The Brain Squad Shares Which Jewelry Business People Inspire Them

question:

What business and/or people in the jewelry industry inspire you?

• Dilly Blair Kirby [of Elizabeth Blair Fine Pearls in Harbor Springs, MI]. Jennifer Farnes at Revolution Jewelry Works in Colorado Springs. Any woman blazing a trail. — Erin M., Lancaster, PA
• Kendra Scott. Her bravery startup mentality to what she has grown to today. — Christina B., Glastonbury, CT
• I’ve been long inspired by Jim Rosenheim from Tiny Jewel Box [Washington, DC] and by Marie Helene Reinhold [from Reinhold Jewelers in San Juan, Puerto Rico]. Ellen Hertz from Max’s [St. Louis Park, MN] and David Iler from Alchemy [Portland, OR] are rock stars. I think very highly of Benjamin from Uneek and especially love Yehouda Sakethou from Yael Designs. Yehouda kept me going early on and through the toughest times in my business, and I owe him a lifetime of gratitude. He is really a person who holds it together and stays creative. — Andrea R., El Dorado Hills, CA
• David Rocha with Jewelers For Children. He works tirelessly for children in need with the jewelry industry supporting his efforts. He has the support of so many vendors and stores that work each year to raise money for JFC. — Joan C., Muscle Shoals, AL
• I’ve always loved Knox Jewelers in Minneapolis. I like his CAD system of producing excellent rings. Beautiful images. Also like his policies. — Rick N., Fernandina Beach, FL
• My dad, Alan Perry. He founded the company over 30 years ago and has shown me that hard work and never settling for where you are — always trying to grow and improve — is what builds a successful company. — Josh P., Wilmington, NC
• Oh my goodness, originally, back in the ‘70s when I started, it was Georg Jensen’s mid-century clean lines. With a store, we make everything, but I still love the clean lines. — Holly M., Astoria, OR
• Jen Cullen Williams. — Kathleen S., Austin, TX
• Harry and Aaron Gordon from Gordon’s Jewelers out of Houston Texas. Basically started my career at 19 years old, now 63. The lessons and values and work ethic. They set a sound foundation for me throughout my career. — Rick W., South Jordan, UT
• Lang Antiques in San Francisco. Also M.S. Rau in NOLA. Both businesses do antique jewelry and make it seem so elegant. They also have their website and social media presence very well developed, which is something we aspire to. — Theresa P., Edgewater, CO
• I’m most inspired by my father-in-law, Ceylon Leitzel. He has dedicated himself to creating a wonderful business, but more importantly has improved the community around him and fellow jewelers across the state. — Trevor W., Myerstown, PA
• Our store owner, Peter Hannoush! He owns 16-plus stores and is always looking forward! Onward and upward! — Mary Jo C., Rutland, VT
• Anish Desai [of Star Gems] is an amazing individual who is an innovative scout for our industry. He sees what’s challenging our industry, finds a solution, then with genuine entrepreneurial spirit, he monetizes and brings it to the masses. Innovators who see a dilemma and create a new pathway are the most interesting people in the room. — Denise O., La Grange, IL
• Abe Sherman. He gets it. — Bill E., Terre Haute, IN
• David Geller is the single most important person to me in the whole industry. As a former manufacturing cost accountant (sounds boring, but I loved it), he has taught me how to price our repairs and get the most value from my shop, a shop which is run by amazing artists, not businesspeople. I bought the first Geller guide in 1997 or 1998 and never looked back. In fact, I have the whole collection! — Jo G., Oconomowoc, WI
• M.S. Rau [of New Orleans]. — Jeremy A., Los Angeles, CA
• John Dyer, stone cutter; Aleah Arundale [of Olympian Diamonds and Jewelers Helping Jewelers]. — Tim W., Yorktown, VA
• My father is my inspiration. He is 90 years and still comes to work. He built our business on service first, sales second. — Sue P., Excanaba, MI
• I am inspired by Costco and not anyone in the jewelry business. — Brad L., Duncan, BC
• There is no “one” person. I find people that write for industry magazines, yes like INSTORE, or people that develop new techniques or technology like CAD programs are what inspire me. — David B., Calgary, AB
• No one specifically but I’m generally inspired by people who aren’t afraid to grow and change with the times, whether it’s designers catering to more gender-neutral styles, inclusive and diverse marketing, or owners who create wonderful experiences for every customer, whether they are purchasing a $10,000 natural diamond, or a $1,000 lab grown diamond. — Becky B., Peabody, MA
• Not a direct answer, but since we got on Instagram, we’ve been really inspired by all the great creative minds making fabulous, beautiful and innovative jewelry. As much as we hate social media and resent having to keep up with it (and we BARELY keep up with it), we will admit that we love seeing what our fellow jewelers are doing all over the world. — Gretchen S., Sherman Oaks, CA
• As the jewelry buyer, I am inspired by the companies that don’t just sell you but help you plan how to makes sales to the customer. — Jim C., Modesto, CA
• I find all the great bench jewelers, the amazing setters, polishers, etc. to be inspiring. They are the unsung heroes of the trade. — Alex W., Torrance, CA
• I get inspired by someone or their business in just about every issue of your magazine. (I just said that so you will send it to me for free.) — Cliff Y., Lowell, MI
• Every jeweler that runs his store with “zero” inventory. — Klaus K., Bristol, RI
• Colleagues in my regional IJO cohort have inspired, encouraged, and helped me out as I work towards growing the business. Knowing I have friends out there who have my back when I need it can be the very thing that gets me through a tough week. Also, I’m inspired by the innovation and ideas many first-generation store owners have. They see the industry with fresh eyes and I love listening to their ideas and seeing their success! — Kyle B., Roswell, NM
• My peers in my Plexus Performance group that have multiple doors! Running one successful store is a job, but running four doors successfully is inspiring! Not enough though to open more doors! — Tom D., Warren, OH