Miriam Elizabeth: How to start a business during a global pandemic

Starting a business during a global pandemic in a saturated market? One could think an individual crazy, but I fell in love with this industry from the first moment I became immersed in it. The past seven years of experience within this sphere, and more specifically the latter ten months leading to the launch of Miriam Elizabeth, brought with it lessons by the dozen, all the while being in the midst of COVID-19, an unexpected and previously unseen landscape. In both society and business, we have had to become proficient at functioning almost entirely remotely. From conversing with stone setters over Whatsapp, to relying on the postal service to transport precious waxes to my preferred casting house, I have first and foremost needed to work with individuals also willing to bend to the current circumstances. Being sent detailed videos of gemstones rather than visiting the then closed showrooms, to discussing timelines electronically instead of face to face, enabled me to continue the design and manufacturing process during the lockdowns bracing the country. For many suppliers, COVID-19 brought with it a slower pace, fewer staff and extended processing periods, thus leading me to my first piece of guidance for individuals starting out: Create a comprehensive timeline for your collection, CAD work or packaging suite. Break the individual projects down into months, weeks and then into the daily tasks which will move them forward. Once completed, be sure to allow the ever crucial buffering time. Starting a business is often a far cry from an ideal world situation. Casting mishaps happen, postal delays occur, and as a small business owner, we have enough hats to wear without the strain of simply running out of time. Equally important to organisation has been the art of communication. As many jewellery businesses have a need for integral third parties in order to acquire the materials to create an offering for its customers, from bullion suppliers, to diamond dealers, to tool manufacturers, it is imperative to build rapport with these all important connections. Moving forward I recommend, economic situation allowing, to arrange face to face meetings. Speak in person and allow your suppliers to put a face to the email address contacting them. Communicate your desired outcomes, timelines and pricing expectations from the very beginning, prior to tangible transactions occurring. It will soon become evident that when concerning this wonderful industry, it is often about who you know, and good interpersonal skills certainly pay off. So, here follows the question of which tasks to carry out in house, and which tasks to outsource? Consider dividing your workflow into a traffic light system, taking into account the important factors of time and money. A few personal examples follow. Casting is something I have read about in depth and understand at a theoretical level. But in practice it can require an industrial workspace, specialist equipment and often the generational knowledge needed to carry out the various experiments to perfect this scientific practice. Therefore, for me, it is a ‘red’ process, and one I am more than happy to outsource. Conversely, by keeping web design in house, when it comes to product uploads and updating banners and descriptive prose, I can quickly and efficiently manage the necessary changes from the comfort of my office. For me, this is a ‘green’ process. The ‘orange’ processes often take a reasonable amount of self-belief and reflection. I initially outsourced packshot and still life product photography, but it soon became evident that translating my vision through another’s eyes was a greater task than creating the stories myself. So I purchased a set of studio lights, several backdrops and a remote trigger to compliment my DSLR, macro lens and tripod and whilst this was no small investment, within a short amount of time I found it to be one of my strengths, as well as being something I enjoy a lot. The advice following this example is, where possible, resist judging yourself on past ventures that haven’t paid off. They say that life begins at the edge of your comfort zone, and it is therefore so important that once these so-called mistakes have been made, allow yourself to grow as a result of them. Had I not invested in outsourcing my photography, I would have never questioned my actions and abilities and had the opportunity to experience this process myself. When it comes to the online world, filled to the brim with virtual shelves adorned with sparkling gold, silver and platinum jewels, how does one create a unique path for themself in the midst of it all from scratch? Firstly, be certain of the style elements you want to be known for, the feeling of your brand and the jewels you are bringing to the market. Cohesivity is key, and when a potential customer sees one of your pieces, its story, packaging and the way it is photographed should all go hand in hand. Secondly, trust your vision for your brand. Throughout life, there is undoubtedly pressure to conform, but I have learnt that when you become tempted to manufacture jewels that tens of people before you have manufactured, you are seldom living out a unique vision for your brand, but rather living through someone else's. Whether you are creating organic, flowing pieces, beautifully traditional eternity rings or antique inspired wonders, I compose my final takeaway: Stay true to the essence of your brand, become organised, incredibly organised, take risks and create human connections wherever possible. This is a truly worthwhile journey Miriam Botté, fine jewellery designer at Miriam Elizabeth

Miriam Elizabeth: How to start a business during a global pandemic

Valuable business lessons learnt so far along the way including tips on building relationships with suppliers, how to choose what to do in-house, what to outsource, how to create a brand from scratch and how to carve yourself a unique path in the jewellery industry

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