On Buying Off the Street, the Online Diamond Business, and More of Your Letters

On “Knowing” vs. “Doing”

• I believe in the law of intention and desire: Acting immediately on intentions with the desire of fulfillment creates tangible potential. Great article for reminding us to get the job done! — Denise Oros, Linnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL
• Having a very hard time finding people to help me (knowing) move it to doing (the team), as owners can’t do it all themselves. — Bradley D. Weber, Weber Goldsmith Gallery, Carmel, CA
• We have been surprisingly busy, not just with Valentine’s sales, but with repairs, custom work, appraisals, busy busy busy! The true sign that you know, and you are doing, is having a customer that can never be pleased leave not only happy, but wanting more, singing your praises, and sending their friends in! — Kelli Reinbold, Vernon Jewelers, Salina, KS
• After 45 years, I started young. As the second generation, I “know” a lot from experience, I now “do” in my sleep, in every mall, when we’re closed, when I’m on vacation, in the car, at conferences, after hours. I have taken on all the “DO” because it’s exhausting trying to get employees to “know” or “do.” I am constantly looking for an employee that just loves this business as much as I do and enjoys the challenges. — Christine Matlack, E.G. Landis Jewelers, Boyertown, PA
• I thought the part about having your employees have skin in the game was spot on. — Elizabeth Saba, Presley Co. Fine Jewelers, San Diego, CA
• Loved the January issue; it was “on point” for me. — Mark Clodius, Clodius & Co. Jewelers, Rockford, IL

Keep an Open Mind

• Always keep an open mind to new trends and listen closely to customers when they talk about where they get their information from. It could lead to the next big advertising medium. Who knew 10 years ago how big social media would become? — Joe Caron, Caron’s Jewelry, Bristol, RI

American-Made Problems

• We’ve just moved into an amazing new store …. Cool-Store-worthy for certain, and we’re very excited for the year to come, even though we’re in a downtown location that is chopped up with construction and renovation. But, one thing that will help us greatly is for you guys (the United States) to get your act together. The political uncertainty that is dominating the U.S. now affects the whole world. The world needs a strong, stable United States, focused on the rule of law and your Constitution. The biggest threat to my business and luxury businesses the world over is a weak or self-destructing United States. — Ralph Vandenberg, Vandenberg’s Jewellers, Edmonton, AB

Hip to Be Square

• Tiffany, Cartier, Van Cleef and Hemmerle did not survive this long by being “HIP,” but by hard work and steady conservatism. — Mark Rozanski, Goldart, Ottawa, ON