We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachana Arora. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachana below.
Hi Rachana, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is not something I was very familiar with till a couple of years back. When I decided to start Rtisanal in 2022, I realized the effects of imposter syndrome. I had not worked in 12 years as I had dedicated this time to raising my 2 kids. Besides that, no one in my family had ever started their own business. The combination of being away from the workforce and not having a background in business caused me to believe that I did not know what I was doing.
Support from friends and family played a vital role in my journey. As I would express my self- doubt, my inner circle would share their experiences with when they started their new role or a new business and how they had similar feeling as well. Surrounding myself with my friends and family helped me realize that what I was going through is very common. Their empathy and encouragement helped me gain perspective and build confidence.
They reminded me of the unique perspective I could bring with my background in jewelry design as I graduated with a degree in Jewelry Designing as well as my past experience as a Jewelry designer. As I started Rtisanal, and started meeting with new clients, I found that with a savvy social media strategy and building personal relationships, I was able to host my jewels at various events. Within a year of starting the business, I started participating in exhibitions to show my products & designs. I had opportunities to be the Designer at the F.L.Y. Event, judge a jewelry show and be the exclusive designer for Mrs. INDIA Texas- National, and a jewelry stylist for TCP Universe Pageant. I started participating in exhibitions to show my products & designs. Each win & positive feedback reinforced my belief in myself.
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The simplest way to get out of the imposter syndrome is take one step at a time after another and constantly reflect on what’s working and what’s not.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the founder of Rtisanal ( pronounced-aar-ti-san-al), where I curate a collection of Indian / Contemporary jewelry pieces. At Rtisanal, we believe in blending style and simplicity with impeccable craftsmanship. With my background as a certified jewelry designer, I bring a keen eye for style and creativity to the selection process. Each piece in our collection is handcrafted with care and passion, reflecting a modern aesthetic while honoring traditional Indian influences. We take pride in delivering quality-conscious jewelry that not only looks fashionable and is affordable but also resonates with your unique sense of style.
What makes our brand truly special and exciting is the positive feedback we receive from our clients. The appreciation and satisfaction expressed by our customers make our work even more meaningful and fulfilling. As we continue to grow, we regularly launch new products and participate in events and exhibitions to showcase our exquisite jewelry. At Rtisanal, we strive to make your jewelry shopping experience easy and enjoyable. There’s something for everyone!
https://www.facebook.com/Rtisanalbyrachana
https://www.instagram.com/rtisanalbyrachana
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The 3 qualities that come to my mind, looking back at my journey would be perseverance, adaptability & constant learning.
There were moments when I faced setbacks, and obstacles that made me question my path. At one point I was cheated of investment money, However, I learned the importance of staying resilient and not giving up on my dreams. Being persistent taught me to push through challenges, learn from failures, and keep moving forward.
In 2022, after Diwali, my business was shut for a good 4-5 months since there were no Indian festivities in sight. But this year I adapted & introduced my new modern contemporary collections of “work wear’, to keep it going. In today’s world, being able to adapt to new circumstances and embrace change is crucial. I had to learn to be flexible in my approach, to pivot when necessary, and to embrace new ideas.
Continuous learning has been a driving force behind my personal and professional growth. Always being in the ‘know-how’, being relevant, being on top of trends – all of this takes consistent learning in one’s field.
My advice to those starting their journey is to have a thirst for knowledge, to never stop learning, and to seek out mentors and experts who can guide and inspire you.
What’s been one of your main areas of growth this year?
Over the past 12 months, the biggest growth and improvement for me has been in learning and developing the business aspect of owning my own business. While I have always had a creative inclination from the beginning, I realized that I lacked experience and knowledge in running a business effectively.
One of the significant areas of growth has been in understanding and implementing a marketing strategy. I recognized the importance of reaching out to potential customers and building a strong brand presence. I had to learn about various marketing channels, such as social media, online advertising, and content creation, to effectively promote my products and engage with my target audience. This journey has allowed me to refine my marketing skills, experiment with different strategies, and identify what works best for my business.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rtisanalbyrachana/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rtisanalbyrachana/
