Local Business Shoutout: Dreamers' Side

Sometimes all it takes is a simple message and the connection is just there. That is the way I feel when I got to know Syadza. I have never had the chance to meet her face to face yet ( I do hope I will one day), but I can feel her sincerity and passion for her business through our conversations.

That is why I wanted to feature her in March's Local Business Shoutout. Get to know this lovely entrepreneur and visionary behind Dreamers' Side.

Hello Syadza, time for you to share a little about yourself and Dreamers' Side

I’m a Dreamer, a Doer, a Believer and a Spiritual Wayfarer - basically an adventurous soul who is drawn to authenticity, beauty, nature and all things dreamy and wanderous. I’m an ambivert that leans more towards my introvertedness - which makes me sensitive to overwhelming and overstimulating energies. I think I’m quite ordinary in an unordinary way - if that makes sense? I am not a very “mainstream” person, if that is a clearer way to put it, haha. I’ve tried to fit the mould countless of times but I realise, there isn’t a mould for me. So I carve my own now, and rely on His guidance.

Introducing Dreamers' Side Founder, Syadza

Photo Credit: Dreamers' Side

Dreamers’ Side (DS) started in 2020 and is a Lifestyle Brand that specialises in originally designed accessories and apparels - (apparels are in the works)!

Our signature work so far are our handmade tasbihs and bracelets using stones and crystals.

Our Dream is for our work to inspire our Dreamers to Journey to Jannah together through a lifestyle of Taqwa. We celebrate the Muslim lifestyle and we celebrate His beauty, signs and creations.

I have had a few other ad-hoc side businesses throughout my years before I started DS(clothes, skincare, art work etc) But they were more freelance basis, not something consistent and committed like with DS.

Can you describe the moment you decide to become a business owner?

In 2019 Dec, I left my job, intending to take a break and travel while reflecting on what my next chapter of life should entail (I had grown weary of the industry I was working in for over a decade). I wanted to venture out into something different; something that allowed me to lead a more balanced life, a more Muslim life and a more meaningful life. I told myself “2020 is going to be the year of change”. Lo and behold, the WHOLE WORLD changed with covid, 😅!

I was stuck in Morocco when the covid lockdowns around the world took place so I had a lot of free time. I came across a bead shop and bought some supplies and started crafting. Beading was something I used to do when I was in Primary School - it was a craft shared with me by my mum who did intricate bead weaving for fun and became a hobby of mine that through my years of working, got lost.

It was nice to craft again and to gift the pieces to others, so I kept doing it when I got back to SG. I did enter the workforce again to work full-time so it was my passionate side hustle.

Photo Credit: Dreamers' Side

What routine do you follow each day?

Honestly every day is different. I think the only “routine” I subscribe to are my values and principles. Whatever I do, whatever happens, I try to routinely practice my values. Life is unpredictable. We plan and plan but Allah’s plans are the best.

Can you share a moment in your business journey that was particularly impactful?

I would say it’s probably when I decided leave that “stable paycheck” life to embark on my biz full-time.

That was in 2022 and at that time, it wasn’t a conscious decision - I needed to leave my current full-time job as I’m not a person cut out for office politics so I thought I’d take a break for a month or two before working elsewhere. Allah had other plans though as I found out I’m going to be a mom - meaning I wasn’t going to get hired by anyone haha.

It was kind of serendipitous journey because I always imagined that if I became a mom, I wanted to be around, I wanted to be accessible always, which is something I also visualised when I start the biz as a side hustle. However, I didn’t expect it to begin so soon and while the biz was still rather small, but that’s how Allah works right? He knows better what is good for you. So I dove into it with a chokeful of fears, anxieties and an immense amount of mental work to accept the paradigm shift in my life. Because while I was trying to nurture a small biz into something sustainable, I was also transforming from an independent lady to a mom - my whole world was basically changing all at the same time.

On top of that, the self-doubt is insanely real, especially when you grow up in a society that tells you you need a stable payback, a proper home, a car etc etc. So, to many, for me to choose this path instead is taking a huge and crazy risk. But I guess in life, everything is a risk, isn’t it? Just going out of the door is a risk - you never truly know what comes next. You can only assume from what you know what might happen and you can try to prepare, but what does happen isn’t really in your control. So yes, it was a period of many life lessons and many adjustments and a whole lot of ups and downs.

Photo Credit: Dreamers' Side

What are the most rewarding aspects of being a business owner?

The flexibility of time - although I’m working more hours, at least the hours belong to me.

The stress is healthy stress - the kind of stress that challenges me to grow and be better, meaning my energy keeps growing too. Quite unlike the kind of stress that drains me mentally, emotionally and physically which leaves me going home feeling empty.

No “workplace gossip” to deal with on a daily basis. I’m just not cut out for that kind of work environment - it drains me and takes away from my productive and creative possibilities. And if I don’t participate or engage in it, I end up being the target - I just can’t keep up with those politics or “play the game”. Running my own biz means I don’t have to! I just focus on work, family, and growing/improving myself in beneficial aspects.

I don’t have to prove myself to anyone, no one can criticise my personality and character and use that against me professionally. I answer directly to Allah, no one else defines or decides if I’m good enough or worthy enough.

I can make more conscious halal choices - such as not having to engage in unnecessary small talk with men, or work in close physical proximity with men that may lead to accidental touching. I can choose what I wear, what I say or don’t say, what I make. Basically that freedom of choice which doesn’t always come easy in other jobs.

How do find inspiration and creativity for your business ideas?

Ouh it’s very random. But being someone who is an intuitive and is sensitive to authenticity, I draw inspiration easily from my own heart and mind. So I would take something that I went through, experienced, observed or learned and channel that expression through my makes. It can be a variety of things like places, thoughts, situations - nothing fixed.

Using the premise that this business allows me to lead a lifestyle I aspire for, I try to also inject this into my makes - creating pieces that inspire the lifestyle of Taqwa. A lifestyle that enables us to walk on the path to Jannah. A lifestyle that looks encourages us to always look at the world through the lens of a Muslim who dreams of the ultimate goal; to please our creator and attain His Jannah.

Photo Credit: Dreamers' Side

What advice will you give to aspiring business owners?

Allah didn’t create fear to restrict you - fear is a tool to keep you mindful. Don’t conform to society’s definition of fear, but look instead at what Allah taught us. Our prophets all went through extremely risky and fearful situations but it never stopped them from going ahead with their mission. Their lives were not “usual” as society dictated, but they lived meaningful, purposeful and rewarding lives.

Take Allah’s lessons and apply them, because then not only will your business be filled with barakah, Insyallah, but you will also know the better way to navigate your business life. A simple example is the lesson we are taught to “tie the rope of your camel and trust in Allah.” Meaning you have to put in your due diligence AND you have to have faith and redha in His decision of the outcome.

Also, don’t compare your growth to others - you are doing yourself a disservice if you do this. The only comparison you should make is with yourself. Be better than who you were before, and monitor your own progress, don’t focus so much on other people’s progress and achievements, be happy for them as that is Allah’s will. This will give you a clearer mind to make better decisions while enjoying what you do.

What is 2024 going to be like for you?

I can only hope and plan but Allah knows best. At the moment, I am in Morocco again.

“Balik kampung” for Ramadan and both Eids Insyallah but while I’m here, my Dream Ad-Hoc Team in SG is going to run our EidsoukbyMashal booth 29 - 31 March.

I’m also working everyday while I’m here (the job never ends even when you’re on a “break”) on other behind-the-scenes work. Insyallah we will see what Allah wills to come next, but for now I can share that we have new products and designs launching soon, Insyallah!

I have SO MANY ideas of things I want to do and products I want to make, but yes, Allah knows best and we’ll see what He decides will come to fruition!

Photo Credit: Dreamers' Side

Thank you Syadza for this beautiful and in-depth interview. Do head down to their booth this 29-31 March 2024. Visit their instagram here for more details.