“Make a choice to take a chance, or your life will never change.” Our US showroom launch is all about choices, chances and changes!
When my coach planted the seed just a few months ago, half of me thought it was crazy while the other half did a giddy jig of excitement at the prospect of it coming true.
The thought of having a showroom in the US showcasing SHIKHAZURI and Simply Zuri jewellery has been a dream ever since I got this baby of the ground, but it was a goal I hadn’t quite projected this early on in the game.
“Do you think I’m ready for this?” I asked her uncertainly.
“Of course you are!” she replied unequivocally. Reading the doubt in my expression, she continued… “Honey, as a perfectionist, you’ll never think you’re ready. You just gotta do it!”
In spite of my fear, I knew I had to. If I wanted to take SHIKHAZURI to the global arena, then I wasn’t going to snub this opportunity.
What followed was a couple of marathon months working day and night to get prepared: finalising collections, compiling linesheets, ordering displays, figuring out logistics, etc. to get my little corner space set up thousands of miles away in Atlanta.
The best thing was that I wasn’t alone in this. Fortunately this opportunity was pursued by a wonderful bunch of women whom I’ve gotten to know online over the last couple of years from all over the world. Every single one of them a talented designer in their own right.
That feeling of camaraderie, not competition, is a rare one in business. We’re all in this together, albeit each with our distinct styles and characters that makes us and our brands uniquely ours.
Here’s a few snaps of our US showroom launch and the place that will be home to SHIKHAZURI in the US for a few years to come.
The journey has only just started, and I can’t wait to see what unfolds from here.
If you’re a store owner or buyer, do come visit us in EmpowerDesign: The Showroom on 8 (AmericasMart Building 3, 8-S332) – we’re open for all eight major markets throughout the year and we’d love to meet you!