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

Hi Nisha, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

As an henna artist, my most meaningful interactions have been with chemo patients who ask for mehendi designs on their scalps. It has been my honor to help many beautiful, strong women feel more comfortable with losing their hair. In doing so, I’ve been fortunate enough to build deep connections and hear inspiring stories of human resilience. Although she has since passed away, I will never forget my first client who underwent chemo, Alex. She quickly became a close personal friend and was one of the most thoughtful, vibrant, and caring individuals I have ever had the fortune to meet. Despite the challenges she was facing, she never failed to check in on me and always encouraged me to step out of my comfort zone. She was constantly traveling and learning, and would come to every henna session with new stories about what she had seen. Alex inspired me, and I have been thankful for every opportunity I’ve had to meet and support chemo patients since.

Another compelling project is related to my clothing business ‘Taj Fashion’ where a girl came to purchase clothing for her wedding. Through the conversation, she revealed that she is marrying the boy who is from Africa and her parents are not willing to come to USA. In Indian wedding, there is a ritual called ‘Kanyadaan’ where parents give hands of bride to the groom. The girl wanted to incorporate this ritual into her wedding as this was close to her heart. She had no other relative here. Hesitantly she asked if I (with my husband) can take part in this ritual as parents.
Though we didn’t want to take place of her parents, this was an honor for us that she considered us for such a sacred event and also we wanted to support her wish. We participated on her wedding in a Hindu temple and blessed the couple. The joy on her face was unmeasurable and this is an unforgettable event for me and my husband.

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?

My name is Nisha Agrawal. I started my business, Henna Arts in 2003, out of an apartment in Boise, Idaho. My husband and I had just moved to the USA from India with our baby daughter, and from day one I knew I wanted to work. While navigating culture shock and trying to make America our home, I quickly understood the value of adapting my existing values and habits to the new place. The seed that would grow into my flourishing business was sown when I made friends who appreciated and celebrated my native culture; they loved the beauty and significance of mehendi. Soon, I was in high demand, doing celebratory henna for small birthday parties and events and gaining the skills that I would need to start my formal LLC nearly 4 years later. Growing from these modest roots, my business has now been thriving for 14 years!

Through Henna Arts, I do henna for all sorts of events including weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, cultural celebrations, and much more. Branching off of Henna Arts, I’ve expanded to include Indian merchandise, clothing, and artwork through my secondary business, Taj Fashion. I now paint, teach both art and henna, and am versed in event decorating with an emphasis on weddings as well. My business’ crowning achievement is an annual citywide Diwali festival called Round Rock Diwali Festival, where my husband, a group of organizers, and I work with the city of Round Rock to encourage the community to celebrate the festival of lights. I also work with non-profit organizations such as the Miracle Foundation, Rooms to Read Foundation, and the Tender Heart Foundation, doing henna to raise funds for various causes. Additionally, I’ve worked with the Austin Police Department, Austin Fire Department, and others at community enrichment and cultural diversity events.

I feel as though the main problem I solve for my clients is providing various cultural services in one spot – for many people, having to hunt down a separate henna artist, a separate event decorator, a separate shop for Indian outfits is inconvenient but I am able to provide all of these at once. More than the convenience, however, I think the most valuable part of my business is the relationships I have with my clients. I have dozens of stories about clients that became close friends, and I love being able to provide this personalized service to everyone I encounter. I always make sure to notice details about the clients I’m working with so I can tailor my services to their needs, and seeing the joy on their faces at events or after having gotten henna done makes every ounce of hard work worth it. Most of all, I love living, working, and integrating myself with the community in Austin. I have a great network of clients, friends, and colleagues that make my job so fun and fulfilling!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I moved to the United States with my husband and baby daughter, and had no other family or friends for support here. The first obstacles I faced were the language barrier, culture shock, and homesickness. My husband was doing his best working to maximize our modest income, so I was mostly alone with my daughter with little to no opportunities to interact with others or learn how to speak, act, or make my way in a completely new country halfway across the world. Slowly, through making friends, teaching at the library, and my daughter’s schooling I began to develop my English vocabulary and establish a community. My next challenge was a lack of a work permit; I wasn’t able to start making an income for my work until I moved to Austin. I have no regrets, however; the formative years I spent teaching and doing henna for friends were when I learned how to make America my home, as well as when I gained the business skills I use to this day. Finally, my most significant obstacle was my own fear. I was always afraid that I wouldn’t be accepted, or that I would fail. Unfortunately, in my case, the stakes were quite high and failing wouldn’t just affect me — I would also be letting my husband and children down. It sounds cliche, but with perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to be open to whatever the future had in store, I overcame my fear and thrived.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the lack of restriction involved with my career. Although I have deadlines, I can create what I want however best suits me, and I love that kind of freedom. Henna has always been an especially therapeutic medium for me, and I love that my business allows me to explore different avenues of thought while I can be wholly, authentically myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.HennaArts.com and https://www.TajFashion.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nishahennaarts/ and https://www.instagram.com/tajfashion.austin/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/NishaHennaArts and https://facebook.com/TajFashion
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henna-arts
• Twitter: hennaarts
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/NishaHennaArts
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nisha-henna-arts-austin
• Other: Featured by Google: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNjTyQK4uKk

Image Credits
Image credit: Ram Agrawal (www.ragrawal.com)