NEVER SAY NEVER Vindya Perera
27 December 2021 10:43 am
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- Despite the odds, the industry began to accept my R&D facility. I employed youth from the local community and trained them to be specialist gem cutters. The lapidary soon became a big hit, and it became like a university, grooming skilled people.
‘Your Community’ is a series that hopes to bring recognition and business to the amazing entrepreneurs of our country, to appreciate the wealth of talent and sheer resilience of spirit that exists among our people. When spoken to , the majority of the SME’s indicate that their challenges are similar. They are struggling with access to market and access to finance. They need guidance and support to overcome such obstacles. This Column “Your Community” addresses the need to create awareness, by sharing their compelling stories so that potential customers out there can connect with them. WCIC along with many partner organizations conduct continuous capacity building programmes for SMEs to gain knowledge in all aspects of business development. ‘Your Community’ provides exposure to inspirational women entrepreneurs by sharing their story and making the world know how these courageous ladies are forging ahead. We invite you to interact and engage with these entrepreneurs and support local businesses. We feature this week an entrepreneur who has been supported by the WCIC in her journey.
QTell us about your background?
I am Vindya Perera, a determined, passionate female entrepreneur, one who takes great pride in her work. I believe that “what goes around comes around” and this forms the base of everything that I do personally and professionally. I consider myself a successful entrepreneur of the modern day. My journey commenced just five years ago with the launch of Lustre Design Corporation in November 2016.
My father, is a businessman in the gem and jewellery industry and my mother is my inspiration and guiding light. As a child I grew up spending time at my father’s lapidary, listening and learning the gem lingo and becoming familiar with the tools and techniques. Although I grew up in this environment being engaged in the trade was not in my plans. I was a designer who was energized by shapes and colours. Capitalizing on my talent and passion, I opted to pursue my higher studies in Fashion Designing which led me to obtain a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Designing from the Raffles Design College in Sydney. I was determined to get a higher qualification of a Masters at University of Sydney, but my story took a different turn when I returned to Sri Lanka in 2016.
I acquired industry expertise and commenced my career in the gem and jewellery industry specializing in gem cutting. My skills advanced rapidly; it was almost as if I was destined to be a part of the trade. This was a male dominated space and I geared myself to make a mark in the industry.
QSo, what did you do at that stage?
I chose the path less travelled, with faith in myself. I was confident that transforming a rough stone into an exquisite piece was a talent I possessed. My ideas needed to be presented to the industry and convincing took time.
Although I had a strong vision, I was an amateur compared to the veterans in the industry. Reflecting upon my start up days, I recall almost everyone asking me “do you have experience”? It was obvious I didn’t. I had a very creative outlook and a can- do attitude, with the energy to swim against the tide, but the market was not really welcoming.
Therefore, I had to start my own venture, Lustre Design Corporation in 2016 backed by the support and encouragement of my mother.
QTell us how you started Lustre Design Corporation?
Gem stones are precious, and add class and sophistication to the wearer and become an heirloom for a family. The beauty and glamour of the gemstone rests with the cut and the value enhancement that lie in the hands of an expert. Not every customer understands the importance of a lustered cut and the cutting process is a science which highlights the appearance of a rough stone, enhancing its light reflecting properties. Many in the industry overlook the use of this even today, and very little innovation, investment and research is done in the industry. I used this to my advantage when Lustre Design Corporation was launched with ten very experienced personnel and with machinery that enabled me to exclusively focus on R&D in gem cutting.
Despite the odds, the industry began to accept my R&D facility. I employed youth from the local community and trained them to be specialist gem cutters. The lapidary soon became a big hit, and it became a university, grooming skilled people. My passion benefited many others. I embraced my mother’s positive attitude and applaud myself for the contribution we make towards the gem industry making it fashionable for tomorrow’s generation.
Q How have you progressed since inception?
I am aiming to be internationally recognized as the 1st Sri Lankan Gem Cutting Brand. Although we are yet to reach that goal, I will be pursuing my dream.
We work with the belief that mastering the fundamentals is essential for success. I made my mark in R&D as I was awarded the ISO Certification 9001 along with the award for the Best Lapidary Art in 2019.
It was the right time to explore a new horizon and my sight was set on tapping into a niche market , solidifying my presence in an industry catering to the fashion conscience female. Designing was my forte so I slowly transitioned into a gem cutting designer, designing gems with brilliant cuts, catering to personal preferences. My discerning clients demanded unique creations allowing me to create masterpieces with passion and skill.
The value addition brought into a gemstone is priceless as it moves hands, across generations. My customized creations have become heirlooms, with my clients being receptive to innovations. I started creating jewellery embedding the masterpieces that were carved from the gem stones.
Setting foot into the market focused on R&D in gem cutting, today I am the proud owner of 3 lapidaries, generating approximately 80 employment opportunities. A journey into unknow territory, has resulted in great personal achievements, satisfaction and contribution to society.
QTalk to us about your clients?
My clients consider Lustre Design Corporation as part of their family. Lustre Design Corporation predominantly focuses on catering to the international market via value addition to the rough stones purchased internationally by our clients. We are given a freehand to cut, design and create their jewellery as we pledge to offer exquisite quality, class and bling that is will last generations.
Our online marketing platforms coupled with our International presence at Trade Shows such as Tucson Gem Show and Dubai Expo provide us the opportunity to tap those elite customers who understand the science behind lustre of a gem stone and the art of designing. I believe that catering to this niche international clientele provides me the opportunity to contribute foreign exchange to the local economy. Lustre Design Corporation is here to stay and progress with a view to opening a non-traditional avenue of tourism in Sri Lanka by marketing value additions to local and international gemstones.
As we strive to gain greater foothold in the international market across USA, Europe and the Middle East, I am confident that Lustre Design Corporation will grow to greater heights in Sri Lanka. There is one mantra that follows me everywhere and I use it at every possible occasion “Never say never, keep believing and working towards it”
QTell us about your achievements?
To most people rewards and recognition form the base of achievement and I too take pride in the many awards I have received including Best Exporter Bronze Award in 2020, Presidential Award Best Re-Exporter, The Best Female Entrepreneur in Non-Traditional Business in 2020 (Sabaragamuwa Province), Luster Design Corporation winning the CNCI excellence award 2020, Best Youngest Provincial Entrepreneur (Sabaragamuwa province) in 2019 and Best Lapidary Art 2019, to name just some of them.
These certainly endorse my hard work and commitment but to me personally, I feel a great sense of achievement in giving back to those who believed in me – my team, my community. I have my heart set on opening a state-of-the-art gem cutting and jewellery design school, educating young school kids on the art and science which is very dear to me, providing them employment potential and contributing to keep a traditional industry afloat, so we Sri Lankans can continue to boast about it in the years to come.
Corporate Social Responsibility is not an obligation of Lustre Design Corporation, but it is one of our core values and practiced across the board from those who contribute towards our progress and the community at large. It was indeed a great honour to be awarded the Ratna Vidya Wibushana Keerthi Sri Deshamanya Status by the Dharma Shakthi Social Service Foundation in 2021 which is a great testament to myself and my philosophy of givers gain.
QWhat is the future of the business?
The sky is the limit and I foresee Lustre Design Corporation to be, the first Sri Lankan gem cutting brand internationally. The path to get to my destination requires greater penetration into the international market via a more curated strategic marketing programme complemented by an offshore store and gem museum in one of the key markets such as Dubai.
Dreams need to be realized and I have established the necessary measures to fast track my journey by investing in my 3rd state of the art lapidary in Rathnapura. I have fastened my seatbelt and am ready to take on the challenges associated with respect to business expansion whether it be access to funding or resistance from bystanders.
When I started my journey, I pledged never to stop at “A” destination but to de-route into the unknown.
QWhat has WCIC offered you?
As an entrepreneur, it is you who need to motivate and inspire everyone around you. You need to tap into your inner strength and rise above. This concept may seem appealing in theory but in reality, there are many times that even the most successful entrepreneur needs a tap on the shoulder, a keen ear to listen and motivation through a support network.
The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) offers just that to every female entrepreneur across Sri Lanka embracing diversity. Your grit and power only increase when you are supported by like minded female professionals and I urge any female entrepreneur who desires progression to be affiliated to WCIC.
QWhat do you want to change in your life?
I want the time and space to consume myself in designing. The present day gives me less time to do what I am passionate about. My doors are open to those who seek a new challenge, ones with trust and confidence in themselves. This is the change I would like to witness in my life in possibly the next few years by empowering a self-confident team to take charge.
QWhat is your message to fellow entrepreneurs?
You will face joy, sadness and fear in your entrepreneurial journey. Don’t waste time crying over spilt milk or stressing yourself. Rise above the situation. Value every learning and add a pinch of positivity. You are your own competitor.
The Women’s Chamber of Industry and Commerce (WCIC) is the premier organization supporting entrepreneurs and professional business-women. The membership is open to women who believe they can contribute to society as well as benefit from the many facilities the organization creates.