Kindness starts with you.
Kindness starts with you.
Sophia Jaipuri is from an artistic background and proudly owns 'Batul's Creations by Sophia', named after her mother, Batul. She attributes her success to her mother's influence and support throughout her journey.
At 'Batul's Creations by Sophia', Sophia specializes in a variety of handcrafted items, including block printing, hand-painted apparel, embroidery, resin art, and crochet art, among others.
Sophia explains that her brand offers diverse segments to cater to different preferences. The fabric segment features fabric embroidery and painting, with a focus on customization according to the customer's requirements. The home decor section showcases resin art, encompassing items like resin table clocks, wall clocks, coasters, photo frames, and more. Additionally, there's a crochet segment offering toys, apparel, pillow covers, and various crochet home decor items, all tailored to meet the specific needs of customers.
She recounts her journey into the world of creativity, tracing it back to her childhood. She reminisces about her school holidays, during which her mother, a home science diploma holder, encouraged her to learn embroidery and other crafts. Sophia credits her mother for instilling in her a love for creativity.
Sophia says that during her school days, her interest in art was evident, though it remained a hobby. Even in college, she was not fully passionate about it until later, when her passion for art blossomed. She recalls the challenges of that time, when resources like YouTube and Google were not as readily available for learning and inspiration.
After college, she embarked on a 14-15 year-long career with an American medical company, where she handled various departments. Despite her job, she continued to pursue her creative interests, taking orders on the side. However, she soon realized that she could not fully dedicate herself to both her job and her creative pursuits. Eventually, Sophia made the bold decision to leave her job and pursue art and craft full-time.
Sophia shares that she was given a suggestion from her cousin to explore a Facebook page called "Fevicryl Hobby Ideas," which sparked her interest. Later, when she discovered the free PAN India training programs offered by Fevicryl, she eagerly joined. Through these programs, she gained confidence in her artistic abilities and felt compelled to share her knowledge with others. Initially, she started training people locally, but when the pandemic hit, she transitioned to online teaching. Her classes quickly gained popularity, attracting students not just from her community or city but from across India and even worldwide.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Sophia conducted numerous training sessions, reaching over 2500 learners. She found solace in knowing that her art classes provided stress relief to many during such challenging times. As her reputation grew, so did her workload. Recognizing the need for assistance, she enlisted the help of skilled women, including her house help and others recommended by them. Through this initiative, she aimed to empower women who were financially dependent and in need of employment opportunities.
Sophia dreams of empowering financially dependent women and has numerous upcoming projects in the pipeline. Her aim is to contribute to society from her current position.
Reflecting on her childhood, Sophia shares that her father, an engineer, had a transferable job, which led to frequent relocations. They settled in Udaipur when she was in sixth grade because the previous location did not offer CBSE education beyond class 10, which her brother needed. Since then, Udaipur has been their home.
Sophia shares that she completed her schooling with commerce as her subject before pursuing a master's in business administration. Now, after nearly two decades, she has enrolled in MA sociology to expand her knowledge and expertise.
When asked about her role models, she says that she draws immense strength from her mother, who stands as her ultimate role model. She paints a vivid picture of her mother's influence, highlighting her constant encouragement. She also admires her mother for her remarkable patience during the challenging times. Sophia says that she would like to have the same amount of strength and patience her mother has.
She shares that she holds dear a powerful quote. Which translates to —"If you want to achieve success, you must work hard because testing luck is done in gambling." This resonates deeply with her, emphasizing the essence of hard work over mere luck, driving her to remain diligent in her work.
Reflecting back on her path, Sophia candidly shares the challenges she faced at the outset of her artistic career. With limited resources and a hunger for knowledge, she sought guidance from various mentors, piecing together her craft through trial and error. She says that despite the initial struggles, her determination propelled her forward, gradually earning her recognition and acclaim in the artistic field.
Sharing her proudest accomplishments, she says that she used to conduct art workshops at Shilpgram, Udaipur, where she gained recognition. She was later tasked by Shilpgram's director, Kiran Soni Gupta, to adorn the main entrance gate, known as 'Darpan Dwara', for the decoration of the G20 event in Udaipur. This opportunity further elevated her profile in the city, boosting her confidence.
As a mentor to budding artists, Sophia emphasizes the importance of continuous learning. She shares that she updates her own skills and encourages beginners to reach out for guidance. She highlights the importance of seizing opportunities, including free classes and government schemes which are often overlooked due to lack of awareness. Additionally, she extends her support to aspiring entrepreneurs looking to launch their startups.
Her message to people is simple: be kind and helpful to everyone. She believes that when we extend kindness and assistance, we all grow together. There is no need to feel insecure about sharing our knowledge or helping others out of fear that they might surpass us. Helping others not only benefits them but also ensures that we receive help when we need it. Importantly, she emphasizes that we should help without expecting anything in return.
Sophia highlights the crucial role of family support for women who work. She considers herself fortunate to have a very supportive family and in-laws. Her husband has been a tremendous support, always encouraging her, offering ideas, and motivating her. Similarly, her in-laws have always backed her and allowed her the freedom to work her way.