SHALINI BATHIJA, CREATIVE OUTBURST

“Trust your own madness, follow your dreams and listen to your heart….always!” says Shalini Bathija, founder of Creative Outburst, a company that loves to gift bundles of joy to children and grown ups via creative and personalized products. Shalini comes with a background in teaching and watching children learn and explore the world always moved her. Even after she quit her job as a teacher, she always knew that whatever she does will surely be associated with children.

In fact, Creative Outburst wasn’t a planned and conscious decision. It was just a series of tiny steps that helped Shalini “move towards the beacon and desire of working with children.” Shalini observed that children have an innate curiosity and a desire to explore the world and she wanted to be a part of it in whatever way she could. She still vividly remembers her trip to the US where she was fascinated at the variety of writing accessories and that put a thought in her mind “What can I do for the classrooms in India?”. Her next step was to fine tune her computer skills and her first ever product was bulletin board borders “that would enhance the big brown board of the classrooms”. Her idea had many takers and this first baby step led to the next which was to create timeless calendars as party favours for her niece’s Red Indian themed birthday. Since then, there was no looking back.

Today, Creative Outburst has added personalised, books, files, mugs, bottles, napkins, towels, travel tags, planners, activity books, lap tables, bag, pouches, etc. to its product line. I asked Shalini how she feels about where she is today and she gives me a beautiful answer “My journey has been blessed. I would like to believe that I have created more smiles than products. I have made friends and found a place in the heart of my clients and their children who are constantly showering me with ideas, trusting me by recommending me to other people and who genuinely wish me to succeed. What more could a woman ask?”