Annoushka ducas dazzles at habb women's breakfast
Published
17th Mar 2011
by rachael
The third HABB Women's Breakfast welcomed jewellery designer and business entrepreneur Annoushka Ducas as its guest, with a fun and informative interview held by Hellen Ward.
An audience of salon owners, PRs and journalists listened as Annoushka regaled her career history, from her early days as a property agent to the launch of the company which she is best known for - Links of London.
Annoushka started to design jewellery at a young age and was called on one Christmas to supply her mother's clients with cufflinks as a gift. It was more economical to have double the amount she required manufactured - and she managed to sell the leftovers to Harvey Nichols.
This can-do attitude resulted in Links of London launching when Annoushka was just 23. From a small shop in the heart of London's banking district selling mainly cufflinks and gifts, the business grew to a celebrated worldwide jewellery brand which she eventually sold for £50million.
Now running her own eponymous boutique label, Annoushka also mentors young designers at Central Saint Martins college.
With the interview over, it was time to open the discussion to the floor with questions from the audience. Here are some of Annoushka's top tips:
- Following her mother's death at an early age, Annoushka took on the family fish business. She revealed that being in the fish industry had taught her to prioritise: when you supply fresh fish, there is no question of putting something off until tomorrow - you have to do it now. She applies this attitude to all aspects of business - never put off until tomorrow what you could do today.
- Both Links of London and the new label were launched in a recession, but Annoushka doesn't see this as a negative - more as a fantastic opportunity. It teaches you discipline and forces you to be very strict with costs, considering what is really important and what people can realistically afford.
- Recognise your weaknesses - if you aren't good at putting together business plans or dealing with accounts, find someone who is.
- Having an investor makes you more disciplined because you have to produce marked results within a certain period.
- In a growing business, Annoushka believes it's worthwhile to employ people who are better qualified than you initially require. As the company grows, they will grow with it - you don't want them to be out of their depth as the business develops.
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