With nearly a lifetime of experience in the goldsmith industry, Logan Harris knows what he’s doing when it comes to designing and reworking precious metals and diamonds by hand.
Logan works from his freshly rebuilt jewellery studio and workshop just outside of Plettenberg Bay. His bespoke designs match the coastal vibrancy of the Garden Route, and his custom projects are done to your request.
The last few years were an adjustment period. But thanks to a loyal client base from near and far and some smart business moves, he’s come out on top. That’s why he’s Merchant of the Month for April 2022.
So, Logan, how did it all start?
We’ve been in the jewellery business for the last 20 odd years. I’m a second-generation goldsmith and took over from my dad Roger Harris. We were based up in Johannesburg for many years, started up in the late ’70s, and have been based in the Garden Route for the last 21 years now.
What’s on the table at Roger’s Jewellery Studio?
We pretty much focus on design and manufacturing and making up new items to order, mostly as per our customers’ designs.
We also get a lot of stuff where we are reworking old pieces into newer pieces. You know, granny has passed something down, and grandkids now want beautiful bangles made and not the big antique broach from 40 years ago. So that keeps us busy.
And we are then focusing a lot on our range of necessity jewellery for the Garden Route and Plettenberg Bay, a massive tourist destination. The Pansy Shells are very popular; that is something I’ve tried to start a range of. We make nice, affordable, handmade sterling silver and gold jewellery.
What challenges have you faced as a small business owner?
Sjoe, interesting question with many, many answers.
Our biggest one recently, which has been for everyone, has been the COVID pandemic and the lockdown.
It’s been an incredible turn of situations for us. We’ve gone from having a big retail shop in a big shopping centre, the Market Square, and just turned it around and changed the whole lifestyle of how we live and the things that we do.
We’ve basically built our workshop up where we reside, and that’s really cut back on costs for us and allowed us to still focus on manufacturing and making the jewellery that we want to get out to the public.
What drives the passion behind your work?
Why am I passionate about what I do? I suppose I just enjoy being creative.
It’s quite amazing to sit down in an occupation where you can start off with literally little granules of metal in the morning and have a concept and an idea in your head, whether it’s been drawn from watching waves break or seeing a little bird flying through the air.
Being able to just put that design together within a couple of hours or, depending on the piece, maybe a few days and actually have something that you can sit and hold and look at and cherish.
How did you come to be an iKhokha merchant?
As far as card machines go, it’s always been a difficult one. Relying on the bigger name banks, to be honest, service from them was terrible. Then you have rentals on card machines with an excess of R400 or R500 a month and still pay commission on it.
I just got to a point where I’d get in in the morning and my phone bill would have been two pages long with calls not getting through to the bank.
Eventually, I looked at the iKhokha option, and I’ve just been absolutely happy with it since day one.
What have you enjoyed most about being with iKhokha?
A really nice feature is that when the money is paid into your bank, your transaction rate is already deducted. In the next few days, whatever is yours is put into your account, and you’re not hit with a big knock at the end of the month.
And just versatility, I’ve got older clients that possibly can’t make it to my shop, so I'll happily pick up their goods from them then go back, return and deliver and have the convenience of being able to have the card machine on hand.
What does “Together We Rise” mean to you?
I started with iKhokha many years ago and have just been really impressed and happy with their service. Any issues, they’ve always been available. Technicians get out, devices are replaced, and whatever needs to be done.
I remember one year; it must have been the 22nd of December where it was close to our busiest day of the year, and my card machine charging jack bombed out – not a product fault but from somebody pressing it wrong!
I had a new device on my doorstep the next morning. The courier delivered without fail and was able to operate. Very, very impressed with them and if that’s the Together We Rise slogan, I’ll go with that and them all the way.
Lastly, what advice do you have for the future small business owners of South Africa?
Go for it. Don’t sit back. Don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is the biggest killer of all. Get into it, go do it and push yourself.
If you’ve got a dream, go for it. Don’t wait for somebody to say yes or no.
Make an Appointment
If you live nearby or are ever touring the Garden Route or Plettenberg Bay, reach out to Logan and see what he can do for you in the studio.
Email: rogersjstudio@gmail.com
Website: https://loganharrisjewellery.co.za/
Facebook: Roger's Jewellery Studio
Are you looking for more small business success stories? We have plenty. Read through our other merchant stories to learn more about the entrepreneurs who make our jobs worth it.
