Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast

Ada Thela, CEO of Zoe Diamonds in Botswana, joins the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast for an inspiring conversation about diamonds, entrepreneurship, provenance, and the future of Botswana's natural diamond industry. Ada's journey began after university when she discovered the Okavango Diamond Company Youth Entrepreneurship Program, a seven-month program that introduced her to the entire diamond value chain, from mining to jewelry retail. After completing the program and an apprenticeship with WDM Botswana, she spent years learning the diamond cutting and polishing trade before launching Zoe Diamonds in April 2023. Since then, Ada has faced the realities of building a young diamond manufacturing business, including volatile rough diamond prices and changing market conditions. Zoe Diamonds grew from two diamond polishers to nine at its peak and continues working to create jobs while expanding its customer base and international reach. One of its early U.S. clients was J.R. Dunn, helping open opportunities for additional international relationships. Ada also discusses the importance of diamond provenance and traceability, explaining how technology can document a diamond's journey from mine to polish and ultimately to the jeweler. For U.S. jewelry retailers, this creates an opportunity to tell customers a deeper story about where their natural diamonds came from and the people behind them. The conversation goes beyond diamonds to explore job creation, skills development, responsible luxury, women in business, and Botswana's goal of capturing more value within its own diamond industry. Ada shares her vision for growing Zoe Diamonds from an SME into a larger corporation while creating dignified opportunities for her team. Discover Ada Thela's remarkable journey and learn why the story behind a diamond can be just as valuable as the stone itself. Tune in, get inspired, and discover the future of Botswana's diamonds with Zoe Diamonds! Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/   Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/   Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform: • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-.. • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

What does it take to build a successful jewelry business, develop a team you can trust, and finally step away from the day-to-day grind? In this episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast, Guy sits down with Eric Loch of Eric J. Loch Diamond Jewelers in the Allentown, Pennsylvania area for a conversation about over 50 years in the jewelry business. Eric shares the story of opening his store in 1984, growing from a small-town location into a freestanding showroom, and learning some difficult lessons along the way. One of his biggest challenges was building the right team. Eric explains how the wrong hires led to years of long hours, slower growth, and pressure and how it took more than a decade to develop the team and leadership approach that changed the business. The conversation explores Eric's incentive-based compensation model, sales training, employee coaching, and his philosophy of empowering team members to earn more through performance. He also discusses the value of education through Jewelry Sales Academy, ARMS Software, and the Independent Jewelers Organization (IJO), including how networking with other independent jewelers has contributed to his growth. Eric also shares the story behind his passion for diamonds, including his focus on brilliant natural diamonds and the success of Facets of Fire. He discusses how his store approaches lab-grown diamonds, emotional selling, and meeting customers where their budgets are. From learning to delegate goldsmith work to creating a business that can operate without him, Eric's story is ultimately about leadership, adaptability, and building a sustainable business. He offers practical wisdom for jewelers facing staffing, sales, training, and work-life balance challenges. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with lessons, leadership advice, and encouragement to take charge of your business, build the right team, and create a future that works for you. Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/  Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/  Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform: • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-.. • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

What does it take to build a jewelry business that lasts for generations while creating the freedom to explore the world and make a difference along the way? In this episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast, Guy Pineda and Elesa Dillon welcome back Doug Meadows of David Douglas Diamonds in Marietta, Georgia, for an inspiring conversation about family, business, succession, entrepreneurship, and giving back. Doug returns to the podcast nearly three years after his first appearance, sharing how business at David Douglas Diamonds has continued to thrive and how his family's remarkable jewelry legacy is approaching 100 years. His grandfather started in Detroit in 1926 as a diamond setter and manufacturer before adapting the business through changing economic times. Today, Doug is not only focused on growing his jewelry business but also on creating opportunities for others. His travels throughout Africa have led to meaningful projects, including mentoring entrepreneurs in Uganda, supporting women in Zambia who create jewelry from recycled copper, and visiting the diamond fields of Kono, Sierra Leone, with Rapaport. Doug explains why he believes sustainable opportunity, education, and employment can have a greater impact than simply providing financial assistance. Doug also opens up about one of the biggest challenges facing longtime jewelry store owners: succession planning. With his son Joseph gradually taking over the business and his daughter finding her niche managing inventory, Doug shares practical advice on delegation, documenting processes, developing employees, and using technology and AI to build systems that allow owners to step away from the day-to-day operation. The conversation also touches on GemVision, BIG (Buyer's Intelligence Group), IJO, virtual assistants, and Doug's own "Century of Luxury and Legacy" podcast. This episode is packed with wisdom about building a lasting business, empowering people, embracing change, and creating a meaningful legacy. Tune in, get inspired, and discover how success in jewelry can go far beyond the sale, it can create freedom, opportunity, and positive impact. Check out the full episode and enjoy another inspiring Pearl of Wisdom! Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/  Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/  Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform: • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-.. • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

In this inspiring episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast, Guy Pineda sits down with Lorraine Hoffman, owner of Brillante Jeweler in Hixson, Tennessee, to explore her transformation from educator to award-winning jewelry store owner. Lorraine shares how her jewelry journey began during COVID after her education position was eliminated. With guidance from a jewelry professional, she took her first steps into the industry, attending JCK and the Atlanta Jewelry Show and building relationships with vendors and jewelers. What started as an e-commerce idea eventually grew into a brick-and-mortar store, opening in May 2022. The road was not without challenges. Lorraine had to learn the jewelry business, from diamonds, gemstones, gold, and repairs to store design, operations, and financial management. She also transformed a former hair salon into a welcoming jewelry space with a design table, event area, kitchen, and her signature "Wall of Love." Her story highlights the importance of building a trusted team, researching, and staying true to your vision. A major part of Brillante Jeweler's success has been its relationship-driven approach. Lorraine built her business around love and service, creating connections with customers who trust her with engagement rings, family heirlooms, redesigns, repairs, and personal stories. Her commitment recently earned Brillante Jeweler the top spot in Chattanooga's Best of the Best jewelry store category. Lorraine also discusses the influence of IJO, the Atlanta Jewelry Show, JCK, Chattanooga Times Free Press, Google, customer reviews, and word-of-mouth reputation. Looking ahead, she is mentoring her daughter to help carry the Brillante culture forward while developing her own colored gemstone jewelry collection. This episode is a reminder that authenticity, relationships, community, and purpose can turn a new beginning into lasting success. Tune in for Lorraine's inspiring journey and discover why building a business around love can make all the difference. Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/  Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/  Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform: • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-.. • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...

What happens when a jewelry industry professional sees a problem and decides to build an entirely new solution? In this episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast, Guy Pineda and Elesa Dillon sit down with Marisanne Cofer, founder of Borrow Luxury, to explore her winding journey through the jewelry industry and the bold vision behind her growing jewelry rental platform. Marisanne shares how her career began with Signet, continued through an independent family-owned jewelry store, and eventually led her to help build a brick-and-mortar jewelry store from the ground up in Chattanooga. She opens up about the challenges of launching a store, including staffing, delayed deliveries, construction issues, and managing inventory. She also explains how more than 50% of the store's inventory eventually consisted of jewelry she designed herself. The conversation then turns to Borrow Luxury, a jewelry rental platform designed to help retailers generate cash flow from overstock and aged inventory. Marisanne explains how the platform connects retailers with consumers looking for jewelry for weddings, pageants, charity events, and other special occasions. The business has already helped partner stores generate more than $40,000 from stagnant inventory, while brides have produced an impressive 32% rental-to-purchase conversion rate. Marisanne also discusses Borrow Luxury's future plans, including fundraising, expanding into other luxury categories, and launching a jewelry rental subscription box for younger consumers. She shares valuable lessons about building systems, embracing mistakes, seeking mentorship, and overcoming imposter syndrome. Her philosophy is simple but powerful: keep moving, stay accountable, and never give up. From industry challenges to entrepreneurial courage, this episode is packed with practical insights and inspiration. Tune in, get energized by Marisanne's fearless journey, and discover why sometimes the biggest opportunities come from solving the problems others overlook. Don't miss this inspiring conversation, subscribe, listen, and keep moving forward! Brought to you by: Southern Jewelry News: https://southernjewelrynews.com/  Jewelry Store Marketers: https://jewelrystoremarketers.com/  Learn more about the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast https://southernjewelrynews.com/podcast  Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform: • Apple Podcast = https://podcastsconnect.apple.com/my.-.. • Amazon Music/Audible = https://www.audible.com/pd/Pearls-of.-.. • iHeartRadio = https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-pe... • Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/6IU1OHw... • Google Podcast = https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...