since business is what I know best. Back in the UK, art studios like these for children are very popular. I’d often take my sons to these studios where they would personalize mugs with their hand- prints to gift to their aunts and uncles. That’s when the idea of starting a similar concept in the UAE struck me. But since art isn’t my forte, I approached my little sister with the idea.
AMANDA: Art is my passion. I have a bachelor’s degree in arts with illustration honours, so it made sense to me when Samia approached me with her business plan. It all started in May last year when I was on my way back to the UK from a vacation in India. Abu Dhabi was just a stop on the way so I could catch up with my sister and her family before heading back home. Samia obviously has something else in mind. She told me all about her idea the very day I landed and somehow convinced me to join her in Abu Dhabi and help her out with the business. She’s my big sister, I didn’t really have a choice now did I? (laughing) and besides I can’t really say no to anything that involves Art.
SAMIA: Once I got my sister on-board I felt even more confident about the idea. We started working on it almost immediately. The first step was getting an ideal location for the studio. We had to pay six months’ rent up-front before we even started. That was a real set-back and financing wasn’t easy but we still managed. We opened the studio last November and even had a birthday party on the opening day!
AMANDA: Business picked up in January this year. Since then we’ve had a lot of customers, some are regulars and some school groups too. Word spread about our studio and we also circulated leaflets amongst friends. Business has been good and we look forward to more visits from schools and large groups.
SAMIA: Once we had a birthday party for a little girl, I remember that so well. While they were leaving, I heard her grandmother tell her mother that it was by far the best birthday she had organized for her daughter. Hearing that made us so happy; knowing that we were responsible for making the little girl’s day so special. Feedback like that is what keeps us motivated. We’ve received a lot of positive feedback from schools and other customers on our Facebook page too.
AMANDA: We thought starting up our own business would give us more free time; however that hasn’t been the case. This is like a full time job. Even when we’re not here, we constantly think of ways to expand and get more customers. Another big challenge we’ve faced is getting the required art supplies. All of the material we use here is from the UK and Germany so we always need to plan in advance to get the stock in time. Also, the fact that it’s just the two of us handling the studio affects our work- life balance.
SAMIA: There was an incident one day with a lady asking for more than a hundred pieces of a particular item which we didn’t have in stock and she gave us only two days’ notice. We didn’t have enough time to prepare so instead we suggested other items and activities that she’d like. There’s always a solution. Amanda’s been absolutely wonderful, we support each other. My husband and kids too have been extremely supportive and have helped us think of new ideas for our business.
By Sanah Chauhan
