Meet Ana, the small business owner of Anay Crystals, a Jeweller and Gemmologist business in Melbourne, Victoria
Anay Crystals has been operating since September 2020 when Ana lost her job during the pandemic and decided to establish a business that she was passionate about. As a qualified Gemmologist, Ana has carved a niche in the jewellery and crystal industry by providing gem education and quality products toher customers. With a substantial and growing social media following, Ana is currently expanding the 
business to 4 people and hopes to open a physical location for the business in the future.
“Richard and I have never actually met – all of our interactions have been virtual, but we have a great working relationship. I call him my business angel. If it wasn’t for him, I was about to shut up shop. He has helped me focus my energy exactly where it needs to be and has helped bounce ideas around. Richard reminds me that I have the skills to run my business and shows me how to use them.”
Read more about Ana’s business journey so far.
Meet Ana
I am a Jeweller and Gemmologist and Anay Crystals has been operating since September 2020. We sell crystals and create crystal jewellery. I’m a professional Gemmologist by trade, which is our point of difference in the market. We only stock quality gems that have been assessed by a professional.
I was already operating the business for about 12 months before connecting with Many Rivers. Previously I was in Finance, and during the pandemic my whole department was made redundant. Instead of going back to that world, I returned to my passion and previous job which was a Gemmologist.
Like so many people, the pandemic was a big change for me. I refused to go back into the corporate world and wanted to create my own business. Before I worked in Finance, I was a Gemmologist so I thought I’d go back to that.
Working with Many Rivers
I came across Many Rivers on Facebook last year. The advertisement said you provided small business support, and so I followed the link, read some of the client stories and submitted the form. At the time it was Godsend because I was at my wits end and I didn’t know where to go with the business.
I received business coaching from Richard at Many Rivers and his support has been amazing! Richard and I have never actually met – all of our interactions have been virtual, but we have a great working relationship. I call him my business angel. If it wasn’t for him, I was about to shut up shop. He has helped me focus my energy exactly where it needs to be and has helped bounce ideas around. Richard reminds me that I have the skills to run my business and shows me how to use them.
Biggest Challenge
The marketing side of things was completely foreign to me. Richard helped me to develop a plan, and look at the types of customers we want to attract. It was good once I got my head around that.
Biggest Success
For me, the biggest success has been about being able to communicate , educate and develop a community around a love for crystals. We stand out from the industry because I’m a qualified Gemmologist. We’ve brought to light a few things on which the industry has kept quiet, so that’s my biggest success, that’s what I’m about. Anay Crystals has a big focus on educating the customers. We want people to know that we know our stuff. Our clients are genuine and want to learn about the crystals and jewellery they are purchasing.
Biggest Change
For me, the biggest change has been the flexibility. I have a lot of health issues, and having the availability to have a quieter day has had a much bigger impact on my life than anything financial could.
Future Goals
We are currently an online only business, but we want to be able to have a physical location where people can come in and have workshops. We are a team of three at the moment; myself, my partner and my mum and we are looking to add another person soon.
Thank you Ana for sharing your business journey.
Your story will inspire people who are looking to take their next step towards creating their own business.
If you would like to stay updated with Ana and her journey as a small business owner, follow Anay Crystals on social media:
Website: https://www.anaycrystals.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anay.crystals/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anaycrystals | TikTok: @anaycrystals
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