Today we’d like to introduce you to Deepa Lal.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Deepa. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was always an artist at heart. I drew, painted and worked with mixed media all through high school and every free chance I got as an adult. My love for jewelry ran even deeper. I remember being very small and sitting on my mom’s bed as she got ready for dinner parties. She would have her sari’s out all around me and gemstones jewelry next to me. Like any little girl, I would wear them and would choose what bangles she would wear. She would tell me stories of who gave her the jewelry (mostly my dad) for what occasions, tell me tales of India and my grandmother and me when I was little during the time I lived there. I loved the detailed work of the bangles, rings, earrings, and necklaces. I KNEW all the gemstones she had, even as a very small child but it was the stories that connected me.
After college, where I minored in art and even took a side gig as a graphic designer designing T-shirts, I went into the business school and received my BBA and a double degree. I moved to Dallas and quickly found myself enthralled by the growing world of Technology, Consulting and Project Management. You could say the dork in me loved the order and process of working efficiently and thoughtfully. I thrived in that environment for nearly 17 years with rapidly changing technology and bright engineers, but my heart craved art.
Having an amazing consulting career afforded me the luxury of travel all over the world; something my family valued and did often. I found artistic inspiration in faraway places where languages, food, textiles, art, and architecture impacted how I see the world. When I was laid off (as most technology people deal with), I immediately joined an artists guild. I was classically trained in fabrication, soldering, knotting and many other techniques and I could not get enough! I kept up my skills as much as I could as I returned to work. I did a few home show that made me realize more than just my friends loved my designs.
As my career grew, so did the time I spent working in technology and it gave little room for design. So, without fear, I pitched my first high-end boutique, shortly after the Crow Collection of Asian Art and then within a few months of that, the Kimbell Art Museum, all of whom carried my pieces soon after. It became a pivotal moment for me to transition from my IT Career to supporting and launching Breathe Deep Designs. That was several years ago, and I don’t regret a minute of that choice!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think the best things in life are often challenging. I came from a strong Indian background where many in my family are doctors, lawyers, and engineers, and the thought of leaving a high paying career to become a small business did not come easily. Most small businesses take time to make money and that too was a real concern.
Learning how to shift gears from being a Type A organized person to a creative artist was also a tough mindset to get over. I can now balance the two. During the first several years, I struggled with wanting to design more than sell and now I feel like I understand my balance.
I think if you always keep an eye on your WHY and WHO you create for, it resets your perspective.
Contributing to my community, giving back to causes, fair trade relationships and flexibility in my schedule to be present with those I love are all part of my WHY.
Please tell us about Breathe Deep Designs.
My jewelry is created for the inspired Wanderer’s soul. I let travel from far away places influence my jewelry. Born in India but raised in Texas gives me a unique perspective to apply to my designs. The majority of my jewelry is based on my young love for picking up art and trinkets in markets as we traveled. Often, I was convincing my parents I just wanted a piece of jewelry as a reminder.
One of my favorite trips was when I traveled to Egypt. Another traveler was buying most of an antique dancers belt to frame as a memento. It was hundreds of years old and the portion I purchased which seemed very small, I took apart and created several pairs of earrings. That pair of earrings got me an audience into a huge local museum.
Fairtrade and fair wage is a huge part of why I want to create. When I work with other countries to produce pieces and part of my designs, it is very important for me to make sure they too are being treated fairly. I also love designing items that feature pieces and parts that represent many faiths around us. I am currently working on a series of prayer containers for my Bhakti (Sanskrit for Devotion) Collection. Two are featured in my group of photos and some are unisex! I also have the original Wanderers Collection and a diamond collection named Devi (Sanskrit for Goddess).
Locally, I’m well known for a western/bohemian collection that I created for Pinto Ranch known as the Tejas Collection. I am so thankful to enjoy several years of partnership with them to sell my work in all locations and multiple states.
I am also active in my community and most recently served a few years on the Board of Directors for The Stewpot of Dallas to fight homelessness and hunger here. I was able to create a bracelet that utilized recycled silk from a cooperative of widows in India who would otherwise not be employable. Connecting an organization from my past to assist my current community has been an honor and inspires me to be more grounded, grateful and most of all an influencer of change.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would say, I should have started this business sooner. But I don’t believe in wasting time looking back on ‘what if’s’ and ‘wish-I-had’s’. Maybe it’s my training as a project manager. There are always new challenges, new decisions to look forward to and spending too much time worrying about a decision in the past might make you trip on your current path. Moving forward with intention is best. Everything and every decision have a reason and growth takes time.
I love what I do and I am so grateful that so many others love it as well. I get infinite joy working with gemstones. But more so when I’m talking to customers while I sell. This business allows me to enjoy their excitement and reminds them of wandering our beautiful globe. It is an intimate, beautiful transaction of joy.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.breathedeepdesigns.com
- Phone: 214-497-3349
- Email: deepa@breathedeepdesigns.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/BreatheDeepDesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/BreatheDeepDesigns
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