We all often find our calling when we are already into grueling jobs, it takes efforts to give up that life and plunge into uncharted waters. Much like Kajal Jain who left her successful stint with Loreal and setting a silver jewelry e-store, Ahilya; check out excerpts from the interview here:
1. Please tell us how you went from setting up cosmetic companies to an e-store?
I always had an interest in silver jewelery and this interest goes back to the time that I was in college. Post a successful career with women oriented brands such as Lakme and L’Oreal, with the start-up stage gaining ground in India, I found it to be the right time to take the entrepreneurial plunge of my own! Women are fond of jewellery and Indian women in particular, wear several pieces of jewellery on a regular day to day basis as compared to their western counterparts who are more spartan. Even for a wedding, an Indian woman, will wear far more jewellery than someone from the West. I found it to be very interesting, that no matter how much we have modernized; there are some basic values that do not change. I wanted to bring a lot more choice to the Indian woman and also for the urban Indian woman, who wears mostly westerns; I wanted to offer Indian heritage designs that would go well with both western as well as Indian wear. This fusion , is what I offer in Ahilya Jewels. Todays Indian woman is a fusion of east and west and so wants a design aesthetic that is similar.
If one has to really examine closely, both cosmetics as well as jewellery are in the women’s adornment category!!! I decided on an online store because the online avenue is definitely becoming a popular way for people to shop in today’s day and age. In addition, I saw a market – a niche or an opportunity, for well-designed sterling silver jewellery pieces at fair prices. Mining India’s rich cultural heritage, I have designed unique collections, with a contemporary twist.
- What does Ahilya stand for?
Ahilya means “one who is perfect” in Sanskrit. I loved the name because, it also communicates a certain strength – perhaps due to the association of Ahilya with Ahilyabai Holkar – the legendary warrior Queen.
- Are Indian women happy picking jewelery online?
Yes, an increasing number of women are shopping for just about everything online. That includes jewelery as well and, the success of online jewelery portals in India shows how much! If the price of jewelery is not too high, women are more than happy to buy it online, owing to the convenience and comfort of being able to do it from any place and at anytime!
- How does Ahilya differ from the jewelry available?
First of all, we are the only ecommerce e-store dedicated to selling pure sterling silver jewellery in India so far. Sterling silver means the highest level of silver that can be used to make silver which is 92.5% silver and ALL our pieces are made from this. No one else does that. Most silver brands, dilute the level of silver with other alloys. That makes the final product very heavy. Pure silver is light in nature. Secondly, we hallmark each and every piece. We get a Government of India certified BIS Hallmarking done, so that each piece of Ahilya jewellery comes with its own unique certificate of authenticity. Thirdly, our pieces are painstakingly handcrafted and some may take weeks to make. We use genuine precious and semi precious stones as part of our collections.
- You have always been in women oriented fields; do you think the glass ceiling exists?
In my experience so far, I have not come across any glass ceiling. In all the companies that I have worked in, women could rise to the top, if they so desired and of course, with the requisite skill sets and capability. I think only our own self doubt, bogs us down. We must know that we are as good as, if not better than, men. We must believe in ourselves. In addition, Women need strong support systems to succeed. Otherwise it is difficult to balance a home, kids and work. If those systems are in place and the woman is deeply committed, in the right environment, that is enough, to take us to the top.
- How do you at Ahilya work for women empowerment?
Right now, as a matter of fact we are running a women’s week program where 5% of sales proceeds will go to Maitri – which is an old age home for women and widows in Mathura. We are covering the stories of 6 different inspiring women who have reached the top of their respective fields and hope that someone reading about them will get inspired to walk in their footsteps.
- Does jewelry as a future investment work?
Always pick up pure metal pieces. Alloys do not hold investment value. Pieces which come with authenticity certificates are always at a premium in the market, than those without. In addition, pieces which are hallmarked by proper certification labs that re Government approved will also hold a premium. Also, any value addition like hand crafted pieces always hold a premium, because they may not be so freely available in future. Skilled artisans who make hand crafted pieces are fast becoming an extinct species.
I myself myself possess various pieces such as temple pieces that are popular in the South, gokhru bangles, champakali haar, etc. – which are all rare pieces. I treasure these and keep them carefully, since I know that they may not be available in the future.
