‘We Shall Overcome’ Is the Current Jewelry Industry Mantra

RESILIENCE. PERSISTENCE. OPTIMISM.

These are the qualities that stood out to me about our readers while looking over the results of our most recent Brain Squad survey, conducted during the first days of April. By that point, almost all of our respondents were closed for business, and no one really knew when you might reopen. And yet, the prevailing mantra seemed to be, “We shall overcome.”

It’s often said that the jewelry industry is unique because so many of our component businesses are small businesses — often passed down from generation to generation. Longevity can provide a measure of faith that your business will survive difficult times, but I also think the family aspect imparts positivity in the face of hardship.

When you’re part of a family, you deal with the worst times together. Just as you’ve quarantined yourselves in your homes with your loved ones, you’re also huddling together figuratively with your store team via video conferencing and emails. Even as an industry, it feels like we’ve closed ranks, drawing strength from each other’s stories.

At INSTORE, it’s always been our responsibility to compile those stories and use them to inspire you to innovation, authenticity, and ultimately, greatness. When there is confusion, it’s up to us to seek out information and advice. When there is pessimism, it’s our job to impart positivity and humor. And when there is hopelessness, it’s our duty to bring hope.

We’re confident you’ll find those things in the pages that follow, as well as online at instoremag.com. Like you, we know we’ll make it through this together — and the best is yet to come!

Trace Shelton

Editor-in-Chief, INSTORE
trace@smartworkmedia.com