For Jalni Shah, the need to find a beautiful but comfortable pair of shoes forced Jalni to design he
We chatted to Jalni Shah all about high heels.
With a love of elegant but comfortable high heels, Jalni turned her idea into a business which is growing by the day – along with its Facebook page! Find out how Jalni made success happen for herself!
Who are you and what is your business?
I’m Jalni Shah and my start-up venture is www.jaspaking.com.au We sell handmade leather shoes with more than 65 style colour combinations to choose from. Our shoes are perfect for any occasion; night out, prom/formals, races to bridal shoes.
If women work hard and play hard, do they deserve the best? I was clear that this needed to be a key message and hence spend the little extra for quality leathers on your feet. We designed a cushioned leather insole for superior comfort which allows women to wear heels for a longer period without the usual aches and pains.
How old are you?
Young enough to be creative and dynamic but wise enough to start a business.
How long have you been in business?
We started the design process in March 2013 before the first range arrived in November 2013.
What are the best things about being in business for you?
Selecting leather and suede swatches in conjunction with my styles has been so much fun.
Seeing the customer’s reactions and comments when they see our quality pumps and platforms. Another great thing would have to be flexible working hours, as most of our business is done online. We recently had a bride buy Jaspa King shoes and sent us the following review “The Chicago stiletto is gorgeous. It is the perfect shoe for my wedding day. The leather inner is incredibly comfortable, just perfect.”
What is your biggest goal for your business at the moment?
We are focussed on brand awareness and designing our second range of shoes. Along with fantastic feedback about the quality and style of our heels and sandals, I had so many responses to design flats and ballets…. Watch this space!
We have been blessed with great support staff and had Vishal, Anneka, Catherine and Sarah join our business to support its growth. There is lots to do but it’s fun with so many projects on the go.
What is your biggest achievement in business to date?
When I first started out and wasn’t too sure on how successful the business was going to be, I started www.facebook.com/jaspaking.com.au and in the space of 3 months we received 400 LIKES. At the time of our interview we are at over 1,020 real Facebook Likes and recently started Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram to engage with various market segments.
Having customers return to the website and putting in more orders, validates the quality of our shoes and our customer service.
Any big news with your business that you would like to share?
It’s a very busy few months for Jaspa King. During the months of August and October 2014, we are showcasing our products at:
Gledswood Homestead & Winery in support of McGrath Foundation supporting breast cancer on 31st August
Ladies Night Out events in Glebe 1st October, Northern Beaches and Caringbah 15th October supporting Dress for Success and,
Be Indulged High Tea at Pymble Golf Club, Oct 26th
A portion of ticket and shoes sales goes to these charities to support women in need. We are also working on next season’s range of shoes.
We are also starting a radio campaign in Gold Coast Qld from September 2014.
What piece of advice do you have for those starting a business?
The key thing is passion; you must love what you do and be surrounded by people that are the same way inclined. There are days when things are challenging so a good shoulder is always useful! Make sure you take time chill out and celebrate your successes.
Where do you want your business to be in 5 years’ time?
We would like Jaspa King to be known around the world as the luxury brand of choice. It’s a tall order but we believe in aiming very high. Wearing our high heels gives us a few extra inches to reach for those dreams.
Make sure you stay informed of all of Jaspa King exciting updates, by checking out our Fan page www.facebook.com/jaspaking.com.au and instagram.com/jaspakingshoes
To win a pair of Jaspa King shoes go to the competition page and also remember to tag us in your entry @sydneychicblog on Facebook Click Here