Do You Or Don’t You: Go to Networking Events?

Published

8 years ago

October 27, 2015

Yes, I Do

➤ Chamber events, young professionals group and nonprofit events. It’s important to show you are supporting other ventures, especially in a smaller town. — Elysia Demers, Barnhardt Jewelers, Spencer, NC

➤ “Speed Networking” has been very beneficial. Many of the people we’ve met have not only become friends but wonderful business contacts. — Morgan Bartel, Susann’s Custom Jewelers, Corpus Christi, TX

➤ You have to be seen by people who have money to spend, and in order to be seen by them you have to go to the places that they visit. I have conducted lots of business just by running into someone at the spa or one of our better restaurants and having them ask me about a certain piece of jewelry that they were wanting to buy. — Mark Goodman, Goodman Jewelers, Abingdon, VA

➤ Every Friday for 18 years I have met with a cross-section of our community. We exchange referrals and ideas. I use them as a sounding board and have them review commercials and radio scripts. Plus, I’m each member’s jeweler. — J. Dennis Petimezas, Watchmakers Diamonds & Jewelry, Johnstown, PA

➤ For four years, I’ve been the ambassador chair for the Chamber of Commerce. I go to every ribbon-cutting, after-hours and other chamber event that I can. Cannot say enough about the power of being seen regularly! — Kim Hatchell, Galloway & Moseley, Sumter, SC

➤ I belong to Merchant Match. The good thing about this group is each week a different business sponsors the event, so you get to speak about your business and field questions. — Michael Kanoff, Michael’s Jewelers, Yardley, PA

➤ I go to just about any networking event I can. You only need to meet one great contact who becomes your advocate to all of their friends. From Business Networking International alone I have received over $40,000 in new business referrals in the last six months. — Jennifer Farnes, Revolution Jewelry Works, Colorado Springs, CO

No, I Don’t

➤ Have tried a couple but each one seems to be only people trying to sell you their services rather than being interested in what you have to offer. — Alex Weil, Martin’s Jewelry, Manhattan Beach, CA

➤ We’ve found these sort of events tend to attract people looking for discounts — ie., shoppers who are at our store because we met at that event and figure we will give them a discount because of that, but I don’t even give my mother a discount! — Idar Bergseth, Idar, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

➤ Seems like too many people trying to fish from the same pond. — Mark Clodius, Clodius & Co. Jewelers, Rockford, IL

This article originally appeared in the November 2015 edition of INSTORE.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”