Barjis Chohan

Barjis Chohan

Barjis Chohan is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of BARJIS, an award-winning London based design company. 

I caught up with her to talk about her company, finding her way in business and any tips that she might have for any women who were looking to follow in her footsteps.

- You set up your company BARJIS so can you tell me a bit about it?

I set up BARJIS in 2000 - we specialise in high end interior design solutions and handmade luxury rugs.  The company has worked on more than 50 projects across the UK, Dubai, USA, India, France and Germany - taking our unique and luxurious style across the globe.

My clients range from the decadent Emirates Towers in Dubai to the elegant K+K Hotel George in London, and I’ve worked on numerous residential projects, too.

My work is very spontaneous - I don’t have a theme planned before I start designing which definitely adds to the enjoyment and keeps each project fresh for me.

- BARJIS is a design company and you studied Fashion at London College of Fashion - when did your interest in fashion and design begin?

I always loved art at school, especially screen printing, but never thought about taking it up as a profession.

I was academic and my dad wanted me to become a doctor - it’s only when I started designing my sister’s wedding dress that people told me to take up fashion and design, and I’ve never looked back.

You have also interned with Vivienne Westwood so what did you learn whilst working with her and what was she like to work with?

It was certainly an eye-opener!  The team there are very hard working and efficient, and the workload was very full on. 

Although I didn’t have an opportunity to work directly with Vivienne, I did see her riding her bike to work every day with her dog and we chatted during social events.  She’s incredibly charismatic and a great inspiration - as a designer and a businesswoman. 

I learnt a lot about the industry during my time there, and working in such an iconic fashion house has certainly had a continuing influence on my designs.

- You have also set up Barjis Creativz so can you tell me a bit about that?

Drawing on my own experiences as an up-and-coming designer in London, I’m passionate about helping other young British designers reach international markets and as a result, I founded Barjis Creativz. 

It’s a social enterprise that aims to promote the best of British talent in overseas markets including India, Saudi Arabia and UAE - I draw on my client base around the world to help facilitate this. 

In May, I’m taking a group of 12 British designers to the InteriorsUAE show in Abu Dhabi to showcase some of their work.

- How difficult is for up and coming British designers to find a foothold in an international market?

Personally, I feel it’s been easier for me to generate work in international markets rather than in the UK. Asian and Middle Eastern markets are far more receptive to meeting new companies like BARJIS.

I’m in Dubai every couple of months for meetings with potential new clients and I often get to meet the people right at the top like CEOs - that’s really rare in the UK.

- How are you looking to expand your business further?

Thanks to the success of BARJIS interiors, I’m currently designing a range of couture abayas for modern Muslim women. 

The collection focuses on classic cuts, complimented by texture and embroidery.  Eventually I would like to have my own outlets in London, Paris and the Middle East.

Somewhere down the line, I’d also like to expand the fashion brand into handbags, footwear and perfume too.

- You are also a mother to three girls so how do you juggle work and home life?

Easily! I don’t work after school hours - my PC is switched off at 3.15pm every day.  I want to be able to spend time with my kids when they get home from school. 

Having this balance is very important to me because kids need their mums and TLC more than anything else.  

Maintaining the balance has been difficult - but most importantly, I haven’t missed out on any mile stones or on spending quality time with my girls. These things are irreplaceable.

- The world of business is still a world that is very male dominated so what advice would you give to women who are keen to set up their own business?

I have never thought of this as an obstacle.  I believe your work should speak for itself.  I would say that to any woman looking to set up a business, that the only person stopping you is you - you can achieve anything you want to if you’re in the right mindset.

- What difficulties did you face along the way and what tips would you give to help others overcome those issues?

Because of the girls, I was limited to how many hours I wanted to work in the day so I did have some financial difficulties. 

However, I’ve never been hugely driven by money so gradually establishing the business with little cash was not an issue for me.  I wanted to grow BARJIS organically and focus on high quality products and service.

Juggling motherhood and running a business was the toughest part. I overcame this by setting realistic goals that were achievable and could be managed around young kids. I’m happiest when I have a balance between family life and my career. 

- As I say the business world is still very much a male place so do you think that this is off putting to women - and what do you think could be done to combat that?

I think women and men complement each other in business - we are biologically different and each sex has its own strengths and weaknesses.  We can’t be men and men can’t be women.

However we are interdependent and these qualities can enhance performance at work.  We need more women to take up executive positions.

- If you could give one piece of advice to women who want to build up their own business what would it be?

Think big but start small! Have a vision, but a realistic one and don’t be over ambitious in the early stages. Set strong foundations that you can continue to build on later down the line.

- Do you think there are enough business women in the public eye to give other women the courage to go it alone - I can only think of Karen Brady?

There are very few, and often the common perception is that women in business are incredibly hard-nosed.  But all women should feel confident that they can achieve whatever goals they set their mind to. 

Some women may think that to be successful in business, they have to focus all their time and energy on their career at the expense of their personal life or a family - but I’ve found a great balance between the two.

- Finally what's next for you?

Once the abaya collection launches later this year, I’m aiming to open an outlet in London and I’d love to show at London fashion week.

I’m also keeping busy with BARJIS interiors and Barjis Creativz and I’m planning an exclusive exhibition for Barjis Creativz designers in Mumbai next year.

Female First - Helen Earnshaw

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Barjis Chohan is a successful entrepreneur and the founder of BARJIS, an award-winning London based design company. 

I caught up with her to talk about her company, finding her way in business and any tips that she might have for any women who were looking to follow in her footsteps.

- You set up your company BARJIS so can you tell me a bit about it?

I set up BARJIS in 2000 - we specialise in high end interior design solutions and handmade luxury rugs.  The company has worked on more than 50 projects across the UK, Dubai, USA, India, France and Germany - taking our unique and luxurious style across the globe.

My clients range from the decadent Emirates Towers in Dubai to the elegant K+K Hotel George in London, and I’ve worked on numerous residential projects, too.

My work is very spontaneous - I don’t have a theme planned before I start designing which definitely adds to the enjoyment and keeps each project fresh for me.

- BARJIS is a design company and you studied Fashion at London College of Fashion - when did your interest in fashion and design begin?

I always loved art at school, especially screen printing, but never thought about taking it up as a profession.

I was academic and my dad wanted me to become a doctor - it’s only when I started designing my sister’s wedding dress that people told me to take up fashion and design, and I’ve never looked back.

You have also interned with Vivienne Westwood so what did you learn whilst working with her and what was she like to work with?

It was certainly an eye-opener!  The team there are very hard working and efficient, and the workload was very full on. 

Although I didn’t have an opportunity to work directly with Vivienne, I did see her riding her bike to work every day with her dog and we chatted during social events.  She’s incredibly charismatic and a great inspiration - as a designer and a businesswoman. 

I learnt a lot about the industry during my time there, and working in such an iconic fashion house has certainly had a continuing influence on my designs.

- You have also set up Barjis Creativz so can you tell me a bit about that?

Drawing on my own experiences as an up-and-coming designer in London, I’m passionate about helping other young British designers reach international markets and as a result, I founded Barjis Creativz. 

It’s a social enterprise that aims to promote the best of British talent in overseas markets including India, Saudi Arabia and UAE - I draw on my client base around the world to help facilitate this. 

In May, I’m taking a group of 12 British designers to the InteriorsUAE show in Abu Dhabi to showcase some of their work.

- How difficult is for up and coming British designers to find a foothold in an international market?

Personally, I feel it’s been easier for me to generate work in international markets rather than in the UK. Asian and Middle Eastern markets are far more receptive to meeting new companies like BARJIS.

I’m in Dubai every couple of months for meetings with potential new clients and I often get to meet the people right at the top like CEOs - that’s really rare in the UK.

- How are you looking to expand your business further?

Thanks to the success of BARJIS interiors, I’m currently designing a range of couture abayas for modern Muslim women. 

The collection focuses on classic cuts, complimented by texture and embroidery.  Eventually I would like to have my own outlets in London, Paris and the Middle East.

Somewhere down the line, I’d also like to expand the fashion brand into handbags, footwear and perfume too.

- You are also a mother to three girls so how do you juggle work and home life?

Easily! I don’t work after school hours - my PC is switched off at 3.15pm every day.  I want to be able to spend time with my kids when they get home from school. 


by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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