Today we’d like to introduce you to Soniya Ekici.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was introduced to henna at an early age by my mom and her family who practiced this art as a means of living. My training started very early in India. I have been a henna artist in Houston for 21 years. I and my mom, Gulshan Gheewala, who is my teacher, have always been a part of the South East Asian wedding events. My training was in traditional designs which I chose to branch out of and create my own style with elements of designs from different cultures. The designs are not set but are mostly freestyle designs that are very intricate and are usually nature based. Motifs such as certain flowers, leaves, vines, paisleys, in addition to the very intricate line work, are used to create depth and interest in the elaborate works.
I still work with my mother and sisters for large wedding events in and out of Houston. I also do non-traditional works which can look like real tattoos for people who are wanting to try a temporary design before they commit to a permanent one.
I have a background in Biology and research. As much fun as I had in the medical research field I realized that I received immense pleasure from the art of henna and the interactions with people from all walks of life. I find that my educational experience, to a degree, gives me a deeper insight into how and why the henna stains on different body parts and how various skin types react to it. I find that it is important to use the most pure and the most natural ingredients to maintain the integrity of the art, and above all safety.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I started my company while I was still in college and was new to learning how to balance and navigate the business world. I knew that Henna art was my passion and so was my education. I had very little time to focus on the business until I was finished with college. As my clientele increased, I felt the need for a physical location. I found a perfect little place, that was and still it full of character, in the Heights. To make my space exactly as I had imagined it to be took a lot of work. I wanted to introduce a bit of that mystical essence of India. I did not want just a work space but a place that would be impactful whether it was a blast of eye catching colors, the smells, or just the calming presence here. A positive experience to leave with. Since we were low on funding, most of the work was done by me and my Husband. The studio really is a labor of love and I hope that people who enter my space can feel its beautiful energy. I am very fortunate and grateful that I get to create art in this space and am grateful to all the people who are clients, and clients who have become friends.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
My company is called The Original Henna Company. When I first began this it was almost an absurd idea that one would start a company to offer henna. Henna art was seen as a street art and not much value was attached to it. It was and still sometimes done by students/amateur artists. This business was first of the kind, hence the name. For me, and culturally, henna art is a sacred art and it deserves to be given the due respect. Henna preparation and application is a process for me. As much love is poured in to the preparation as the application itself. I have tried to create the same vibration in my studio as well so clients can feel the sacredness of this beautiful art whether they come in for a simple decorative design or an elaborate piece that speaks to them.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very shy and an introverted child. I was very “spaced out” but this is where my creative thoughts came from. Probably the same place the mischievous thoughts came from as well. I would play in the pile of dirt, close to the construction sites, to find the sticky pieces of clay which I would try to model shapes out of. We were not wealthy so almost all my play was outdoors. I enjoyed every activity that allowed me to use my hands, and my heart. I had a strong relationship with my grandmother who was a great cook. Just like all the talented grandmas, mine also did not use proportions but just threw things in and created magic. Which is probably why there is not one “grandma’s recipe” that will taste alike. It all came from her intuition which is what she was trying to teach me.
The kitchen is still my sacred space and sometimes I get too excited about food. I am not shy about sharing my cooking with strangers so don’t be surprised if, in my second sentence of our first meeting, I randomly offered a taste of some homemade Paneer Tikka, or pizza to taste.
I have always been curious about the cosmos (and also the human cells, hence my degree in biology); thanks to my father who would indulge me in lengthy but fascinating discussions. I and my dad had planetary watches so we could keep a track of all the planets, moons, comets, etc. that had passed and the ones scheduled to pass. I had memorized the distance and mass of each planets. I know all that information was practically useless but was exciting at that time. It felt so futuristic. Maybe it is due to this that later in my life my interest in the working of the universe spiked. I love reading and learning about how the atoms interact, how geometry, shapes, and sounds interact, and how everything in the universe is so calculated and precise. So naturally, to dig deeper, I did what any scientist would do, become a yoga practitioner. In all seriousness, I have not found answers to my burning questions but feel content knowing what I know and not knowing what I don’t know. Through yoga I am understanding how we interact with each other and with ourselves, how creating certain physical shapes and geometry with our bodies can open up new possibilities, physical and emotional, and how sounds can create certain vibrations that can be healing.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1130 Yale st.
- Website: Www.hennacompany.com
- Phone: 2816308389
- Email: artist@hennacompany.com
- Instagram: @Originalhennacompany
- Facebook: Www.facebook.com/hennacompany
- Yelp: https://m.yelp.com/biz/the-original-henna-company-houston
- Other: The Original Henna Company
Image Credit:
The Original Henna Company
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