A LOOK BACK: Q & A

• Article

  • September 17, 2004

  Ventura Star / Business and Stocks, page 3

  Jewels Quest

  Owner: André Aghamalian
  Type of product or service: Fine jewelry, brand watches, silver and jewelry repairs.

  Where: 2920 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks.

  
  

  Date established: March 2000.

  
  

  Hours opened: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

  
  

  Telephone: 496-9199.

  
  

  Employees: Three.

  
  

  Question to André Aghamalian: Why did you decide to start your own business?

  A: It was a dream of mine to run my own store. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had to take that risk and see where it took me.

  
  

  Q: What was your background before you started your business?

  A: Initially, I worked for the family jewelry business overseas. When I immigrated to the United States, I continued working in the jewelry business for other companies as a jeweler/designer.

  
  

  Q: What do you consider unique about your business?

  A: Jewels Quest is not just another jewelry store but a welcoming place that combines many aspects of the jewelry business. Unlike many of the jewelry stores, I do all the jewelry repairs myself, on premises. Our watchmaker has more than 40 years experience and also does all repairs on premises. We don't send anything out.

  
  

  You'll find a beautiful selection of fine jewelry, watches, silver jewelry, handcrafted jewelry and we also do custom designing. There's something for everyone in our store. I take pride in our merchandise, especially in the unique pieces I create myself for special orders as well as for inventory. It always is a pleasure for me to show my latest creation.

  
  

  Q: What business courses or advice have you found to be most valuable in getting your business off the ground and keeping it going?

  A: Management courses and previous work experience prepared me for the challenges involved in any retail business. But the most valuable advice was given to me by my father, who said, "Treat your customers as you would like to be treated as a customer." This simple advice made a world of difference in the relationship with my customers.

  
  

  Q: What were the biggest hurdles you overcame?

  A: The first two years were a bit of a struggle, but I pushed and hung in there because I believed I had a lot to offer. Once you've gotten the customers' trust and they also believe in you and your store, it gets easier.

  
  

  Q: Who is your target client/customer base?

  A: Our customers range from young couples to ages 50 and up.

  
  

  Q: What is your strategy to increase market share?

  A: Next year is a year of celebration for Jewels Quest; we'll be celebrating our fifth anniversary, and we are planning to include our customers and potential customers in our celebration by offering wonderful specials. We've been slowly growing in the shadows but, with our fifth anniversary coming up, we intend to place ourselves in the spotlight.

  
  

  In 2005 we'll be focusing on expanding our marketing strategies to reach new customers and give them the opportunity to discover all the benefits of shopping at Jewels Quest.

  
  

  Q: What kind of competition does your business face?

  A: There are many jewelry stores around our area, but the reason Jewels Quest has survived is the same reason customers return and also refer us to their friends and families; they always leave our store satisfied with the quality of our jewelry and the integrity of our work, and I personally do everything to assure them the best value possible. I always tell my customers to go shop around if they are not sure of their purchase. They always come back to Jewels Quest.

  
  

  I am proud of the way Jewels Quest has been developing and look forward to many more years to come.