Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Selina Ladak, owner of Stittgen Fine Jewelry, located in West Vancouver, BC, Canada.

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

Stittgen Fine Jewelry is a high-end jewelry retailer in West Vancouver. Very few small custom jewelers remain who provide not only a retail store where you can browse ready-to-wear pieces but also provide the design and handcrafting expertise to create quality custom pieces. For this reason, our custom design capability has been the core of our business. Our customers are primarily engagement ring customers and those who want a unique piece made that has special meaning for them – like our slogan says, "Let a Stittgen piece tell your unique story".

Tell us about yourself

I started working in jewelry retail sales when I was still in university. When the high-end jewelry retailer that I was at got sold and moved to a different location, my husband and I saw a market opportunity and took the plunge to open a new jewelry store. The industry relies on trust, and I enjoy building on these long-term relationships with suppliers. But most of all, I enjoy working with my wonderful clients - our relaxed atmosphere in the store is really conducive to having conversations and making friends. Custom work can require scouring the world for just the right stone, set in just the right way - but seeing the look in the eyes of the client when they first see the finished product is worth all the effort.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment has been to build a company with a reputation for quality and integrity. We are a small company, but people in the business respect us because we are always ethical and never compromise on quality. I was able to accomplish this because of the great team behind me. We have an in-house Master Goldsmith who has extensive training from Germany, and a staff that works really well together. I'm proud of the cohesive work environment we have built.

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

When you wear so many hats, it's hard to keep an eye on everything. In my business particularly, you can't let anything slip because everything impacts the quality of the product or the customer experience. In a word-of-mouth business, every client must be happy when they leave the store, regardless of the cost.

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

  1. Know your market. Don't assume you know who will buy your product/service and why - do your research and be realistic.
  2. Build a strong team. Whether in-house or outsourced, you'll need good people to make you successful.
  3. Be clear on your vision and your value proposition. Stay focused on these.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Much has been talked about in terms of work-life balance. This is of course, very important (though hard to achieve in the first couple of years of the business). But once you've got your feet solidly on the ground, think about how your company can be a good corporate citizen and give back to the community.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://stittgen.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stittgen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stittgen/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selina-ladak-a331922b/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.