Welcome to the Pearls of Wisdom podcast. Today, we have a fantastic guest, Kate Marks of Marks of  Design, a well-known jewelry store that specializes in custom jewelry design in  Shelton,  Connecticut.  Kate will be pulling back the curtain on her most successful marketing events to give you an inside look at what it takes to spark interest, drive sales, and leave a lasting impression on your customers.  Have you ever wondered how to host successful online auctions? Kate shows how platforms like Facebook Live can be your best friend when it comes to connecting with cu ..read more

Welcome to the Pearls of Wisdom podcast. We’re back with another special episode with a special guest: Kendall Wiley, the founder of Wiley’s Diamonds & Fine Jewelry.  After graduating from the Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Kendall took the bold step of starting Wiley’s Diamonds and Fine Jewelry in 1994. But what makes his story so intriguing is what he’s built since then.  He shared insights into his meticulous process of finding the right employees, using trusted networks like JHJ and RJO, and the importance of vetting candidates thoroughly to find his successor.  ..read more

Welcome back to another fun-filled episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry podcast! Today, Brooke and Chase Brinson, from Ed and Ethel’s Fine Jewelry in Christiansburg, Virginia, are back with us in this episode!  They’re here to share some awesome insights into their small business journey, which saw a fantastic 50% increase in sales in 2022 and some seriously impressive holiday numbers last year. And as always, they’re not holding back on the secrets to their success! From getting involved in their community to trying out innovative marketing techniques like offering attractive financin ..read more

Glad to have you here in the first episode of Pearls of Wisdom after the holiday season.  Didn’t we say we’ll make new memories this year? Well, here we are, kicking off 2024 with a fantastic episode featuring the one and only Joe Thacker, owner of Thacker Jewelry in Lubbock, Texas.  Joe shares insights into the tremendous success of Thacker Jewelry’s December holiday sales with a record-breaking month despite the previous year’s challenges. What caught my attention was Joe’s strategic approach to clienteling with software to enhance customer relationships and drive sales.  He s ..read more

Welcome to the Pearls of Wisdom podcast. Joining us on this episode is Erika Godfrey of Hawthorne Jewelry. Erika’s story is a model of timeless tradition and the enduring spirit of family-owned businesses. Hawthorne Jewelry’s remarkable 145-year history is located right next door to its original storefront in Kearney, Nebraska, a community of about 35,000 people.  During this episode, we’ll discover more about the Hawthorne Jewelry, from its origins with JD Hawthorne to the present day, where Erika carries on the family legacy. Erika will share the heartwarming tale of a clock from 1878 t ..read more

In this episode of the Pearls of Wisdom podcast, we are thrilled to introduce our special guest from North Carolina—Dan Levinson of Ellis Fine Jewelers.  Dan first shares the story of his family’s legacy and the origin of the name “Ellis Jewelers.” They recently celebrated their 70th anniversary and marked the occasion with a store renovation to create a fresh and inviting space for their customers. One of the highlights of this episode is the discussion of a heartwarming initiative Dan and his team started. Learn about their inspiring jewelry design contest that has been running for over ..read more

While we’d love to capture all the pearls of wisdom from our special guests this year in a single episode, we don’t want you to miss out on every valuable advice.  Here’s another round of wisdom-packed fun as we roll out Part 2 of the Best Advice of 2023!  If you thought Part 1 was filled with great ones, prepare for this second part through the coolest moments and advice we heard exclusively here at the Pearls of Wisdom Podcast.  While wrapping this up, we cannot help but realize that as our guests generously shared their wisdom, little did they know that their impact would ext ..read more

Joining us in this special episode of Chatting with Chuck is Jim Imhof, the Sales Director for Glock Watches. He will share the extraordinary fusion of two worlds you might never have imagined—the world of firearms and watches.  Jim brings a wealth of experience, having spent 45 years in the watch business, including stints with brands like Boulevard, Citizen, and Seiko. For the past decade, he’s been an integral part of Bering Watches, a company with a 14-year history.  In this episode, we discuss the remarkable history of Bering Watches, their commitment to quality, and the influen ..read more

Today, we have two special guests from the Jewelers Board of Trade, Jim Rocchio and Brenda Gamba, who will enlighten us on a topic many in the industry might not be aware of — the JBT rating. Based in Providence, Rhode Island, the Jewelers Board of Trade has been a pillar in the jewelry industry since its establishment in 1884.  We’ll dive into details of what a JBT rating is and how it works. Jim, with 36 years at JBT, and Brenda, with 20 years, will break down the complexities of JBT ratings and what they mean for businesses in the jewelry industry.  In this episode, we uncover the ..read more

Starting a podcast isn’t easy, and we are genuinely grateful for those who have followed us on this journey. In this special Thanksgiving episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Podcast, grab some turkey leftovers and join us as we take a reflective trip through the highs and lows of this past year. Unlike our usual episodes with guests, this time, it’s just Elisa and me sharing our thoughts on the challenges and triumphs that 2023 brought to the jewelry industry.  It hasn’t been smooth sailing for everyone, but that makes the journey interesting, right? As we sit down before Thanksgiving, we ack ..read more