After embarking on the journey of parenthood, Mica then chose to channel her creative talents into a family business, and Riz & Mica Make was born. Nestled within our East London workshop, our team breathe new life into reclaimed materials, crafting bespoke furniture pieces that resonate with character and sustainability. In a field traditionally dominated by men, we've sought to redress that balance through our hiring policies.
Hailing from Austria, Mica's journey to reclaimed furniture began after initially working as a makeup artist for many years. “Not having a design degree was always in the back of my mind,” admits Mica. “All my peers come from university and have their degrees. It was always something I wanted to do.”
Starting a Design & Innovation degree in 2019 was the next logical step, it's led to a great many transformations and projects, and the company as a whole has benefitted.
Balancing the triple demands of business, family, and academia is no small feat, yet Mica navigates these with determination. As a devoted mother and student, she carves out time each weekend to pursue her studies, all while managing the day-to-day operations of the company.
“I have a very good tight schedule. We have a planner at home with ‘Mommy Day’ and ‘Daddy Day’, along with ‘Mommy’s study day’. We try and juggle everything and it is hard sometimes, but you have to be strict.
“You also have to find out what kind of study type you are. I thought I could study in the morning, get up at 5am, and study for two hours. That didn’t work at all. Now I know that I have to study on the weekend and how many hours I have to study to pass my assignments. It takes time to figure out what works for you.”
Looking towards the future, Mica envisions bringing more diversity and collaboration. With a desire to bring more women into the fold. The next big project she's heading is to collaborate with locally-based street artists to create bespoke one off pieces.
As International Women's Day comes around, we'd like to honour women like Mica, whose dedication inspires us to build a brighter, more sustainable future for generations to come.
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