IAM2543 – Jewelry Designer Creates Versatile Designs with Indo-Western Elements

Jinal Sampat is a visionary jewelry designer and the founder of Sampat Jewellers, a brand known for its elegant fusion of tradition and modernity.

With a background in architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, Jinal brings a unique design sensibility to her craft, reimagining traditional Indian Mangalsutras into contemporary, wearable wedding chains for today’s modern woman.

Jinal discusses how a blog post showcasing conceptual designs unexpectedly brought in organic leads, validating her niche and sparking the business’s direction.

She emphasizes the importance of staying focused, following the 80/20 rule for productivity, and working on the business rather than getting lost in it.

Jinal offers candid advice about entrepreneurship, including not relying on friends and family for support, embracing storytelling in product design, and building a brand grounded in authenticity rather than imitation.

Website: Sampati

LinkedIn: Jinal Sampat

Instagram: sampatjewellers

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Transcription:

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Jinal Sampat Teaser 00:00 

So basically, usually what they are, they're a traditional chain of black beads, like small black beads. They could be as ornate as you can. They are like big pendants. So basically, married women are supposed to wear them every day.

It's like the engagement ring. We wear it every day. So, the wedding chain is supposed to be worn as a purpose to protect the husband and the couple from evil eye. So that's the idea behind it.

Intro 00:30

Are you ready to hear business stories and learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and level up your business from awesome CEOs, entrepreneurs, and founders without listening to a long, long, long interview?

If so, you've come to the right place. Gresh values your time and is ready to share with you the valuable info you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO Podcast.

Gresham Harkless 00:57 

Hello, hello, hello. This is Gresh from the IMCEO Podcast, and I have a very special guest on the show today. I have Jinal Sampat of Sampat Jewellers. Jinal, it's awesome to have you on the show.

Jinal Sampat 01:06 

Thank you so much for having me on the show. I'm super excited and pumped up.

Gresham Harkless 01:11

Yeah, I'm pumped up as well. And I wanted to read a little bit more about Jinal, so you can hear about all the awesome things that she's doing.

And Jinal is a jewelry designer at Sampat Jewellers. Her focus is on innovation and creation of jewelry pieces that are meaningful and hold long-term value.

She creates versatile designs with Indo-Western elements. Jinal holds her graduate's degree from Rhode Island School of Design. Jinal, are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

Jinal Sampat 01:36

I am, go for it.

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Gresham Harkless 01:38

Let's do it. So, they kick everything off. I wanted to hear a little bit more about what I call your CEO story and what led you to start your business.

Jinal Sampat 01:45

Sure. It happened. Interestingly, actually, I belong; I married into the family of diamond jewelers.

So my father-in-law basically used to make jewelry for my family for more than 20 years when we got married.

Right now it's more than 30 years. So, a long time. So that's how we got introduced, and I'm actually an architect in a landscape architect, but so I practiced that I used to practice that but slowly, like the jewelry thing.

I really was interested into it and there was a small niche that I saw and no one was working on.

So, we specialize in wedding chains. Just because having Indian culture, there's a lot of ornate jewelry, and it's not wearable on a day-to-day basis.

It's too much. So, my goal is to have it more versatile so it's more wearable. And that's what I saw people needed around me.

And I really enjoyed creating something unique that the market doesn't have. So that's why I got started in designing jewelry, and it's just on for last five years or something then, yeah.

Gresham Harkless 02:56 

Nice, you're definitely on your way for the 30 years then, if you're doing it for five years.

So that'll be you too. But I love that because a lot of times, there's usually some type of opportunity in the market, but you have to be able to kind of see that.

And when you see that, you can definitely create something because it fulfills a need, which is always what I think everybody wants to do whenever they create something.

Jinal Sampat 03:17

Yeah, for sure. Jewelry is such a saturated market in some way. There are tons of designers, tons of pieces, but I wanted to do something specific to our culture and something that would preserve it and celebrate it, basically.

Gresham Harkless 03:34

Absolutely. Like you said, very versatile. So, it's not just you have to wear it specifically on that day, but you can wear it beyond that, which is Something you can use to always remember that day even beyond that day.

So, I truly appreciate you for doing that, and I wanted to hear a little bit more about like some of the pieces. Can you tell us a little bit more on like what you're doing like? And exactly like, even your process, maybe on how you can actually create that.

Jinal Sampat 03:57

Yeah, sure. So, the sort of wedding chains they are actually called Manga Sutra in our culture, Indian culture.

So, I just call them wedding chain to keep it simple. So, people don't get confused. So basically, usually what they are are they're a traditional chain of black beads, like small black beads, like they could be like as ornate as you can.

They are like big pendants. So, basically, married women are supposed to wear them every day.

It's like the engagement ring, we have, we wear it every day. So, the wedding chain is supposed to be worn as a purpose to protect the husband and the couple from evil eye.

So that's the idea behind it. So, what I did was the black beaded chain got too overwhelming. It's just too much. I didn't wear it for five years until I got married.

So, I was like, there should be some way to make this variable and meaningful, it's such a unique piece so, I started designing experimenting with the chain like keeping a fewer, fewer beads and making a delicate chain so that people can go school wear it at work, and not feel like out of place.

So, that's where I started with the chain was number one, and then the pendant started getting simpler and more modern.

So, I try to get elements from the traditional design, but actually try to make it a bit more delicate for daily wear, so it's not that robust.

It's delicate to the eye, and it has those fine elements of our culture like curves and flowers, but still, it has sharp lines of the modern that works for the modern generation.

So that's basically the overall idea, and also there is a lot more to do, like I experimented some with a longer chain that goes down to the belly button like like a fashion piece, but it's solid gold so you can wear it at night parties it just like it's just perfect.

And then a lot more to do with the pendants, basically. It's not just the pendant; there's a lot of design elements.

Once you open up your imagination, there's just a lot you can do with this concept. So I'm really excited, and I think I'm getting a lot of positive feedback from the brides.

I mean, they always say, Oh, I didn't know about you guys. I wish I knew about you earlier.

So, we actually have a lot of brides that are married for more than five years this piece for their first anniversary or their second anniversary, depends on what stage they are.

Some women are fanatic. They collect wedding chains, so we have one engagement ring, but wedding chains can be multiple; have a whole collection of wedding chains.

So, I was really excited about that. So, the market actually becomes bigger a little bit for us.

And also, more women can kind of benefit from mistakes that they have done. Sometimes what I like to do is like also take their existing chain that they have and redesign it.

So, we custom design it to using their same diamonds or gold, whatever they have, for the sentimental value and create something new.

Gresham Harkless 07:15

Nice, I definitely appreciate that and appreciate you being able to see all that. Is it just that you started to create?

I guess certain versions of the wedding chain, and then you started to ask people, and then you got feedback and decided whether to continue to push along with it. Was that kind of like what happened?

Jinal Sampat 07:32

Actually, it was really interesting. I just wrote a blog one day like on like um wedding chains, like I created some designs, and did them in photoshop a little bit to kind of make it visual.

I didn't even create those pieces. It was a test blog, and I just put it out, and I still get leads from that blog.

It was a three or four-year-old blog. So, I, that's when I had the idea. I mean, there's really some interest in here.

I mean, I tried something and it's still working. So, I mean, there should be more to it. So, it was a coincidence that I wrote that blog for, Mandala Sutras, for like modern women.

Something on that lines, like I just I came like 20 or 25 designs and explained each one of them in that blog.

Like what, how is that special and what they can do with it. So, and that's when it got started.

So initially, we were like, we used to make all kinds of jewelry. Like it was just a jewel, jewelers.

That's why our name is like Sampa Jewelers. If it was now, I would change it to something more specific.

But we started it that way, so it's just that way. But the product is quite specific at this time.

Gresham Harkless 08:47 

Yeah. No, I love that. I'm a big blogger, obviously. So, I love anything that starts out from a blog.

And I think a lot of times when people have an idea about creating something, a lot of times you're like, okay, I need funding. I need this. I need that. I need all those things.

But a lot of times, sometimes just putting it out in a blog or a podcast or asking a few friends, whatever that might be, you can actually see if there's any, um, if your idea has, she has legs and you do have something like that.

So, it was great to hear that's how that started, and great to hear that you're continuing on with that.

Jinal Sampat 09:15

Yeah, it was exciting at that time. It was just all these positive ideas that were like flowing in my mind.

And it was a hard decision to just focus on one thing. But I think it's the best decision.

It makes me happy and my team happy. So, it's just better that way, or else it gets diluted in the all jewel jewelry companies basically.

Gresham Harkless 09:39 

Yeah. It starts getting to be too much. So, and would you consider that to be your secret sauce then? Is it, is it the fact that you have been able to, um, focus on that one thing?

Jinal Sampat 09:50 

I think so. I mean, I personally need, like, if I'm working on something, I need a strong concept to keep me going.

If it's like a generic bracelet or generic bangle, I am not, I'm not that excited, but if there's a story, like there was a lady who was celebrating her 25th anniversary.

So, there's a story behind it. So that keeps me exciting, like some kind of concept. And it actually is more exciting for the client too, because they can, when they're wearing it, they can see what each diamond means in that piece.

So yeah, it's always meaningful to do something. I say no to people that is like not, it's just like they give me a designer, can you make this?

I'm like, I don't want to even if I make him make it, but I don't want to copy someone else's design.

This happens a lot in jewelry industry. Like they see a design somewhere else and they want the exact same. But it's something that I don't enjoy, so we don't do that at all.

Gresham Harkless 10:47 

Yeah, no, that makes perfect sense. It's not quite the same, but I do a lot of web design.

And I always try to ask people what their story is, what makes them unique, things like that.

Because you can show that just like you can in the piece of jewelry. You can tell the story in a symbolic way.

And a lot of times, if you don't know that story or people don't want to tell you that story, then a lot of times you miss on what could be really a phenomenal piece. So I definitely understand that.

Jinal Sampat 11:11

Yeah, definitely.

Gresham Harkless 11:14 

And I wanted to switch gears a little bit and ask you for what I call a CEO hack. And this might be an Apple book or a habit that you have, but it's something that makes you more effective and efficient.

Jinal Sampat 11:24 

So, I recently started doing this, 80, 20%, and I think I really am enjoying it. So, basically every Sunday, me and my husband, basically both of us write down like 20% of the things that will move us 80% ahead.

Just focus on three or four things that week. And then smaller things that can be achieved after noontime.

In the morning time, focus on the top 20% that moves you forward. I think that just keeps you very focused because I work from home, and it's just very important for me to stay focused and learn a lot of new things.

Because we have an e-commerce business, it's an e-commerce thing, and there's a lot to learn with SEO and all of these, like email marketing, like chat.

So, there's a lot to do constantly in this people chain. So, you have to be focused, kind of constantly make those revisions, and learn new things. So yeah, I think 80-20 rule is really helping us so far.

Gresham Harkless 12:30

Yeah, definitely. I definitely agree with that. And yeah, especially in the digital marketing world, there's so many things that are changing.

Sometimes you have to also to figure out what is something you should pay attention to versus something that maybe you should put off to later or not even pay attention to, which often is the case as well.

So, it's great to hear that rule because it's definitely important for every business owner. Now I wanted to ask you for what I call a CEO, your CEO nugget.

And this is a word of wisdom or a piece of advice, or if you can hop into a time machine, what would you tell your younger business self?

Jinal Sampat 13:01 
I think every time we try to do something, we always like, I mean, I used to always say, Oh, I don't have a store. That's why I'm not getting customers.

For example, I still say that sometimes, but like, there's like more, more to it. Like think about like how, how you can do it with what resources you have, and also at the end, what experience you're giving to the customer.

Basically, I didn't want myself to complain what I didn't have versus work with the resources we have.

We have internet. I mean, that's super powerful. I don't think we need anything more. We're already in the better side.

Gresham Harkless 13:40

Yeah. No, I think that's very true. And especially in this age, just like you touched on, with the internet and all those things out there, there's kind of unlimited ways you can build a business and you can build a business according to you.

So, you have to make sure that you're the measure of what is success and what is not success.

Because a lot of times, if you're listening to external influences that you don't have this, you don't have that, or you should do this or you should do that, you'll never ever reach success because you're always going to have to do the next thing.

Well, even if it's not in alignment with what you want. Now I wanted to ask you my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO.

And we're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on this show. So, Jinal, what does being a CEO mean to you?

Jinal Sampat 14:17
Being a CEO is not actually working in the business, but it's actually working on the business. That's number one lesson.

Like if I catch myself doing like smaller tasks like Photoshop or something crazy, then I'm not actually doing the right thing.

So, it's a different thing to have a vision, but it's a different thing to get work done.

Gresham Harkless 14:39

So, I think that's an incredible definition. And Jinal, I truly appreciate your time.

What I want to do is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional you can let our readers and listeners know.

And then, of course, how they can find out about all the awesome things you're doing.

Jinal Sampat 14:53
Yeah, sure. So, one thing I would like to tell everyone is like expect the least from your close family members and your friends when you're starting a company.

I think that's a mistake I made. So, you think your friends would buy from you, or your family, extended family would buy from you to kind of support you.

But I think that's a really false expectation. Don't tell people right away like, okay, I've done this show people what you have done to get the most support.

Because I've seen a lot of people who start their company, create the Facebook page right away, and get likes from their friends first thing, versus like if they actually found, like got likes from real audience that they're trying to woo, the family will come automatically.

They can definitely check out our work on our website sampatjewellers.com and our Instagram sampatjewellers. I'm really active on that Instagram, so a process behind the scenes and everything is mostly on Instagram. It's such a cool, fun platform. That's one of the 20% things I have on my list this time. To do more on it.

Gresham Harkless 16:09 
Yeah, we will definitely have those links in the show notes so that everybody can follow up with you.

But I appreciate you so much again, and I hope you have a great rest of the day.

Jinal Sampat 16:16
Thank you. Thank you, Gresham. Thank you for planning. It was really nice chatting with you, and being able to see you actually makes a huge difference.

Gresham Harkless 16:23
Exactly, exactly.

Outro 16:24
Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by CB Nation and Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co. I AM CEO is not just a phrase; it's a community.

Check out the latest and greatest apps, books, and habits to level up your business at CEOhacks.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless Jr. Thank you for listening.

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