Marwa Abou Leila is a 1999 finance graduate from Ain Shams University, who’s worked in the Corporate banking field for 15 years. She’s a wife and a mother of two boys; Ali and Adam. She has always been fond of photography and she managed to follow her passion.
TALK TO US ABOUT YOURSELF.
I have always been fond of photography realizing how powerful an I have always been fond of photography realizing how powerful an “honest” image can be and how it can affect our lives, be it a simple family portraits, food, advertising, fashion, industrial, fine art, or even war photography. I am not just an art enthusiast, I am also passionate about artists especially photographers. I believe in the Egyptian photographers so much; all they need is to bridge with role models and success stories in order to get inspired and they will make miracles. Photopia was founded on that exact foundation: to help photographers be better photographers.
AFTER 15 YEARS OF CORPORATE LIFE, WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
The 25 January revolution did! The notion of quitting my job has been there long before 2011 but what really triggered me to make the decision is our glorious nation-wide change. This strong wave of change has hit me personally and made me turn my work life upside down. The number of photographers has been on the rise since the sudden boom of the DSLR cameras in Egypt back in 2010; this has definitely affected my decision to change my career path and start catering for photographers in Egypt.
BEING AN ENTREPRENEUR, DO YOU REGRET LEAVING THE CORPORATE LIFE?
No, not at all. Despite the great risk involved and giving up a great deal of my steady income, I still think quitting my corporate career is the best decision I have ever made. Such shift has unleashed my potentials and exposed me to a whole new world I never knew existed. Having Photopia’s name as one of the best photography schools and hubs in Egypt washes away all the rough times I had to go through to finally make it come to light.
BEING A FEMALE ENTREPRENEUR, DID YOU FACE ANY STRUGGLES IN PURSUING YOUR DREAM GOAL OF STARTING PHOTOPIA?
Not exactly, struggles maybe challenges that both female and male entrepreneurs equally face during the bumpy road of starting their own business in Egypt.
HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO BALANCE YOUR TIME BETWEEN WORK AND FAMILY?
I work from home sometimes but I still need to be at Photopia for important events. I work with a strong team which takes care of the little details and that only leaves me with the broader issues. Family support from my husband and mother is priceless and definitely helps keep me going.
WHAT MAKES PHOTOPIA STAND OUT IN THE FIELD OF PHOTOGRAPHY?
Photopia is not associated with a specific photographer in the industry: we serve all and we host all. We are a full-fledged photography school offering the best instructors in each field of photography; each one is unique at their own specialty. We have hosted talks by many great photographers on the scene such as Toufic Araman, Ayman Abbas, Ahmed Hayman, Sherif Tamim, Yehia El Alaily, Alaa Abdel Naby, Dany Eid and many more. We also offer photography-related workshops such food styling by Egypt’s best Hoda El Sherif & fashion styling by Kegham Djeghalian. We constantly offer technical support on a friendly basis and recommend photographers for jobs. Any photographer can come over just to chill out on our beanbags and enjoy free Internet in our cafe. We enjoy linking established artists with young rising stars.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER APART FROM PHOTOGRAPHY COURSES?
Photopia is a photography school, a store and gift shop for photographers, a gallery space, a photography studio, and finally a photographers’ cafe.
DO YOU INTEND TO EXPAND YOUR SCOPE OF WORK? IF SO, HOW?
Oh yes! We are planning to reach out to the corporate community, university and school students offering courses/workshops/talks at their own venues. We will launch another school inside SODIC in October City and we are intending to offer franchise options in the future.
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE YOUNG WOMEN TO PURSUE AN INNOVATIVE CAREER; A CAREER THAT DOESN’T FIT WITHIN THE ‘NORMS OF SOCIETY’?
It is a rough road but it pays back more than you can imagine. Being a pioneer and creating a change is very fulfilling for you and for the community you serve. Stay tuned and focused; surround yourself by creative minds.
“I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN FOND OF PHOTOGRAPHY REALIZING HOW POWERFUL AN “HONEST” IMAGE CAN BE AND HOW IT CAN AFFECT OUR LIVES.”
WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU GIVE TO EMPOWER WOMEN IN GENERAL?
Listen to your dreams and do what makes you happy. Giving to the people in your life does not mean you should give up on your own life.
