Meet Dr. Nadia Syamila, the Founder of Pearl and Daisies

Pearl and Daisies’ first appearance on Eternally Chanel was on Friday, March 26, 2021. After the feature, we had exchanged online interactions mainly via Instagram; and on March 29, after hitting 12K total views in less than a month, I proposed an interview with Dr. Nadia Syamila, an amiable but rather private person – and legitimately the ultimate owner of Pearl and Daisies. The proposal was accepted; hence the full interview is here!

Eternally Chanel: I’m aware that you’re a medical doctor, so when and how did you come up with the idea of starting a business?

Dr. Nadia Syamila: Aww, thank you for your question. Yes, I am a medical doctor. When I first graduated from my studies in RCSI (the Royal College of Surgeons), around last April, it was actually the start of heavy pandemic of Covid-19 in Malaysia. Hence at that time, I was just resting with my family for three months. Then, I thought to myself: Before starting the housemanship, I want to do something especially because I don’t want my passion into medical turns into something that I must do for the salary, or the necessity of having money. So the solution is, of course, having a side hustle. I started Pearl and Daisies in July last year.

EC: Does your business affect your job in any way?

DNS: Yes. Since I have a business now, it’s less heavy of a struggle to have more money from my job as a doctor. I now see my career as something I love to do instead of only a “job”. At the same time, I love my business no less – it’s because the business revolves around Korean styles, and I love Korean styles due to the K-dramas that I watched especially during the time I was in Ireland. Being alone in Ireland, away from my beloved and my family, taught me that mental health is essential. K-dramas somehow really help my mental health (apart from praying and reciting the Quran as a Muslim).

EC: What is the biggest challenge you has faced within the 9 months of having a business?

DNS: The biggest challenge would be the management of the company. Examples: setting up trusted team members, and discussing the standard of procedure in handling customers, packaging, sending out parcels, etc., with them. A lot of people think when they have a company, they should only focus on making sales, when in reality, management is crucial to sustain a company. Nevertheless, I think once we overcome management issues, it (the company/business) will work smoothly afterward.

EC: It’s not easy to be a businesswoman, isn’t it? I’m glad your business is still strong. Moving on to the next question: You recruit dropshippers for your business – what do they do? Do they just promote your business and find customers, or do they have bigger responsibilities?

DNS: As dropship members, they just promote our dresses and gain commission out of their sales. We still recruit dropship members. (If you’re interested, click this link)

EC: Which one of Pearl and Daisies collections is your favorite, and why?

DNS: To be honest, I love all of them! All of them have different stories to be told and that’s why we put so much effort to come up with the names of the newly released items. I give you an example:

EC: Pearl and Daisies has a collection named the Bridgerton series, inspired by Netflix’s Bridgerton. What do you like the most about the collection?

DNS: Yes, (we do have the collection), and actually we don’t recommend Bridgerton to men at all because the aurah exposed is mainstream and I do think there’s more pornography than love; but we do recommend women to simply enjoy the show with unnecessary parts skipped. The reason why we don’t really put restriction to women because there is less aurah for women to see than there is for men. But, truly, what matters to us when we released the collection is the fact that the dresses worn in the show were pretty amazing! And that’s what inspired us for the Bridgerton series. I like Yes Your Grace (from the collection) the most.

EC: Do you design the clothes yourself?

DNS: We have premium items and bridal collection, you can check on our website. All premium items are designed by me and my designer (including some ideas from team Pearl and Daisies. For other items, we do have our own supplier, mostly designed in Korea.

EC: We’re nearing the end of the interview, so a few more questions left. What is Pearl and Daisies’ plan for Eid al-Fitr? Are you planning to release new collections soon?

DNS: Aww those are interesting questions. Actually we do want to release some kurung for Eid and we’re in preparation of doing so; however, we’re also focusing on Ramadan edition first at the moment which are the premium pleated shawls especially for all Muslimahs out there. For Eid, we do think that – if, let’s say we don’t release Premium kurung, designed by our own (designers), we would still release kurung from our supplier or vendor, such as the When Fantasy Meet Traditional collection.

EC: Dr., have you ever imagined yourself as a well-known businesswoman in Malaysia?

DNS: Absolutely not, to be honest, I don’t even think of venturing myself into any business industry as I am hardcore passionate in medicine. But Alhamdulillah, this is now officially my second job. A lot of people are holding on to our business as well and hence it’s not really about me anymore; it’s about supporting people who currently hold on and dear to Pearl and Daisies.

EC: That’s so sweet! Any last message for Eternally Chanel fans?

DNS: For Eternally Chanel fans (and the writer): We at Pearl and Daisies wish all of you every goodness that this world and the hereafter have to offer, and we will pray that everyone will be in happiness and in awe of whatever you do. Love what you do and you’ll find the ease toward everything.

Pearl and Daisies, the clothing line that defines our personality with elegance and gracefulness

May Allah ease everyone who loves each other sincerely because of Him in everything.

DR. NADIA SYAMILA, THE FOUNDER OF PEARL AND DAISIES

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