Daily Inspiration: Meet Purva Sodaye

Today we’d like to introduce you to Purva Sodaye.

Hi Purva, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Hi there! I’m Purva, a software engineer by day and a calligrapher and artist by night. Creativity has been a part of my life since childhood, and I’ve always enjoyed drawing and painting. I had a particular fascination with handwriting which eventually led me to take my first calligraphy class at the age of 11, and I fell in love with it.

As I grew older, I struggled to keep my artistic side alive so decided to open my Instagram account, “magicalettering,” in 2018 to keep track of my brush lettering practice and art projects. It’s become a great way to wind down after a busy day at work. I often say that calligraphy is like yoga for artists. Eventually, I started accepting small gigs, like personalizing gift bags and calligraphing place cards for weddings, selling a few paintings on Etsy.

When the pandemic hit and we were all spending more time at home, I decided to focus even more on my calligraphy skills. I worked hard to perfect my craft and even added new skills like engraving, bottle painting, and leather foiling to my services.

Last year, some of my Instagram reels went viral, reaching millions of views. It was incredibly humbling to be able to share my passion for calligraphy with such a wide audience and educate them on the importance of handwriting in a digital age. That has lead me to start offering online calligraphy workshops.

Today, I am grateful to have worked with brands like Gucci, Fendi, Tag Heuer, Dior and Jo Malone. I continue to balance my career by day and my passion for art by night. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to pursue both of my passions and create something beautiful every day.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been quite a journey growing my business, and I’ve definitely faced my fair share of challenges along the way. As the sole owner and operator of magicalettering, I’ve had to learn how to manage every aspect of my business, from creating content and taking photographs to managing products and handling administrative tasks. One of the biggest struggles has been getting my name out there and building a customer base. I’ve experienced everything from working for exposure and offering discounts at the beginning to slow seasons, and losing money, but it’s not always easy to make a name for yourself in a competitive market. It’s not uncommon to encounter people who don’t see the value in your work and negotiate prices or even ghost you. But through it all, I’ve learned valuable lessons and have become more resilient as a business owner.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At magicalettering, my company provides a range of personalized services, including on-site and in-studio calligraphy, engraving, bottle painting, and leather debossing. I specialize in helping clients elevate their customer experience by offering unique personalization services that create a lasting impression. One of our standout features is our ability to create custom compositions quickly by hand. We can compose and engrave a short text in under 5 minutes and even create a small painting in just 13 minutes for on-site painting services. We are skilled at calligraphing almost any surface and can engrave on any glass or metal surface. Our bottle engraving services and handwritten letter gift boxes are in high demand.

In addition to personalized event services, we also specialize in wedding calligraphy, including place cards, envelope addressing, and day-of details. We’re passionate about sharing our craft and will soon be launching calligraphy worksheets for pointed pen calligraphy, which will help individuals learn the art of calligraphy from the comfort of their own homes.

What sets us apart is our years of experience in the art field and our dedication to helping brands create unique and engaging experiences for their clients. We believe that our personal touch sets us apart from others, as we are able to create unique and memorable experiences that machines simply cannot replicate.

How do you define success?
Success can mean different things to different people. For me, success is not just about achieving financial stability or reaching certain milestones in my career, but it’s also about finding purpose and meaning in what I do. I feel successful when I am doing work that aligns with my values and allows me to make a positive impact on the world. It’s about feeling fulfilled and satisfied with my contributions, whether they are big or small. Success also involves being resilient and persevering through challenges, learning from my mistakes, and continuously growing and improving as a person and professional. Ultimately, success is a journey rather than a destination, and I strive to make the most of every step along the way.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.magicalettering.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magicalettering/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/magicalettering
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/magicalettering

Image Credits
All images credits go to me – Purva magicalettering