Anjali Singh is designing, promoting handcrafted jewellery, making
a social impact Azilaa handmade jewellery.
A degree in Information Technology and a conventional job in a
multi-national company had Anjali Singh wanting to do something different.
Looking to not only create a business that would generate
earnings, Anjali also wanted to do something that would make a social impact
and with that in mind, the chief designer and Co-founder of Azilaa forayed into
jewellery design. Her venture not only produces much-sought-after jewellery
pieces but also generates employment for artisans who make this handcrafted
jewellery.
Anjali was born in Darjeeling to an Army family from the Gurkha
community. “As a child, my father would tell us many heroic stories about my
grandfather and his association with World War II. My father too served India
during the 1971 war and was one of my biggest heroes. As one would expect,
growing up amid Army legacies and stories, my life too got imbibed with strong
values, ethics, discipline, and courage which shapes my actions even today as
an entrepreneur,” she recalls.
After completing her schooling and college in Bhopal, she worked
for a few years at a multi-national company before taking up jewellery design.
After Anjali got married, she pursued a course in Jewellery Design in the US
from Ashworth College, and studied Gemmology from the Gemmological Institute of
America in California.
“My
corporate job did not leave me with any fond memories. I still remember, how I
had faced some harsh racial and gender-specific discrimination at work despite
carrying out my job with utmost sincerity and efficiency. These incidents made
me a stronger person and gave me the courage and conviction to be independent,”
she says.
Her passion for design and craft took her to a number of places,
where she would interact with rural artisans, and learn about their craft. A
majority of these craftsmen were poor and struggling to earn a living.
“It got me thinking that if I were able to create a sustainable
source of income for them, then I would be able to save some of these arts and
the artisans too. This was the genesis of my entrepreneurship. After my
marriage and first baby, I decided to make it my career,” she adds.
Anjali didn’t have to look far for a co-founder who believed in
her and supported her passion.
“I received tremendous support and motivation from my family,
especially from my husband Pravin. While I look into the creative side of the
business, Pravin manages the technology and operational sides of the business,”
she says.