A ‘Jumbled’ Life: The Story of a Small Business Owner in Taylor’s | By Caitlyn Tan
Illustration by Calista, Xin Tung and Rachel.
Through the formation of these small businesses, new entrepreneurs were able to unleash their creative side and utilise social media to market their speciality goods. That being said, it is evident that most small businesses were started by people who tried to make the most out of an unfortunate situation. But what about the small businesses started by students—more specifically, the ones here at Taylor’s?
Recently, I was given the pleasure of interviewing Sandhiya, an SACE student and a fellow member of the Etc. Magazine club here at Taylor’s. She is the insanely talented founder and owner of @jjeweljjumble, a small Instagram-based business that sells intricate, handmade, beaded and gold jewellery.
If you have a burning curiosity like I do, or you’re looking for some advice, or you simply stumbled upon here by chance, keep reading—there’s something here for you.
Photo by Sandhiya.
A Chat With Sandhiya
Give yourself and your business a quick introduction!
Sandhiya: Hi, I’m Sandhiya! I’m currently studying at Taylor’s College as an SACE student, and I also run a small business that sells handcrafted jewellery on Instagram on the side.
What inspired you to start up a small business?
Sandhiya: Growing up, I’ve always loved creating arts and crafts. Even today, creating art is one of my biggest passions, and something I really enjoy doing. When I made the decision to venture into running a small jewellery business, I realised that it really helped me to sort of ‘get away’ from my usual daily life and allow myself to express my ideas and personality in the form of my own individual creativity.
What would be the biggest struggle you’ve faced thus far (in relation to the business, school life, managing personal time, etc.)?
Sandhiya: For me personally, one of the biggest struggles would be time management as operating my business is a one-man job. I have a lot of tasks to do, ranging from creating the pieces, photographing them and even advertising too! In complete honesty, it can be super tiring at times—juggling my small businesses as well as all my other responsibilities, but I think it’s all worth it in the end!
How do you manage your time as a full-time student who also runs a small business?
Sandhiya: Since most of my classes end around 5pm, a normal evening for me would usually be getting back home after school and working on my jewellery business for about an hour before getting on to my other responsibilities like assignments from classes I had earlier on in the day. However, on the weekends, I have a lot more free time. This allows me to spend more time crafting jewellery and packing orders, as well as managing other aspects of the business during my designated ‘hobby time’.
What advice would you give to those who may be keen on starting a small business of their own?
Sandhiya: Firstly, be authentic. Don’t be afraid to explore your own ideas, and take care and time into crafting them out! I would also say that time management is extremely important—you shouldn’t spend too much time on the small business, as it will inevitably lead to a neglect of all your other responsibilities—which definitely isn’t ideal! Lastly, always stay optimistic. It’s easy to lose hope in your small business, especially on days where you’re lacking creativity and ideas, losing buyers, etc; but every time things get rough, just remember that it isn’t the end. Take a break to rest and reset, focus on yourself and do the things you enjoy with the people you love—and come back stronger than ever!
Final Thoughts
Throughout my recent conversation with Sandhiya, I found myself greatly enlightened and inspired by her experiences and have come to develop my own opinions on small businesses and their owners. Personally, as someone who has never owned a small business before, I believe that all small business owners deserve a huge amount of respect for the work that they put in to make and sell their products single-handedly. I have an even greater amount of admiration for all the students who are also working hard to get themselves out there and express their individuality in a creative manner, whilst also managing business finances, product advertising, schoolwork and exams all at once.
To wrap things up, although many people may have their own differing views and opinions on the existence of small businesses, one thing is for certain. They are the small, but mighty vessels that provide voices to people of all backgrounds, providing a safe space for individuals to let their creativity shine while simultaneously building independence. And for every success story we hear, we learn that anything is possible, no matter how old we may be.
Photo by Sandhiya.
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