Today we’d like to introduce you to Shumaila Kidwai.
Hi Shumaila, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Last time we spoke, I was in the middle of taking off my photography page which I was able to but, then also started focusing on taking time to invest into my small scaled social media agency shucollective&co. It took rebranding and a lot of work but, I finally got time to sit down and come up with a solid name that’ll stick through. As of now, I am currently building its website and then hoping to land my first client. Life got busy in between but this goal is to be taken off shortly! Working on it!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been rocky! Life is such. Of course personal goals and professional goals both can be hard to manage if there is a lack of structure. I have been slowly getting into the hang of things. Im currently trying to find time to manage my start up completely on my own. Since, I have no partner I am working with, I’m the networker, pitcher, planner, executor and everything in between so taking it step by step but getting there for sure. Managing my work and also doing this is something I need to learn to figure out how to manage. Paying the bills while reaching goals with uncertainty isn’t for the weak.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
It’s aimed to be a social media management company providing to a niche market specifically independent artists, coffee shops and food businesses (Restaurants, small businesses) etc. As I take on one client after another, I can expand my clientele but for now this is what I can focus on and feel interested in working with. If people do want to check out what I can do for them, they can check out my instagram page @shuandco.collective. Once the website is made, it’ll be more accessible but for now that’s where people can reach out to me. On the other hand, I run a small photography business called shutograph. The name starts with the first three letters of my name “Shumaila” and since, people mispronounce it to Shumalia instead, I decided to give myself a nickname based off of what people could say which is “Shu” so I named my social media agency and my photography page with that in mind. The difference is Shuandco.collective is made with the initiative for growth with a group of people who help me achieve it. Shu and company basically. Starting a business is an easy thing to do but scaling it and proper time planning and life planning is super important so let’s hope that one of these days I deliver my intent!
What were you like growing up?
I just remember when I was a kid, I was shy but also a trouble maker as a teen. I always had friends and couldn’t live without talking or having company over. One thing for me that made me who I am is growing up in two distinctive cultures and countries, one is the one here in the United States and the other is in Pakistan. Navigating both identities without being categorized was and still is a tough ball park but, irrespective I always felt like I was one step ahead of people. I managed to have friends and family in both countries. All I know is that I used to yap enough and still manage to yap enough that I somehow manage to win hearts over which I’m lucky in many ways but, in some ways not so much. My mom used to tell me that I never took anything serious in life and always would just do my own thing and that’s very true, I actually no matter who says what, I have to do what I want even till this day so in practicality I was stubborn and still known to be that and that’s why even when the odds are against me at all hours due to a packed schedule and life, I know for a fact I will accomplish my professional and personal goals both.
Pricing:
- Photography/150-session
- Social media management/Open to discussion per goals
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shuandco.collective/
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/shutograph/
