Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast

After 54 years in RJO, Barton Leddel.

Barton started his business when he got out of the military at 26 and has been coming to the RJO show for 54 years. In the beginning, RJO only had 20 or so members at the time, and now has over 900 members.

Why RJO? Talk to other jewelers about your problems.

Barton says that RJO has done such an amazing job. The most important aspect of joining the group is to connect with other jewelers so you can learn from each other's challenges and problems. The connection is important but the buying is important also.

When Barton started, there were only 10-15 suppliers which are all gone now except for Barton. Barton remembers back to the original members when he joined over 50 years. Barton continues to work at 80 years old

Barton, who is 80 years and working the show by himself, feels he never works because he loves what he does. Starting many years ago in IA, the RJO members have been loyal and really love getting together as the largest buying group in the jewelry industry.

Barton says that many jewelers need help and RJO has done an amazing job in providing that help and resources.

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In this episode, we talk with Amber Gustafson and David Baker, recorded live at the recent RJO show in Minneapolis. Amber, the owner of Amber's Designs Fine Jewelry, talks about her 43 years as a bench jeweler and her challenges when she opened her own jewelry store 21 years ago. Amber goes on about the importance of relationships and changing with the times in order to stay connected with her customers.

Don't compete on price! This is one of the main points Amber wants jewelers to learn and implement in their stores. "If they don't trust you, they won't come back to you!" Teach you staff to establish and grow the relationships which will benefit you long-term.

Amber says you will lose if you are not doing social media and utilizing technology in your business. Get a social media manager to handle all of the platforms and constantly reinvent yourself! She advises to get on all of the social platforms including TikTok which is really powerful right now.

As a wax carver, Amber's design vision allows her to see the jewelry in the wax but pays attention to CAD and laser welders to take your abilities to the next step. Any well-rounded jeweler should be able to work with wax, cad, and more.

Key insights from Amber and David. - Pay your staff what they are worth. - Quality of life is important for Jewelers! - Jewelers should make as much as Doctors and Dentists. - Technology is our biggest challenge. - Don't give up!

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

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In this podcast episode, we talk to Tom Young and Bob Glenn, co-founders of The Cargo Hold, about their experiences in creating and growing this iconic company. The co-founders and the rest of the company recently celebrated their golden year of being in business.

In this interview, Tom and Bob tell us about the early years, the changes they've seen in the jewelry industry, the people that have contributed so much, and we even see how well they know each other after 50 years of working together. It's easy to see that their passion for the business and easy-going attitudes helped them achieve this amazing milestone.

Check out The Cargo Hold at the upcoming Atlanta Jewelry Show or other shows they participate in.

Brought to you by:

Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

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The INOX reBROlution is here!

In this episode, Brand Manager-Sebastian Velasquez and Senior Account Manager-Cole Rowland talk with us while at the recent RJO show in Minneapolis. In this lively and entertaining interview, Sebas and Cole reveal that jewelers know they need men's jewelry now to be able to take care of all of their customers and not let sales walk out of the door. Through all of the laughter and jokes, they manage to convey why INOX has become successful. One of the most note-worthy points is that men's jewelry sells anywhere, even in rural farm areas.

Catch this fun and entertaining interview with the INOX boys!

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

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In this episode recorded live at the RJO show in Minneapolis, we talk with Paul Holewa, SJN/MAJN staff writer, about the industry, Minneapolis (his hometown), being different to set your jewelry store apart, and more.

Bench Jewelers are the unsung heroes of the jewelry industry! Listen to Paul talk about how bench jewelers are sometimes underappreciated in the process. He goes on to urgent store owners to give the bench jewelers the tools, resources, and training that will help the jewelry store achieve more success.

Paul also talks about Ryan of Knox Jewelers defending his business during the riots in Minneapolis during the time after the killing of George Floyd. Paul recounts the scary details conveyed to him from the store owner. Ryan selflessly put his life on the line, protected the business that brought his family and employees their livelihood, and did not let anyone destroy that. In the end, Ryan and Knox Jewelers escaped with only minor damage that night with the help of other neighboring stores.

This podcast was recorded during the RJO summer show in Minneapolis, and Paul talks about how RJO does an excellent job for the jewelry industry. Take advantage of training offered in the industry. Additionally, Paul advises that staying humble and being kind to your bench jewelers will go a long way. Additionally, ensure a succession plan is in place for when the time comes.

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

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Proper sales training is important and critical for any jewelry store. It can bring more returns than some other investments, plus it gives your employees confidence and motivation when they can achieve more success and happy customers. In this episode, Brad Huisken of IAS Training discusses specific, actionable tips on improving your sales performance. He reveals the best questions to ask to lead the sales process in your favor and, more importantly, the questions not to ask that will instantly reduce your chances of a sale. This is the perfect podcast for any jewelry store owner that wants to up their game and increase revenue. To learn more about Brad's training, call 800-248-7703 or e-mail [email protected] to subscribe or for more information.

Additionally, make sure to read all of Brad's articles right here on SouthernJewelryNews.com.

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

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In this episode, Asaf Herskovitz, CEO of GN Diamonds, shares the amazing resources and tools that they developed to help the 5000 independent retailers that trust and rely on to help sell more diamonds. The technology they have implemented is meant to give consumers trust and confidence when shopping in a GN retailer. These are real solutions to help jewelers sell more. Among the resources available from GN Diamonds is the Gemprint technology is like the carfax of diamonds that shows to your customers the diamond they are buying. On their Diamond Hunt platform, jewelers get an easy-to-use technology that helps you qualify budgets and be able to show a diamond before you bring it to your store. Asaf continues to lead GN Diamond, a 35-year-old family-owned business, in a way that gives independent jewelers more resources and education which gives them more artillery to grow their businesses. Asaf feels his relationship with his customers is a partnership which makes him care so much about doing more. For more information about Asaf Herskovitz and GN Diamond, visit their website or stop by to see them at an upcoming tradeshow. https://www.gndiamond.com/

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

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Aleah Arundale, of Olympian Diamonds, talks about practical tips for selling more and increasing sales in your jewelry store. As a fifth-generation jeweler and had the experience of both retailer and supplier in the industry, Aleah shared her wealth of knowledge in the way only Aleah can.

Beyond helping jewelers sell more and gain more confidence, Aleah loves helping jewelry in her wildly popular Facebook group, Jewelers Helping Jewelers. It started by gaining valuable contacts in the industry and then helping them connect with others to form beneficial relationships.

Tune in and listen to Aleah speak her mind, share her wisdom, and grace us with her uniqueness.

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

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In this episode, we talk to Tanya Nisguretsky, the President & CEO of Virtual Diamond Boutique, a technology platform that lets retailers and suppliers eliminate the typical roadblocks in our industry that prevent fast, easy transactions. Tanya recounts her many years in the NYC Diamond District on 47th Street and how suppliers would physically visit each other to find the right stone or item just to be able to close a sale. Well, many jewelers don't the luxury of visiting your neighbor to share inventory so, how can jewelers in towns large and small also have instant access to a large inventor…they can now do it with VDB.

To learn about Virtual Diamond Boutique, stop by their booth at the JCK Las Vegas show or in upcoming tradeshows or visit their website. If you do stop by, make sure to bring Tanya a great Vodka drink!

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:

• Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/pearls-of-wisdom-jewelry-podcast/766e5a05-cc17-40a5-8d5a-f2a65b5b6c88

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In this episode, George Prout, the President of the Independent Division of Craft Diamonds, tells us about Lab-Grown diamonds, how they've been the biggest disrupter in the jewelry industry, how jewelers need to carry them because consumers are asking, and even shares a great selling technique when talking with customers. We learned George is very knowledgeable about diamonds and the jewelry industry but also about many things which makes this interview a real pleasure to conduct and will make it one that many listeners will love. Find out more about George Prout at: https://www.craftdiamonds.com/

Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/

Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/

Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast

Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform:

• Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my-podcasts/show/pearls-of-wisdom-jewelry-podcast/766e5a05-cc17-40a5-8d5a-f2a65b5b6c88

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