Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mentwab Easwaran. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Mentwab thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
Starting Coobaya would have posed a formidable challenge had it not been for the unwavering support of my friends and family. While I generally prefer to keep business and personal matters separate, when it comes to advocacy, there’s an unparalleled strength in the support one receives from close-knit relationships. In my experience, my family and friends have emerged as my most steadfast advocates.
My business engagements often involve individuals from the creative sector, those who appreciate the effort and ingenuity that goes into the work. While my friends and family are often the first to offer their views on the products I create, the final decisions regarding the creative output remain solely within my purview.
I frequently turn to my friends and family for insight, encouragement, and even companionship at festivals and events. One of the challenges I’ve encountered is asking them to engage with the art I post by liking, sharing, and commenting. Understandably, my brand doesn’t occupy their thoughts daily, and expecting them to continuously engage with it may seem unreasonable. Further complicating this is the fact that the practice of sharing and reposting isn’t a norm within their, or even my own, digital habits. I, too, have found myself occasionally overlooking a request to share a story, only to realize it after the opportunity has passed. This is a reminder that I, too, have areas where I could improve my own engagement.
In the realm of business, it’s crucial for all parties involved to maintain a professional perspective, irrespective of the nature of their personal relationship. It’s about striking a balance between leveraging these relationships for support while maintaining the necessary boundaries that ensure the professional integrity of the enterprise.
Mentwab, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I proudly identify myself as a Creative Entrepreneur. My formal education was completed at Parsons School of Design, where I specialized in Communications Design. My professional journey began in the technology sector, and I have since gained substantial experience as a Graphic Designer, Motion Graphic Designer, and currently, as a Senior User Interface/User Experience Designer. I have had the privilege of designing applications for various prestigious government organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and the Treasury Department. As technology continues to evolve, it invariably influences design, a process that has held my focus and interest for the longest time. My primary creative endeavors involve crafting digital art, fine art, and interface designs.
In my spare time and over the weekends, I consistently immerse myself in the world of fine arts, with painting being a constant practice. Throughout the pandemic, I allocated time for self-improvement, attending classes to refine my skills. This period of growth and development led to the establishment of Coobaya, a design firm specializing in creating storytelling products and offering services in the fields of graphic and visual art.
Coobaya, now in its third year of operation, has brought me immense pride, notably when our designs won the 2021 DC Mayor Bowser’s Creative Arts Award in Excellence in Visual Art. This award, bestowed upon those who have catalyzed significant change within their communities, served as an affirmation of my commitment to unlimited creativity.
I believe my refusal to limit my creativity may set me apart. I dedicate my efforts to areas that I am passionate about and where I aspire to excel. As a Creative Entrepreneur, my creations span across both the digital and fine arts world. I cater to a diverse clientele, providing services such as graphic design, video creation, commissioned fine arts, and design consultation. At the end of the day, I ensure that each client receives the best of my creativity, which serves as a continuous source of motivation for me.
Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?
A portion of my product manufacturing occurs in-house, specifically the process of sublimation. All my mug creations are crafted within my personal studio. The art of sublimation was a skill I acquired through educational resources available on YouTube, and upon discovering the feasibility of in-house production, I invested in the necessary tools to carry out this process. However, as widely acknowledged, home manufacturing has its constraints. The majority of in-house printing technologies are limited by the types of materials compatible with the process and the surface area that can be printed upon.
Therefore, identifying a reliable manufacturing partner is of paramount importance. This was a process that I began by conducting extensive research on on-demand manufacturers capable of fulfilling my specific requirements, subsequently establishing a productive relationship with them. Selecting the right manufacturer is contingent upon the nature of the design output required, as well as the product intended to bear the design. Given that different manufacturers offer varied products and services, it is crucial to explore various options.
Before committing to large-scale orders, I have learned my lesson to always initiate the collaboration with a prototype. This allows me to assess the quality and output of the product, thereby ensuring that the standards of my creations are consistently upheld.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
One pervasive notion that I’ve had to consciously unlearn is the misconception that one can be either a designer or an artist, but not both. This binary perspective, which implies that one must focus exclusively on a single domain, has been a recurring narrative in my life. However, I’ve managed to demonstrate the contrary; that it is indeed possible to excel in multiple areas.
Yes, one can certainly do it all. In the realm of creativity, there are no boundaries or limits to what can be achieved. As long as there is passion, enthusiasm, and the will to learn and grow, the possibilities are boundless. It is essential to engage in what you love, despite external opinions or judgments. If you discover a novel means of self-expression, embrace it and see where it leads, regardless of others’ perspectives.
The ability to free oneself from such constraints and pursue what one truly loves is a gift. It is a testament to the versatility and adaptability of the human spirit, and it serves as a potent reminder that the only true limitations are those we impose on ourselves.
Contact Info:
- Website: coobaya.com
- Instagram: @coobayamugs and @ethiogallery
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoobayaDesign/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mentwab-easwaran-2327938/
Image Credits
@ethiogallery @meta_multimedia