MOGUL MOM SPOTLIGHT-Clare Appleyard

WHAT’S YOUR NAME?Clare AppleyardCOMPANY NAMEKatannuta DiamondsTELL US ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS AND WHY YOU STARTED IT?Katannuta Diamonds started in 2006 as the brain child of Clare Appleyard and her partner Davina Toale. In 2006, Clare was working as a corporate geologist for a giant South African mining corporation, but was feeling burnt out, stressed out and generally uninspired. A chance meeting with a diamond dealer led Clare to starting a small, bespoke diamond supply service "on the side", so to speak. Clare's background in geology and past experience in working for global diamond giant De Beers, proved to be the perfect knowledge platform on which to launch Katannuta Diamonds.After a few years of finding our feet and defining our strengths, we are now a respected and trusted name in South Africa's manufacturing jewellery market. Clare has a passion for education and her role with Katannuta Diamonds allows her to educate and inform clients on what to look for, what to pay attention to and what questions to ask when purchasing diamonds or jewellery. We love delighting clients with our bespoke designs and sparkling gemstones and being able to work with a diversity of clients fulfills both Clare's creative and educational passions, as well as providing the freedom that entrepreneurs craveWHAT DO YOU SELL?Bespoke jewellery including engagement rings, wedding rings and special occasion showstoppers.WHO IS YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE?Our primary audience is couples (or men, mostly) looking for an engagement ring. They have discerning taste, are generally young to middle-aged professionals in the middle-to-upper income categories. Our primary market is South Africa, but, with a business partner in the USA, we are able to start servicing the United States market.WHAT 3 PROFESSIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF?1) Running a business for 10 years without sinking!2) Being selected recently as one of the few African participants in the Cherie Blair Mentorship programme3) My 9-year contract with a leading American tour company who have trusted me to educate their clients on diamonds and gemsWHAT MAKES YOUR BUSINESS STORY UNIQUE?There are few things that separate us, perhaps the first being absolutely no entrepreneurial background or knowledge and no "safety net", per se, before quitting my corporate job and starting Katannuta Diamonds. A strong scientific background in diamonds and geology allows us to give clients knowledge and expertise that they won't get at any retail jewellery store. Oh, and perhaps the whole catalyst to starting the business came from a nervous breakdown and knowing that something had to change, and fast!HOW CAN WE FIND YOU?Email- clare.appleyard@gmail.comFacebook- http://www.facebook.com/KatannutaDiamondsTwitter- http://www.twitter/katannutagems