Name: Jana Hadany
Age: 50+
Title: VP of Marketing, Sustainability and Operations at Avilan Diamonds
Married/Single: Married to Avilan cofounder, Avi Hadany
Kids: Two: Son Erik, 25, and daughter Niki, 24.
Live: In Scottsdale, AZ.
Meet Jana Hadany, VP of Marketing, Sustainability, and Operations at Avilan Diamonds. Jana Hadany is a local businesswoman and a progressive thinker who launched an eco-friendly diamond business, Avilan Diamonds. Avilan’s Storied Diamonds are the only environmentally friendly diamond in the world; Avilan and its Storied Diamonds 100% negate the eco and social damage of diamond mining by buying and selling up-cycled “storied diamonds.” Avilan’s Storied Diamonds also gives back one percent of each Storied Diamond sale to a charity partner. Read how the founder of an environment friendly diamond business answered these questions.
I was born…
In California to two New Yorkers, and wasn’t lucky enough to get the blond hair or blue eyes of a West Coast gal, but I did get the accent and attitude of an Easterner.
My favorite thing about Arizona…
Is my soon-to-be beachfront property when Cali falls in the ocean after its next big shake. On a more serious note, I love the serenity of the desert, its spectacular sunsets, and the mystic energy in Sedona. Also, my hair doesn’t frizz.
I’m listening to…
Original music by my children: Niki Paige, my incredibly talented singer (not a genetic trait) and my son Erik’s heavy metal compositions (which was a genetic trait from his grandfather). Having kids introduces you to a new genre of music I would not have been privy to otherwise, such as Jason Mraz and the young gifted artists on Coffee House Sirus XM. I’d be remiss not to mention my favorite album of all time, which is Moondance by Van Morrison, and too many others to mention. Music and dance move me (literally), and I simply can’t get enough.
My family…
Is close, spirited, and opinionated. My extended family is large, loving, boisterous, and incredibly tight-knit as my mother was an identical twin and my cousins were like siblings. The rest of my family and my husband’s family live in Israel, and we were blessed to have spent seven years with them. So basically, we are bicultural and bilingual (with me sadly as the exception).
If I could have dinner with anyone, it would be…
Leonardo DiCaprio. He introduced me to the conflict and destruction related to diamonds that has now become my passion and inspired me to create my own diamond company, Avilan, that negates both the conflict and the environmental damage associated with diamond mining. And let’s be honest, Leo is a pleasure to look at and incredibly talented.
One thing I cannot live without…
Please don’t make me choose just one. I’m debating between my Stuart Weitzman low-heeled gem sandals, which have saved my life and my feet (what more does a girl want than a pretty shoe that’s comfortable) and my mini iPad. I’d be remiss not to mention other favorites, such as my boutique Roblar wines, a cookbook collection of over 200, and reading books that are too many to count. On a non-materialistic note, I cannot live without “going green.” Protecting the environment is important to me and I try to incorporate sustainable practices into my everyday life, which has now become my life: eco-friendly diamonds.
When I was younger, I wanted to be…
A chef and own my own gourmet retail shop, just like Fauchon in Paris, which I discovered at the age of thirteen while strolling the streets of Paris. They had the best almond croissant and café au lait. Oh, to die for! I can still taste them today.
I’m inspired by…
Todd Reed, Michelle Obama, Warren Buffet, and Steve Jobs. It’s people like them who believe, as an individual, you can change lives through commitment, products, morals, and ethics. I am also inspired by their intentions and ability to motivate others to support them and their cause; it reminds me that it only takes one idea to change the world and is what inspires me to continue on my quest to end the devastation caused by traditional diamond mining.
The one person who motivates me is…
Jane Fonda. That you can still look good regardless of your age is something to admire and respect, even if I don’t practice it personally.
If I could change anything in the world, it would be…
To make people understand the value of their purchasing dollar. They usually don’t fully grasp the power of the individual consumer. Also, one can enjoy the finest things in life without sacrificing morals for beauty; that is why I’m so committed to spreading the word of Storied Diamonds by Avilan.
The perfect day would be…
Seeing Monsanto and GMO Foods defeated, all agri-farming switching to organic, people buying and wearing clothes and jewelry made in America, cars without horns, and people treating each other with smiles and respect. A few more flowers wouldn’t hurt, either.
My first job was…
A zipper and button buyer for the largest woman’s clothing manufacturer in Cal Togs/Breton Industries (which happened to be my father). My first non-family paying job was Pasta Etc. on Sunset Plaza Drive, the first gourmet epicurean store in L.A.
My favorite escape…
Is a three-way tie: Oak Creek Canyon, Mendocino in California, and Lugano, Switzerland.
My life…
Is blessed. I am fortunate enough to have created a business that that I am deeply passionate about and I’m surrounded by family and friends, and my two old dogs (pups at heart) that bring a smile to my face every day.
I’m currently working on…
Creating a community of artisan jewelers and retailers to promote Storied Diamonds by Avilan. I’m equally passionate about reaching out to charities that support the empowerment of women and children, the environment, and teach those less fortunate job skills.
Always…
Believe in yourself, trust your heart, be true to your values, and never ever give up.
Never…
Let others tell you that you can’t achieve your dreams, stay in a relationship where you’re not loved, turn your cheek when you have the power to change something, or accept things or people for what they are, rather than what they can be.
Favorite Quote…
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead.
Biggest Dream…
Is to travel the world, to live among and learn the cultures, and to speak French, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Mandarin, Arabic, and Portuguese fluently. Make a difference in the lives of those that are affected by diamond mining. To protect Mother Earth. And to dance until I can’t dance anymore.
My Pet Peeve(s)…
Are people that follow the mainstream and just do what they’re told instead of thinking for themselves and choosing alterative options. People that cut you off in a parking lot or won’t let you merge on a freeway, people who are baselessly judgmental, and other annoying characteristics that are too numerous to detail.
