To dream and to follow the dream is the birth right of every human.
Being a homemaker doesn't mean you have to devote every moment to your family. Investing time in yourself is as important as nurturing your family. As a woman, you are the spine of your family. And, when your soul is nurtured, your entire generation will flourish.
When we, Atma Studios, had a chance to interact with Ayesha Bilimoria, we found her journey genuinely heartening. She is someone who is living this belief!
From learning to devote time for herself, overcoming her depression through art & following her passion for teaching, here is Ayesha's journey as an Artpreneur.
1. How did you get to know about Artpreneur Program?
I saw Artpreneur Program on Instagram. I liked what I saw. So, I applied.
Conceptualised and Designed by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
2. What were you working as before joining Artpreneur?
I was a Homemaker before joining the Program. I started my career in the Banking sector. I was working for 8 years in banking before I got married & moved to Oman.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
3. What made you take up this Program?
I happened to travel to India for some personal reasons. Since I had applied for the Program, the program coordinator contacted me. When he was talking, I found the conversation sincere. Since there were many online program scams now, I had to do a lot of research.
During the research about the Artpreneur Program, I had this strong gut feeling.
I'm more of a gut person. So I joined.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
4. Being a numbers person, how did you grow interested in art?
Yeah! I'm more of numbers and accounts person. But, my mom was an art person.
When I got married, I had nothing much to do. That’s when I was introduced to Pinterest. I felt it was really interesting.
One day I randomly picked up a quilling set, jumbo colouring books and pencils from a store. Since then, I kept on doing art & craft.
I'd pick up anything that I found exciting and do it until I master it. I started from paper quilling & went on to refurbishing wood furniture.
I even got a freelance job to do a brochure in Adobe Illustrator. It was pretty challenging, but that's when I got interested in digital works.
Conceptualised and Designed by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
5. What do you do now? How would you describe the ROI of the Program?
When I joined the Program, I wanted to earn. But, over time, Wisdom became my priority. I was very clear that I'm going to teach. Thankfully money is not my priority. So, I want to invest my time in teaching & I'm keen on learning.
Now, I'm a co-educator in the Artpreneur Program. I have started taking up projects as well.
ROI depends on what you are looking for.
If you are willing to put in your time, effort & learn the tricks of the trade, I don't think it will take more than a year to earn back what you invested in the Program. It won't take more than 2 years to stand on your own leg.
Even if you learn it as a hobby, you are getting to know so many things & use it for a long time. As women, we are never going to keep it with ourselves. We will definitely pass on our learnings to the children & helping others.
Both monetarily and financially, the Program is very, very sound. And, I think whatever you are looking at, you can get it here.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
6. How is your experience as a teacher? Tell us one thing that you learnt by being a teacher for a year?
Never in my life, I thought I'll be a teacher. But going forward, that would be my career path.
My experience as a teacher was awesome. I had good fun & had the best time ever. I have honestly been blessed with the best students.
Teaching brings in a lot of responsibility in your life. I learnt more as a teacher than as a student.
In one year of my teaching career, I learnt how vital it is to grow relationships with students.
There is a thin line between being professional & personal with a student. There is rapport building required to build a relationship. Being an introvert, I learnt that in teaching, staying aloof doesn't help.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
7. What does Artpreneur mean to you? Describe your life before & after Artpreneur Program
Before Artpreneur, I had 24/7 devoted to my family, friends and others. And I was clinically depressed.
Because of my health & a lot of other stuff, I went into major depression. When I went for therapy, my therapist told me to do something for myself… only for myself & not to live for others. That's when I took more emphasis on art.
When I was in banking, I didn't have any time even to think. But, when I came to Oman, I realized there's much more to life than 9 to 5 & you should do it.
For a high functioning person like I am, we keep thinking about what's next. I take one art, I master it & then I move to something else. I'll take the next thing, master it & take the next thing... it continued. Unless & until I'm very good at it, I'll never move to the next one.
When Artpreneur Program came, it was a big change in my life.
With Artpreneur, I learnt to devote time to myself. It was a big adjustment for everybody in my family. Initially, my family thought it was just my hobby & this is what normally housewives do to pass the time.
Later, when they saw that I was sincere & very good at what I'm doing, they understood that they have to give me time to do it.
Basically, art kept me engrossed. After the Artpreneur program, my mood changed. It helped me come out of depression.
From my experience, after the Program, I'm much steadier, I live for myself, I'm happy & I found a Source of Joy.
Artpreneur Program is a Source of Joy to me.
8. Apart from technical aspects, what you learnt from Artpreneur Program?
Owing to my depression, I became bitter & cynical. I came to the point, for no reason, I had to prove myself to be right because that's the only way I cope up & push back people.
With the Program, I kind of humbled down; I became how I was naturally... more loving & caring.
With the love & respect the Artpreneur community gave, I realized that you don't need to turn harsh just because of few circumstances in life.
The second thing is to be Grateful. This is something that I picked up from Balaji a lot.
Humility & gratefulness are something that I learnt from the Program.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
9. How has your relationship with the mentor & the community been after completing the Program?
With the Artpreneur community, my relationship is stronger. Mr. SCD Balaji & his tools have helped me a lot. He is younger than me. But, I have huge respect for him as a teacher. He is ever going to be one of my favourite people.
Conceptualised and Illustrated by Ayesha, Amayah Studio | Artpreneur Program Alumni
2019-2020 | Garden of Fairies Batch
10. Will you recommend Artpreneur Program to others? Why?
I would recommend Artpreneur to a lot of people.
Not only professionals but to people who want to use it as a hobby. If you are even using it as a hobby, the process they teach you here will help you in your life.
In Artpreneur Program, the process is the strongest. It makes you learn & unlearn a lot of things.
For women, it is important to spend time for themselves & not to live for others all the time. Everyone should have a chance to fulfil their dreams & follow their passion. If they enjoy art, there is nothing harmful in learning the correct way of doing things.
Finally, a word for people who are about to join the Artpreneur Program...
Practice is Progress!
To Know more about the Program, Please click and explore the below links
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(Program Co-ordinator)
+ 91 93847 44497
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