03/05/2021
I try to win the grant. PLEASE vote for me to win the .
Use this link to vote:
https://start.nav.com/vote/?navgrant=EnjoyTheMandala
Enter your business or personal name and the state you reside in! 😘
See my creatures I ask grand for:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/EnjoyTheMandala
My name is Natalia Sayapina, an owner of a home-based workshop and online shop of wooden wall art "Enjoy The Mandala". I am an artist with academic art education. After graduation, as an interior designer at the University, I received initiation into Reiki healing and studied the history of religion, in particular, Vedic scriptures.
I loved the idea of making beautiful and useful art :)
The journey of designing my future workshop for the production of high-quality wooden decor began by combining classical education with ideas inspired by the ancient philosophy of Buddhism.
The first time when I had the opportunity to create my own wall decorations, I was so inspired and passionate about creativity, I just was making and giving my crafts to friends and acquaintances. Later there were people who wanted to buy it. This is how the online store appeared. In the beginning, there were not many orders, which I carried out in a comfortable mode, gradually learning English (I am an immigrant from Russia), communication skills, and the basics of business.
After two years of running the store, demand began to grow and I had to increase lead times (two weeks or more) and prices. To be able to keep pace with the entire production cycle.
Most part of the production process made by hand. I very appreciate this direction for that. This will never become mass and conveyor.
I believe that art with a spiritual component should be available to everyone who wants this. It is sad to notice now it is not.
Way out: hire assistants, increase the number of products, reduce production times and prices.
Problem: small room, not equipped for hiring assistants.
Solution: a small extension to the house to expand the area of the premises for one extra department. Zoning into four compartments: cutting, grinding, painting, and packing table. Heating installation, industrial dust extraction, good lighting above all work surfaces, wiring of 5 independent electrical outlets, production sander. Small rest/ tea zone. Finally Hiring an Assistant !!!!
Thank you for this opportunity to participate here, thank you for your time and attention! Natalia
