We have an inspiring interview post for you today! Achi Chioma is the owner and designer of Zyllva Jewelry.
We had several questions for Achi about how she started out as an African art jewellery designer, what it’s like running her own business and how she’s grown her business to where it is today. Check out our questions and Achi’s answers below.
TELL ME ABOUT YOUR CURRENT BUSINESS. WHAT ARE YOU DOING EXACTLY?
Zyllva African art jewellery stands for being yourself, standing in your own authentic power and making informed and conscious choices from that mindset. The African oriented art jewellery is being made from natural materials from all over the world, so they also fall under the name of sustainable jewellery. For example, you will regularly encounter the well-known pamoni / cowrie shells but also other unique natural materials like kaweye seeds, wood, feathers. The sustainable materials that are used, I sometimes also combine them with other materials like African Kente fabric and metals.
HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH YOUR BUSINESS IDEA?
I have always loved jewellery, but I noticed that there was hardly any cultural African jewellery to be found. That triggered me to make it myself and that is how Zyllva African art Jewelry came about.
WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE THIS, AND IS THIS YOUR FIRST BUSINESS?
Actually I worked for a daycare where I could share my creativity with the children in a different way and besides my work at the daycare, I started a small company with my handmade jewellery and sold them through events and in family circles. So yes this is my first business.
WHAT SPECIFIC ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR YOUNG WOMEN WHO WOULD LIKE TO BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
Know your powers, get organized, manage your time don’t think to long and Just do it!
MY GREATEST OBSTACLE AND HOW DID YOU DEALT WITH IT:
Because we live in a society where you are robbed of your time, I would say managing time was my greatest obstacle and still is sometimes. It’s a challenge to get and keep what you really want in this system. But I always say; think in solutions and possibilities. My luck has always been that I had my soulmate and also the father of my children next to me, so I decided to work part-time at the time and that helped a lot because you need time and it is valuable if you want to achieve things for yourself.
MY PROUDEST ACCOMPLISHMENT:
Coming to know me and live in peace with myself.
HOW I BLEND LIFE AND WORK TO CREATE THE LIFE I WANT:
I work as a freelancer in which I can organize my time by myself how I want it, so I float through the matrix in my way. But to be honest it still remains a challenge!
I AM INSPIRED BY:
Myself and with myself, I also mean my ancestors who were here before me. I always say there is nothing new under the sun. Because of them, I am here, and so I make use of the powers that had already been planted in me before I came here on earth. Furthermore, I see my mother as a big role model. She is someone who doesn’t talk too much, doesn’t think too long and just does!
WHY I CHOSE THIS CAREER:
First of all, I have always loved being creative. Since childhood, I always loved cutting and pasting fashion and clothing pictures of models. That’s why I chose the school fashion and clothing back then and that has triggered me to do something in the world of fashion. My passion for making African jewellery lies in enhancing my vision on a body with an underlying story that relates to inspiration and phases of life.
“It is not the jewel that makes you shine but it is you that makes the jewel complete.”
HOW I PREPARE FOR SUCCESS:
Loving myself in the first place and enjoy during the process. daily focusing on what I want to achieve. A daily to-do list to keep the focus toward my goal high.
DID YOU WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN? WAS IT AN EFFECTIVE TOOL FOR YOU?
No, because I see myself as a tool. And I like to set it up how I want it and not with borders from someone else. But it can still be useful.
ARE THERE SPECIFIC ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES TO BEING A WOMEN BUSINESS OWNER?
I think that a woman is more versatile in making choices and also inclined to ask for help faster if needed. Women are also good at multitasking and that is also a big advantage.
Disadvantages can be that a woman lets her emotions prevail, which makes her uncertain. certainly what comes along with social media.
MY FAVOURITE BUSINESS TOOL IS…
That would be me by critical thinking and knowing my capabilities
THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE I HAVE EVER BEEN GIVEN IS…
A quote from my brand Zyllva jewelry follows: “It is not the jewel that makes you shine but it is you that makes the jewel complete”.
