20 years in the past, Valérie Messika, the daughter of considered one of Paris’ most profitable diamond sellers, determined to show her household’s firm right into a modern-day jeweller. Turning a B2B (business-to-business) agency right into a B2C (business-to-consumer) model is not any simple activity, however wanting on the treasure trove of stones at her disposal, Messika noticed an untapped alternative.
Her father André had lengthy been a revered diamantaire, offering stones to the world’s prime jewellers in Paris and past – so, she reasoned, why not make the most of these assets to create a label that might resonate with at this time’s customers?
What are you most pleased with throughout the final 20 years?
[This milestone] offers me the time to say, “OK, we achieved one thing.” As a result of whenever you’re an entrepreneur, you’re by no means within the second however at all times on what’s subsequent. You don’t get pleasure from your success. So on this anniversary, I wish to take the time to savour what we’ve achieved in 20 years and never simply take into consideration the subsequent 20 years.
What was your objective in establishing Messika as a model?
I used to be youthful and I didn’t see myself sporting jewelry since you appeared older in case you wore diamonds. My girlfriends had been at all times telling me, “Diamonds are just for marriage ceremony rings.” And I believed, why do it’s a must to wait for somebody to reward you diamonds? Why can’t you purchase them for your self, like a pair of sneakers or a purse? One thing cool, trendy, you can really feel in your pores and skin, and that may empower your model and your persona. That is the way it began. I did it slowly, slowly. All the things was gradual.