Weekend Art room: An art company incorporated with the intension to develop an art therapy module

Weekend Art room is a Mumbai based startup founded by Sona Choksi.

I started Weekend Art room around 2.5 yrs back, since I was interested in two major things – Art and travel. I love to collaborate with artists and travel around the world learning different forms of art, learning about the tradition and culture all around, says Sona.

We got an opportunity to talk with Sona about her journey and see what she has to say. I am sure her interview with us will inspire you.

Give a brief info about your startup?

I started Weekend Art room around 2.5 yrs back, since I was interested in two major things – Art and travel. I love to collaborate with artists and travel around the world learning different forms of art, learning about the tradition and culture all around.

So I started to teach art, taking workshops for kids started travelling and meeting people. I also started workshops for cancer patients kids every week because that is one thing I don’t want to miss, it kinds of heals me from inside.

 

What made you start your startup and what problem does it solve?

After my divorce, I had to do something for my survival, so since I was into art from childhood, I decided to do something which I was very passionate about, and make a career out of it. I went to an institute to learn applied art and there’s how I met a friend and he made me a partner and a business developer in his firm, Stingrays Advertising. Two years later, I started Weekend Art Room since I had a dream of having my own art and travel company. So with an intention to build it as an art therapy module, in the sense that art helps you heal, being in the art environment with like minded people connecting through a common interest always fascinated me.

 

Tell us about yourself, your previous jobs/ventures? What were you doing before this startup?

I always was a housewife previously since I was not allowed to go outside and meet people, so I didn’t do anything really except I used to paint whenever I get time

 

Where is your startup based out of? Why do you think that is the best place for you?

I’m based out of Mumbai. I was brought up in Bahrain and completed my education there. But now I want to stay here because I just love everything about Mumbai. It’s very exciting to get up everyday and do something you love.

 

As a startup founder, what are you paranoid about? What keeps you awake at night?

I’m a very optimistic person, but yes I have my sets of fears and insecurities. Yes I tend to break down sometimes and feel low but again you have to stand up and fight for it

 

Who are your competitions and how are you better than them?

I believe as an artist you cannot grow if you have competition. But rather I’m looking to connect with artists around the globe.

 

How hard is it to have a work life balance as a startup founder and how do you manage it?

It is extremely hard to balance work and home and specially being a single mom and have to prove your work and build trust with people was difficult, but yes if you’re really passionate about something, I think nothing is difficult, it’s very slow but not impossible.

 

Have you raised funding? If yes, then we would like to know the details. If no then please tell us if you are looking to raise.

I have never been into raising funds, always done everything on my own and do not plan to do it.

 

What’s the biggest misconception people have about you? Why do they have that? What’s the reality?

I don’t know what people think about me but yes there are many people who have been a great support and have motivated me in this journey. There are people who thought I got it’s easy or I’m paying to get noticed but that’s not the reality.

 

What gets you excited about this company?

I am super excited and passionate about Weekend Art Room . The very idea of this company growing makes me happy. I want to travel more and learn more about Art and want to reach out to more people and artists and understand this concept.

 

Tell us how a day in your life looks like? Your schedule for a day right from the time you get up till you hit the bed at night.

My day starts with yoga and meditation every morning. After that I send my kids to school and then have my tea and breakfast, I’m a tea lover.

After that I plan my day like the calls I’ve to make, the people I’ve to meet, my workshops and also the artists I’ve to connect with and planning the art tours . Most of my day is busy on calls. I get home in the evening when I get to meet my kids and we always make sure to have dinner together cause that’s the only time I get to sit with them and discuss their day. I watch some movies at night for sometime and then hit the bed early. Sometimes I get to meet friends after they complain about me not meeting them.

I do paint sometimes on Sundays or whenever I’m free.

 

Tell us about your team and how did you meet each other?

So as I said I met a friend when I was learning applied art, slowly I started meeting people and artists who are like minded and slowly I met people who were genuinely interested in growing with me.

There are a group of professional artists, hobby artists, and students who are now a part of the team. I organise and conduct art tours and workshops with them and plan the year ahead. We are a wonderful team!

 

 

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