When I first talked to Neha, I got this instant vibe of positivity and all the excitement and enthusiasm in every word of hers!
I found her so colourful, so vibrant and exquisite — just like the art she makes!
And before I keep on typing all the good things about her ‘Kolour Theory’, let me introduce you to our ‘entrepreneur of the day’. In our all ‘Passion to Profession’ series, we are going to talk about Neha Nagpal today who is redefining what you call ‘art’!
Neha belongs to a Sindhi family and was brought up in Bengaluru. A B.Com graduate, she also did a lot of courses in Fashion Designing, Graphic Designing and Computers. No matter what she was doing — she was always connected with art — in one way or another. She worked as a Jewellery and Accessories Merchandiser prior to starting her own venture.
Inception of Kolour Theory
When asked about her venture, Neha said that she always wanted to do something of her own — and art was the only answer to her every entrepreneurial question. Painting and making candles was just a hobby, and she barely thought of monetizing it. But it was her family and friends who encouraged her to convert her passion into a profession.
Hobby = Business Model
Neha took a leap in October 2016 — to see if she could really convert her hobby into a sustainable business model. She created social media handles for her dream venture and started uploading her art.
It was complicated, maybe a bit clueless too, but as she feels, “it’s important to love what you do,” and for Neha, clearly art was her calling.
Behind the Kolour Theory
Kolour Theory is all about art — vibrant colours, beautiful designs, vintage collections and lively products — all handmade, hand-painted and handcrafted!
Home decor is not about ‘mehange paintings’ anymore — your house reflects your life, and that’s what Neha does. She likes to breathe life into mundane objects by adding a burst of colours to it.
The artist who lives her dream every day
While I type this, I know it may sound all fancy and fab, but I tell you it’s not. There are everyday lessons, profits, losses, confusion and everything you do not want to think about. Neha says that there is no end to learning, “I’ve learnt that one needs to be comfortable with unpredictability while running a business!”
Yes, running a business is not easy, but if you are really passionate and sure about it, you know it’s not impossible either. For Neha, art has always been her ‘bachpan ka pyaar’, and she believes that she inherited this artistic flair from her mother, who was also an amazing artist.
“I do feel artists don’t get their full due to an extent. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into making handmade and hand-painted pieces. Not everyone understands that,” says the Kolour Theory founder who also upcycle products. From vintage phones to painted teapots, keepsake boxes and luxurious candles, you will spot everything on her Instagram.
The risk factor
As an entrepreneur, one would know that starting up a venture is a big risk, and it demands a lot. You make a huge investment in it — both personally and professionally. Neha believes that if one can transform his/ her passion into a profession, then it’s the best amalgamation. “You never know what the future holds. I never imagined running a business and selling my artwork,” Neha continues. She doesn’t hold any regrets and feels that each day brings a new lesson for her.
Neha tells how her venture helped her in enhancing her skills more. From thinking right from the logistics to the social media promotions, product details, research and procurement, she learnt how to take every tiny detail into consideration. It’s important for an art-preneur, she feels, to explore the possibilities and experiment with the imagination.
Neha further plans to diversify into accessories without breaking her concentration on handmade and handcrafted pieces.
Giving up should not be an option
A lot of people, when starting up a venture, think of an exit plan or the ‘other’ option, which I feel must not exist. Neha calls an artist’s life unpredictable but also believes that patience and determination is the key to success. “It doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. It’s a long journey, and you have to remain positive and humble,” advise the entrepreneur who is handling her venture solely.
The final note
“I have always believed that women are brilliant at multitasking. They manage their homes and job/ business beautifully. Women have a ‘never give up’ attitude, and that’s what makes us special. We know that each day can’t be in our favour, and it’s important to be realistic and practical,” Neha ends on a high spirit note.
I loved the conversations I had with Neha, not only because she is an amazing artist but also because she carries the vibe of a young, confident and passionate woman who dreams of changing the world — with one brush at a time.
Got any questions for her? Or want any ‘expert artist’ advice? Neha can be reached by email or Instagram.
Share your ‘Passion to Profession’ journey with us via email or social media. #PassionToProfession
Images: Neha Nagpal
