Introducing Mayajoy
Hello and welcome to the brand new Mayajoy website. This has certainly been a labour of love. If you didn't know already, Mayajoy is my third baby, starting in 2021, after being made redundant during the Pandemic. I know, I know what you are thinking- another covid business (insert eye roll here) and yes, it's true. So many businesses started during the Pandemic. What it taught us was to stop living a life that was convenient and start living as if every day was our last. Start chasing those big dreams that have been bubbling just beneath the surface and do something which we always dreamed of. Well that's what happened to me anyway.
For as long as I can remember, Mayajoy has existed. I've always been creative and I followed my passions to study Interior Design and surface pattern design at University. Having achieved my Masters, I worked as an Interior Designer for the acclaimed Laura Ashley, which saw me overseeing beautifully designed projects in London. This was a great learning experience but I wanted to have more creative freedom and move closer to my then fiancé, so I made the difficult decision to leave and move to Devon, where I planned to one day start my own business. Oh how young and ambitious I was. I got myself an office job and planned to work for myself on the side but life got in the way, I was exhausted from planning our wedding, being a newly wed and then when children came along, I blinked and suddenly it was almost 10 years later and I was left wondering what happened to that dream. Does this sound at all familiar? Can you relate? All of those hopes and dreams that you never doubted for a second wouldn't come true suddenly sound like a distant memory? Yeh, me too.
When redundancy came, I decided that it was now or never. It was the perfect opportunity to commit to giving things my best shot. With a very basic business idea I wanted to role model to my children that no dream was too far out of reach. If I could make this work, I could encourage others to dream big and accomplish the things they never thought would be possible. Sounds easy right? What could possibly go wrong...
I began drawing for the first time in years. It was a shaky start and I doubted my artistic abilities constantly, wondering if it would ever be "good enough" that someone may want to buy something I had made but when I saw my children sitting down to draw their own illustrations and the confidence they had in their own abilities, I knew that I had to swallow my fear of failure and have a little bit of self belief and bags of courage.
As time has passed, Mayajoy has produced the most beautiful quality homeware and textiles, inspired by the beauty of nature, family life and our dual Jamaican heritage. During my families toughest times, what has seen me through is the mood boosting power of colour. Along with my families faith, finding beauty in my surroundings has been a great way to foster a positive mindset and bring some well-needed joy to our lives.
Not only do Mayajoy's hand drawn designs help to lift your mood but they also bring a little dose of happy to the mundane and ordinary moments that are often overlooked.
Something as dull as washing the dishes, can feel a little more bearable with a pretty tea towel. Cooking dinner, when you know your children may not eat it can be a daily battle, which I know many of you will understand and having an apron which lifts your spirits can make it all a little more manageable.
My main aim for Mayajoy is to bring a little sunshine to your day. I created Mayajoy for people like me- exhausted women, struggling with the juggle but who still want to enjoy day to day living. You enjoy good food, perhaps the occasional tipple and want to find a happier way to live. Will colourful homeware solve all of your problems? I'm sorry to say, no but it might help to lift your spirits and give you some light relief, which you totally deserve.
If you are like me, or know someone like me, then Mayajoy is for you. Ordinary, everyday items to elevate your living experience. Give yourself the gift of colour.
Lots of love,
Maya x