Rafiga Seyidova
The beginning of this work happened entirely by chance. I had never thought about starting my own small business until I came across an inspiring video online. In the video, a woman designed a journal summarizing her experiences, memories, and lessons from the year and had it printed. I have always loved documenting my life and revisiting my thoughts and emotions years later. The moment I saw this idea, I knew I had to try it. I designed my first journal as a personal keepsake.
Later, I realized that it could be a meaningful and memorable gift, which led me to start my small business. Initially, the service was limited to journal design. Then I created the “Self-Love Journal,” a mental wellness workbook with 70+ questions, tasks, and motivational pages. Notably, this was the first of its kind published in our language.
I have always had a deep love and interest in nearly all forms of visual art. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a photographer, and during university, I discovered a passion for film and painting. What fascinates me about these fields is the ability to evoke deep emotions in people through composition and color. I love creating anything that can stir emotions in an audience - photos, short videos, or posters. For me, the most enjoyable part is the process itself - experimenting with colors, trying new things, and building composition.
It is true that women entrepreneurs face more challenges compared to men. However, the difficulties I encountered were mostly related to the nature of the work itself. I experienced no gender-based negativity from collaborators or clients. I hope that other women entrepreneurs will also achieve success with similar support and opportunities.
