The Vault: Umna Usmani

The Doodle Box is Umna Usmani’s labour of love and dedication that specialises in corporate and personal events


June 21, 2018

The Doodle Box is Umna Usmani’s labour of love and dedication that specialises in corporate and personal events. She shares everything that goes in the art of creating a successful event and her most memorable event till date

How and when did you become interested in event décor?

I was a brand manager at a multinational company. When my son was born, I quit my full time job and got busy in understanding this new role, but soon I felt the need to be more productive and make use of my diverse educational background and talent. I am a software engineer and marketer by education and an artist by birth. It was my son’s first birthday that got me interested in planning and decorating events. I remember planning the smallest details for a “Rock Star” themed birthday for my son. With the appreciation and encouragement from family and friends and having a good blend of creativity, knowledge of graphic design, management and marketing, I felt I could take this up as my entrepreneurial venture. Doodle Box is now in its 6th year of success and still going strong.



Share a story about your most memorable event yet?

Every single event of mine has a story but I guess I will never forget my first ever paid event. I wanted to give my 100% to be recognised as a professional in the field. I worked so hard that I literally went sleepless for two nights straight. Another memorable event was a very recent one when Doodle Box decorated the party for the very pretty and humble Sarwat Gillani. I was totally star struck during my first meeting with her, but she soon made me very comfortable.

How do you conceive your ideas for events?

It is very important for me to have a happy customer after an event, after all it is all about customer satisfaction in the service industry. First of all, I try to understand what the customer wants then only I share my ideas. Once I have the theme and colour palette in mind, I take inspiration from different things around me, it could be something on the road or even at home. Inspiration can come from anything if you think creatively. The ideas are then translated on paper with a sketch and finally executed.

What makes your company different from others?

Originality! An idea might be simple but should always be original.

What’s in store for Doodle Box? What can we expect from the brand in the next few years?

Doodle Box will be entering into a number of diverse ventures soon. It is too early to talk about those, however as an event management company Doodle Box will soon be venturing into corporate events with a new brand name called “Doodle House”. With the support of my family and loved ones I wish to spread happiness.

A quote or saying you live by?

“Never give up on your dreams. It is difficult to wait but it is more difficult to regret.”

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