As I pondered what to write my next article about, I suddenly realized that showcasing a small business could be a great topic to highlight during this pandemic. After that thought dawned on me, I was on the hunt and determined to find a small business that would be willing to answer my interview questions. The purpose of the article would be to inspire others and spread awareness to the public about how to support these businesses–I was confident that the first business I reached out to would jump at the opportunity. Much to my disappointment, I was looking through countless hashtags and messaged multiple accounts, but none answered.

Just when I was about to give up on this article, I finally stumbled upon a post by Dana Mayah that showcased their hypoallergenic earrings. I immediately messaged them (@danamayahjewelry) after seeing their work and did not expect any reply at all. To my surprise, my phone lit up and I saw a response from them, and I immediately started messaging back. For some additional background, Dana Mayah is a small business founded in Virginia (USA) by 26-year-old Dana “to help women who have sensitive skin find the right type of jewelry for an affordable price.” Below are the questions followed by the answers.

Q: What first peaked your interest in jewelry making?

A: “To wear any type of jewelry is a blessing and finding that perfect piece is just an amazing feeling. As my love for jewelry started to grow, I realized I was strongly allergic to most metals. My ears and neck would get red, itchy or sore when wearing certain types of base metals. With that in mind, I started the Dana Mayah jewelry brand to help other women who have sensitive skin find the right type of jewelry for an affordable price. Our pieces draw on minimal and classic designs, which will never go out of style. Whether it’s your first job interview or just a night out with your friends, our elegant pieces will be part of your every moment.”

Q: What made you want to turn your passion for jewelry into a small business?

A: “Owning a business has been a dream for a while, and I started considering making my dream a reality about a few years ago. However, between [a] full time job and full-time school, it took me a few years to get the ground running. It seemed like a crazy idea to start a small business in the middle of a pandemic, but I took a leap of faith to embark on this exciting journey. After years of struggling to find affordable timeless pieces that caters to different types of skin, I realized I needed to fill that gap and offer stylish and refined pieces, which is perfect for every woman.”

Q: What is the most difficult thing about being the owner of a small business?

A: “The most difficult part of starting my own business, my own personal brand, has been making the plunge and actually doing it. Whether its photography skills or figuring out [the] financial side of it, I am taking every day step-by-step and learning new skills along the way. When you are the owner of a small business, you’re wearing all the hats–from being a content creator, the face of the brand, the product photographer or the person behind packaging and shipping. With all this on your plate, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, so I’ve relied on my passion for my industry to overcome this. And, so far it’s been a great ride.”

Q: What is something you wish others understood or knew about small businesses?

A: “’When you buy from a small business an actual person does a little happy dance.’ This has been so true for me. Every time I get an order, the excitement is just on another level. But even if you do not buy from small businesses, I wish others understood that you can support small businesses for free, and the following image explains this.”

Q: Would you recommend others to start their own small business?

A: “Yes, go for it. Find what you are passionate about and give it 100% [of your effort], and if it doesn’t work out, you will regret nothing. [It is] better to try and fail than not and never know.”

Q: What is some advice you would have for others who are interested in starting their own business as well?

A: “You have to be extremely motivated and disciplined. There will be many days that you will struggle, but those are moments when you [should not] give up and keep pushing yourself.”

Thank you so much to Dana Mayah for participating in this article, they have been kind enough to include a discount to readers of this article. If you are interested in purchasing from Dana Mayah, simply message their Instagram account and let them know you found their company through this article to receive a discount code to use during purchase.

Dana Mayah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danamayahjewelry/

Dana Mayah’s Website: https://danamayah.com