Would you like to buy this pair of shoes?

Anvitha Rai who grew up and lives in Mangalore, Karnataka, has one overriding passion -- add colour and pizzazz to umbrellas, shoes and mobile covers.

Rajul Hegde tracks her entrepreneurial journey

It  all started four years back when I picked up an ordinary black umbrella and painted it with left-over paint to give it a vibrant look. Some of my friends liked it and wanted me to do the same to their umbrellas. It began as a hobby but my friends pushed me to start a business out of it. That was the push I needed,” says the 21 year-old.

What kind of design do you generally paint on the umbrellas?

When I paint my own designs, my first choice is always something related to nature like abstracts, animals and flowers. The idea of having a custom-made umbrella is still new in Mangalore. But most people approach me with their own designs like Hollywood themed Batman, psychedelic designs and description of Lord Shiva/Ganesha.

So how much does an umbrella with art cost?

The basic price of umbrellas with art work will cost you from Rs 750-850 while it increases with the intricacies and the detailing of the design.

The most difficult and expensive umbrella which I have sold is for Rs 3,000. It took almost a month to complete because it was during my initial days.

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Were you always inclined towards arts? When did you actually start painting?

I don’t have a degree or have any formal training in arts but was always inclined towards arts. As a child, colouring and doodling were pastimes. I think I started experimenting with paints when I was in high school. I learnt on my own, improved as I grew older with trial and error.

You do art on shoes, design mobile covers and jewellery boxes as well?

Yes. I was looking for a quirky shoe with a cartoon character Sponge Bob online.  Then I decided to experiment on a plain white canvas shoe and ended up painting fun SpongeBob and Patrick Star shoes.

Now I paint and sell shoes starting at Rs 750 (inclusive of the shoes). There's also an option to paint shoes from other brands as well but that will cost more. If the customer gets the shoes of their choice, I charge only for the art. Again it’s custom made, people come with cartoon characters, skull and transformer themed designs.

Designing mobile and jewellery boxes started by fluke.

Once we were looking for funky mobile cover in Mangalore and couldn’t find good ones. That’s when a friend suggested that I should start making them. Again a family friend suggested that I make a jewellery box for her daughter to keep her stuff like clips and bands.

Also I don’t have a heart to throw away beautiful bottles. I paint those bottles and add decorative stuff so that the bottle can be used as a showpiece or flower vase etc.

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Have you started making money? :-)

Yes, I have started making a decent amount of profit now.

Did you parents finance your project?

When I started out, I needed financial support to purchase umbrellas, paints and other raw material for my work, which my parents provided. Once I was serious about my work and started pursuing it more than just a hobby they were very supportive and gave me a well-equipped studio from where I work. However, I am now in a position where I can finance my raw material purchases from the sale proceeds of my work.

For youngster like you how easy/difficult is it to get the works out there?

Initially it was very hard to get people to understand what I did. However, in the past year or so there is less scepticism and there are a lot more people who understand the concept.

Social networks play a huge role in getting the word out. I have a Facebook page where I actively share pictures of my work. It helps me reach out to a lot of people from different places. Besides social networking, word of mouth publicity plays a huge role and I have to credit a good chunk of my business to it.

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What is the main lesson you learnt from your entrepreneurial journey?

I have definitely learnt the importance of patience. Over time, you realise that things don’t always turn out the way you want them to. You just need to be persistent and believe that things will work out.

The most common challenge I face is getting the paint to set on time despite weather conditions. The first step of dealing with any issue is to think with a clear head. I’ve realised that decisions that are not thought through often make things worse. You need to understand each situation and then act accordingly.

Where do you get your inspiration for your work?

Nature inspires me the most. The colours, details are truly amazing.

What do you do when you are not working?

Apart from art, I have a huge interest in organic farming and sustainable development. We have a small, organic vegetable patch at our house. It feels good to grow your own food! I’d like to learn more about these things.

What advice would you give to teens and others of your age?

My advice to others would be -- It's okay to be different. If you truly believe in something, then pursue it with all your heart. You may not get encouragement or acceptance initially and there will surely be a few obstacles, but never let that get you down. Go all out and chase your dream.