Roots Intertwined

You’ve been running a business, FIN Crafted Goods, with your husband Fahmy for the past 11 years. What has it been like working together so closely for so long?
Well, we definitely have our moments, because when you work together, you show your worst sides to each other. But after 11 years of this, I’d say it’s been good. We have good energy, and I don’t think we could have worked so closely for so long with anyone else.

Do you find it difficult separating work from life?
Yes, it’s very hard! Even when we go on vacations, the work still ends up coming with us—we’re always ideating and thinking about things that we can do for the business.

FIN Crafted Goods is our baby, so it’s very difficult to differentiate work and life.

What do you do when you want to take a step back from work?
I cook (laughs). Or I read, and read. Physical books only though! No e-books. It’s how Fahmy and I escape reality.

I’m actually currently reading a very thick book—A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. I have it encased in a Ziploc bag because I’m carrying a fabric bag, and the weather’s been unpredictable these days, so I just want to make sure that it’s protected.

Going back to FIN Crafted Goods, how has the brand evolved over the pst 11 years?
We used to do a lot of making from scratch. We would make bags and aprons mainly, but now, we’re mainly focusing on repairing and collaborating with brands and companies for certain eco-conscious campaigns.

We’ve worked with Vans, Keen, Uniqlo, and even Porsche, which has always been Fahmy’s dream brand to work with. We’re always looking to work with new brands, embark on new projects, and step outside of our comfort zones.

Outside of work, is there anything you’re hoping to pick up this year?
Oh gosh, I’d like to pick up running again actually. I did use to run with Fahmy, but since I developed asthma, that’s taken a bit of a backseat. So hopefully once my health gets better, we can start running together again. Because it’s good for the mind, and helps with the creative process as well.

Recently though, the weather’s been crazy, man! I step out of the house and I’m already sweating.

Are you an early bird or a night owl?
Early bird—I’m out by 9pm (laughs). I’m 42 this year, and wah, age really catches up with you when you’re 40. It sneaks up on you, and just like that, you’re gone for the day.

What does the perfect weekend look like for you then?
If it’s not the fasting month, I like to go out for coffee or for a walk in the park, especially the Botanic Gardens. I’m a big tree hugger—I love being out in parks.

One of my favourite parks in the world that I’ve been to is Ueno Park in Tokyo, Japan, because of all the museums that can be found within the park itself.