The Barb Wire

Podcast: Jenny O Calleri Takes on Her Biggest Challenge Yet — Store Ownership

As soon as she took her first GIA gemstone identification course, she knew what she wanted to do with her life.

Published

1 year ago

November 20, 2019

The BARB WIRE (EPISODE 11): JENNY O CALLERI (67:58 MINUTES)

DROPPING INTO The Barb Wire for this month’s episode is Jenny “Jenny O” Calleri, the owner of Huntington Jewelers in Las Vegas, NV.

A jewelry-industry veteran whose career has seen her move between the supply and retail side, Jenny O finally took her biggest step yet two years ago — becoming the owner of her very own store when she and her husband purchased the nearly 70-year-old Huntington Jewelers.

Podcast: Jenny O Calleri Takes on Her Biggest Challenge Yet — Store Ownership

This episode is brought to you by INSTORE Bulletins.

In the podcast, Jenny O discusses what a transformative experience a GIA education can be for a young person in jewelry sales (12:40) and how, after taking her very first GIA gemstone course, she dropped everything — including a “super hot and heavy” relationship with her future husband — sold her house, and went to study at GIA in Carlsbad, CA.

She also talks about her career, and the key lessons she has learned along the way that are helping her build the Huntington Jewelers brand.

Recently having had her third child, Jenny O describes the challenges of life as a working mom (35:30). Plus, you’ll hear why she believes Liz Taylor is such an enduring jewelry icon (44:45).

Catch the full podcast above.

Want to receive all of our INSTORE Podcasts on your mobile device? Sign up on Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher or your favorite podcast player using our RSS feed link.

click to Comment(Comment)

Don't Miss

Podcast: Ben Smithee Isn’t Just Another Social Media ‘Influencer’

Barbara Palumbo

Barbara Palumbo is a watch and jewelry industry writer, journalist and speaker. She manages the blogging websites Adornmentality.com and Whatsonherwrist.com.

Wilkerson Testimonials

Retirement Made Easy with Wilkerson

The store was a landmark in Topeka, Kansas, but after 80 years in business, it was time for Briman’s Leading Jewelers to close up shop. Third generation jeweler and owner Rob Briman says the decision wasn’t easy, but the sale that followed was — all thanks to Wilkerson. Briman had decided a year prior to the summer 2020 sale that he wanted to retire. With a pandemic in full force, he had plenty of questions and concerns. “We had no real way to know if we were going to be successful or have a failure on our hands,” says Briman. “We didn’t know what to expect.” But with Wilkerson in charge, the experience was “fantastic” and now there’s plenty of time for relaxing and enjoying a more secure retirement. “I would recommend Wilkerson to any retailer considering a going-out-of-business sale,” says Briman. “They’ll help you reach your financial goal. Our experience was a tremendous success.”