We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Olga Shatrova. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Olga below.

Hi Olga, thanks for joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

As a business owner, I can confidently say I’ve never been happier. The truth is, I was never really thrilled about having a regular 9-to-5 job. I’m a true lover of challenges and freedom, always striving for perfection and the autonomy to make my own decisions. That’s why becoming the founder of my own jewelry company has been the most fulfilling career move for me so far.

Setting my own goals and standards, and finding creative ways to achieve them, truly inspires me. The sense of fulfillment I get from the results of my hard work is unparalleled. And of course, being surrounded by other passionate jewelry entrepreneurs has been incredibly motivating.

Sure, there are ups and downs that come with entrepreneurship, but the freedom to make my own choices and the pride I feel in building something from the ground up make it all worthwhile. It’s a life-changing experience that I wouldn’t trade for anything.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve always known that creativity was my calling. From an early age, I was captivated by crafts, learning to knit at the age of four, and later moving on to sewing under my mother’s guidance. During my school years, I made clothing not only for myself but also for my sister, which allowed me to hone my skills and creative potential. As a teenager, I actively participated in art exhibitions and pursued drawing. When it came time for university, I chose a program that merged my passion for the sciences with creativity — jewelry technology engineering. This curriculum included not just sculpture, painting, and drawing but also physics and chemistry, giving me a profound understanding of the technological processes in jewelry making.

Precision in my work is crucial; I set high standards and consistently maintain quality. Each piece of jewelry is crafted not only with great love but with meticulous attention to the finest details. It’s important to me that my clients enjoy their jewelry and wear it for a long time. I believe this dedication sets me apart from others.

I am so proud that my products combine artistic craftsmanship with technological innovations while reflecting my personal values and high standards of quality. When I see how happy my clients are, it only empowers me more and inspires me to continue making this world brighter and more elegant with our jewelry.

How’d you meet your business partner?

Ivan is both my life partner and business partner. We met over a decade ago at the music college where he was studying drums and I was exploring vocals. Initially, our interactions were minimal as we were both deeply immersed in our studies and jobs. However, we gradually began spending more time together, quickly forming a strong partnership. I was drawn to his intelligence and his knack for devising concepts and visualizing strategies. Together, we experimented with various business ideas while maintaining our regular jobs. Our goal was to find something we loved and could pour our hearts into, rather than just working out of necessity.

During this period, I actively practiced and gained experience in 3D modeling, and made custom jewelry for colleagues at cost. Ivan noticed that although I was getting orders, it wasn’t profitable. So, we decided he would take business courses, as neither of us knew much about running a business. Today, we handle different aspects of our work—I focus more on the creative side, while Ivan handles strategies and brand development. Yet, we both contribute to one big common project, always supporting and learning from each other.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Initially, we didn’t have what you might call capital. Our first significant investment, about $500 at that time, was spent on business courses for Ivan. Those courses helped us grasp the basics of managing our own venture and became a crucial resource for creating our first website and starting to promote our jewelry project. Our friends and acquaintances often helped us, either by paying very little for their custom jewelry services or even nothing at all, because they believed in me and our vision with Ivan. We are sincerely grateful for their support to this day, as it allowed us to grow and begin gaining recognition in the jewelry industry. My unique and high-quality pieces began to draw attention, and my name became known among professionals in the field. Starting in a modest rented room in Moscow, we gradually expanded and strengthened our business step by step.

We decided to expand our business operations in the United States when we opened our new office located in California during 2022… which required some adjustments to our plans, but it didn’t stop our ambition to advance and develop our business. If anything, it motivated us even more and strengthened our desire to reach new heights.

And to everyone who might be afraid to start their own business today because you feel that no one believes in you or because you are financially strapped, remember this: hard work always pays off. The more effort and time you invest in developing your skills and learning, the higher your chances of success. And most importantly, there’s always at least one person who believes in you and will support your wildest ideas.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://olgashatrova.com/en/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/olga.shatrova_jewelry/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087656907349
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olgashatrovausa/

Image Credits

Olga Shatrova