Today we’d like to introduce you to Alnisa Faiz.
Hi Alnisa, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am a retired Office Administrator, originally from New York City, who loves wearing and designing accessories. I do not have a brick and mortar store, but an online presence (website). I like to view my site as a boutique rather than a store.
As stated earlier, I am a lover of accessories and art. Over 25 years ago, I started designing and creating different jewelry pieces for myself as a hobby and received so many compliments on my pieces, I thought it would be cool to share my designs. Although I had the desire to share my designs, I was sure I did not want to offer my designs in malls or street vending; nor did I want to incur a lot of debt. I basically wanted to offer my designs to a select audience of people who wanted something different and one of a kind. This generally meant word-of-mouth and customer designs. I guess you could say it’s a hobby on steroids’.
My designs are created mainly using semi-precious natural stones, ethnic beads (from Africa and around the world), and polymer clay. Using these different components allows me to create beautiful and unique pieces. I am always asked about the significance and healing benefits of a gemstone. This curiosity by folks causes me to study these gemstones and offering what I learn. I am very cautious when I present this information, in that these stone only represent what the earth can produce and how the minerals interact with our physical bodies and spiritual minds.
I attend bead shows and I’m always looking for inspiration. I enjoy meeting people at trade shows and just wearing my pieces opens up conversation, making professional contacts and lifelong friendships.
With stone designs, I share with purchasers the healing benefits of the stones selected – and with all designs, I give a certificate of authenticity (being one of a kind). My motto for designing is “art is inspiration, and inspiration comes from the soul.”
I am still fine-tuning who are the main purchasers of my designs and I think I have pinned it. I will create for male and female; and many of my bracelet designs are unisex.
The joy of being artful and creating pieces that can be worn and adored is what I love about what I do.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
As stated, I am retired over the past 6 years. I did not really concentrate on building a business until retirement. Before then, I did not have the time to put into it.
One of the challenges I faced was, when I actually tried to take my business to the next level. I wasn’t ready for that. A lot of red tape with different offices and business requirements. I just wanted to design my pieces.
My biggest challenge to date is, and (most interesting) at my current age is learning to use social media as a platform for my art.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I love being creative and as I mentioned earlier, the challenge for me is fully embracing social media and using it to build a customer base. While, I definitely do not desire a brick and mortar business, I wish to build my website to function as one, while again, giving the feel of something special like shopping in a “boutique”.
As I build my client base, I plan to rely on repeat satisfied customer and word of mouth marketing.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?When starting out in business DO YOUR HOMEWORK! Know what your general focus is. I say generally because you will fine-tune your focus as you go along. There are so many avenues of help these days. Don’t reinvent the wheel. If someone has already been successful with a process, use that process and put your spin on it to suit your needs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.sanaaartisanjewelry.com
- Instagram: Sanaa_a_jewelry
- Facebook: sanaaartisanjewelry.com
Image Credits
All photos are by Alnisa T. Faiz
