Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fashion and accessories but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jean Paul Abi Awad, founder of Zeolli, located in Lawrence MA, USA.

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

I design jewelry and accessories made of concrete. My primary concentration now is concrete bow ties - a unique handmade accessory where the style and fragility of a regular bow tie are mixed with the urban-raw style expression of originality and cast in ultra-high-performance lightweight concrete. My customers are contemporary men and women looking to be unique and different.

Tell us about yourself

I aim to create unique jewelry and accessories, combining my architectural knowledge with my passion for designing with concrete. I graduated from the Lebanese University of Fine Arts in 2014, earned my Master’s degree in Architecture, and introduced Zeolli in 2019. I began to experiment with concrete shortly after completing my studies. While the unorthodox material inspired me, its use required that I reskill myself since standard jewelry making does not use this material, especially in Lebanon. The properties of this material call for an understanding of unusual tools and manufacturing methods. Through trial and error, I have persevered to create a line that was unlike anything my competitors had made. My persistence resulted in a collection of pieces that reflected my interest in industrial design and architecture. Through studying clean lines and a solid commitment to a minimalist aesthetic, I evolved Zeolli into a modern line of accessories for contemporary men and women.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

My biggest accomplishment as a new business owner has been seeing my products in significant national events, such as the NRMCA (National Ready-mixed Concrete Association) and the TCA Excellence Awards.

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

One of the hardest things for a business owner is the business’s uncertainty. Will they like my new product? Am I working enough to connect with my clients? What could I have done to improve the product? But at the same time, this is the most thrilling and fulfilling part. It will drive you forward and take action, turning all these questions into opportunities. This is what makes us great entrepreneurs.

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

In the fashion and accessories industry, it is so important to:

  1. Understand your market and your customer. You need to know their habits, what they’re like, how they perceive that problem, and if they are open to a solution.
  2. Build a strong network and keep it expanding. You’ll be shocked by what these connections can do. They’ve helped me go national.
  3. Connect and listen to your customers. Success in the fashion industry takes more than just talent. Building meaningful relationships with clients and customers will evolve your idea from expectation to actuality.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ZEOLLI
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zeolli.lb
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeolli/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Zeolli_lb
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zeolli/

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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