Parents of a newborn baby are usually excited when their family and friends start visiting, carrying stacks of shiny wrapped boxes. But once the wrapping paper comes off, their excitement is overshadowed by the realization that most of their loved ones came bearing similar gifts. New moms and dads receive the likes of clothes, bottles and pacifiers, jewelry and even cash. So if you're striving to be different and trying to break free of the clichés, Dina Hanafi's ideas might just be your answer. Hanafi s five-month-old project, which is already booming, includes designing, hand-making and selling customized gifts for babies. The gifts include cushions, with the baby s name embroidered in the center, blankets with the baby s name and date of birth in the corner as well as its initial in the center, as well as custom-made bassinets, perfect for a soubou (a traditional celebration a week after the baby's birth). Her ideas initially involved hand-making and selling regular cushions, but as she went on to design them, she realized what she was doing would be more beautiful as baby gifts. Ever since, she s been focused on developing that line. Her decision to alter her market was not financially motivated, but was rather simply encouraged by her love for babies. She also knew the sentimental value such gifts would hold for a parent. It is amazing how happy parents are with something that has their baby's name, something they could cherish as a keepsake until their babies are all grown up, Hanafi said. Starting out, the support she got from her family and friends was a push forward. Everyone was more supportive than I could imagine. People I didn't even know would express how much they liked my ideas and appreciated the creativity and originality that went into them. I was very lucky to have this support. It is no surprise she found that kind of support from her family, since artistic genes are in their blood. Hanafi's mother and brother are both interior decorators, each running their own furniture gallery. "I think it helps to have a family with an artistic background and experience in the field because they really help me out with the technicalities, Hanafi added. Like a smart businesswoman would, Hanafi refused to reveal the secrets behind her success; what materials she uses or even where she buys them. Hanafi graduated from the American University in Cairo last year with a BA in mass communication and a minor in art. Attending more and more art classes helped her explore her creative side. She discovered she likes working with her hands and "after experimenting for a while, I came up with my designs, she said. Hanafi also plans on studying interior design on a professional level in the near future. Aside from her flourishing project, Hanafi works in advertising, which she says is hectic enough. Against all odds, she is trying to balance her time between her day job and her business even though it might seem impossible at times. When it comes to advertising her own products, Hanafi relies heavily on word of mouth. She also gained a lot of exposure when she created an online group on the popular social networking site Facebook. Ever since she launched her project, interested customers have been calling, giving her a newborn s name and placing orders for blankets, cushions, or bassinets at very affordable prices. Even though Hanafi works in advertising, she hopes that one day she can make a career out of her humble business. Being a relatively new idea in Egypt, baby gifts are merely a start for her growing business. I'd like to be a pioneer in the field, moving on to more baby products, complete soubou decorations and more children's events planning. If that wasn't enough for the 22-year-old, Hanafi is also working on another pending project, yet to be introduced to the Egyptian market, which includes elegantly designed bed sets, table clothes and runners, all produced in the Far East. But don't think you ve heard the last from the young entrepreneur. In the near future she plans on starting yet another new project that involves designing children s rooms from A to Z, giving every room a unique theme. This is also uncommon in Egypt and I wish I could expand my business in this direction, Hanafi said. So the next time you re going to visit new parents, make sure your gift stands out. Not because it s wrapped in glossier paper, but because it s personal.
