Diamonds, they say, is a girl’s best friend. Brisbane-based Shweta Khan saw it right through early on in life. She imbued them with design, mystique and a personal touch to build her own brand in a tightly held diamond market.
Khan’s entrepreneurial journey which spans over 25 years is quite straightforward. But what makes her story remarkable is the fact that as a migrant woman she has been able to hold her own to carve out a successful career as a businesswoman.
In 1987, when Fiji witness two coups that year resulting in the country’s political upheaval, it led to many families dislocating and migrating elsewhere. Khan’s father, a well-established businessman, decided to migrate to Australia for better life of his family.
Khan was 13 years old when she came to Australia. “My parents were still winding down their businesses in Fiji, it took a while for them to come over here. So me and my sister lived here with our aunties initially. We actually became very independent from a very early age because our parents were not around,” she says.
Khan would go on to finish high school in Brisbane and Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting and Finance from Griffith University. But when she had her first job as a graduate accountant in a firm, she found herself wondering why she was doing it. “It was very boring,” she recollects.
Khan didn’t think twice when an opportunity to dabble in diamond business came along. A family friend wanted to start a wholesale business in Brisbane and Khan jumped into it.
To start with, Khan armed herself with a diamond welding course ensuring she learnt all about diamonds and the right stock to sell. She put in a lot of hard work even door to door selling building the business from scratch to a now seven-figure business. Today, Akshmi Diamonds is a well-known diamond wholesaler in Brisbane selling to jewellers Australia wide, notes Khan.
After being in the wholesale side of the business for long, Khan decided to foray into retail. “I always had a bit of an artistic side which I never explored because my parents wanted me to become an accountant like them,” says Khan. And that’s how her second company Starfire Diamond Jewellery was born about 10 years ago.
Khan was sure she did not want to make something that was found in chain jewellery shops. She wanted to set her brand apart by making unique designs, one where a piece stood out and made a statement with emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. “I wanted to push the boundaries and do something different,” she says.
Towards that end, Khan got into remodelling of designs. “People come with their jewellery, say, items given by their grandmothers or passed down in the family which they want to modernise. We then come up with a drawing that we envision together and I give them a quote. If they are happy, I give them to my master jeweller, who has been in the industry for 40 years.
“People are happy because I am also helping them preserve the family sentiments and history,” says Khan.
With her expertise as a diamond grader, sorter and diamond buyer for her wholesale diamond business, Khan says majority of the diamonds are mined in South Africa as we know. Pink diamonds come from Argyle Mine in Western Australia but they are cut and polished around the world. “My diamonds are ethically sourced from my trusted and reputed suppliers. And diamonds now are certified, what you are getting is what it is on the paper.”
As a migrant entrepreneur, Khan believes the hard lessons all happened when she was at school. Going to a private all girls school, she remembers being judged for being different culturally. “I quickly learnt that I was different, my name and looks were different.”
But that’s how she learnt not to lose herself and her own identity. “Because you need to accept the person you are so that others see you are genuine and honest. I’ve embraced who I am and love that about myself. It’s not where you come from but who you are that is important.”
With her two sons—who are now 18 and 14—Khan says she has not had to sacrifice much to pursue her career. “Having kids means you do have to slow down, not put on hold, your career,” she says.
Passionate about empowering women, Khan says believing in yourself is key to achieving success. “A lot of the time people can be insecure and doubt their capabilities, but if you can understand more about yourself as a person, you can get rid of any roadblocks. The only person that can stop you from achieving anything is yourself and your fears.”
Her own inspiration is her father, says Khan, who found him fearless in all his business endeavours. Besides, he gave her the gift of education.
An avid supporter of Aussie Kidz Charity, Carers Foundation, Red Rose Foundation Australia, Mummy’s Wish and many schools and communities seeking financial aid, Khan’s life goals are tied to philanthropy.
Recently, as part of the Dancing CEO 2023, Khan raised over 50,000 AUD for Women’s Legal Service Queensland, a charity that works for women affected by domestic violence.
“Having that aspect of luxury growing up and also visiting India quite a few times (her husband comes from Hyderabad) has made me appreciate what I have as a person. So, I want to give back as much as I can, when I can,” says Khan. She has another event for Women’s Network Australia for International Women’s Day.
As much as diamonds are prized, Khan’s works are prize worthy too!
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