Mondale Smith… What started out as a man being a small jeweler more than 20 years ago has now expanded into a multi-million dollar business that easily stands as one of the gems in Guyana’s successful business crown.
Last Saturday evening, through a cocktail reception Kings Jewellery world added yet another multimillion dollar branch to its chain by launching, this time at the Giftland Mall.
Looknauth Persaud, the business owner said the idea is to make it easier for Persons looking for exquisite, authentic made in Guyana gold, diamond and precious stones Jewellery made with quality, style and service at the highest standard that they can access even after working hours.
The business man said, “We continue to build on our motto to ensure that all Guyana can be proud of saying this is made in Guyana. Our Jewellery should last a life time and for generations because when we sell you a product the emotions should go with it.”
He dared to dream and pursue it to the point of securing backing from local banks to expand following the company’s launch at the trade expo in 1994.
Unlike many who approached the banks he said as a result of the commitment to standards and quality “the banks came into us and said we can help you to improve and we took the initiative from them. “ Speaking about choosing the right timing Persaud said many years prior there was a bank manager who made offers but he did not immediately accept for fears of loosing but now he has no regrets.
“The demand is there to match our creativity because people like exquisite items and that’s what makes us stand out with changes annually.”
Comparing their products to other local jewelers Harrinand Ralph Persaud the company’s Chief Financial & Marketing Officer said his family business has taken the local industry a bit further with the aim of offering the world a quality piece of Guyana.
“We have collectively a whole family unit probably of the most trained gemologists and jewellery designers locally and in the region so our products make us unmatched to anywhere else in the world and we have done a lot of expansions abroad.”
The younger Persaud said the company has a wealth of knowledge that set their brand of jewellery that sets them apart from others through cultural experiences shared in Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas, New York and having been on a cruise ship port.
He also noted that the decision to have the branch in the mall is to cater to domestic as well as international tourists at all levels. “Our products are meant to last a life time and when tourists when tourists looking for something of quality that represents Guyana to take back with them they now have a golden opportunity to head to the mall even after working hours to do their late shopping of exquisite pieces that can last for generations.“
Notably he said that within the cricketing fraternity from England, Australia and even India there is a large client that demands for the Guyana gold creatively handmade and designed.
The company works closely with the bureau of standards and from day one they have been approved for meeting and in many instances surpassing their requirements. “Every time they do random testing we make sure the products exceed the requirements and if more jewelers would do the same thing they too can also help project a positive image of Guyana,” Persaud said. He also noted that there are less than a handful of Jewellers in Guyana that actually work towards the standards of the Bureau of standards which needs to be a national standard.” He noted that as part of testing the Bureau of standards normally use methods which kings developed to ensure that jewelers stand up to what they say they are offering.
While noting that business can fluctuate when asked why does he remain an investor locally after more than twenty years Persaud senior said his reason for staying aside from being a proud Guyanese he loves and will continue to work to develop with and aim to make Guyana proud with everything he does.
“To me when people buy jewellery representing Guyana to take overseas they must be proud to say I got this from Guyana so I see no reason for me to leave Guyana out of my investments because I was born and I am comfortable here.”
Kings Jewellery which also sells Luxury products with a head office located at 141 Quamina Street, Georgetown, provides employment for over one hundred staff. “If we were to go we would be leaving them unemployed also and that is not what we are about… Guyana has been good to us so we will continue to be good to Guyana by remaining here and develop a product and pay our dues to Guyana.”