Crib Sheet #17: Jewelry Designer Aneesha Constant.

Please welcome Aneesha Constant, our first international momtrepreneur to have joined our Crib Sheets series! Aneesha, a jewelry designer, is Indian from South Africa, living in Thailand and is married to a Frenchman…which makes her our first “tricultural” momtrepreneur as well!

What business did you start up?

Designing, manufacturing and distributing jewelry (mainly silver and cultured pearls) at high-end resorts.
More recently, I have expanded to resort wear and product development (beach bags, beach hats,
designer style T-shirts, yoga wear, hotel uniforms etc.) upon request from my clients.

What motivated you to do it?

I was approached by a high-end hotel while I was on holiday there. The manager noticed the jewelry I was
wearing at the resort and asked where I bought them from. When she learned that I am a jewelry designer and created these pieces, she offered me a contract to sell at that hotel.

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

I have a son aged 8 and daughter aged 6.

How long have you been running your business?

Six years.

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you chose to measure success?

About 3 years.

How did your family react to you starting your own business?

Very supportive.

Easiest part of your job?

To be creative comes naturally as a jewelry designer.

Hardest part of your job?

Getting the factories to keep up with deadlines and to follow my instructions.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Computer skills.

What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?

To go with the flow in Thailand…no use getting stressed and ‘lose face’. Start projects way before the actual due date (at least a year ahead).

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

When my jewelry design sell.

Favorite part of a typical day?

When the kids arrive from school and ask the same question everyday, “Where’s Mama?” They hug and kiss me and then disappear in their rooms!

Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?

Is it difficult to run a company in a foreign country? I don’t speak / read Thai that is good enough to run my company. So, I really need the help of my Thai personal assistant to get by.

Organizational skills / time management? To run a small business, be a mum, wife and do all the other things that is expected of us, we need to be pretty organized and manage time reasonably well.

Following up on projects? I must follow up on projects and factories regularly. They RARELY get back to you.

Can you remember all that you have to do for the day? I make a “to do” list and get things done. I even make a “to get together” list otherwise weeks turn into months!!