Page 27 - KZN Top Business Women - eBook 2023

If you’re being authentic and you’re not just a copy and paste,

people will be attracted to you.

of her achievements. Kim has one staff member who ‘absolutely divine’. “My daughter is a zoologist, her
Owner of Studio 39 Jewellery Design and
has been with her almost 20 years. range is pangolin inspired, so she can give back to her
Founder of Jewellers by Design
community, donate to wildlife and create employment.
Capturing moments There’s just so many ways you can give back and be
im Dyason is the owner of Studio 39 Jewellery
K Design in Kloof and founder of Jewellers by Design. Kim reflected that she has faced quite a few challenges creative at the same time.”

Kim was only 15 years old when she was offered over the years. One of these she explains, “Our trade Inspiration in nature
a job in a jewellery store during the December school has changed quite a lot. The younger generation are Kim explains that for her design work she looks for
preferring to spend their money on experiences, like
holidays. She said that she grabbed the opportunity, travel etc. But I like to ask them, ‘How, when you get back inspiration in her love of nature. “I love nature. I get a lot
and as she loved the experience, she worked there every from travelling, when you’ve had your engagement, or of inspiration from nature and natural gemstones. I find
school holiday and every Saturday. On matriculating, she that if I’m designing for myself the stone tells me what it
was offered an apprenticeship at the bench by the shop that memorable occasion, do you capture the feeling wants to be.”
and essence of those experiences?”
owner who was a qualified goldsmith and hand engraver.
The answer is that jewellery is the perfect medium for She added that when she is designing for clients, she
Kim later moved to Cape Town and decided to go on that. “Every time you look at your bracelet or your ring, likes to get a feel for who they are. “I thrive when I work
her own, opening a studio at home. She commented, “I you remember and feel those emotions and experience. one on one with a client. Great love is poured into every
always wanted to have my own business right from when And obviously when you’re handing that jewellery on piece, and I understand the sentimental meaning behind
I was very young. I think my first business idea was when to your children or grandchildren and you’re telling every piece. I want to create something that’s going to
I was about six years old and sold my fluffy toys on the them the story of your travels, or momentous occasion, be meaningful for you. It’s not about me. I want to see
verge outside my home. As soon as I went into jewellery, that just makes the piece much more special to them. smiles on people’s faces when they put on their piece of
I knew this was where I wanted to be. I had no idea how “I don’t just make jewellery; I make future heirlooms.” jewellery. I sell happiness. It’s so special.”
to run a business but threw myself into it.”
Kim received much encouragement from her parents, Jewellers by Design Being authentic
who she said are very positive people. She explained, “My One of the challenges from earlier days, Kim would say In advising younger women she would say to them, find a
mom always says if you aren’t feeling your best today, was that jewellery manufacture was very much a man’s mentor. “Find somebody you can relate to, who is happy
what are you going to do about it?” to impart knowledge. Somebody who’s been through all
world when she started. She found that nobody wanted
to share trade secrets or help with any information, not the trials and tribulations, although I’m sure there’s many
Greatest achievements still to come. You can bounce your ideas off them.”
even amongst themselves. “And I don’t agree with that
“I would say that one of my greatest achievements,” Kim way of thinking.” “There are going to be many times where you’re going
reflected, “is being in business for 29 years as of July 2023, During lockdown, and having time to reflect and to feel like ‘I just want to give this up’ because owning
which I think has been quite a huge milestone to reach. strategise, Kim decided that living by design and not your own business, making jewellery, and dealing with
I started when I was 23, so it’s been quite an exciting default was her aim and wanted to give back. Jewellers the public can be difficult at times.”
journey so far.”
by Design provides an environment that empowers In order to be a success, Kim thinks that being authentic
In addition, Kim believes that another big achievement, aspiring jewellers and designers to achieve their goal of to who you are is highly important. “Find something
is having clients that have become friends. “They are owning their own business, while working in a nurturing where you have a passion, and you will be successful. If
placed all around the world and it is such an honour environment incorporating experienced leaders in the you’re designing and you’re being authentic and you’re
that their children and grandchildren are now being jewellery industry. not just a copy and paste, people will be attracted to you.
referred to me.” That was my dream.”
Currently, Kim is collaborating with people who aren’t
Having mentored many people through nearly 30 jewellery designers but have creative concept ideas. To relax Kim enjoys line dancing and music. “I’ve always
years of owing her own business and seeing some of She added that working with them to create jewellery loved music and it is a very big part of my life and creative
them go on and open their own businesses is another that they can go on and make an income from is side. I grew up with it and played guitar.”

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