We recently connected with Aisha Shibli and have shared our conversation below.

Aisha, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The idea for my business, Sundais, grew out of my passion for promoting clean living and self-care. Over a decade ago, I experienced the negative effects of an unhealthy lifestyle, which sparked my journey towards clean living. This experience motivated me to embark on a journey of research, experimentation, and learning about the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.

As someone passionate about promoting clean living, I knew that the self-care and clean industry was the perfect space for me to pursue my goals. In a world where everything from the air we breathe to the food we eat and our daily habits can be toxic, I felt that my business could make a difference by offering a product that was both beautiful and environmentally friendly.

I spent countless hours researching and testing various materials and ingredients to ensure that my products were sustainable and eco-friendly. Given the impact that daily habits, such as the candles we burn, can have on our environment and overall health, I sought to offer a unique approach to the candle market that would minimize the use of toxic ingredients and maximize sustainability. By incorporating colourful dried florals and non-toxic, clean-burning materials into my candles, I aimed to create a visually stunning product that would promote a holistic, clean-living experience, but also serve a functional purpose.

The logic behind my business idea was simple: I wanted to offer a unique, eco-friendly product that would promote a healthy, clean lifestyle. I felt that my business, particularly my candles, were offering a visually appealing product that also had a minimal environmental impact. In a booming industry that is valued at approximately $6.6 billion worldwide, I wanted to make sure that Sundais stood out by offering a unique, high-quality product that promoted self-care, clean living, and the natural beauty through the florals. I felt that my business idea was not only worthwhile but also essential in a world where we all need to do our part to reduce our impact on the environment, while prioritizing and self-care and an eco-friendly lifestyle. Since its founding, Sundais has expanded its line to include body butters, soaps, bath salts, lipbalms, and much more.

Similarly, as I began creating my brand, I knew I wanted to incorporate a piece of my Kurdish heritage. While the name “Sundais” is not directly tied to my culture, I explored various ways to add a Kurdish touch to my logo. After months of brainstorming, I turned to my mother and was reminded of the traditional Kurdish tattoo, or “deq,” that she proudly displays on her face and hands. Despite my understanding of the deq’s significance, I researched its history and found limited information about this Kurdish tradition.

Common deq symbols for Kurdish women include inverted V’s, Earth symbols such as the sun, moon, and stars, as well as dots and vines placed on various areas of the body. For my brand logo, I decided on an Earth symbol, specifically the sun, in the center of the brand name. The sun symbolizes eternal life and good health, while also serving as an eye. Each deq symbol has its own unique meaning, such as representing pleasure, beauty, or hope, with many believing that it wards off evil. Additionally, the name Sundais was inspired by my love for self-care Sundays, a day dedicated to unwinding, relaxing, and lighting a candle and taking care of my inner spirit and outer self before the new week begins.

As a small business owner, I am thrilled to have been running Sundais for nearly three years now, and I am excited to expand my product line and offer more options for customers who want to bring a piece of clean living into their homes.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Aisha, and I am the founder of Sundais, a small business that offers hand-made, environmentally-friendly statement pieces that promote a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. I currently work in higher education but my passion for non-toxic and clean living led me to start Sundais as a labour of love. Our product line features an array of handmade items including soothing soaps, luxurious body butters, nourishing lip balms, beautifully crafted candles, and more. We focus on creating holistic and sustainable products that provide our customers with an enjoyable shopping experience.

What sets Sundais apart from others is my continued commitment to ethical and sustainable sourcing at affordable prices without compromising on quality. I take pride in the high-quality craftsmanship of my products. At Sundais, I strive to make a positive impact on our environment and my customers’ lives, and to date, I am proud of the positive feedback I have received from my customers and my community.

Sundais offers unique and environmentally-friendly products that promote wellness and sustainability. I am committed to providing an enjoyable shopping experience and spreading awareness on clean living and wellness.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

One of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele has been utilizing social media as a tool for reaching a wider audience and building brand awareness. By regularly posting and engaging with followers on Instagram and other social media platforms, I have been able to connect with potential customers and grow a loyal following.

In addition to social media, meeting customers in person at local markets has been an equally important strategy for growing my clientele. These events provide an opportunity to showcase my products and connect with customers on a personal level, which can lead to long-term relationships and repeat business.

These in-person interactions have allowed me to get to know my customers, understand their needs and preferences, and get feedback on my products. Meeting people face-to-face also allows me to share my story and values in a way that social media cannot always capture. I have found that when I speak to people one on one and share my passion for clean living and sustainability, they are more likely to connect with me and my products, and become repeat customers. These interactions have also led to some great connections and friendships that have gone beyond just a customer relationship.

Participating in these markets, and pop-up shops, has also allowed me to introduce the Sundais brand to new audiences and increase my visibility in the local community. By showcasing my products and interacting with potential customers, I am able to build brand recognition and establish Sundais as a trusted and reputable small business.

Overall, while social media is a powerful tool for growing the online presence and reaching a wider audience, I believe that the personal touch and connection that comes from meeting customers in person is equally important in building a loyal customer base and establishing strong relationships with our customers.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

When I first started my business, Sundais, I began by reaching out to my local community, including friends and family, and asked them to support me on social media. By sharing my products and story with them, they were able to spread the word to their own networks and help me grow my following.

I also utilized social media tools such as hashtags, tagging other accounts, and participating in online communities and conversations related to clean living and wellness. This helped me reach a wider audience and connect with individuals who were interested in the same values and lifestyle that my brand promotes.

In terms of advice for those just starting out on social media, my biggest piece of advice is to be consistent and authentic on social media. It’s important to show up regularly and provide value to your followers through engaging content and storytelling. You should also be honest and transparent about your business, products, and values. This will help you build trust with your audience and create a strong community around your brand. It’s also important to experiment with different social media platforms and tools to see what works best for your business. Don’t be afraid to try new things and take risks in order to stand out and differentiate yourself from your competitors.

Finally, building a social media presence takes time and effort. It’s important to be patient and persistent, and to remember that it’s not just about the numbers, but about building meaningful connections with your followers and customers.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopsundais.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopsundais/
• Facebook: n/a
• Linkedin: n/a
• Twitter: n/a
• Youtube: n/a
• Yelp: n/a
• Other: n/a

Image Credits
all image credits to: Jian Shibli & Fatima Telli (cp.photography.jpg)