Shahana Jewels Grows Despite Pandemic
Shahana Jewels isn’t just about from creating jewellery that inspires confidence and expressing one’s individuality.
It’s so much more. Shahana Kimiangatau, the founder and owner of Shahana Jewels says this in an interview with SunBiz.
The Fijian born who now calls Auckland, New Zealand, home, grew up in a multicultural home where her father was Indo-Fijian and mum was Chinese Italian. “I went to Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, then did foundation at the then Central Queensland University (CQU) before migrating to NZ.”
Her inspiration to start Shahana Jewels came from women in her family, particularly her mother and grandmother. The pearls that make up the beautiful Shahana Jewels are sourced from Tahiti.
“They have always encouraged me to be financially independent, to give back and to always use my voice for positive change.
“I really started thinking about my business when I lost my mum to cancer. While grieving, I wished that she had done more things she loved, that she had looked after herself more and that she had put herself first more. I didn’t want to have those regrets. I wanted to do something purposeful that gave me a reason to get out of bed every day.”
Her family background, she says absolutely influenced her career choices.
“I come from a family that loves jewellery.
“In fact I would spend hours in jewellery shops with my mother in Fiji and New Zealand.
“We would spend hours speaking to the jewellers and making them show us the unique pieces that no one else would have if we bought it. “Our jewellery is made entirely by women in New Zealand and India, and we are so humbled to give them opportunities to stand on their own two feet.
“The metals we use in our designs can be traced back to a sustainable source, which means you can look fabulous without worrying about the impact of your jewellery on our beautiful environment.”
Target market
The target market are the Shahana woman in her 30-50’s and very passionate about giving back to her community.
“She is a busy professional but her family always comes first and is everything to her.
“She doesn’t follow trends because she has a strong personal style. People always ask her where she bought her jewellery or outfit from.
“Some may find her intimidating but that’s because she’s straight up and always knows what she wants.” Ms Kimiangatau says her business has been stable since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
She adds that for her personally it has been a blessing because it has taught her to slow down and really focus on what’s important in her life. We are an online business and since COVID-19 has forced everyone into the digital world this has really been an advantage for us.”
Platform for positive change
One of Shahana Jewels core values has always been to give back and to use their platform for positive change.
“It (Shahana Jewels) is about helping women become financially independent so they can improve their lives and their families lives. The sales from my jewellery allows me to help these women.
“Helping women become financially independent has always been a deep passion of mine, especially women in the islands because I know and have seen first hand how hard it can be.
“And how a lot of the times women have had to put up with difficulties in exchange for financial stability. When women have their own money, they become strong and unstoppable.
“They have emotional independence and are able to have healthier relationships and create better lives for their families. They don’t need validation from anyone or society. “We help women through Kiva, an international nonprofit organisation with a mission to expand to financial access to help people in underserved communities to thrive.”
Believe in yourself
Speaking of growth and levelling up, she says: “The world is constantly telling us that we are not pretty enough, not smart enough, not accomplished enough.
“The truth is, that you are enough, you have always been enough and you are capable of so much more that you can possibly imagine.
“And that you will never reach your full potential if you keep listening to other people’s fears and insecurities. And that if you are passionate about something to really get the right advice from the right people.
“The people that are actually doing what you want to do.
“And most importantly to believe in yourself.”