Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Puneet Agrawal, CEO of Azeera Inc., located in New York, NY, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

I own an online e-commerce ring & cufflinks store. Our store is unique in a way that all of the products are fully customizable right on the website. Our customers are people looking for customizable fine jewelry for everyday wear or engagement/wedding rings.

Tell us about yourself

I am a 3rd generation jeweler, my family started the business in 1944, and I am just giving the business a modern twist with AZEERA. Jewelry and gemstones are basically in my blood. My main motivation is to further the success of our family business and pass it down for generations to come. We are experts in the field and love to share the generational knowledge we have gained in all of these years. Since I was a kid, I have been taught how to do business with ethics and honesty, and we will long live our way of doing business. I love this business and all the challenges that come with it. It's an honor to be able to make jewelry for such important days in people's lives.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is to integrate technology into the jewelry industry -- our tech allows our customers to customize every area of their ring to make their ring truly theirs. It took years of market research, product development, and marketing strategies to get it right, and I'm proud of the team's hard work and dedication that made it possible.

What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things about being a business owner is the constant need to make critical decisions, manage finances, and balance multiple responsibilities while finding the time to plan for the future success of the business. If I were to summarize this, it would be in two words -- time management.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Patience - this is honestly the best tip I can give anyone starting a new business. Starting a business and seeing success in that business can and will take a lot longer than most think. It will shake confidence because expectations are not met in the time frame you imagine. Be patient and provide continued hard work.
  2. Focus on customer service, and make it easy for your customers to reach you. Buying a product is a very emotional purchase, and the experience in doing so should be personable as well.
  3. Be transparent; make sure you explain your customers your business as wholly as possible, explain your key values, and why you are good at what you do as a business.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.azeera.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/azeerainc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/azeerainc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/azeerainc
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/azeera-inc-92a65715b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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