We are back with one more story of a mom in the series of creative mom feature. Introducing Ann who left her corporate job to pursue her passion as a blogger and as a mompreneur. She grew up and live in Bangalore, India with her husband and young son. I know her as a humble, creative, and hard-working mom. Currently, she is in the planning phase of setting up process Art workshops for kids both offline and online. Let’s get to know her more through this interview.
Blogger and Mompreneur
What’s your background?
I grew up and live in Bangalore with my family. My passion for Art & creativity led me to design school to pursue my graduation in Graphic Design, followed by MBA and then I worked in a couple of MNCs in the IT industry for more than a decade as a User Experience Designer – designing digital apps and learning about how people experience digital products. Looking back, my corporate career was a journey of discovering, learning, thinking, exploring, and it’s been a mixed bag of experiences.
What was the main reason for quitting your professional career and do you ever regret your decision?
Firstly, quitting my IT job wasn’t an easy decision. All I knew for sure was that I was not growing as an individual by surviving in a job that had no motivation or positive vibes. So, the first thing I did was to save up enough monetary resources which enabled me to ‘afford’ a career break or shift.
It’s been 2 years since I’ve quit my IT job and the greatest commodity I have earned is the time to pursue things that nourish my soul. I will call this my enriching spiritual journey of seeking new adventures from deep-diving into meditation practices, long walks in nature, reading, gardening, and most importantly supporting my son his interests in sports and other activities.
In fact, I now have the time and freedom to consume the content I’m curious about, get absorbed in ‘conspiracy theories’, and grow as a person and at times I regret not quitting the boring path much earlier.
Beautiful birdhouse by Ann
You are a popular blogger and Influencer along with an artist. Tell us more about how the idea of starting your art venture came up? What were the key factors for starting something like this?
My son and I absolutely love creating art and exploring creative techniques – this was how our blog Al Things Beautiful started and with time, it took on a life of its own. It just happened that during our free time I’ve conducted informal, offline art workshops with my son and his friends (because that’s the only creative way I know to engage kids ?), and all along it has been very well received by the children and their parents. This has been the key motivation to begin Al Things Creative.
Presently we are a digital repository of easy DIY, art & craft ideas for kids to try and aspire to begin formal offline art workshops too.
What is your favourite artwork from your own work and why?
When it comes to exercising my creativity and imagination, my favourite themes are sustainability, zero waste, recycling, and upcycling.
In the hands of some artists, objects like glass bottles, plastic containers, packaging that would end up filling landfills or floating in the sea can become a form of sustainable art that surprises with its originality.
I absolutely enjoyed conceptualising and creating this gold and glitter DIY Home Decor using recycled material.
What is your favourite part of all the work you do and why?
As a blogger and influencer, my favourite part is the exposure to the world of entrepreneurs. To listen and observe the conviction of pursuing an idea to launch and accelerate new businesses.
What is your inspiration or where do you get inspiration for all the work you do?
My son, who is a creative and compassionate soul is my greatest inspiration and partner in my work in this world. His presence defines unconditional love and has inspired me to not just pursue work but to align myself spiritually and thrive.
Ann – Blogger and Mompreneur
A most important tip for other mompreneurs or moms who want to follow their passion but are skeptical.
The journey begins with awareness and clarity – become aware of your passion, the things that make you happy, the relationships that matter the most to you in the long run, and then plan, launch & accelerate your venture. Often times, entrepreneurship can be a lonely journey. Hence it’s important to make awareness and clarity as your first step.
“Awareness is like the sun. When it shines on things, they are transformed.” Nhat Hanh
What is your vision? Share any future plans you have.
My vision is to be a channel that enables children to tap into their creative potential. Also enable them to express their imagination and creativity without apprehensions of being judged. I believe that in the process of creating something new, you may find a flair or a talent that was hidden deep inside you all your life, that you can now proudly list as one of your abilities.
Thanks Ann for taking out time for this interview. I hope this story of a mom from a corporate world to a blogger and mompreneur is inspiring for other moms who are waiting to take a plunge.
You can follow Ann here –
https://althingsbeautiful.wordpress.com/
https://althingsbeautiful.wordpress.com/about/
https://www.facebook.com/althingsbeautiful/
Read about previously featured creative moms here- Monika, Shiva, Soma, Ritika, Sudha, Rina, Shipra, Anuja, Preethi, Surbhi, Debjani , Megha Sushma Shilpi Anupriya Anupama Charu and Prakriti to get inspired.
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