Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in jewelry but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Mathias Lukas Woronchak, owner of OTA Horloger-Bijouterie, located in Montreal, QC, Canada.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

We are a 60 year established retail business for watch, clock, jewelry repair, and custom jewellery. A 2nd generation family-run business, basing customer service as a priority. Personalized customer service with on-the-spot technical consultation. From the 80 years old grandmother coming in for a watch battery to the working professional with his timepiece looking for servicing or consultation, we have an eclectic clientele from all ages and backgrounds.

Tell us about yourself

Being a small business in NDG for 60 years, we have established relationships with many of our clients in the same location. We have seen them grow up, get married, and have kids of their own. Celebrated special occasions with them have guided them in purchases of watches, helped them create their custom jewellery piece. I started back in 1988 (but actually started working in 1983 on my summer holidays), working full time with my father, the late Mathias Woronchak Sr. Back then, we were open at 8 am and closed at 6 pm, and we were open six days a week. We used to open early to catch those clients who would drop off their repair work before heading into the office.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Persevering for 60 years through the ups and downs of the economy, changes in the political situations in Quebec, adapting to the internet, having clients throughout Quebec, Ontario, the US, and Europe in some cases.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

One of the hardest things is keeping up with the high pace seven days 24/7 lifestyle - with technology today, you are always "on-call." In the watch repair business especially, there are challenges with certain brands of timepieces that have a monopoly on after-sales service or even aftermarket bands.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Starting a business, giving it 110%, and enjoying the journey.
  2. Running a business: be aware of the changes in your industry adapt to those changes.
  3. Growing a business: hard work, determination, adaptation to the current situation, and appreciation for your clients.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

My father, a Ukrainian immigrant to Canada, came here in search of rebuilding his life after WWII. What started as a business in one of the bedrooms of the upstairs apartment grew to the small storefront business that is here today - what has remained: the same values that he began with transparency, honesty, personalized customer service in both before and after-sales, and always at your service.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.otawatchmakerandjewellery.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/otawatchmaker/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ota_watchmaker/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mathias-lucas-woronchak-5626a848/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.