Your Name: Shan Fazelbhoy
Business Name: Kobo Art, an online art gallery for upcoming artists
Type of Business: Arts & Entertainment
Business Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Website www.koboart.com
Twitter @KoboArt
Facebook www.facebook.com/koboart
Pinterest www.pinterest.com/koboart
Reason for starting
To provide a platform for upcoming artists in the U.A.E. and make art easily accessible and affordable.
How do you define success?
Success to me is defined by the positive impact you have on people and society in general.
Biggest Success
The positive response from artists wanting to join Kobo and the fact that we have actually been able to sell a few paintings!
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
The biggest challenge we face is to change peoples perception of how they view art. We would like them to think of it as something that is for everybody and not as exclusive property as is currently viewed. We are addressing this through social media, which works as a support system and also by collaborating with spaces that people frequent casually such as a cafe where they can view art and appreciate it while not being intimidated by it.
Who is your most important role model?
Richard Branson of Virgin and Mohammad Younus of Grameen Bank are two people I have always admired. Their dedication to continuous improvement and the community is very inspiring. They have both built on ideas that have gone on to change the lives of many people in a positive way.