Meet Swapna Pinnamaneni | Fashion Designer & Information Technology Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Swapna Pinnamaneni and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Swapna, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Balance is Beautiful. Isn’t it. Like many, I love reading autobiographies. When I see these great leaders, excellent business owners, amazing all rounders, I love to notice how these great souls have ‘Balanced’ everything so Beautifully. When I started my company Dream Choice Inc. in 2014, I was working as a software manager. My business started growing and with custom orders and expanding, I balanced my day job and business. I have a loving family, my husband and my two kids who were then 18 and 12. I believe … many times, ‘Rejection is a Blessing in Disguise’. This is my experience, and so I have read it is, for many great achievers. In the middle of 2015, when I was kind of planning on expanding my designs and my client base, the software company for which I was working went through management change. With the new CEO, for that company, a lot of changes happened and I was asked to take a ‘tech lead’ position rather than my team management position. That was a true rejection for me. Knowing my dreams clearly, I did quit that day job. I started working on my business growth, Dream Choice Jewelry. I focussed on learning new skill set in software. While my Fine jewelry branch was growing internationally, I took care of all the software needs for my company. The website, the social media, the photography … you name it 🙂 Started my cooking facebook page, Dream Choice Indian Food. because of my love for cooking. Started my mentorship, Dream Choice Mentorship and mentored kids in South Africa. While design is my passion, Mentoring is the purpose. My Fine jewelry brand was growing and getting international recognition with my two designer awards from the American Gem Trade Association in 2018, I have set up my team to make sure my Fine Jewelry branch runs on Auto pilot. While I was working on expanding to other arenas like Leather and Clothing … (which is ready to launch soon) … started my day job again in November 2019. Today, I am working as an IT Operations Manager for a giant company, while expanding my Dream Choice Inc. which is now Swapna Rani Brand. Covid situation has helped me with strategy and planning for my company’s growth. Touch wood, my sales have been good with Fine Jewelry. Again … Balance is Beautiful! 🙂

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Swapna Rani Brand. A Lifestyle Brand. Started with Fine jewelry branch, Dream Choice Jewelry. Now, expanding to ‘Fashion Jewelry’, ‘Leather’, ‘Clothing’ and more. From the inception, my business is based on the niche e-commerce model. I have never owned neither did I plan on owning a brick and mortar store. The Covid situation helped with my business model, which was already set up this way. Swapna Rani Brand business model centers around making sure fine jewelry is not exclusive to the very upper reaches of society. We are niche e-commerce specializing in custom orders with one-on-one client consultations. We place absolute quality and creativity at the core of the company by having our products hand made by expert craftsmen using the finest materials. Always associated with gem stone certificates and American expert Appraisals. Swapna Rani Brand specializes in executing bespoke diamond and gemstone jewelry. The process includes the exchange of inspiration pieces and designs that suit your specific needs.  Swapna Rani Brand contributes to the Purpose behind our Passion, DreamChoice Mentorship. Getting to where I was … I just followed the flow. Yes, many roadblocks in the way. I have studied gemology at GIA. I had no prior experience in the Fine jewelry business. Being an immigrant who moved to Los Angeles in 2000, I have learnt a lot, as I followed the flow. Some of the lessons I have learnt in my journey, are along the lines of ‘grit’ and ‘perseverance’. At the end of the day, ‘Dreams come True’. I believe having big Dreams while being grounded and giving back makes us truly Happy. That’s what I strongly believe in.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
For my friends who visit me, I would love to show them the beauty of Los Angeles. The beautiful LA downtown, Santa Monica Pear beach, Getty Museum, Huntington Gardens and many more …. of course, Universal Studios and Disneyland. Los Angeles is a lively and happening city. With many parks and beaches. Nature lovers would love to spend more time here as well as city lovers who love to see the beautiful busy night lights.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family for sure.

Website: https://www.swapnarani.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swapnaranibrand/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swapnapinnamaneni/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SwapnaRaniBrand
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwapnaRaniBrand
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTS71Qx-0TiBe1-pQL_xv1A
Other: https://www.pinterest.com/swapnaranibrand/fine-jewelry/

Image Credits
Swapna Pinnamaneni