The Mind Your Business Show

In this episode of the Mind Your Business Show, Steffi dives into the world of gemstones, discussing lab-grown versus natural gems, methods for identifying them, and the appeal of each to different buyers. She covers the differences in gem preferences between regions such as Singapore and the West, the intricate process of gemstone certification, and the emotional and humanitarian factors influencing gem purchases. Steffi also explains her journey of evolving her business, custom designing jewelry, and the unique challenges of balancing her ventures in both textiles and gemstones.

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Guest

Steffi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffi-widmer-a3684b47/ 

Businesses explored

Stefania’s Stones Website: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Stefania’s Stones Instagram: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:00 Introduction to the Mind Your Business Show

00:12 Understanding Lab-Grown vs. Natural Gems

00:26 Identifying Gem Origins and Inclusions

02:11 The Appeal of Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

03:22 Humanitarian and Ethical Considerations

04:14 Gemstone Market Insights in Singapore and the West

04:56 The Evolution of Gemstone Categorization

09:14 Custom Jewelry Design Process

13:45 Challenges and Growth in the Gemstone Business

18:23 Technical Aspects of Jewelry Crafting

20:39 Conclusion and Future Insights

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode of the Mind Your Business Show, Steffi discusses her journey of building an online presence for her gemstone business, the challenges of selling gemstones during COVID-19, and the importance of blending marketing strategies with technical knowledge of gems. She shares her experiences running a website and participating in boutique fairs, the significance of physical spaces for selling gemstones, and her strategic approach to sales and client relationships. Steffi also delves into the differences between the Singaporean and Indonesian markets, the investment potential of certain gems, and the role of certifications and treatments in the gemstone industry.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Steffi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffi-widmer-a3684b47/ 

Businesses explored

Stefania’s Stones Website: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Stefania’s Stones Instagram: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:00 Introduction to the Mind Your Business Show

00:03 Building an Online Presence

00:51 Challenges of Selling Gemstones

01:58 Experiences with Boutiques

02:37 Sales Strategies and Challenges

04:17 Setting Up a Physical Space

05:58 Transition to Full-Time Gem Business

07:44 Impact of COVID-19 on Business

10:51 Understanding Gemstone Investments

18:28 Cultural and Spiritual Aspects of Gemstones

22:03 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, we sit down with Steffi, the inspiring founder of Stefania’s Stones, to delve into her entrepreneurial journey. Steffi shares how her close relationship with her entrepreneurial father influenced her path, starting her career at a startup in Singapore, and the valuable lessons she learned from doing her own thing first. With a deep passion for gemology, Steffi pursued formal education to gain technical understanding of gemstones, combining this knowledge with her marketing expertise to build her brand. From facing challenges like failing her Gemology practical to successfully educating and testing the market, Steffi's story is a testament to perseverance and passion. Tune in to hear about her unique approach to blending marketing with gemology and the importance of educating and engaging customers through boutique fairs and word of mouth.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Steffi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffi-widmer-a3684b47/ 

Businesses explored

Stefania’s Stones Website: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Stefania’s Stones Instagram: https://stefaniasstones.com/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:00 : Steffi, the founder of Stefania’s Stones [Tahmid]

02:00 : Growing up i was very close and influenced by my Dad the entrepreneur [Steffi]

04:00 : Starting my career in Singapore at a startup  [Steffi]

05:00 : My dad never forced me to join the textile business [Steffi]

06:00 : The advantage of doing my own thing first [Steffi]

08:00 : Gemology - study of gemstones [Steffi]

10:00 : Technical understanding of the gems, getting a formal education [Steffi]

12:00 : It started with passion, i could now use my marketing knowledge to brand a business  [Steffi]

14:00 : Followed by passion in doing my masters in communication [Steffi]

16:00 : Combining my marketing experience with my passion [Steffi]

18:00 : Boutiques Fairs and word of mouth, telling people more about gems [Steffi]

19:00 : Failing the Gemology practical the first time round [Steffi]

20:00 : Why i did not jump into the business right away [Steffi]

22:00 : Testing the market first and getting exposure, educating the market [Steffi]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

Join us in this episode as Sabina shares her ambitious vision for transforming Bareskin from a renowned skincare brand into a holistic wellness powerhouse. Discover the long-term goals and strategic steps she plans to take to achieve this transformation. Sabina discusses the importance of building a brand that can thrive independently of her physical presence and the significance of fostering a culture of gratefulness and opportunity-seeking within her team. Tune in to learn about the exciting upcoming product launches, the challenges of navigating high-stakes retail environments like Sephora, and the meticulous alignment required with distributors and partners. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a skincare enthusiast, this episode offers valuable insights into building and scaling a brand with a focus on wellness.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Sabina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ariff-munshi-918587107/ 

Businesses explored

Spot On by Sabina (marketing): https://spotonbysabina.com/ 

Bareskin Website: https://bareskin.sg/ 

Bareskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareskinsg/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:10 : The long term goal is to focus on Bareskin to be a wellness brand [Sabina]

02:00 : Eventually i plan to step back, where it functions without my physical presence [Sabina]

04:00 : I start my meetings with gratefulness, then we pick our opportunities [Sabina]

06:00 : The Sephora game is next level, you need to do well if not you are out [Sabina]

08:00 : Beard oil by Bareskin, launching soon - Singapore and Dubai [Sabina]

10:00 : Everything has to align, distributors, partners. Everything. [Sabina]

12:00 : Singapore customers require fast delivery, you need to be fast [Sabina]

14:00 : I make deliveries personally, i have even delivered to someone at the airport [Sabina]

16:00 : Ash will launch his TikTok career [Tahmid]

18:00 : Will TikTok be the next platform for you? [Arshvyn]

20:00 : Do you get your kids to have a routine of their own for skincare? [Arshvyn]

22:00 : Why i cut down on sugar [Arshvyn]

24:00 : Podcast recommendations [Sabina]

26:00 : Reflecting on the journey, It took off when you started saying yes to opportunities [Tahmid]

28:00 : How to reach out to Sabina for mentorship [Tahmid]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, Sabina dives into the pivotal moments of her entrepreneurial journey, focusing on the game-changing decision to bring in a co-founder. Learn how this strategic move not only complemented her skills but also played a crucial role in scaling the business. Sabina discusses the importance of saying yes to opportunities, the impact of community building, and the benefits of giving more to receive more in return. She also touches on adapting to market trends, such as the rise in men's grooming products, and the significance of maintaining a flexible supply chain, including expanding operations to Sri Lanka. Tune in to hear Sabina's insights on navigating the business landscape during Covid and the differences between Western and Eastern skincare practices. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on growth, partnership, and innovation.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Sabina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ariff-munshi-918587107/ 

Businesses explored

Spot On by Sabina (marketing): https://spotonbysabina.com/ 

Bareskin Website: https://bareskin.sg/ 

Bareskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareskinsg/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:10 : Was it just luck? No, it is about finding a gap in the market [Sabina]

01:30 : People want to feel like they are part of a community [Sabina]

02:30 : The more you give, the more you get [Sabina]

03:00 : I brought in a co-founder to scale the business [Sabina]

04:00 : Find a co-founder who complements your skills [Sabina]

06:00 : I was saying no to too many things, i started saying yes to opportunities [Sabina]

08:00 : During Covid, the government really stepped up [Sabina]

10:00 : Beard oil is another trend that we see, men are buying grooming products [Sabina]

12:00 : I use my Mum’s pedicure package [Arshvyn]

14:00 : Mens skincare and elixirs, for alternate aftershave care [Sabina]

16:00 : Keeping up with skincare trends [Sabina]

18:00 : Open up the supply chain and manufacturing to Sri Lanka [Sabina]

20:00 : The biggest difference between West and the East in skincare [Sabina]

22:00 : Why we look puffy in the morning [Sabina]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, Sabina shares her journey of transitioning into the business world, highlighting the importance of having clear goals and a timeline. She discusses the early days of her business, starting in a co-working space, and how she involved her kids in the process to manage family finances. Sabina also delves into her favorite moments and the challenges she faced as an entrepreneur. Learn how she built a thriving Facebook community for Mums with 40,000 followers, and how sharing her personal story and partnering with local businesses helped her brand grow. Discover the power of community in driving business success.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Sabina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ariff-munshi-918587107/ 

Businesses explored

Spot On by Sabina (marketing): https://spotonbysabina.com/ 

Bareskin Website: https://bareskin.sg/ 

Bareskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareskinsg/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:10 : A scary transition into business [Sabina]

02:00 : Having goals and a timeline set early [Sabina]

04:00 : Getting my kids involved in the plan, cutting back on spending [Sabina]

06:00 : Starting the business in a co-working space [Sabina]

08:00 : Motivating employees [Sabina]

09:00 : Favorite moments in entrepreneurship [Sabina]

10:00 : What were the low moments? [Tahmid]

12:00 : Making a community on Facebook for Mums, 40,000 followers [Sabina]

14:00 : My son was born with eczema, i wanted to find a solution [Sabina]

17:00 : Sharing my story as a Mum, giving product feedback [Sabina]

18:00 : Partnering with Little Farms [Sabina]

21:00 : Men also use our products - partnering with 1880 members only club [Sabina]

22:00 : Stocking with Design Orchard - Singapore only products [Sabina]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, Sabina shares her entrepreneurial journey that began in Sri Lanka and led her to study marketing in the USA. She talks about the various cities she has lived in, including Penang, Dubai, and Singapore, and the unique experiences each location brought. Sabina delves into the challenges and rewards of starting a business, her family's adaptation to new cultures, and the strategies she uses to support small businesses. From her thoughts on not charging her clients at the start in Singapore to her advice on not romanticizing the startup process, this episode is packed with insights and anecdotes from a seasoned entrepreneur's life.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Sabina: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabina-ariff-munshi-918587107/ 

Businesses explored

Spot On by Sabina (marketing): https://spotonbysabina.com/ 

Bareskin Website: https://bareskin.sg/ 

Bareskin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bareskinsg/ 

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:30 : Why I got into business. “Entrepreneurs are a glutton for punishment” [Sabina]

02:00 : Growing up in Sri Lanka - studying marketing in USA [Sabina]

04:00 : Singapore is our home now, background of our travels [Sabina]

06:00 : Living in Penang for a few years [Sabina]

08:00 : Why did you leave Penang? [Arshvyn]

09:00 : Having a child in each city [Sabina]

10:00 : Is Dubai really all that? [Tahmid]

13:00 : Ranking the cities we have lived in [Sabina]

15:00 : Best Hokkien Mee in Singapore [Arshvyn]

17:00 : Making sure my Son adapts to SIngapore before his National Service [Sabina]

18:00 : The Boutiques Fair in Singapore - good for small businesses [Sabina]

19:00 : Targeting small businesses as a customer base [Sabina]

20:00 : Packaging a marketing system for small businesses [Sabina]

22:00 : Charging nothing to my clients [Sabina]

23:00 : Our business development strategy - word of mouth [Sabina]

24:00 : Try not to romanticize starting a business [Sabina]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, Azek reflects on her journey as a henna artist and entrepreneur. She discusses the decision to pursue entrepreneurship full-time, her support system, and how she balances school and her business. Azek shares her thoughts on social media marketing, the importance of authenticity, and the challenges of managing a business while being anti-social-media. She emphasizes the need to always be prepared for opportunities and offers key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs. Tune in for valuable insights and inspiration from Azek's entrepreneurial path.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Azek: https://www.instagram.com/its.azek/ 

Businesses explored

Instagram: www.instagram.com/itshennaflair/ 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/itshennaflair/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hennaflair 

website: hennaflair.com  

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:30 : Thinking of the next steps, should I become a full-time entrepreneur? [Azek]

02:30 : My support system [Azek]

03:30 : Taking the pressure off of myself - i will do the business part time [Azek]

04:00:  Starting my own henna classes [Azek]

06:00 : Going with the flow, managing school and henna business [Azek]

07:00 : I am always consistent with my social marketing [Azek]

08:00 : I am anti- social-media [Arshvyn]

09:00 : Don’t use someone else’s tragedy as your marketing [Azek]

10:00 : Old-school marketing vs social media  [Azek]

11:30 : As a business owner should you put yourself out there more [Tahmid]

12:00 : A day in my life kind of videos [Azek]

13:00 : I want to make a TikTok videos [Arshvyn]

14:00 : On the way here, how many red cars did you see? [Arshvyn]

15:00 : It’s always about being prepared for opportunity [Azek]

16:00 : My one key takeaway for someone who wants to start a business.  [Azek]

19:00 : My source of knowledge and inspiration  [Azek]

20:00 : Wrap up [Azek]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, we dive into the rollercoaster journey of building a henna business. Azek shares her experience of dealing with terrifying clients and how those challenges pushed her to expand her horizons. From handling a screaming client to landing an internship in Paris, Azek’s story is one of resilience and success. Discover how she turned her design skills into a thriving business, networked at prestigious events, and found triumphs in the City of Light. Tune in for an inspiring tale of overcoming fears and achieving success in Paris.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Azek: https://www.instagram.com/its.azek/ 

Businesses explored

Instagram: www.instagram.com/itshennaflair/ 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/itshennaflair/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hennaflair 

website: hennaflair.com  

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:30 : Making Henna stencils that will be suitable for most [Azek]

01:00 : Henna is a gateway to a tattoo? [Tahmid]

02:00 : Story about a scary client [Azek]

04:00:  They were screaming at me - i was really affected [Azek]

05:00 : I would have given this person a piece of my mind [Arshvyn]

06:00 : Service based businesses - it is all about the interaction/engagement [Azek]

08:00 : I was making X amount per month, but i wanted to pursue a degree [Azek]

10:00 : Going to Paris for an internship [Azek]

12:00 : Using my design skills to sell myself  [Azek]

13:00 : Joining an App publishing company in Paris for a few months [Arshvyn]

14:00 : Planning my degree classes around my henna schedule [Azek]

16:00 : The Eifell tower is not worth it [Arshvyn]

17:00 : Doing Malay dance in an Paris event - meeting the ambassador [Azek]

18:00 : Renting a booth for a big event in Paris, networking [Azek]

20:00 : Sharing a booth with the Ambassador, doing Henna  [Azek]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.

In this episode, we delve into the journey of Azek, who transformed her henna service into a thriving product-based business. Starting from humble beginnings, Azek recounts her lowest points, from being rejected from university to struggling to find employment during the Covid pandemic. However, instead of giving up, she got creative, venturing into selling henna cones and even experimenting with blue henna, known as Jagua. Through perseverance and ingenuity, Azek turned her service-based business into a product empire, navigating challenges like finding suppliers and expanding her product line to include stencils. Join us as we explore Azek's inspiring journey from ink to incorporation, showcasing the power of innovation and adaptation in the entrepreneurial landscape.

Head over to linktr.ee/themybshow to check out how you can keep up to date with the latest episodes, do subscribe!

Guest

Azek: https://www.instagram.com/its.azek/ 

Businesses explored

Instagram: www.instagram.com/itshennaflair/ 

FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/itshennaflair/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hennaflair 

website: hennaflair.com  

Hosts

Tahmid Nasif: https://www.instagram.com/tahmzup/
Arshvyn Prakas: https://www.instagram.com/arshvynprakas/

Show notes:

00:30 : Lowest point in my life - being rejected from University [Azek]

02:00 : Not being able to get a job during Circuit Breaker in Covid [Azek]

03:30 : Getting creative, selling henna cones [Azek]

05:00:  Selling blue henna - Jagua [Azek]

06:00 : Turning it into a product business and figuring out delivery [Azek]

07:00 : Getting my hallmates to help me produce henna with me [Azek]

09:00 : Jagua henna - finding a supplier in South America [Azek]

10:00 : Ordering small sample sizes first [Azek]

12:00 : Origins of henna [Azek]

14:00 : How was the supplier not a scam? [Arshvyn]

16:00 : Selling stencils as well, expanding the business [Azek]

18:00 : Putting my design knowledge drawing stencils to sell [Azek]

20:00 : Rice paper stencils - production [Azek]

As always, thank you for listening. We hope you found value in this.