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 | Sollberger’s

Going Out of Business Is an Emotional Journey. Wilkerson Is There to Make It Easier.

Jaki Cowan, the owner of Sollberger’s in Ridgeland, MS, decided the time was right to close up shop. The experience, she says, was like going into the great unknown. There were so many questions about the way to handle the store’s going-out-of-business sale. Luckily for Cowan, Wilkerson made the transition easier and managed everything, from marketing to markdowns.

“They think of everything that you don’t have the time to think of,” she says of the Wilkerson team that was assigned to manage the sale. And it was a total success, with financial goals met by Christmas with another sale month left to go.

Wilkerson even had a plan to manage things while Covid-19 restrictions were still in place. This included limiting the number of shoppers, masking and taking temperatures upon entrance. “We did everything we could to make the staff and public feel as safe as possible.”

Does she recommend Wilkerson to other retailers thinking of retiring, liquidating or selling excess merchandise? Absolutely. “If you are considering going out of business, it’s obviously an emotional journey. But truly rest assured that you’re in good hands with Wilkerson.”