Silver linings

After being diagnosed with a chronic illness, Janine Leghissa’s life came tumbling down. Now the Thirroul entrepreneur’s jewellery business is winning international acclaim

How did you come to start a jewellery business?

Desiderate was born when I found myself with a chronic incurable illness and I had to find a way to support my family.

After being diagnosed with Lupus SLE, my health went downhill and I couldn’t work. I lost my eyesight, my hair and so much more; at one stage
I spent months in hospital and was told I’d never walk again unaided. I’m pretty stubborn though, and am always determined to turn things around.

Before becoming so unwell, I owned and lived in my dream home. I had worked so hard to achieve this and yet it all came tumbling down. I was left with no home or income, and I needed cash – fast. I did anything I could think of, including selling my jewellery collection to cover my rising bills.

I knew I had to rebuild my life and what I could do was restricted. I was really desperate to survive.

I had no idea of starting a jewellery business, I was only worried about providing for my children. But as the jewellery began to sell on my Facebook page, I realised my love of gems presented an opportunity.

I fell back on my background in colour and design. Previously I was an award-winning artist and worked in senior management with hairdressing companies, specialising in colour and design. I began sourcing stones and commissioning jewellers to produce pieces to my specifications.

Desiderate was born in 2017 and, since then, I’ve grown the business to employ a team and support overseas silversmiths and artists with commissions of unique pieces. I’ve built our website and taught myself how to run an ecommerce business.

I’m beyond grateful for the support of my valued customers. Desiderate is my phoenix rising from the ashes.

What’s behind the name, Desiderate?

Desiderate is a verb meaning ‘to want, to desire, to have to have’. I felt that reflected what I wanted to create, a collection of jewellery that inspires absolute love and joy for the pieces. Although it may not be one of my best decisions, given that people struggle with pronouncing it and spelling it.

Why specialise in silver jewellery?

Finding Australian silver jewellery can be difficult. I wanted quality, with pieces that would last decades without staining, fading or breaking. Silver is flattering to all ages and skin tones.

What does your work involve?

I design the jewellery, manage my team here, my online team and my artisan teams in India and Indonesia. I oversee the lot, from web development, advertising, social media, email flow automation, financial planning and admin, but recently our growth has meant more outsourcing of tasks, such as Facebook and Google advertising, and finally we have a CFO.

You’ve won a few awards – congratulations!

Thank you! Winning business awards is exciting … an acknowledgment of a job well done and justification for the agony, the self-doubt, and the hard work that goes into building a successful business. To be awarded a Silver Stevie for 2021 Female Entrepreneur Of The Year and also for Company Of The Year – 10 staff or less – was incredible and a reflection of how committed my team are. We were also named in the Top 50 Small Businesses in Australia by Business Insider. We won the Silver AusMumpreneur Award for Fashion Business, a surprise, given that most people think of fashion as clothing, not jewellery.

What’s your favourite gemstone?

What a question, I don’t like to play favourites and I can be a little ‘woo woo’ about the ‘powers of the stones’. But, I love Larimar for the way she embodies everything about the ocean; Ruby for her colour and energy; Peridot, because it’s my birthstone and it’s difficult to look past White Topaz for her sparkle.

Visit desiderate.com.au