For over two years, Shamshad Mecca and Farhana Suhail has broken the stereotypes and created a carnival history with their killer minds and big-ticket wins. Now more determined than ever, the picnic Queens takes Chennai carnival to new heights.
Text: Vinitha Venkatesha
Photography: Varuun V
Hair & Makeup: Vurve Signature Salon
Location: The Raintree, St. Mary’s Road
Farhana Suhail
Farhana, the co-founder of Happy Wappy and The Big Picnic, is also a dentistry graduate from Dubai. She has work experience as an event and marketing manager with a popular medical publication and pharmacy in Dubai. She moved from Dubai to Chennai after her marriage and loves creating happiness for Chennaites, through her work. Farhana is a multifaceted woman, mommy, entrepreneur, traveller, shopaholic, blogger and foodie; and is changing the rules of carnival across Chennai.
Tell us about ‘The Big Picnic’ and ‘Happy Wappy’?
The Big Picnic happens in the coolest month February, when people are back from their holidays. Happy Wappy is under The Big Picnic, an indoor popup event and we do it throughout the year.
Who inspired you to come up with Happy Wappy?
I love the vibe of Chennai. I realized that Chennai did not have many interesting events or fun activities where one could spend time with family, capture happy moments, share memories. That’s how ‘Happy Wappy’ was born.
What’s the concept behind the name ‘Happy Wappy’?
The name is exactly what it is. Happy Wappy is a happy place, it’s a place where you share happiness, you bond with your family and you smile a lot.
How did you meet your co-partner Shamshad Mecca?
Shamshad is a common friend and we exchanged ‘Hello’ through our friends. Before we met I had this popup event idea on my mind and Shamshad had the idea of ‘The Big Picnic’ too. We both shared our ideas and it just clicked between us and I’m glad that she approached me.
What is your parents take on your entrepreneurship?
My parents thought that we (Farhana & Shamshad) both are crazy because The Big Picnic is a huge carnival and they were not sure that we would be able to pull-it off. But after the first edition in 2019, our parents and husband were proud of us and believed in us.
How were your Sundays before Happy Wappy?
My Sundays are always colourful with friends, movie nights, game night and a lot of travelling.
What’s your hobby?
I just love travelling and have been to a lot of places. I’ve made my husband a travel addict (laughs). I love discovering different cultures, fine food and beauty of every city. My horizon thinks differently whenever I travel.
Where would you like to travel next?
Antarctica. I know it’s expensive but still beautiful — probably because it’s so far away.
How important is having faith in yourself?
It’s very important, when you have faith you will be able to conquer and convince others about your project.
What are the challenges you love to take?
I would like to rephrase the question as what are the challenges you hate (laughs). I hate challenges like dealing with unprofessional people who don’t respect time.
Tell us aboutsome Indian women entrepreneurs you admire.
Shradha Sharma from YourStory.com. I recently met her, she talks about people’s stories. She told me that, “I believe in every entrepreneur’s story and if you have a story that is not good then change it, make a better story.” I admire her strength. Another woman I really lookup to is Vandana Luthra, founder of VLCC and her life story really inspires me. Then, Priyanka Chopra, who has moved up from Bollywood to Hollywood and she has tried everything like music, film producing etc. I really admire her talent.
What would you like to tell aspiring woman entrepreneurs?
Entrepreneurship is not for faint hearted. Prepare yourself for working hard. Secondly, let go off the ego and attitude while dealing with clients, don’t get disheartened, prove them wrong and approach again. Thirdly, unfortunately to be noticed you do need a lot of marketing money. Discouraging statement but that’s the harsh reality, “the one who makes most noise is the one who is moving forward.”
Rapid Fire:
Three things you’re not tired off?
Shopping, travelling and exploring new cuisines.
Where do you shop at Chennai?
Palladium at Phoenix mall, MaalGaadi store and Zara online.
Who’s your style icon?
I love SonamKapoor and Deepika Padukone’s styling sense.
Your top three favourite travelled places?
Tromso, Austria and Santorini.
Shamshad Mecca
Shamshad Mecca is the founder of a premium event venue called Buva House and former model also co-founder of The Big Picnic and Happy Wappy. She loves challenges and handles motherhood and entrepreneurship effortlessly. Shamshad is a self-made woman who truly believes in herself and living her dreams. She has crushed patriarchy and shares the tantric of entrepreneurship.
How did Buva House happen?
Even before the concept of Buva house the venue at Khader Nawaz Khan Road was ready. I wanted to support women entrepreneur’s popup events, so along with my family we have come up with Buva House concept.
What’s the story behind the name ‘Buva House’?
We have named the place after my husband’s grandmother who lived here and the kids call her Buva.
Tell us the transformation from a model to an entrepreneur
I was into modeling for five years before I got married. I took a short break after marriage and got busy with my two beautiful children. But once they grew up I thought to do work again and that’s how I became an entrepreneur.
There are random chains of events that take you to the places where you want to be, what’s your take on that?
Initially I was passionate about modeling and strongly pursued it. While modeling I met my husband and got married. After that Buva House happened and now it’s a popular event hub in the city. Then I decided to do Happy Wappy and The Big Picnic, it all happened. I’m a strong believer in destiny, whatever is destined to happen in your life, will happen. I feel that is the chain of random events that you have chosen in your life has brought you to where you are today.
How did you meet Farhana Suhail?
I feel that event industry has been taken over by women and at Buva House, I get a chance to meet powerful business women. That is how I met Farhana too. We had things in common and liked each other so we just hit it off from there.
How did The Big Picnic happen?
I really wanted to do something big, so I started travelling to explore exhibitions across India. I got to know that Bengaluru and Mumbai are the happening places for events but being a Chennaite, I wanted to do The Big Picnic at Chennai and break the stereotypes.
What were the highlights of The Big Picnic 2020?
In the second edition 2020 we went big on activities like silent theater, zumba, silent disco, icing cake, boxing class, chefathon, singles meet up, romantic couple dinner, fire and live music performance, food, gaming zone, petting zoo, storytelling and lot more.
What’s your take on women in business?
We do live in 2020 but still it’s difficult for a woman to be in business. People don’t see women being serious in business. Breaking stereotypes and living up to people’s expectations is so difficult. We are striving each day to give our best on what we believe in and our end product speaks for itself.
How important is having faith in yourself?
What is world without faith? Faith is something personal to every individual which keeps them pushing for better future and I truly believe faith and positivity is essential for everyone.
Who is your support system?
My in-laws, husband and my parents were extremely supportive about my decisions and because of them I’m here today. I’m grateful to them.
Who are the three women entrepreneurs you admire?
I really don’t look up to a big icon rather I get inspired by the real people who put their hard work, time and energy in the things they believe in. At Buva House I meet a lot of striving housewives who brings in a box of cupcake even with their busy lives and hope to sell them. These are real hardworking women.
What are the things you get inspired by?
Inspiration is all around you, I even get inspired by a small insect which is working hard.
A piece of advice you would give to young women entrepreneurs?
First and foremost believe in yourself. Nobody knows about your struggles, so don’t let anybody tell you that it isn’t worth it. Don’t give-up on what you believe. Put in all your energy, love, and hard work and eventually you will get there.
Rapid Fire:
Three things you’re not tired of?
I never get bored of dancing, chocolate and love.
Who’s your style icon?
I admire KanganaRanaut.
What’s your fashion statement?
Boho Chic and Flirty.
Pick one, truth or dare?
I love taking up dare.
But what nourishes the strong foundation in this venture is the genuine friendship between Shamshad and Farhana. And like true friends, they nurture each other’s strength through this collaboration. What they both have in common is courage.
