We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shayba Diaz Muhammad. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shayba below.
Hi Shayba, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.
Mahnal is not just a brand; it’s a romantic love note to women. A note encouraging women to embrace life’s beauty and live with purposeful intention every single day. The name ‘Mahnal’ itself, an Arabic word meaning attainment, achievement, and success, became a guiding light during a pivotal moment in my life.
The loss of my father, Akbar, in 2014, marked a profound turning point, propelling me on a search for meaning and a name that would encapsulate the vision I had for my jewelry brand. This period of deep reflection ignited a desire within me to leave a lasting impact through my art- to craft pieces that resonated with depth and intention. It was in this soul-searching phase that the name ‘Mahnal’ actually found me. I was drawn to it even before I uncovered its meaning— that once revealed felt like a gift not only to myself but to women everywhere. It was a reminder that as we. become more ‘ourselves’ we find all of our greatest points of fulfillment and marks of success.
Mahnal was conceived to serve women and to fulfill a personal need for expression and connection through art. My approach lies in crafting jewelry that’s not just worn but felt—imbued with stories and a deep sense of purpose. The excitement for me was in creating pieces that serve as daily reminders of beauty, intention, and the personal narratives we carry. Mahnal stands out because it intertwines the artistic with the meaningful, offering more than adornment—it offers a reflection of the wearer’s journey and aspirations.
Shayba, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
What sets Mahnal apart is our dedication to crafting not just jewelry, but symbols of intention and beauty that carry profound messages and connect deeply with our wearers. I am most proud of the ability to blend spiritual inspiration with artistic design, creating pieces that are not only visually stunning but also resonate on a personal level with each individual who experiences my work.
I want our clients, followers, and fans to know that Mahnal is more than a jewelry brand; it’s a movement towards living a life filled with purpose, beauty, and authenticity. Each piece is handcrafted with love and intention, serving as a reminder to live each day with beauty and intention, inspired by the romance of life itself.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been a combination of showing up consistently and authentically on social media, maximizing SEO on my website, and partnering with other brands or media outlets or creators.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
Absolutely, some of these are going to be specific to my brand identity and positioning but anything written by Min. Ava Muhammad on women. She’s a brilliant spiritual leader and because she’s also a lawyer so her approach is almost surgical- in the most beautiful way! She dives deep and is thorough. That’s mores going into my philosophy. As far as entrepreneurial thinking I love the classics: Think & Grow Rich (anything by Napoleon Hill), 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Atomic Habits, anything by Dale Carnegie, Secrets of the Millionaire Mind and so many more. I try to maintain a regular diet of consuming uplifting and spiritual and inspiring material to keep my mindset in good condition.
Contact Info:
- Website: mahnal.com
- Instagram: @mahnal