Biography of Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui: Co-founder of Polly - Artisan Craftsmanship
Biography of Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui:
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui stands at the helm of Polly and Other
Stories, a unique venture that celebrates artisan-made products from across
Pakistan. As the CEO and co-founder, along with Angela Braid, Amneh has
established a platform that supports 1,200 artisans and 92 small businesses,
providing them with a collective space to showcase their creations through both
online channels and physical concept stores in Karachi and Lahore.
Education and Academic Journey
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui pursued a diverse academic path,
earning a Master's in Public Policy and Development Administration from The
Australian National University between 2004 and 2006. During her time there,
she served as President of the APSEG Students Association, actively engaging in
leadership roles within the academic community. Prior to this, she completed her
Master's in International Relations, focusing on Development Economics,
Diplomatic History, Current Affairs, and Foreign Policy at Karachi University
in 2003. Her academic journey also includes specialized training in Value
Chain/Pro-Poor Market Development at ITC ILO.
Professional Expertise and Career Impact
Amneh's career has been marked by her commitment to
addressing gender inequalities and promoting social change through economic
empowerment. She has led significant initiatives such as USAID's Entrepreneurs
project and the GAC funded Pathways and Pursestrings, focusing on employment
and entrepreneurship. Her work emphasizes leveraging business for social good
and advocating for digital strategies that support the growth of traditional
craft industries
Overcoming Challenges in E-commerce
Navigating the realm of e-commerce, particularly within the
craft sector, presented formidable challenges for Amneh and her team. In
Pakistan, where women often face additional hurdles to be taken seriously in
business, especially in fields perceived as traditionally feminine or redundant
like crafts, breaking into the male-dominated e-commerce space proved even more
daunting. Amneh notes the inherent difficulty in securing funding and support
for woman-led businesses, despite their significant economic contributions.
Values-Driven Entrepreneurship
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui's entrepreneurial journey is deeply
rooted in her values and beliefs. She champions a business ethos that
challenges the cutthroat norms of commerce, emphasizing collaboration and co-creation
as core principles at Polly and Other Stories. Her passion lies in reshaping
consumer perceptions of value, advocating for the transformational impact that
artisan craftsmanship can have on both makers and consumers alike.
Transforming Artisan Craftsmanship in Pakistan
Artisan activity stands as Pakistan's second largest
employer after agriculture. Despite its scale, many artisan initiatives lack robust
business strategies, effective marketing, or modern design sensibilities.
Recognizing this gap, Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui co-founded Polly and Other Stories
with a mission to redefine the narrative around socially responsible goods.
Biography of Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui: Co-founder Polly Artisan- Craftsmanship/Entrepreneur/investor/ co-founder Angela Braid/businesswomen/E commerce
Shifting Perceptions Through Polly and Other Stories
Amneh and her team aim to shift the perception of artisan
products from being seen as mere 'guilt' purchases or 'poverty porn' to being
viewed as 'luxury' or aspirational buys. Their goal is to position craftwork as
a viable career option, ensuring consistent and fair incomes for the thousands
of artisans they support.
Polly and Other Stories: Bridging Artisans to Global Markets
As co-founder of Polly and Other Stories, Amneh
Shaikh-Farooqui spearheads a social enterprise that uplifts marginalized
artisan communities across Pakistan. Through e-commerce platforms and local
concept stores, Polly and Other Stories connects artisans with national and
global markets, creating sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities.
Empowering Communities through ECDI Leadership
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui has dedicated twelve years to
Pakistan's social development sector, focusing on management consulting, social
entrepreneurship, and gender issues. Her leadership at the Entrepreneurship and
Community Development Institute (ECDI) emphasizes empowering women and youth
through microenterprise, skills development, and inclusive value chain
programs.
Celebrating Women's Empowerment at Women of the World
Festival
Amneh is a founding curatorial member of Karachi's Women of
the World festival, dedicated to celebrating and empowering women from diverse
backgrounds. Since its inception in 2016, the festival has been a catalyst for
positive social change, highlighting issues relevant to women's empowerment in
Pakistan.
Crafting Leaders: Empowering Women Artisans
At the Making Futures conference in 2017, Amneh presented a
paper on how craft can empower women in Pakistan. She showcased Polly and Other
Stories' initiatives to empower homebound women artisans by fostering
leadership, enhancing skills, and integrating them into fair and inclusive
value chains. Her work not only supports economic empowerment but also
preserves cultural heritage.
Driving Positive Change: Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui's Vision
Amneh remains optimistic about the impact of her work,
believing in the transformative power of leadership development, inclusivity,
and community resilience. Through her dedication to social change and
empowerment, Amneh continues to inspire others to contribute to a more
equitable and sustainable future, both in Pakistan and globally.
Advocacy and Leadership in Social Development
As a development practitioner and livelihoods specialist, Amneh
Shaikh-Farooqui champions market-based solutions to poverty and
disenfranchisement. She strongly believes in the power of cultural heritage and
artisanal craftsmanship as tools for social transformation. Her advocacy spans
areas such as gender equality, inclusion, climate resilience, and social
behavior change, aiming to create spaces where marginalized communities can thrive
economically and socially.
Vision and Contributions to Creative Economy
Amneh's vision extends to fostering a creative economy that
values inclusivity, leadership, and the amplification of voices from
underrepresented communities. Through her leadership and visibility in various
initiatives, she strives to enhance the visibility and impact of marginalized
groups, ensuring they have equal opportunities to participate and benefit from
economic and social development efforts.
Conclusion
In summary, Polly and Other Stories represents a pioneering
effort in Pakistan's artisan sector, striving to elevate traditional
craftsmanship to a level of economic sustainability and consumer desirability.
Through their work, they seek to empower artisans, transform perceptions, and
foster a thriving marketplace for socially responsible goods.
Amneh Shaikh-Farooqui's leadership of Polly and Other
Stories exemplifies resilience in the face of gender biases and industry
challenges. Her commitment to supporting artisans and redefining business
values underscores her role as a pioneer in Pakistan's e-commerce landscape,
where innovation meets social impact through the celebration of traditional
crafts.
