Latest / Project Emerald Collective / Building a Purpose-Led Brand Alongside Motherhood & Career | Shrydhee Nasan of Alamari
Transcript
- Alamahri: I said, okay, what do you love about us working with you? And they said, we love creating this because it keeps us busy, keeps us keeping our craft alive. And then I said, what do you not like about it? And they said, no one has ever asked us this question. Eve: Welcome to the Project Emerald Collective. I'm your host, Eve McIntyre. Every week I sit down with women who have chosen to live differently. Designers, founders, creatives, psychologists, adventurers and change makers. People asking bigger questions about how we live, work, create and connect. These conversations aren't really about fashion. They're about living with intention. finding the courage to be yourself and discovering what becomes possible when you stop living by expectation and start living by choice. If that's the kind of life you're creating too, you're in the right place. Now let's go. Hello and welcome to the Project Emerald Collective podcast. More than a marketplace, Alamahri: Thank you. Eve: we're a movement towards intentional living. today I'm joined by Shrydhee Nasen, founder of Almari, a beautiful Australian slow fashion label that celebrates artisian craftsmanship, culture, and conscious living. Alongside Building Almari Shrydhee works also works full-time in business and operations improvement and is raising a young family. So today we'll explore what it really looks like to build a purpose-led business alongside the many other hats that women wear. Welcome Shrydhee Alamahri: Thank you. Thanks for having me Eve. Eve: start by telling us a little bit about yourself. Alamahri: I'm Shrydhee Naisan, designer of Alamari and also work full time in business operations. So that has been my career. That's what I studied to do. I do come from a Asian background, Indian family. I was born and in Singapore. definitely my father, dad's only ask was to just do something a bit more stable and fashion was always like a... a hobby thing that you can do, but I always had a very big passion in that. But I started, grew in my career, but I also had this burning desire to have this fashion business of my own. I also wanted something that was very meaningful to me when I started a brand. when I started Alamari, about 2023 is when I actually registered the business. I called it Alamari. It was actually, the name Alamari actually means a wardrobe in our language, Tamil language. And it's an Eve: Yeah. Alamahri: inspiration from my grandmother because when I was this little girl, like this four-five-year-old girl, she used to have this floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. I could find just about anything in her wardrobe, like her clothing, her shoes, her purses, her napkins. Like it was her treasure trove. Like anything was in there. And it was just this colorful wardrobe, like from all the beautiful prints and that she would sit and say that. or this sari is like how many years all it was given to her or look at this print that she bought from India. So it was just beautiful. And I just looked forward to having my own alamari when I grew up. And I think that idea changed, obviously, with modernising clothes and everything. was just like, you know, it didn't really matter in my teen years. But after moving here, just went to Australia. I moved here in 2014. And I realised I felt I missed that culture part of me. Like everything was just... we were just following trends and I wanted to stay trendy and relevant amongst my friends as you know, in my early 20s. And then I realised I was losing a part of a very big part of my culture and my identity. And I think that's where it rekindled the desire to look into all of this. So that's when I started Alamari and yeah, and I started to take a deep dive into learning a bit more about the prints and the craftsmanship behind. Indian textiles and that's Eve: Mm. Alamahri: how Alamari started, you know, exploring this craftsmanship and wanting to bring these designs into modern living, modern wear pretty much. It didn't have to be our traditional wear so anyone and everyone could actually experience our crafts, our prints, not just, you know, wearing it in a traditional outfit for a harmony day or anything. They could wear it to work and say, hey, this is an Indian textile, this is an Indian print, look at it, it can be made into a suit or a resort wear. I just wanted it to be more available globally without the limitations of culture or tradition. So that's how the whole idea started and we are still exploring different crafts. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. I love hearing Alamahri: Yeah. Eve: the heritage of the name and what it I've always admired the colour and the beautiful designs of Indian fashion. So I can't wait to see you and your designs Alamahri: Yeah. Eve: on the Circular Fashion Festival runway in October. Alamahri: Yeah. Yeah. Eve: so tell us about the different hats that you wear. Alamahri: Yeah, so I happily married wife with two kids. I've got a five-year-old daughter and an 18-month-old baby boy. And also working full-time now. So I actually did take a break from my full-time role. I did have a complicated pregnancy. And so I took an early med leave about November 2024 and just had my baby. He came early, but everything went well and I just wanted to spend time. a bit more time with him at home. So I took an extended Mat-Leaf. So it was about a year and a half before I came back into this role. But while in Mat-Leaf postpartum, had this, initially I had this whole feeling like, you know, second time, mom, I should know, know, things should be easier. I got this, everything. But along the way, something just shifted. I was just like, something feels so different. Like, I know what I need to do. I just. Everything felt easier, but also heavier and lonelier at the same time. was just a very confusing time. And I just needed to find a way to reconnect back with myself or creativity. I felt like I needed to hang on to a bit of my identity and going back to work was not on my personal, because I just didn't want to put him in daycare and go. I know a lot of parents do, but I just couldn't do it. So I needed to find other ways to find a way to reconnect with myself. And I thought, OK, let's just... look back into designs, let's just see if I can start something. then I started, it just really started with a little sketch and then it grew from there. So the whole collection called Cinnamon, it was a collection that I designed during my postpartum journey. And it was just the colours and ideas was all just developed over months of my feelings and what I experienced throughout postpartum. So the collection is called Cinnamon and I call it an Ode to Motherhood. think I just, although so many of us has been through pregnancy and postpartum, it was an opportunity for me to experience it for the second time and also be able to shape the views as a little different because I know that I, for different reason, I was not able to. able to get help in different ways. So I had to navigate that and still keep present with my child and keep on top of how I wanted to be present with my family. So designing was my way of keeping the desire alive actually, just to keep going. that's what I did. It helped me filter out a lot of the loneliness because I always would look forward to after I've rested, I was like, I got five minutes to sit down and do something. I needed that to keep me throughout the day, just keep me excited. And that's how the whole collection grew. I had some money saved up from, know, because we were planning for a baby. said, OK, let's just tick a deep dove. Let's do the collection. Let's start somewhere. And it was really just me thinking back over here in Hamburg. I don't know what actually. what actually went in my mind to say, let's just do it. But I think I had the drive to just jump and get the collection started. And that just gave me a paved a whole other opportunities because when I was doing the collection, I still wanted to continue. So initially I was working with just print textile printed quilted bags and tote bags and pouches So I found this place. I wouldn't say I have it all down, but we're still figuring it out. Eve: Yeah. Alamahri: I'm just trying to, do the work during the day, school pick up, daycare. I'm just very, very lucky to have a very supportive partner to come on this crazy journey with me to get so many things done, you know. But he loves it. He's been to the markets with me and He's a better salesperson than I am. I'm just a bit more reserved. I would want people to just come in a shop and see what they're attracted about. He loves chatting to that. I think I'm just blessed with a really good partner and just a good support system with my friends helping us too. offering to help look after our children when we want to go and set up for the market stuff. we are enjoying ourselves at this current moment. Eve: I love that you've just allowed it to unfold and just trusting your intuition and the universe Alamahri: Yeah. Yeah. Eve: is encouraging you along working with the artisan communities in India seems to have been a shift. Alamahri: Yes. Eve: so can you tell us about that experience? Like what Alamahri: when I first started, I've also researched a lot of other brands. I'm not the first one to work with artisans in India. I won't be the last, but a lot of other brands that I've worked with, always bring the story. It was a lot of other storytelling that connected with the people. I was like, I thought to myself, I need to do that because that's something, one of my weak points. I was like, I researched how they did it. I went to visit them. went on a... couple of trade shows and then I extend that trip to actually go on to the rural places to meet them or meet with the organizations who work with them. And I love speaking with them because they genuinely enjoyed doing this craft and they were so happy that people abroad actually valued this craft. Some of them were just really over like, you know, happy tears. They just like, I'm just so glad that you guys love our work. It's incredible. We love it. So that was beautiful. But I think Along my journey, what shifted within me was my second, I think it was my second trip to when I went to Delhi and Jaipur to actually meet and speak with them on my own. And I realised a lot of the storytelling that a lot of businesses were telling encapsulated from their perspective, from the business' perspective, but not from the artisan's perspective. And that was a very big shift for me because when I chat to them, I said, I said, okay, what do you love about us working with you? Like, you know, what do you love? And they said, we love creating this thing because it keeps us busy, keeps us keeping our craft alive. And then I said, what do you not like about it? And they said, no one has ever asked us this question. said, and they had a lot to share. And I was very surprised by a lot of the answers because they said that we actually did like the kind of narrative that a lot of business was saying. I said, what do you mean by that? And they said, because You know, they portray us that, we are really in crisis and a lot of poverty. Our story is being sold in a very vulnerable way to get people to connect with us. We don't really like that. I know that we don't have big houses or cars or buildings around us, but this is our way of life. we consider in a very luxurious position compared to a lot of other people to have this, to keep this craft going. And that's when I thought, my God, that is so true. Like, we kept looking at. look at this craft, we're supporting artists and families who gone through this poverty or crisis or women in danger. They said, yes, we may have gone through that, but we have built something of our own and we are now very proud to say that we are craftmans, we are not in crisis anymore. And I think that's when I knew in me that I had this goal or opportunity to actually change the narrative for them to say that. I actually went down the same narrative as well and that conversation is what helped me shift. said that Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: I'm not going to discount it, but I'm Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: not going to focus on that anymore. I want to celebrate their ability to keep an age old craft keep going, you know, and for their ability to learn the craft and master it and in this day and age and not let tech take over it. So I think that was the biggest shift for me when I actually speak to them. And I think I am really, really looking at more opportunities to just want to share their story in the way that they would love to be seen, not the way that a business owner would want to make more money out of her. I know with storytelling, like the whole emotive storytelling captures people, but I didn't want that for Alamari. I want to shed the light on what they actually like. to be seen as and that was the biggest, I would say like a light bulb aha moment for me really. Eve: It sounds like by you taking the time to ask a different question, opened up a Alamahri: Exactly. Eve: different perspective. it was like you can now share their stories with respect and empowerment, what are you creating with the collection that you've got coming up at the Circular Fashion Festival? Alamahri: Okay, so with the circular fashion, I will be showcasing our cinnamon collection there. So Eve: Yeah. Alamahri: that is like a bit of a mix to result where style very easy to wear resort style clothes. It comes in two color ways. And the colors have a little bit of story in them because and why I cinnamon. so the color ways are in a very beige, like a tea ish color. then the chocolate color print and the other one was the opposite colorway with a chocolate colored fabric with the print of the beige print in it. So the two colorway I chose was because every time I was starting to get overwhelmed with like, know, motherhood or postpartum and anything, I know that I had something to look forward to, when baby slept or, you know, have a bit of time to design or come to that idea. But I needed something to ground me in that moment and I realised a mug of, because I do have a bit of caffeine intolerance, so I can't really enjoy a cup of coffee or anything, but a tea was something my go-to and it was that one mug of tea every day that I really, really look forward to. just making a mug of chai at home with like a really extra dash of cinnamon because I just liked it a bit spicy. didn't realize that I was starting to do that to calm myself and wait. then until it clicked to me like, hang on a minute, like that seems to be what I might go to. And then I kind of connected that with my designers. I wanted to call it cinnamon because I didn't want to call it tea. so the colours were more intertwined with my mug of that teaish colour, so the browns, earthy tones. it was just in a connection of, the earthy tones to kind of ground me, but the colours were in relation to the actual mug of chai that I was having. And the name was Cinnamon Dash the dash that I was putting on my drink. And the prints were like, it's like a cross section of the cinnamon quills. If you look at Eve: Okay. Alamahri: it, like it has the little quills, it's like a cross section. I didn't want to put a direct print on it, but I thought I liked the shape that there was in it. I was just designing and I just doodled and it really looked cute to me and I thought, okay, what is this one I'm going to go with? So I wouldn't say I sat down and actually put so many hours thought into it. It was just this little different random ideas that string along and came in. And it was a very different process because in fashion school they tell you to do your mood boards. Eve: Mm. Alamahri: you know, a lot of process to design. But I felt like this particular collection was designed so effortlessly with just bringing in my thought process, my feelings and what I connected with and just saying, OK, this is what I think. I want to put it together without restricting myself to the the way of collection is actually designed So that's why it feels very special, because when I look at it, I was like, my God, I literally got random things together to build a collection, but it has so much a story and emotions intertwined with it. and that's what I am going to be showcasing at a Circular Fashion Festival. And I can't wait for people to actually see. Like, mean, we did a pre-launch at a couple of markets and people already love it. just so excited for more people to actually, get to know the story and have a piece of it in their home or in their wardrobe. Eve: Yeah, beautiful. I love that you've called it an ode to motherhood. and that Alamahri: Yeah. Eve: you've taken steps, to really ground yourself and, draw on is tempting to do some days I just love that you've taken it in the other direction and have really grounded into it and reflection of that time. Alamahri: Yes, because I know it's such a precious time and we had decided that this is our last baby and I just wanted to really soak up every cherished moment really. So I was just Eve: Yeah. Alamahri: very, very, it was difficult, but it was just trying to be so mindful of just being present and enjoying every bit of it, even though I didn't like certain parts of it. there were challenges along the way. I wouldn't say it was all rosy, but I just... It was a very good exercise for me to keep looking, keeps getting myself out of just looking at the challenges and say, what else? What else? I think that has definitely come from a bit of a habit from my full-time role on not just looking at problems, but looking at resolution, a solution, and what's next kind of thing. I think for the first time, I felt it in my actual real life and I'm just so grateful that I was able to be in the headspace. I know not every mum could do that and I think that's the reason this collection as well is owed to motherhood because I was very lucky to be able to make that shift for me but not everyone could and Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: if I could share this story, if another one or two other mothers could do that for themselves, I feel like I would have achieved something. I'll be so grateful for this whole collection. Eve: so what was the hand block printing? why did you start there? Alamahri: Okay, so I think it was the first craft that I actually fell in love with during my visit when I did like a saucing trip to India and I just fell in love with the process. just stood there and watched in awe like how that it looks like just this square wooden block. But when you turn it around, it was that intricate design that was all hand chipped to make that design. then It was a whole process. I said, how did they get it so perfect? With imperfections, know, there were like some of the patterns were like chipped accidentally, but it still looked so raw and beautiful. And it was the first craft that I fell in love with. So I just, I think I just wanted to grasp it. I was like, my God, I need to have this part of the brand. block print is something that I just I think I just saw the process I just fell in love right at that moment. And I said, it's beautiful because There are masters who actually know how to source the wood, carve, like draw the design and hand carve them to further design. And it's not just like a little flower or floral, but sometimes some of the prints that you look at, have multi-colours in it. And that means they will actually have to do that block three times, but in that three different ways to to get the color. if I wanted like a peony done in like three shades, they need to know that which petals to carve in each block so that it aligns directly. I'm like that Eve: Wow. Alamahri: all your wood is not like it's not from the factory. It's just random Eve: Mm. Alamahri: wood pieces they're chopping. So how do they align it in that? They're just so talented artists. I think Eve: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Alamahri: that was the reason I was like, I just need to showcase this to the best possible way that I can in a Anamari. I Eve: Sounds so beautiful. I can't wait to see the collection. beauty in the imperfection. Alamahri: 100%. Yes. And it's also beautiful when it's just off, you know, because then you can see the outline and the color is beautiful how their imperfections also look so gorgeous. Eve: Mm. Alamahri: Like it was, it was like a phenomenon. I loved it. I still love it. Eve: I think perfection's so overrated personally. It's Alamahri: 100 % yeah Eve: so dull and like who actually lives those those lives or, wants Alamahri: yeah. it's interesting you said that because out of this impact from when we were doing the first few markets and when I, as much as I feel so strongly about all these, but I didn't know how it would translate to a customer. So there were a couple of textiles that were really off and you could tell that they were not aligned well. And I kind of put it under the second pile to do it at a discounted rate. This lady came and she said, I can't pay a discounted price. You are taking it because she said you don't understand. And she shared the same value. And that's when I was like, my God. Because she said that no, it's hand done by someone else. it's been done through a machine randomly. It's hand and it's beautiful. It has a story to it. So she said that she couldn't live with it if she actually paid a discounted price for it because someone made a mistake. said, is not a mistake. This is a beautiful imperfection. And she ended up paying the full price Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: under a tip. And that story stays with me because that's when I realized that it's OK. It's not just me. The more I keep sharing the stories, people understand it. They might appreciate it. And if it doesn't, if they don't, it's OK. I think that also shifted the way that I saw imperfections. Again, like you said, know, we as a business owner, feel like, my God, you know, are they going to like it? Are they going to buy it? But I think doing this markets for over half a year now, I realized that I'm actually going to own the story and let the customers come in. I'm just going to attract the right people to come in and see if they like it. Great. If they don't, they still have other sets to look at. I'm not going to put them in little boxes and say, this is this, this is that. I will share about it and if it resonates with them, great. Eve: Yeah, absolutely. Stay true to, your values Alamahri: Absolutely. Eve: and what you've decided and you will attract the right people. Alamahri: Absolutely. Eve: so Shrydhee, how do you define circular fashion? Alamahri: in one instance, I felt we weren't, whatever fabrics that we were using, or textiles we were using, the waste, we were trying to use those little wastes to make it a little small little item. So even like Airpods bag, like a little clip-on bag, or like, you know. adding them to a felt kind of fabric to make like a sunglass case. We were coming up with ideas to use the fabric, you know, in a way that we're reducing waste. But I felt like, that really enough? And I'm thinking about it. And then that's when it struck to me, like I'm actually talking about craft, right? Like with craftsmanship, to keep the craftsmanship alive in this day and age, and that's when I also got reminded of my conversation at one of the trade shows. They were saying like, you know, I can digitise this block prints for you and you can't even tell. said, no, when I wanted to stick to it and that felt secular to me because I am using the actual authentic block printing process across my designs. I'm not taking a shortcut to cut costs or get this artisan's other way to just do it digitise. could my turnaround would be way quicker if I went. down the digitized road, people who actually don't know the actual block printing craft, can't actually, I couldn't tell the difference. So people, I could just sell them as block print, won't know, but ethically, that would just wouldn't sit well with me, you know? Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: But I think that's when it clicked to me that I'm actually quite circular because I am saying true to the actual original process and making sure that it sees to the end of it, which is coming as a full design and a wearable design. for people to use. I think that's how I approached it. And I still believe that way today. I think we are circular for not just reducing waste, but also keeping crafts alive, like age old crafts alive. Eve: Yeah, beautiful. So respectful to the tradition. Alamahri: it. Eve: you mentioned something previously, like buy less but buy better, which really resonates with everything that Project Alamahri: and then. Eve: Emerald Collective is about. in your opinion, why have we become so disconnected from the story behind our clothes in general? Alamahri: I think Everyone's wanting to try and keep up with trends and you know, all this is in fashion. This color is in fashion. Everything is based on what is currently trending and everyone wants to stay relevant. because you can tell when a new trend pops up, everyone's like, I need that. want that. I used to be that girl. wanted to be liked and I wanted to be noticed. I wanted to show people that I am relevant. I am trendy. But a lot of the way I just felt like, but it's not me. I don't feel like me in my clothes anymore. I didn't feel comfortable. I'm looking at the mirror, I have all of these clothes and I still feel I don't have clothes because none of it feel like me. when I walk out the door, I'm wearing it because I want to look relevant amongst my friends, but I'm not actually comfortable. And I think that kind of changed, after actually finishing my. Bachelor of Commerce and everything. I went to do my post-grad in fashion just a few months before I did an accelerator course with a college in Singapore when I went back to plan for our wedding. So I ended up studying fashion traditionally and learning the nuances of it. And that's when it started shifting. I'm like, why are we putting ourselves in this trend box? especially with cinnamon, there was no idea of what kind of clothing is in trend, what colors in trend. there was no consultation in that side of things. just, this is what I felt like doing. and when it resonated with lot of people, said, maybe this is how fashion, it was before, everyone desired anything and people liked it. They purchased it and it was. because it's all handmade and it's small quantity, it ends up being exclusive as well. It's not just Eve: Yeah. Alamahri: like spending hundreds and thousands of dollars just to wear a mass produced item anyways. Eve: Mm. what do you think happens when we know who made something? Alamahri: I think for me especially when I buy and they tell me, you know, this was made in this way. I just feel like an extraditional sense But the fact actually makes me happy wearing. then I'm able to, when someone compliments on it, they said, I tend to share that story, you know? And I think that's, that's so beautiful because it's not, it's like when someone compliments on a top that I'm wearing, yeah, I just got it from. you know, here and that conversation ends. But if there's a story behind it or who made it, it's continuous and you are sharing that story that you learnt and the reason you chose it and you're sharing it. And I think that itself, the story lives on whether they become a customer that's still secondary, but the story of how it started, that's such a powerful thing to keep going and it keeps conversation going. But if you tell the story and they'll be like, where did you get it from? this place. And it continues the conversation and they potentially you can from a business side of things, they could be a potential customer. But from the craft side of things, you've just got another person who's interested in that craft, who Eve: Mm. Alamahri: wants to learn more about it and potentially may share with a few other people. and that's one of my goals to keep this craft going for as long as I can. in my journey of having this brand. Eve: Yeah, that's beautiful. so how can consumers begin making more intentional decisions, do you think, without feeling overwhelmed? Alamahri: I think consumers, think maybe they could start by actually asking questions before they need for purchase or the need for a particular textile that you're using. Do I really need it because I know that I've worn it before, it's all about consumerism because to me it's like, I know I'm going to post photos and people are like, my gosh, she's wearing the same dress, but does it really matter? Because I would have spent that much on that particular outfit for an event. And that's just going to live in my wardrobe for another couple of years before I go to a similar style event, because a lot of dressed up items are not, it's not something you're to wear every day as well. So. I think if people are just a bit more mindful about asking the questions to themselves, I say, do I really need to spend more just for society to not judge me? I think that would be a starting point. I think that has helped me to say am I going to be judged for wearing a similar outfit for another event? But I might let them. one day I woke up and felt this way. I'm just like, actually, why are we giving them the power of deciding and I mean, it's their opinion anyway. why are we taking upon ourselves and actually spending that money or adding to the cost of what we don't need to, why are we doing all that? And I think that has been a big change. And if consumers start asking, am I needing to do this purchase because I really need to and want to or is it because someone else's opinion will actually affect my judgments? I think that could be a start. Another thing is, lot of people are wanting to be, I only want to wear natural fabrics I think like, just for themselves to sleep at night. don't market something that is not. I think business owners and consumers have to have their own ideas on how they want to see this side of things grow. it has to be a bit of innate thing that, you know, I want to make a change. How can I do it? It's like self-reflection a bit. Eve: empowering women to make those more intentional choices with regards to their time Alamahri: Exactly. Eve: and their energy and their money, because we have so much power and agency as women, but I feel like it just gets Alamahri: Absolutely. Eve: eroded away by societal Alamahri: Absolutely. Eve: conditioning. And I'm not okay with that. Anymore. Alamahri: 100%. And that's so true. Exactly. we have a lot of tools and resources and areas like podcasts to allow us to come to that level of, you know what, I'm going to do this. And I think we should take advantage of those, you know, podcasts, the theories and reflect it upon us and actually exercise them. I think exercising them would be the next step. we know that we have so much autonomy agency, but let's take the next step, not just knowing it, but let's exercise it So then Eve: Hm. Alamahri: being not in that box of like, worrying about what. others think and if you decide something go for it. And I think that's what I learned from my journey as well. If I sat down and pondered like, my god, is anyone even going to resonate with my post-pandem story? Are they even going to like my collection? I would not have gone that far. I would not have completed. I wouldn't be here chatting about this. But something just kept going. I said, never mind. Let's just see where this goes. Let's just keep going and... I think sometimes that's what you've got to do. Just stick to your truth. You all should Eve: I love that. Shrydhee, where do you hope Alamari will be in five years? Alamahri: that's a great question. we are exploring more into various crafts as well as more circular and sustainable textiles. So we want to be able to showcase age old crafts. we also want to because we live in a modernized world as well. also want to take advantage of. the kind of availability that we have in terms of unique textiles that have been currently being created. So currently we're working with natural fabrics, but we also want to explore into like different textiles and different fabrics that are still sustainable, still eco-friendly, but and still unique. So that's where we are exploring and hopefully we will get there in five years. Eve: What's one piece of advice that you give your younger self? Alamahri: Just believe that everything will fall in place. Because I used to be a worrier. I used to be like, can I get this? Can I get that? I don't think I can. But even I used to worry but still put in the hard work. It was just very mentally exhausting. But I Eve: Mm. Alamahri: think now I tell myself, you have that capability and opportunities fall in your place regardless. So stop the worry. Just keep putting in the work. staying true to your feelings and just putting in the hard work, things will align. Just remove the worry out of the way. Eve: Absolutely. What does take your power back, mean to you? Alamahri: to me is actually just reflecting of myself and my thoughts but I think when we say we are not able to or we can't or something's not happening. When we are looking from one perspective, I'm just saying for me is to change the perspective, like literally standing in a mirror and looking at another perspective and say, if I want the other side, what else I can do differently. Having that opportunity to look at it from a different perspective, looking inwards and see what else I could do differently to make that available. That's what it would mean for me. Eve: Yeah, beautiful. what is bringing you joy at the moment as well? Alamahri: For me is actually, I would say juggling all of this, like my business and my full-time job and, you know, being a wife and being a parent, I don't know how I'm doing it. On some days, I feel like I'm questioning myself, why have I got myself into this position? every time I do feel a bit low, there will be another reason for me to realise. Hey, you know what? It's okay. things are still happening. You are still fulfilling your career. You're doing it, fulfilling a dream and building a brand in the conscious way. I'm still there for my family. So I know that sometimes things can get overwhelming, but it still brings me joy at the same time to know that I'm still doing all of the things that keeps me me and Eve: Mm-hmm. Alamahri: staying true to my identity. Eve: Beautiful. It takes effort to do that. So well done. where Alamahri: It does. Thank you. Eve: can people find out more about Al Mari? Alamahri: Okay, so we have a website, www.alamari.com. And we also have an Instagram page called alamari.official. So that's where they can look our stuff, get updates. Eve: Awesome, great. you've shared some wonderful resources that have shaped your journey, Alamahri: I think also while chatting with you as well, this will make me think back a lot about why I started this journey. It was just like a little reassurance for me as well. Eve: Before we finish I'd love to leave you with one question. When did you last feel like most like yourself? Not the version shaped by expectations, deadlines, or everyone else's opinions, but the real you. Maybe that's something worth sitting with this week. If today's conversation has resonated with you, please consider subscribing, leaving a review, or sharing the episode with someone who may need to hear it. Every share helps us reach more people and grow a community that's choosing to live with greater intention. Until next time, remember, take your power back, one conscious choice at a time. I'll see you in the next episode.