‘I have no fears’
Ruksher Malik, co-founder and director of Pastels salon, is a busy mumpreneur and an animal-lover. Here’s a Peek into Her life The number one item on your wish list right now? To have a beautiful flower farm and a florist’s shop.
If you could move to any place in the world for free, what place would thatbe? It would have to be Goa.
The biggest learning point or experience in your life? There are two that stand out. Being a mother to my two daughters was a tremendous lesson and while it was challenging, it was most definitely rewarding. As a mum, I had to learn patience and ensure that I taught them the right values to have in life. I am very proud of how they have turned out and I like to think that I was influential in the formation of their wonderful characters.
Establishing and growing Pastels Salon has changed me for the better. Through the business, I have had to deal with all sorts of situations both with staff and clients. I have learnt on the job, and the happiness of my staff is always of paramount importance to me. At every step of the way, I have strived to create a happy, positive environment for everyone.
At the moment, I am participating in the EIDEAL-SANTI Business Leadership Program and the most challenging thing about my job now is putting the new systems from the programme in place. It’s a lot of hard work but once it is completed, it will be fabulous.
If you won a million bucks tomorrow, what would you do with the money? I would share it with my family and put part of it into savings for myself, my husband and both of my daughters. I would also donate a substantial portion towards educating girls and to animal charities, both of which are causes close to my heart.
What advice would you give your younger self, if you could?
I t’s a tough choice to make — black or the rainbow. You’d assume that an artist would go in for the latter, right? But one look at the works of charcoal artists in the region will tell you otherwise. They confess their weakness for the dark and rich charcoal, and their obsession with lights, tints and shadows. Deep thoughts, hidden emotions, and strong desires all find an expression in the medium. Call them charcoal addicts or lovers of all things black — these Uae-based artists refuse to switch their charcoal blocks for colourful palettes. Take a peek into the ‘dark’ side of art.