Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarika Srivastava.
Hi Sarika, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today
I am born and brought up in Varanasi, India where I did my MBA and worked for a reputed private bank as a Branch Banking officer. I got married in 2008 and in 2010 we had a baby girl. I quit my job to give my entire attention and care to our daughter. As she grew… and as time flew, that irresistible urge within me to do something creative sparked up again, especially something that I could do from home, where I could still be there with my daughter.
And that’s how came across the idea of making homemade chocolates. A few days later, on one fine day, just as I was circumventing my mind on trying to make more flavors of chocolate, my husband shared some chocolates with his colleagues and as an astonishing & memorable result, not only did all of his colleagues loved the chocolates, but one of them also placed an order for more. I found this experience very motivating & kept going. I had barely started my handcrafted Chocolate business but then, had to move to the USA due to my husband’s office project, in 2014.
While in the US in 2016, we had our second daughter and on her 1st birthday, I was wondering what & how to decorate her 1st milestone celebration. I, then, tumbled on a Facebook Mom’s group. I got some ideas & started making handcrafted paper flowers & crafts for the decorations. I posted party decoration pictures in the group. There, I received a lot of appreciation which was encouraging & someone from that group placed their 1st order for paper flowers. This got me very elated & motivated and I started helping out at events which were also really fun.
When I got my 1st order, unknowingly my journey started there. I started exploring deeper, and got new equipment – CRICUT added new tools that made my work easier and increased my efficiency & in return, I started getting more business. With my husband’s immense love & support and my family’s motivation, officially I started my creative journey of “KREATIVE MOM”.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It won’t be cent percent right to say that there wasn’t any struggle or challenges in my creative journey. I had many sleepless nights when I had to work late at night to finish my order and simultaneously my daughter also wanted me by her side. As the name “Kreative Mom” goes… I keep on juggling the roles of a mother & a crafter who finds peace and soothe in both my kids and craft.
There has been a learning curve throughout the end-to-end process which includes understanding the customer’s requirements/expectations, designing the product & converting it into the final product. Whether it is sourcing high-quality materials at a reasonable price or searching for the latest technology & machine to execute my craft work. I have come a long way in these past years.
Being techno-savvy has helped me in providing consistent quality products to customers with the latest machines which helped me in building gracious relations & reputation with my customers.Overall, striving to strike a balance between my personal and professional life has been an emotional roller coaster for me.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m Sarika, the crafty mom & owner behind “Kreative Mom”. I’m a wife, mother to 2 beautiful girls, and lover of all things crafty! I started my work in 2017 because there was a consistent inherent desire to find myself outside of Motherhood and Wifehood. I am passionate about creating beautiful, customized, and creative products wherein I craft every single piece with love and attention to detail. I help my customers with customized gifts ranging from home decor and drink-ware to clothing & variety of gifts for every occasion & all age groups.
We do customizations as per your choice and occasion! My business X factor is ” You ask it, I can make it “.Moreover, it’s always gratifying to get appreciation from the customers when they get what they want! My dedication to the quality & finishing of the products, remaining in touch with the customers post-sale, in short, my sole goal of customer satisfaction is something I have seen & learned from my father.
My father was a businessman who passed away 10 years ago. I’m proud of being in my father’s shoes now. He always insisted that, in the future, if I quit my job, I should keep myself engaged in some work that would keep me busy & generate some income too. I am happy to be here today! Most importantly, I love him and I know he loves what I’m doing now.
Love,
Kreative Mom
Sarika
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I have learned important lessons i.e. to plan whether it’s inventory or time management.
Effective time management helps me prioritize my work & deliver quality work on time, which also results in avoiding last-minute stress & pressure! With good inventory management, I always try to avoid stock-out situations which in turn reduces the last-minute hassle.
Pricing:
- Personalized Corporate Gift basket $40-$100
- Customized T-shirts (Kids &Adults) $15-$25
- Customized Tumblers $25-$40
- Personalized Coffee Mugs $10-$20
- Personalized Party favours $8-$25
- Custom Home Sign boards $25-$50
- And many more … !!
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kreativemomsarika/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kreative.Mom
