Rukzana Ismail

Rukzana Ismail grew up helping her father in his rattan handicraft shop in Singapore. As a teenager, she wasn't enthusiastic about spending her weekends on Arab Street working as an assistant to a furniture merchant. Now she understands what those years with her father gave her. "He taught us that honesty and integrity are worth more than anything money can buy," she says. "His shop was like a child — something he nurtured from its early days, pouring time, love, and commitment into its growth."

Today, Rukzana is walking in her dad’s footsteps. Journey2Asia is an online furniture and home décor brand sourcing handcrafted rattan, bone inlay, carved wood, and other artisanal pieces directly from makers across Asia and shipping them to homes across the United States from its Dallas warehouse. Every piece tells a story about the traditions and people who made it.

Journey2Asia sources from artisans who prioritize fair trade practices and eco-friendly materials. A $61,750 DreamSpring loan covered working capital, inventory, and marketing as Rukzana grew the business and its catalog of handcrafted pieces, including a to-the-trade program for interior designers as well as regular retail.