Nawal Motawi | From Farmers Markets to Big Business Success: How This Entrepreneur Built an Arts Empire
In this episode you’ll learn:
When Nawal first discovered her love of art
How Nawal’s parents influenced her career and life path
Why Nawal briefly dropped out of art school
What other career paths Nawal considered
Why Nawal decided to start her own business, despite having little business experience
How Nawal learned to successfully run her own business
Why Nawal is learning to be more careful with her words
How Motawi Tileworks bounced back after the 2008 economic crash
Why business leaders like Jack Stack and Bo Burlingham have inspired Nawal
Why Nawal started using the Toyota style of manufacturing
When Nawal decided to start opening up her books
How her mother reacted to Nawal winning her Woman-Owned Small Business Award
Nawal Motawi is the award-winning owner and artistic director at Motawi Tileworks in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In 1992, Nawal launched Motawi Tileworks out of her basement and sold her one-of-a-kind artistic tiles at local farmers markets. Today, she runs this thriving, nationally recognized company with over 30 staff members. The tiles are currently sold in over 450 showrooms, stores and galleries around the country.
A practitioner of open-book management and the Toyota style of lean manufacturing, Nawal leads Motawi Tileworks with a vision of positivity and accountability. This mentality has led her company to top success, and through hard times as the team worked to find solutions together.
In addition to her art, Nawal’s leadership has also gained national attention. In 2017, Motawi Tileworks landed on the Forbes America's Best Small Companies List. In 2016, she received the Woman-Owned Small Business Award presented by the Michigan Small Business Development Center. Nawal and Motawi tiles have also been featured in publications like the New York Times and Dwell Magazine, and can be seen at destinations like Disneyland, the University of Michigan Medical Center and Yale University.
In this week’s donothing podcast, discover what inspired Nawal to realize her artistic dreams, how she grew Motawi Tileworks to prosperity, why she’s always striving to be a better leader and much more.
Connect With Motawi Tileworks
donothing Audio Podcast
Subscribe to the donothing podcast to discover simple, practical tips and tools from mindful, high-performing leaders that you can implement in your leadership philosophy today.
I could use your help! If you are enjoying the podcast, please subscribe on any of the platforms you listen on and leave a review. These small actions help extend our reach and keep the show going.
https://www.donothingbook.com/podcast
Follow Rob Dube on Social Media
Rob Dube’s Website and Book
Join Rob at the donothing Leadership Retreat
This year’s retreat will be held at the pristine Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather Lakes, Colorado from April 15-18. Dive into the biggest leadership challenge of your life and discover the power of doing nothing. Learn more about the retreat now!