OUR FOUNDER OF THE WEEK– Every Tuesday, Founder of the Week looks at how a successful member of Egypt’s startup community got their big break, asks about their experiences running a business, and gets their advice for budding entrepreneurs. Speaking to us this week is Ewelina Trzpis, founder of Alkemia Boutique, which showcases the work of local artists and craftsmen.

My name is Ewelina, and I am the founder of Alkemia Boutique. I was born in Poland, where I spent a quarter of my life, before moving to the US — and now I’m living in Egypt.

I traveled to Egypt to get my master’s degree in anthropology, which was based in the US but focused on Cairo’s independent music scene. After completing my degree, I realized that I would prefer to apply my experience and knowledge of anthropology in a practical setting rather than pursue a career in academia. I did an extensive study on the Egyptian creative and local markets and later founded Alkemia Boutique.

I moved to Egypt in 2008, and after taking a while to adjust to life here, I wanted to create a business that could genuinely benefit the community — monetarily and in a variety of other ways. Alkemia was created solely to support Egyptian artisans rather than to make a return. As I was exposed to Egypt’s popular crafts, I began to realize that although the local creative market is using beautiful materials, they are not utilizing them to their full extent — they keep making the same patterns and pieces over again. Another factor that promoted me to start the business was witnessing a surge in interest in local craftsmanship after 2011. Young and emerging artists began to incorporate innovative ideas, using Egypt’s exquisite materials to create unmatched pieces that were tailored to the needs of modern lifestyles.

Alkemia blends with Egypt’s developing art scene. It is a versatile business model that offers designers and artisans the chance to showcase their talents to the public and to customers who value beauty in art. Alkemia is situated in Maadi’s CSA. It’s particularly loved by expats and tourists because it’s a great place to buy gifts for loved ones back home — everything is made in Egypt, in contrast to other local marketplaces that sell items pertaining to Egyptian culture, yet made in China.

Although starting a business as a foreigner can be challenging, the years I spent living here before founding Alkemia taught me a lot about how things are done here and how to effectively communicate with business people. To be completely honest, I no longer feel like a foreigner. I also believe that growing up across two different countries shaped me to be quick to adapt to new environments and situations.

The best part of my job is seeing clients walk in and being blown away by the different pieces we have at the boutique. This makes me very happy because it is our goal to generate that kind of exposure and interest in local artisans. Also, because I've given the creatives a space where they can actually show their work and get feedback from clients on how to improve.

To be honest, the worst part of my job is the commute. It's extremely exhausting. I also find it difficult to work with certain people at times. So, basically, patience and understanding that sometimes things take a little longer and that you need to be more flexible and less rigid with your deadlines.

I had a far more tranquil life before Alkemia. I had another business, but it didn’t require as much of my time as Alkemia does. So, whenever I have free time, I like to relax, read, and FaceTime with my family and friends. I also enjoy nature, particularly the mountains, so you can find me in Sinai a lot.

I find inspiration in traveling. I get to learn about different cultures, meet new people, and see beautiful architecture and art.

I usually seek advice from my husband whenever I need to fix a difficult problem. His business is in the creative field, and he has introduced me to many artisans with whom I am currently working, as well as the wider arts and crafts industry.

Alkemia’s plan for expansion in the short term includes hosting workshops and other activities that will benefit both the artists and our clients. Educational workshops are definitely on our list, where artists could come and give lectures about different materials and how to use them. The goal is to foster a sense of community in which both artists and clients feel connected.

In terms of the long-term plan, Alkemia was originally intended to open in the US, and I still want to expand and open there. This time around, I will feature not only Egyptian designers but international talents from all over the world — particularly those from my birth country, Poland.