From Boardrooms To Boutiques: My Journey Back To A Dream

I’ve always known I had a little entrepreneur living inside me. Even before I chose to study Business Administration, the urge to start something of my own was already there, whispering in the back of my mind, waiting for its moment.

Maybe it runs in my blood. My mother was my first inspiration. She has always been my role model. She used to sell coconut toffees to the children who came for tuition at her little centre, and in between classes, she would sew dresses for others, turning her skill into extra income.

My father, on the other hand, worked in the hill country. He could only visit us once a month, traveling long hours just to be with us for a week. But even that distance didn’t stop my parents from being enterprising. My mom would use his trips as an opportunity for her business ideas. She’d arrange to get fresh tea packs from the hills and sell them to our neighbours at a profit. And when Dad returned to the hill station, he’d take bundles of dry fish (a rarity there) to sell to his neighbours. Those small, thoughtful exchanges took care of his travel expenses and the little luxuries we enjoyed as a family during his visits.

Looking back, I realize I idolized my mother’s courage and creativity. I always wanted to be like her, to build something of my own. But , my life had other plans.

Over the years, ideas came and went like waves. There was always a spark when I think about business... a boutique, an organic grocery store, a salon, a cosmetics line, even thoughts of an export business came to my mind. Each idea lit me up inside, and I’d pour my heart into sketching out business plans during my precious “me-time.” But without support or encouragement, my plans often fizzled out.

In 2015, I even created a Facebook page for a boutique, naming it after my two children. A wonderful dream that was beautiful but short-lived.

Balancing a demanding full-time job, being away from home most days, and managing unique and difficult family life — it all felt like too much. Needless to say, my entrepreneurial dreams took a back seat. Not because I didn’t care, but because I was just… too tired and helpless.

No one encouraged me to start a business. In fact, they felt I was going crazy with all these ideas while I have a stable job, excellent pay and an adventurous life. But, I didn't give up

Then, last year, I dared to try again. I started an online business, sourcing organic groceries and cosmetics from producers in the North of Sri Lanka. I believed in the products, used them myself, and was happy with the profit margin too. But after the initial excitement, sales slowed, and consistency slipped away.

Yet, I wanted to try more. I found a small producer who made excellent Rabbit Blood Hair Oil — a hidden gem, really. I bought an entire batch, full of hope. But soon, bottles went out to friends and relatives “to try and review”… and the reviews never came. My stock turned into free samples, and my enthusiasm took another hit.

Through every small failure, I learned something. And my husband (my favourite comedian in tough times) often teases me: “You’ve tried every business except opening a police station in town.” He’s not wrong! But what he doesn’t realize is, that joke fuelled me from inside.

This year, I bought a small plot of land in a prime area. A perfect place for a restaurant or a resort for tourists. But fear crept in. What if it goes wrong? I didn't want to risk huge investment without clarity.

I also dreamed of renovating my old family home! Turning it into an Airbnb or renting out rooms to working professionals, maybe even expanding into catering or laundry services. But again, the lack of motivation from those around me held me back.

Then, something small yet magical happened.

Last week, I casually designed a dress pattern and asked my mom to stitch matching dresses for me and my daughter. After church on Sunday, we did a little fun photoshoot. When I uploaded the photos to Facebook, I didn’t expect much. But the response was overwhelming. The post went viral! People loved the dress, especially the design, and soon, I started seeing my pattern being copied by my friends and relatives.

And that’s when it hit me — why am I waiting for others to start my dream when I already have everything I need inside me?

So, I began designing again — kids’ dresses, coord sets, shirts, and t-shirts. I turned to ChatGPT (yes, my virtual business partner!) for help with design combinations, color palettes, and seasonal styles. Now, I have samples in hand and am in talks with small garment factories to bring my ideas to life.

My next step? Turning a small space in my compound into the boutique of my dreams. The same one I envisioned nearly a decade ago. The name, the vision, the passion — all revived and real this time.

The social media pages are ready. Paid promotions are set. Local influencers are on board. My daughter and I are active on Facebook and TikTok; hence will model our designs and spread the word. Deliveries are sorted. The plan is to run it primarily online, while keeping the boutique open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and more, if things go well.

Some might wonder, “Why would a UN professional be so excited about a small, home-based boutique?”

My answer is simple: because this is where my heart is.

This is not just about business. It’s about returning to my roots, to the resilience and creativity I inherited from my parents, and proving to myself that it’s never too late to start again.

 

Thank you so much @Rihana
Your encouragement means a lot