Interviewed by: Juliana Batosto & Gabriela Neves

Edited by: Engy Bahnas

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: For some women, having your own business can be hard. How was it for you to start your own business?

Radwa Mounir: It was hard indeed, it required a lot of thinking, decision-making, asking around and spending time searching; especially that I didn’t know any one working with leather before. However, remembering those days now brings a mix of good feelings after all.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How does your inspiration come to you and how do you transform an idea into action?

Radwa Mounir: I grew up watching my mum sewing and hand crafting a lot of artistic pieces. I love colors, stitching and designing. The idea of creation and making a beautiful product from scratch is pure magic from my point of view.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What accessory designers have inspired and motivated you to make your own work?

Radwa Mounir: My inspiration mainly comes from the designs itself. Exploring and being open to all art fields and all the beauty of the world gives me motivation and inspiration.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What did you feel when you created your first piece?

Radwa Mounir: My first piece was a leather wallet with an embroidery design. I realized that I needed make others right after I’ve finished it; everyone loved it and a lot of my friends and followers shared its photo, which gave me a rush of emotions. It was one of the best moments in my life and I was very happy.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Being a handmade product designer, your products are unique and have only the best materials; therefore it’s reasonable to have high prices. Does anyone still not see it that way or think its unworthy?

Radwa Mounir: Of course not all customers are aware of the difference between handmade products and commercial products, especially the difference between natural leather and the synthetic ones with low prices and quality.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: You work a lot with embroidery. What other techniques do you like the most? And did you learn them by yourself?

Radwa Mounir: I mainly use embroidery and embellish the leather with pyrography. But I don’t stop there, as we’re trying to blend new materials in the new collection and that’s not all, we’re also going to tame any material to serve the leather in the end.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Why did you choose to use mostly wood and leather in your production?

Radwa Mounir: Leather and wood just match beautifully in an alluring way.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Being your own boss, how do you deal with finances, time management, customers and creativity process all together?

Radwa Mounir: It’s not easy in any way. I need a lot of planning and to be very flexible and not to get disappointed easily, which taught me to be much more patient.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: The fact that your collections are handmade is already one step towards a sustainable driven brand. Do you aim to have a sustainable brand?

Radwa Mounir: Actually, this is what I’ve been aiming for since I’ve started, and I seek to be present in a different way that distinguishes me. I’m trying to form a shape and use different materials with leather in order to give my work and products a different taste and signature to be connected to my brand’s name when someone sees it.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: How did you decide the visual identity for your brand (logo)? Was the deer your creation? And how is it connected to the products you sell?

Radwa Mounir: Deer was my obsession since I was a kid; it’s also a bohemian icon which is the preferable style to me. Deer has strong connection with my products; it’s used widely as a leather mark.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: What do handmade activities add to the personality?

Radwa Mounir: Handmade activities add a lot to the personality, achievement increases your confidence and believing in your abilities. It teaches you taking risks and accepting the consequences of your choices. Creation feeds your soul and mind and fills your energy; you learn patience and value every single second in your life and value others’ work.

  1. HR Revolution Middle East Magazine: Do you thing of having your own team someday? How will you manage to make their working environment interesting?

Radwa Mounir: Sure I’m thinking about that now, having a big team means having a lot of brains working together on broadening the designs, thoughts and many people, who would enrich the brand and products. I also hope I can teach other handmade lovers and help them find their way too.

THANK YOU RADWA

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