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Mindara Sukhamilinda

"I changed my name, Shollada Sukhamilin, to Mindara Sukhamilinda, because I believe in this way it will bring me better luck. I was born on October 24, 1972 in Bangkok. I have one elder sister who is now studying at Chiang Mai University in the Humanities Faculty. I graduated with a bachelor degree in hotel management from Payap University. Right afterwards, I managed a restaurant that displays and sells artistic Thai products, particularly that of Lanna - northern Thailand. At the same time I also gave a hand to one of my father's friend, who owns a car dealing business.

"I previously studied management but I actually have always been mad about arts. I became very undecided about what I really wanted to do: business or arts? I weighed the pros and cons and finally chose arts. It was a hard choice, for to work in Thailand in any specific field, one must be graduated accordingly from some famous university. But I did not let myself get discouraged and registered at Chiang Mai University in the Fine Arts Faculty. I developed a special interest in photography while I was at university. My favorite themes are flowers and nature, which I have been photographing ever since.

"During my studying, my sister came also to study at Chiang Mai University. My family accompanied her and we eventually decided to definitely settle down here. In order to earn extra cash I worked part time in the designer team of an export company. Some customers asked one day for scented candles and the company asked me to design for them. I jotted down my ideas, looked up a few books to learn the making process and awkwardly made a few samples. I handed them to the company and it turned out later that the customers really liked my candles.

"I thought it was a good business and decided to make extra money with it myself. I read a lot on the subject and I also consulted with a few artisans to gain further knowledge. I started selling them on January 1, 2000, at first to the university's students, and they rapidly became the favorite gifts to offer. The sales increased and my extra-money activity became a family business. My mother, my boyfriend and myself design and make the candles, my father deals with the marketing aspects and my sister canvasses for customers. It really is a family business, I mean that I still make my candles at home, using pots, tubs, spoons, scissors, etc.

"I love Novica's mission and I am pleased to participate in providing the world with my work. I would like to see customers worldwide owning some of my products. Our candles are noted everywhere for their quality, loveliness, usefulness, and fair prices - I have never heard of any disappointed customers. In the future I can see my family and myself handcrafting beautiful candles for the whole world. And when I'm not crafting candles, I love to spend my time focusing my lens on Thailand's natural beauty."