Don’t listen to well-meaning advice from non-experts! We were told constantly you should be doing x y and z but 6 months later those companies following that x y and z had gone closed down.
As part of my series about “individuals and organizations making an important social impact”, I had the pleasure of interviewing Myne London.
Founded in Belgravia, London, in 2018, Myne London® specialises in sourcing emeralds ethically, sustainably and responsibly from Swat Valley, Pakistan. It works with local groups in the region to enhance the positive social impact of emerald mining, with a special focus on the education, training and fair employment of women. To achieve these goals, Myne London collaborates with designerbrands to find a creative home for its emerald supply, while also creating its own luxury fine jewellery collections that encompass its values of social and economic empowerments.
The business was founded by sisters Fiona Wellington and Kate Murray Gordos who were born in Malaysia and raised in both London and Peshawar, Pakistan. They travelled extensively across Pakistan including the Khyber regions and into Afghanistan and Kabul, thus establishing a deep relationship with the area. In 2018, they sent a team of experts, including gemmologist Charles Evans BSc FGA DGA, to investigate the little-known emerald mines hidden in the beautiful Swat Valley. The exceptional quality and rarity of the emeralds they found there were world class, thus establishing a new traceable and transparent route to market.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Can you tell us a story about what brought you to this specific career path?
Early childhood memories of Pakistan, the beautiful people and beautiful landscape.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began leading your company or organization?
We were accepted incredibly early as a tenant by Grosvenor Estates for gorgeous little shop in Belgravia. I could have found them intimidating but instead I was fascinated by their positive social agenda and constructs. We were a long shot for them but they wanted us in Belgravia! It also gave me my first quote in a national paper regarding them in The Times business section! It was a VERY short quote! Only more impressive and even shorter was my appearance on the national news at that time in Pakistan. All my carefully curated words cut down to “we lived in Pakistan” it was funny but also an exciting beginning.
Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Kate my business partner walked into the hairdressers and fell straight into a freshly painted door — despite all the wet paint signs. Jenny Powell was there having her hair done and this threw her into a fit of laughter. They instantly became friends! Jenny loved the ethos of Myne London and gave significant and meaningful support from day one. Lesson learnt? To be real and have some fun.
Can you describe how you or your organization is making a significant social impact?
We insist and ensure that our supply chain includes training and appropriate employment for women with childcare in Pakistan.
Can you tell us a story about a particular individual who was impacted or helped by your cause?
We have emotionally moving videos of ladies thanking us for the opportunity to provide for their families. We are also excited to be supporting their daughters into full time education in the near future. This opportunity feels like a dream come true just to be able to give girls a chance.
Are there three things the community/society/politicians can do to help you address the root of the problem you are trying to solve?
The British ambassador in Pakistan has refused to attend any formal meeting which does not have at least one female person. This is an extremely helpful and straight forward act.
How do you define “Leadership”? Can you explain what you mean or give an example?
It is governance and that means you are serving people. You must learn to see the bigger picture and then to delegate and to surround yourself with sincere people who share your vision and ideally have greater expertise than you! To be humble but to also take full responsibility and be willing to lead. To listen to others but be clear on your vision so you know what to do and how to move forwards.
What are your “5 things I wish someone told me when I first started” and why. Please share a story or example for each.
It doesn’t matter if your budget is small- don’t be ashamed of small beginnings. Plus, lack of budget prevents expensive mistakes! Story being — we were not ready for large scale manufacturing early on and thank goodness we didn’t have that budget because the skills we have learnt through others with bespoke work has been beautiful.
Your drive and excitement are a good thing. You really need to be slightly crazy to get something started because there are so many challenges. It carries you through.
Get good advice and pay for experts as much as you can afford it will be worth it.
Don’t listen to well-meaning advice from non-experts! We were told constantly you should be doing x y and z but 6 months later those companies following that x y and z had gone closed down.
Your new ideas won’t stay new for too long. Act on them if you can as timing is everything.
You are a person of enormous influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 😊
It’s simple for me. Men and women should be living equally — when we do that it brings the best out of humanity. It’s not fair on either men or women when this is out of balance and it ruins relationships when there is unequal power.
Can you please give us your favourite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
Number 1 — Respect yourself and number 2 — Respect others as yourself. First lesson was harder and took more years than I would have imagined. Taking the time to listen to your own feelings and unravel what is beneath them. Often something powerful and good. Then you can use the same respectful technique on others. To speak to others with respect and only allow others to speak to you with respect even when the subject is challenging. That will reap a better result. That’s me on a good day! I won’t explain what happens on a bad day but the results are poorer!
Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we tag them. 😊 Mackenzie Scott, Amal Clooney and Queen Elizabeth II.
How can our readers follow you on social media?
Mynelondon on instagram and twitter or Fionamyne
This was very meaningful, thank you so much. We wish you only continued success on your great work!
Thank you so much.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Myne London of Belgravia Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.