3 Minute Interview – Habib Benelbaida, Bibs Polishers

When you were at school, what did you want to be and why?

When I was at school I wanted to be a chef. I loved cooking and the attention to detail and when someone compliments your food, it’s a great feeling. I suppose it’s the same thing about Jewellery, you get to see your customers face when you have produced the perfect piece of jewellery. It’s a great feeling.

How did you get to be where you are today?

I started out as an apprentice Jewellery polisher, working on a single bench. It’s how I got to know about and understand the fundamentals of jewellery. I then got some help because the workload got bigger and bigger and then before I knew it I was opening my workshop, with just the one setter, one mounter and two polishers. Now we have over 30 members of staff all with their own expertise on different areas of jewellery manufacture and design.

Which aspect of your job do you enjoy and why?

I touched on it a bit before but it’s when you create the perfect piece of jewellery, knowing that there is a customer that absolutely adores something you put your hard work into making.

What is your proudest achievement?

My proudest achievement is the workshop. A lot of hard work, time and effort still goes into keeping the workshop running daily. It’s taken over 20 years to get to this stage and I am extremely proud of the work we do

What is the best advice you’ve been given in work or in life in general?

Work hard and you will get what you deserve. I always believe if you work your hardest and give all your effort into a project, then you will be rewarded.  I still work in the workshop until 11pm most nights, sometimes going into the early hours of the morning making sure everything is running perfectly

What is your next goal?

There is still more I would like to do with the workshop. I would like to expand more and possibly look at different areas of wholesale and manufacturing we can go in to.