Meet Ayah Kajouk

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ayah Kajouk a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ayah, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.

I grew up in Hungary but spent most of my adult life in London. When I moved to England with my family, I chose to study Electrical Engineering. My English wasn’t great, so maths and physics were my safe bets—no language barrier there! After university, I managed to land a software engineering job in Goldman Sachs, one of the biggest investment banks in the world. While I was thrilled to have this career opportunity and financial stability for me & my family, I was also a bit lost. I didn’t really know what I truly wanted to do with my life.
Fast forward four years, and I gradually started getting a regular shortness of breath and constant hyperventilation that sadly I learnt to live with, but I never connected those feelings to my job. I felt grateful for the position, but slowly, my job security became my biggest fear. Countless times I would walk in the street after work, and for no reason whatsoever, I would break down crying
Then came the pandemic. I spent a year in a beautiful countryside house in Devon, working from home. While I loved being with my family, my fatigue and disinterest hit an all-time low. One day, while zoning out in a Zoom meeting, I remembered my sewing machine—something I had bought years ago to make curtains for my flat. I’d only dabbled in sewing before, but I thought, why not give it a go?
With some old bed sheets from my mom, I started experimenting. I remember thinking I could never follow a sewing pattern—who was I to do that? But my mom encouraged me to try, and I bought my first pattern: a sleeveless vintage shirt dress with a curvy edged collar around the neck. It took me a week and a half to finish, and I spent hours sewing in my pajamas, completely isolated from the outside world, so focused on my new little creation. The first dress I made was for my mom, which felt really special.
When things started returning to normal, I moved back to London and enrolled in a sewing and pattern-drafting course. That’s when it hit me: I had found something I loved! I could sew for days non-stop and never get tired of it. So, I started juggling my full-time job with sewing on the side. I created Aya Mana, which initially was an online clothing store and I started doing pop-up markets during lunch breaks.
But last year, at 28, everything felt stagnant again. I ended a serious relationship, and work became monotonous and repetitive. I felt totally burnt out. And that’s when I realised: I was scared of being stuck in a life I didn’t want andI was also scared to leave it and start fresh at the same time. But I guess I was more scared to stay.
So, I took the plunge – it was now or never. I quit my job, packed my bags, and bought a one-way ticket to Mexico. I decided to focus on my sewing passion, even though it meant shifting gears. Instead of selling clothes, I began sharing sewing patterns online. I realized I wasn’t just selling products; I was offering a chance for others to find their own creativity.
Aya Mana has been a journey of self-discovery, and I still have so much ahead of me. I’ve learned that embracing what you love can help you escape the grips of burnout and I wouldn’t trade not one second of it!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Aya Mana is all about making your own clothes! With our easy-to-follow sewing patterns available on our website, you can create your own unique pieces, even if you don’t have a sewing machine at home. We provide clear instructions and videos for hand stitching, too.

I started Aya Mana to offer a fun and creative outlet for everyone—men and women alike. This isn’t just about fashion; it’s a skill, a hobby, and a way to self-isolate from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. I wanted to break down the barriers that can make the idea of making your own clothes feel intimidating, and so our beginner-friendly patterns make it easy to dive in and start sewing. Just picture this: you begin with one pattern, then move on to the next. Soon enough, you’ll have the skills to create the clothes you want instead of searching for them. With Aya Mana, your imagination is the limit!

And let’s not forget the sustainability aspect! Did you know that fast fashion contributes to 10% of global carbon emissions and about 20% of wastewater pollution. Just imagine the impact you can have as you explore the exciting journey of making your own clothes and choosing sustainable fabrics. I this it’s pretty amazing!
On a personal note, my time living in Mexico has gifted me with so many wonderful experiences and inspired me deeply, especially in the fashion world. I’m excited to soon share my first sewing pattern collection, influenced by the vibrant colors and shapes I’ve seen throughout the country. I can’t wait to share this journey with you!

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

The three most important qualities that have kept me going I would say are:

**Persistence:** Running a business or pursuing any passion is a long-term journey. I’ve always been a bit impatient, so learning to stick with it has been a game changer for me. There were times I worked on my brand’s marketing for months without seeing results, and that was frustrating. But I found it helpful to consider the worst-case scenario if I didn’t achieve my original goal. For me, it was just designing a new wardrobe for myself—and honestly, that didn’t sound too bad! This mindset helped me let go of my fear of failure and truly enjoy the process.

**Boldness:** Organising my first pop-up event terrified me! The thought of standing in front of my potential customers and pitching my product made me anxious. I even postponed it for a while because I was so scared. But I learned that sometimes you just have to take the leap—close your eyes and go for it. Getting stuck in overthinking can hold you back, and embracing boldness is an important skill.

**Appreciation:** hey, you’ve got to celebrate the little wins along the way! They’re the fuel that keeps you moving forward! The little reminders of why you started it all in the first place. I still remember the mini celebration dance I did when I received my first interview request from a well-known blog. It felt amazing, and I’m proud of that moment even now. It’s important to recognize and enjoy these achievements as you go.

Tell us what your ideal client would be like?

Our ideal client is someone who loves colour and life, eager to express herself creatively. She’s looking to unleash her imagination through sewing, transforming her ideas into unique, personalised pieces that brighten her wardrobe. This person finds joy in the process of creating something useful and beautiful, rather than just buying off the rack. We’re here to inspire her with accessible patterns and resources, fostering a community where she can fully embrace her creativity and passion for individuality.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ayamana.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayamanasewingpatterns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ayamanasewingpatterns/