I'm Uzbek, born and raised in Central Asia along the ancient Silk Road — a place where cultures, languages and traditions have crossed paths for centuries.

At 12, my family moved to Australia. I didn't speak a word of English and barely knew where Australia was on the map!

Australia is now home, but my roots have always shaped how I see the world — with curiosity, an appreciation for different cultures and a love for stories that connect us

One afternoon, a beaded bracelet sitting on a friend's shelf caught my attention. I asked where it came from, and that simple question led me to Anyi, an Indigenous artisan who would become part of SEDA's very first collection.

Later, I met Mauricio, who introduced me to the intricate world of beadwork.

Over lunch at a little Colombian restaurant — a meal that cost around six Australian dollars and remains one of the best I've ever had — we designed our first collection together.

There was no grand business plan. Just curiosity, a shared idea and a growing belief that these beautiful traditions deserved to be celebrated.

I changed my travel plans, invested the remainder of my savings and spent the following months working alongside Anyi and Mauricio.

In July 2018, back in Australia, SEDA Collective officially came to life.

In 2023, my life took an unexpected turn when I began experiencing seizures. I was later diagnosed with epilepsy.

Suddenly, life looked very different.

There were days when even the simplest things became difficult, and eventually I had to make the decision to step away from SEDA and focus on my health.

For someone who had always loved adventure, independence and building something of her own, learning to slow down hasn't been easy.