Hey there, I'm
Hassounia
Your go-to design thinking creative, consultant, and the brains behind Drawer Full of Giants. Thanks for stopping by!
Tania
In
everything,
inspiring and encouraging people in a common
cause so that they feel excited and equipped ignites my soul.
Three
Here are the
Top
Questions
I'm frequently asked
'Drawer Full of Giants? Cool name, how'd you come up with that?'
Believe it or not, it took three weeks and countless lists scribbled on sheets of paper to come up with that name. It's a nod to how I serve. The drawer represents my mind, and for a decade, I operated out of a carry-on bag that held my entire creative toolkit. The Blue Whale, the largest mammal on Earth, symbolises the number of ideas I have. I often marvel at how such a small space, both in my mind and my bag, can house so many prolific ideas.
'When did you start working for yourself?'
I officially ventured into the world of self-employment in 2010. By the following March, I had registered Drawer Full of Giants as a company. But my journey as a designer began even earlier when I landed my first job at a small advertising agency at the tender age of 17.
'How do you come up with all those ideas?'
Ideas have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. As a kid, you'd often find me daydreaming while drawing and colouring. It wasn't until my mid-20s that I realized the extent of my aptitude for high-idea generation through testing. This revelation transformed the way I saw myself and the value of my ideas to others, particularly my clients. I come alive in the creative idea process!
Connect With Me on TikTok
But how did I get here, you ask? Let's rewind the clock:
Drawer Full of Giants: Where It All Began
The journey of Drawer Full of Giants began with a strong social entrepreneurial purpose. Midway through DFoG's first year, I had a wild idea – to work for myself, travel the world, and lead a purpose-driven life. But I didn't just want to travel; I wanted to make a difference while doing so.
I learned about social entrepreneurship and realised it was the perfect business model for my vision. I couldn't afford to lose my small number of clients, so I had to find a way to continue serving them while pursuing my dream of working remotely and self-sustaining volunteering.
Long story short, I pitched my idea and ended up in a position overseas. For the decade, I combined work, travel, and volunteerism, offering my skills to individuals, small businesses, and organizations across the globe. I had the privilege of working in Thailand, Cambodia, Canada, the USA, Australia, and New Zealand, shaping DFoG's social enterprise heart and future plans.
This video was taken of me while working in Thailand.
I felt so brave but LOVED exotic animals to handle! This day was my 42nd birthday treat, while project managing the filming of a Thai TV program. It was MAGIC!
Tiger Temple - in Kanchanaburi, Thailand
Doing Business God's Way
My journey took an unexpected turn in 2010 when two tutors suggested I work for myself. Little did I know that this seed of entrepreneurship would soon sprout into something incredible.
As a person open to spirituality and faith, I often 'check in' with my Spiritual Centre. It was during this time that I started having profound marketing ideas. To confirm their worthiness, I sought guidance from God, which led me to visit a marketing professional. The response was overwhelmingly positive, cementing a practical working partnership with Him that changed the course of my business.
So, I embarked on a unique journey of doing business "God's way," guided by Divine inspiration. It has been an eye-opening and fulfilling experience that has allowed me to tap into my innovative side and explore uncharted territories.
Connecting the Dots: My Creative Journey
Creativity has always been a part of me. At the age of 12, I sold my artwork to eager customers —OK, it was my Nan and her friends - but I was earning good money, kickstarting my journey as an artist and entrepreneur. Although I pursued a career in graphic design from a young age, it took me years to fully understand and embrace my natural talents.
It wasn't until I completed my BA in Visual Communication at 40 that I felt a strong urge to live a life aligned with my heart's desires. This newfound drive led me to become an entrepreneur and embark on a journey filled with bright ideas and divine guidance. It was a path filled with unexpected opportunities, which contributed to the foundation of DFoG.
Now Based in Hamilton, New Zealand
In 2020, as the pandemic unfolded, my nomadic lifestyle came to an end. I seized the opportunity to focus on developing Drawer Full of Giants and am now proudly based in Hamilton, New Zealand.
Two more fun facts about me: In the first 20 years of my life, I travelled the length and breadth of little ol' New Zealand 60 times with my family–A true Kiwi experience! My Dad loves to record all our traversing, hence knowing the crazy number.
I also raised a talented daughter who pursued her creative passions in musical theatre and vocal coaching, establishing Sofia's Voice Studio.
