We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sanaa Joumaa. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sanaa below.

Sanaa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

The idea for Saj Creations came to life from a blend of personal passion and a pivotal life transition. Over 20 years ago, I immigrated to the United States from Beirut, Lebanon, with my husband. Initially, our focus was on building a new life and raising our children. During those years, crafting wasn’t just a hobby for me; it was a delightful escape that allowed me to express myself and bring joy to others through my creations.

As my children grew and became more independent, I found myself contemplating the next chapter of my life. I realized that the joy I experienced from arts and crafts could be something more—it could be a way to connect with others and add a special touch to their celebrations. From personalized favors for various events to custom-made t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and uniquely beautiful geode candles, each piece I create is designed to bring a personal and thoughtful element to someone’s special day.

The decision to turn my hobby into a business, Saj Creations, felt like a natural progression. It was a way to not only pursue my passion but also to share a piece of my heritage and creativity with the community around me. Each item I craft is infused with the love and care I’ve nurtured over decades of honing my skills. Saj Creations is more than just a business—it’s a reflection of my journey and the joy I hope to spread through my art.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Hello, I’m delighted to share a bit about my journey and what I do at Saj Creations. I originally came from Beirut, Lebanon, over two decades ago with my family. After years dedicated primarily to raising my children, I turned my long-time passion for arts and crafts into a flourishing small business. Saj Creations specializes in personalized artistic products such as custom favors for any event, personalized t-shirts, mugs, tumblers, and my signature geode candles. Each item is carefully designed to add a unique and personal touch to my clients’ special occasions.

My entry into this industry was driven by a desire to share my creativity and bring joy to others through personalized art. Using social media has been instrumental in showcasing my products and connecting with my audience. It allows me to display the intricate details of my work, share my creative process, and engage directly with both prospective and existing customers.

What sets Saj Creations apart is my commitment to personalization and quality. I solve a fundamental problem for my clients: bringing a unique and personalized touch to their events and gifts that truly reflect their personality and intent. My products aren’t just items; they are personal expressions crafted with care.

I am most proud of the growth of Saj Creations. Starting from a simple table in my home to now reaching customers nationwide through social media, each step has been a testament to the power of passion and perseverance. I am also incredibly proud of the positive feedback I receive from my clients, which fuels my motivation every day.

For anyone new to my brand, I want them to know that Saj Creations is more than just a business. It’s a passion project born from years of crafting love, a way to connect people through personalized art, and a testament to the beauty of turning a simple idea into a thriving enterprise. I am here to make your celebrations more memorable and to ensure that each product you order from me is crafted with utmost care and love.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One of the most defining moments of resilience in my life began when I immigrated to the United States from Lebanon with my husband. We arrived here with high hopes but limited resources, and without knowing any English. This language barrier was one of our first and most daunting challenges. Every day was a learning curve—navigating a new culture, new community norms, and even simple daily tasks that were made complex without language fluency.

Despite these challenges, I was determined to build a stable life for my family. As I raised my children, I took it upon myself to learn English. I started with children’s books I read to my kids and gradually moved to more complex materials. Every word I learned opened up new opportunities and made me feel more at home in my adopted country.

Transitioning these personal challenges into my business journey was equally demanding. When I decided to turn my hobby of arts and crafts into a business, I had to navigate the complexities of starting a small business with limited knowledge of the entrepreneurial landscape in the U.S. This required not only linguistic skills but also business acumen, which I had to develop from scratch.

I remember the early days of setting up Saj Creations; every small success felt monumental because it came from the culmination of overcoming personal and professional barriers. Each sale, each happy customer review, and each repeat order was a testament to the resilience it took to move from not knowing how to communicate in a new country to establishing a successful business.

This journey from an immigrant with no English skills to a business owner in a competitive market illustrates not just resilience but also the belief in the power of personal growth and perseverance. Each challenge I faced taught me valuable lessons in patience, persistence, and the importance of adaptability—qualities that are at the core of both my personal life and my business ethos.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

Starting Saj Creations was a dream fueled not just by my passion for arts and crafts but also by practical financial planning. Before I could launch my business, I needed to secure the necessary funds to cover initial costs like materials, equipment, and marketing. The journey to gathering this capital is a story of leveraging my skills and experiences in a meaningful way.

For many years, I have worked as a bilingual academic interventionist, a role that involves helping new students who don’t speak English. My fluency in Spanish and French has enabled me to support children in navigating their new educational environment, much like I once navigated my new life in the United States. This job was not only fulfilling but also became a crucial financial foundation for my business.

I used the income from my position as an interventionist to fund the early stages of Saj Creations. It was important to me that I build the business without taking on debt, so I saved diligently. Each paycheck brought me closer to my goal, and I learned to budget and allocate funds efficiently to cover both my family’s needs and my business ambitions.

This process of saving and funding taught me the importance of resource management, a skill that has been invaluable in running a business. It was a gradual and disciplined approach, but it allowed me to launch Saj Creations on solid financial footing. Being able to use the money I earned from helping others learn and adapt, to fund a business that creates joy and celebrates personal connections, has been incredibly rewarding.

Through this experience, I learned that with the right planning and perseverance, turning a passion into a livelihood is entirely possible. It’s a reminder that every aspect of our lives, even our jobs, can contribute to broader dreams when we align our goals with our actions.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/saj.creations?igsh=MW8xMDBveDlhcDRi&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sajdetroit?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sajart?_t=8lmPJMRFDTy&_r=1 Facebook 2: https://www.facebook.com/sajdetroit?mibextid=LQQJ4d