Zehava Diamonds Interview with Suhaila MEDLS Member of the Month June 2008
Amara; My dear
Elaina, also known as Suhaila and a former student of mine,
I am so excited about your new business venture. Please tell
me what inspired you to start an online auction for fine
jewelry, in particular, a women's best friend "DIAMONDS".
Elaina; The opportunity presented itself and I did not search for it. A family member who is a diamond wholesaler approached me about selling his inventory online. I researched the competitors, and found that in addition to selling from their websites, they were selling on ebay. So I started an online auction store "Zehava Diamonds".
Amara:
These are amazing. So, Elaina, what made you think that this
was a good idea for you?
Elaina: Initially, I did not jump at the idea, but I decided this was the best way to change my situation financially.
So I decided to purchase a camera and am learning how to photograph diamonds. I was embracing the idea of being financial secure and independent.
Amara: So having many years experience as a dancer, was there anything in that, that helped you have the confidence to venture forth?
Elaina: Yes, elementary aspect of Belly Dance empowers a woman and gives her more confidence in herself and elevated self esteem. I took that experience and took that empowerment out for performance, DVDS, and classes. The fact that so many dancers were able to make a good living through performance, teaching, DVD sales, costume design, sales and repair, showcases are all avenues that brought income for these women and allowed them to be financially independent. All this was a very positive influence for me.
Amara: What about Diamonds, in particular marketing Diamonds have you learned.
Elaina: I learned it is very difficult because of the market being flooded. The key is to make a name for yourself by giving your customers complete satisfaction. You have to represent each piece as it is and you need to price competitively. If a customer is not satisfied, you have to provide an opportunity for a complete satisfied transaction.
Amara: So much like what is needed to be a successful dancer. How do you achieve that?
Elaina: To achieve that you have to look and act professional and make sure that the customer is satisfied.
You have to represent the piece exactly as it is, you have price competitively. If a customer is not satisfied you have to provide complete customer satisfaction.
Amara; An interesting sidenote, is something you initially did not expect to get into and that is photography.
Tell me about that.
Elaina: I have always love photography, especially scenic pictures but doing jewelery photography can be a whole other business. I really enjoy the challenge to get that perfect shot of that diamond chandelier earring.
The shot that really enhances the beauty of the piece.
Amara:
I can only imagine how difficult that is and also to sell
something that fine and costly, even though you provide
great savings online. What do you see for yourself in the
next year or two.
Elaina: I really think it will take at least a year to establish myself. Because there is a so much competition. I am in it for the long hall. It so happens I love this business venture, which was unexpected and I am willing to put all the time and effort necessary to make it a successful business venture.
Amara: What advice do you have for other women who would like to venture out into their own business now that you are officially launched www.zehavadiamonds.com
Elaina: The advice I can give is two things: 1. If you love something, analyze it and see if it presents itself as a business opportunity. 2. Selling online is growing more and more and there are alot of opportunities to obtain merchandise and sell.
Amara: Tell me about your diamonds and why as a consumer I might purchase from you online vs. going to a store.
Elaina: I am fortunate my connection is a wholesaler. When you buy a piece of jewelry, the jewelry goes through many hands and each time it increases the cost. When you buy from my online store, there are only 2 steps, or only one hand exchange from the wholesaler to me keeping the costs down.
Amara: Is it all about saving money?
Elaina: My family sell to the dealers on 47th St NYC Diamond district and I am like a broker selling it online, so there is no third parties increasing the cost on the merchandise, no rent to pay and my expenses are low. Unlike alot of online merchandisers, who are falsifying the quality of the goods, I am not. I list each piece true to what it is.
Amara: Are diamonds a good investment or is it just about prestige and glamour?
Elaina: Diamonds are an excellent investment and historically have gone up in value.
Amara:
What I find interesting is how the experience in dance has
motivated others to go onto greater acheivement. How do you
feel about MEDLS as a means to retain heritage of the art
and culture of the dance.
Elaina: MEDLS is a community and the comraderie within the community is what enables keeping that historic aspect of the dance. Some origins of the dance were about women getting together and performing for each other thousands of years ago. It is something that doesn't lose it's power and MEDLS is a home base for that.
Amara: I so appreciate those comments. Elaina, I want to wish you great luck and success. You have what it takes and I hope to write a sequel to this in a year or so. In the meantime, members please visit www.zehavadiamonds.com online and maybe you too can own a bit of the ICE. We welcome your comments and questions and feel free to email Elaina at zehavadiamonds@aol.com.
To joins MEDLS, visit our Yahoo Group. Tell us your news, achievements and accomplishments.What you are doing to retain the heritage of Middle Eastern Dance as a Leader and how that motivates you to greater levels in your life inside and outside the dance. Visit www.medls.org and subscribe to our blog and website.
Elaina; The opportunity presented itself and I did not search for it. A family member who is a diamond wholesaler approached me about selling his inventory online. I researched the competitors, and found that in addition to selling from their websites, they were selling on ebay. So I started an online auction store "Zehava Diamonds".
Amara:
These are amazing. So, Elaina, what made you think that this
was a good idea for you?Elaina: Initially, I did not jump at the idea, but I decided this was the best way to change my situation financially.
So I decided to purchase a camera and am learning how to photograph diamonds. I was embracing the idea of being financial secure and independent.
Amara: So having many years experience as a dancer, was there anything in that, that helped you have the confidence to venture forth?
Elaina: Yes, elementary aspect of Belly Dance empowers a woman and gives her more confidence in herself and elevated self esteem. I took that experience and took that empowerment out for performance, DVDS, and classes. The fact that so many dancers were able to make a good living through performance, teaching, DVD sales, costume design, sales and repair, showcases are all avenues that brought income for these women and allowed them to be financially independent. All this was a very positive influence for me.
Amara: What about Diamonds, in particular marketing Diamonds have you learned.
Elaina: I learned it is very difficult because of the market being flooded. The key is to make a name for yourself by giving your customers complete satisfaction. You have to represent each piece as it is and you need to price competitively. If a customer is not satisfied, you have to provide an opportunity for a complete satisfied transaction.
Amara: So much like what is needed to be a successful dancer. How do you achieve that?
Elaina: To achieve that you have to look and act professional and make sure that the customer is satisfied.
You have to represent the piece exactly as it is, you have price competitively. If a customer is not satisfied you have to provide complete customer satisfaction.
Amara; An interesting sidenote, is something you initially did not expect to get into and that is photography.
Tell me about that.
Elaina: I have always love photography, especially scenic pictures but doing jewelery photography can be a whole other business. I really enjoy the challenge to get that perfect shot of that diamond chandelier earring.
The shot that really enhances the beauty of the piece.
Amara:
I can only imagine how difficult that is and also to sell
something that fine and costly, even though you provide
great savings online. What do you see for yourself in the
next year or two.Elaina: I really think it will take at least a year to establish myself. Because there is a so much competition. I am in it for the long hall. It so happens I love this business venture, which was unexpected and I am willing to put all the time and effort necessary to make it a successful business venture.
Amara: What advice do you have for other women who would like to venture out into their own business now that you are officially launched www.zehavadiamonds.com
Elaina: The advice I can give is two things: 1. If you love something, analyze it and see if it presents itself as a business opportunity. 2. Selling online is growing more and more and there are alot of opportunities to obtain merchandise and sell.
Amara: Tell me about your diamonds and why as a consumer I might purchase from you online vs. going to a store.
Elaina: I am fortunate my connection is a wholesaler. When you buy a piece of jewelry, the jewelry goes through many hands and each time it increases the cost. When you buy from my online store, there are only 2 steps, or only one hand exchange from the wholesaler to me keeping the costs down.
Amara: Is it all about saving money?
Elaina: My family sell to the dealers on 47th St NYC Diamond district and I am like a broker selling it online, so there is no third parties increasing the cost on the merchandise, no rent to pay and my expenses are low. Unlike alot of online merchandisers, who are falsifying the quality of the goods, I am not. I list each piece true to what it is.
Amara: Are diamonds a good investment or is it just about prestige and glamour?
Elaina: Diamonds are an excellent investment and historically have gone up in value.
Amara:
What I find interesting is how the experience in dance has
motivated others to go onto greater acheivement. How do you
feel about MEDLS as a means to retain heritage of the art
and culture of the dance.Elaina: MEDLS is a community and the comraderie within the community is what enables keeping that historic aspect of the dance. Some origins of the dance were about women getting together and performing for each other thousands of years ago. It is something that doesn't lose it's power and MEDLS is a home base for that.
Amara: I so appreciate those comments. Elaina, I want to wish you great luck and success. You have what it takes and I hope to write a sequel to this in a year or so. In the meantime, members please visit www.zehavadiamonds.com online and maybe you too can own a bit of the ICE. We welcome your comments and questions and feel free to email Elaina at zehavadiamonds@aol.com.
To joins MEDLS, visit our Yahoo Group. Tell us your news, achievements and accomplishments.What you are doing to retain the heritage of Middle Eastern Dance as a Leader and how that motivates you to greater levels in your life inside and outside the dance. Visit www.medls.org and subscribe to our blog and website.
Send your story to info@medls.org for consideration for MEDLS MEMBER OF THE MONTH