Jaya Aiyar, Founder & CEO of Creatif, does not have a formal background in Art, but she grew up in a creative household with her mom being the primary influence. Jaya’s education in engineering and project management has significantly influenced her thinking, operational acumen and leadership style. Jaya always had the vision to start a company of her own but wasn’t sure what that would be. As she researched and started evaluating different business ideas, the vision for Creatif began to evolve. She saw a lack in the existing Art Studios’ appeal to the present generation and for all ages, leading to it becoming the primary focus of her business.
Her data-driven approach allows her to look at situations with clarity and find optimal solutions. The structure that her education and prior work experience have provided her has allowed Jaya to streamline her operations and processes for consistency and quality.
As Jaya comes from the technology industry and is a mom to two children, she understands the need to incorporate technology into today’s Art Studio, making it more appealing and relevant. She dedicated her time to conceptualizing the studio’s design esthetics and finding an appropriate location for her flagship studio. After months of planning, the first Creatif studio opened its doors in Pleasanton, California, in August 2018. It’s been an enormous hit since then.
“Art has always been close to my heart, so when the idea sparked, I recognized the opportunity to create an experiential Art Studio brand appealing to families and art enthusiasts of all ages,” says Jaya.
Creatif: Where Art Meets Technology
Creatif is an art studio for all ages and skill levels. They are the only art studio concept to integrate Art with technology for their customers. Their ArtPad app has many video tutorials and activity ideas for kids and adults. The company operates with the belief that “Everyone Is an Artiste” and wants their customers to have the most memorable and fun experience at the studios.
From Creatif’s award-winning studio design to the range of services offered at all their locations, they’ve created an exciting & appealing art studio brand. The company leverages the high demand for family entertainment, the booming children’s activity industry, and “STEAM” learning. The concept brings them all together under one brand, providing DIY/walk-in sessions, birthday parties, painting workshops, art classes, holiday/summer camps, corporate team-building events, paint kits, and virtual art sessions. The different revenue streams stabilize income by reducing seasonal fluctuations and by offering something for just about everyone – all within reasonable prices.
“When I started the company, my main challenge was creating brand awareness. However, our unique concept, award-winning studio decor, and multiple service offerings helped us quickly gain popularity and grow the business,” says Jaya. “I’m very driven and quality conscious, so it is crucial for me that we maintain the highest quality standards across all Creatif locations – whether it is through our products or our service. This attitude helps us strive to be the best we can in our industry,” she added.
Jaya’s Own Words: The Guiding Light for Women Entrepreneurs
I believe my biggest responsibility is to elevate and support other entrepreneurs, especially women entrepreneurs, by sharing the knowledge and expertise I’ve gained through building my company.
While resilience, hard work, and adaptability are some of the critical traits of all successful entrepreneurs, woman entrepreneurs have other inherent strengths that help them stand out amongst the crowd. Our natural ability to connect with people gives us an intrinsic advantage in business.
Entrepreneurship in the past was a male-dominated space, but that is changing now. Women entrepreneurs must focus on a strong, positive self-image. Our ability to communicate ideas with clarity and confidence is key to being heard and appreciated by others. As entrepreneurs, we must always be open to learning the skills relevant to grow our business and expand our knowledge as individuals, whether it is in marketing, sales, technology, customer service, networking or presentation/public speaking. We must also help and support other women in business, as together we can build a stronger momentum for success.
Staying Motivated to Maintain a Work-life Balance
“While I’m an entrepreneur, I’m also a mom to two beautiful children who need my love and attention as they navigate through their childhood and teen years. Work-life balance is best achieved when we understand our daily priorities and adjust our schedules to meet them. My mornings and evenings are reserved for my family. My husband & I drop our kids to school each morning, cook dinner, have conversations with our kids about their school, manage their extra-curricular activities, celebrate their accomplishments and support them through the challenges of growing up,” expresses Jaya.
What is Next?
According to Jaya, she launched Creatif’s franchising program recently and has the first Creatif franchise location open in Fort Mill, SC. Other locations are coming soon across multiple US states. “In the next two years, I see myself building on our national presence and supporting our franchise partners through their entrepreneurial journey,” asserts Jaya.
Quote: I’m focused and determined to grow Creatif into a successful international brand in the next 5-10 years.
