We’re betting you have. That’s why we’re bringing together Kate Peterson, Sherry Smith, Jimmy DeGroot and Megan Crabtree to conduct a one-day workshop at The INSTORE Show in August, which includes hands-on teaching and feedback for each participant. We’re calling it The Brain Trust Workshop. And you can attend for less than $700 (assuming you register quickly — the workshop is limited to 64 participants).

I hope you’re as excited about this concept as I am. When we began brainstorming about The INSTORE Show last summer, we asked ourselves the question, “How can we do something at this show that’s never been done in the jewelry industry?” After all, INSTORE’s original SMART Jewelry Show had innovations like The Bench Pressure Challenge. We wanted to match that level of coolness but also do something that only INSTORE could really pull off … and something that our readers could profit from in a big way. If you’re free on Aug. 12 for a business-changing experience, you can reap the benefits.

If you haven’t registered yet, now’s the time! You’ll also enjoy networking opportunities and an exhibitor list featuring the top wholesalers in the jewelry business. Register at theinstoreshow.com today, and we’ll see you in Chicago!

Trace Shelton

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

The post Want to Jumpstart Your Business Growth? Register for The Brain Trust Workshop appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

The 2023 champs bring fresh ideas to jewelry design, as well as some of the most gorgeous gem and precious metal combos you’ve ever laid eyes on. A total of 246 entries and three new categories offer plenty to gaze at for any jewelry lover. If you can’t get excited about this level of creativity and eye for colors and shapes, you probably shouldn’t be in this business.

While working on this issue, I also received a surprising phone call from sales guru Shane Decker saying that he wanted to write columns for us again. It took me all of a half-second to answer “Yes!” Shane is the all-time leading sales trainer in this industry for good reason, and we’ll take all of his wisdom that we can get.

Lastly, I would be remiss not to honor our colleague Kate Peterson here. Kate was taken from this world too soon by a house fire in April, and we mourn her loss along with the rest of the industry. Please take a moment to read our special edition of The Real Deal — a section that Kate wrote for INSTORE for 20-plus years — as our readers pour out their heartfelt condolences and fond memories of Kate.

Trace Shelton

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

The post In This Issue, We Honor New Champions, Welcome Back an Old Friend and Mourn Another appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

Antique and vintage jewelry intersect with these two impulses.

That’s why so many retailers have seen sales of estate jewelry surge over the last few years — and it’s also why we felt the time was right to devote a lead story to the topic. Estate jewelry is a strong category, but it takes an investment of time, money and thought to incorporate it into your product mix.

The first step is simply to let your marketplace know that you will buy their old jewelry. Our lead story describes how various store owners have made that happen (and why they did it in the first place). None of them were sorry they did. In fact, they all seem to be over the moon with how estate jewelry performs for their businesses.

Next, you’ve got to learn what’s unique about jewelry from various eras. The good news is that it can be fun, and it will leave you with a greater understanding of jewelry’s evolution. Our story points you to resources that can help.

If you’re looking for a way to grow your business in 2023, consider antique and vintage jewelry. Your clients will pay for jewelry from “the good old days.”

Trace Shelton

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

The post Here’s Why Your Best Business Move Could Be to Add Estate Jewelry appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

First, August is perfect timing to stock up ahead of the holidays (plus, with temps in the low 80s, there’s no better time to visit the Chicago area).

And for our exhibitor list, we’ve prioritized the companies you see regularly on our “Hot Sellers” list and elsewhere in the magazine.

Second, the educational offerings are absolutely dynamic. You’ll think you’ve stepped straight into the pages of our magazine, learning best practices from your fellow retailers and gaining new insights from the best minds in the business. In addition to Cram Day, our pre-show conference, we’ll offer the Brain Trust Workshop: a full day of intensive consultation presented by INSTORE contributors Megan Crabtree, Jimmy DeGroot, Kate Peterson and Sherry Smith, in which you’ll work alongside retailers with similar business models. (This workshop is limited to 64 participants, so if you’re interested, you will need to register ASAP.)

Lastly, we want to connect you with other INSTORE readers, and we’ll do it with a Saturday happy hour gathering, the Play It Cool Party on Sunday evening, and an updated version of the Bench Pressure Challenge.

If you’re located in the Midwest, there’s no reason to attend any other trade show, and if you’re not, there are a million reasons to put this one at the top of your “must attend” list. Hope to see you there!

Trace Shelton

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

The post Here Are Just a Few Reasons Why You Should Register to Attend The INSTORE Show Today appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

At the time, many jewelers were not engaged in social media, and in fact were hoping it would just blow over. But while I heard those frustrations expressed over and over at trade show education sessions, hundreds of store owners and top managers were sharing stories with us and with one another via INSTORE’s Brain Squad surveys.

The Brain Squad built a community around jewelry retailers who had common concerns and experiences. For me, it simplified the process of building sources in an industry new to me. I could ask a question, reach out to people on the platform who responded, and often find all the experts I needed on any given topic.

When the pandemic hit in 2020, the Brain Squad was, as usual, an invaluable resource as we pivoted to change story topics and reshuffle our editorial schedule. We wanted to be relevant and helpful at a time we were all learning new ways of doing business. Contributors told us what they were doing to help their communities, especially first responders, and how they were making their stores safer, building their online businesses, making house calls, and learning how to meet with clients curbside and via Zoom.

Thanks to all the Brain Squad members who add so much to the INSTORE experience. (And make my job easier, too!)

EIleen McClelland
eileen@smartworkmedia.com

The post This Is How INSTORE’s Brain Squad Built a Community appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

That’s why our big story this issue delivers tips and advice on how to create the right conditions for getting lucky in business. Sounds crazy, yes, but it’s not as difficult as you might think.

In fact, I compare it to drawing songbirds into your yard. You don’t go out and try to catch the birds then turn them loose in your yard. You create the right conditions by hanging a bird feeder, filling it with the right seeds, setting up a bird bath, maybe even a bird house, and ensuring that you have a good amount of nearby foliage. When you create these conditions, lo and behold, a host of beautiful birds will begin to appear.

With luck, it’s much the same. Be curious, meet new people, be open to new ideas, reserve time to get out of the daily grind and think about big opportunities, be ready to act, and you may find yourself benefiting from good fortune.

The Roman philosopher Seneca said, “Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” Consider this the INSTORE corollary: Without preparation, there is no opportunity.

So get prepared for good things to happen. We wish you the very best of luck in 2023!

Trace Shelton

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

The post Why Getting Lucky Starts With Preparation appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

The eight store owners we cover in this article, plus the two appearing online at instoremag.com, Jim Rosenheim of Tiny Jewel Box and Lyle Husar of Craig Husar Fine Jewelry, are incredibly impressive, not just in terms of the time they’ve put in, but the sacrifices they made to get where they are today.

Bill Underwood, who grew up during the Great Depression, started his business with a $1,000 loan from his parents. Sissy Jones sold diamonds inside a termite-ridden log cabin. At the age of 42, David Adams had to buy out his three siblings when his father died. The others all took twists and turns in their professional and personal lives, eventually finding success in the form of thriving businesses that have been turned over, at least to some degree, to their sons and daughters.

My biggest regret with this story is that we didn’t have more space to tell the full and fascinating tales of these dignitaries. But never fear! We’ve included the full-length stories, plus Q&As with several of our subjects, at instoremag.com.

As you work your way through this most challenging of months, we hope you’ll find inspiration from the ingenuity and resilience of these octogenarians, as well as a sense that tomorrow will be even better than today. Happy holidays!

Trace Shelton

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

The post We Should All Be Inspired by The Octogenarians of Jewelry Retail appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

As a result, the information we gather each year is priceless for understanding both the current state and the future trajectory of the independent jewelry retailer. And it’s only valuable because you participate.

We realize it’s not easy. The survey weighed in this year at a hefty 77 questions, so it took about 30-45 minutes to complete. Some of you take on this task every single year, and we can’t tell you how much we appreciate your time and feedback. If you’ve never taken the Big Survey, I hope you’ll budget some time to do it next year!

The more who take it, the more authoritative the results will be.

Similarly, we email Brain Squad surveys each month to a group of dedicated retailers, but the polls are much shorter — about 10 questions or so.

They’re how we track national sales growth or decline and what’s selling, and they’re our biggest resource for story ideas and subjects. If you’re not a Brain Squad member, please join today at instoremag.com/brainsquad. Become one of INSTORE’s true heroes — and get a free T-shirt for your trouble!

Trace Shelton

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

The post The Big Survey Is Only “Big” Because Readers Participate appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

First, we received not one, not two, but three Tabbie Awards from Trade Associations Business Publications International (TABPI) last month, including a bronze for Best How-To Article (“Building the Perfect Website” by Eileen McClelland, March 2021) and honorable mentions for Best Single Issue (June 2021) and Best COVID-19 Coverage (“Lessons Learned from The Great Pandemic” by Eileen McClelland, Oct. 2021). INSTORE was one of only a few publications to receive three or more awards, so I’m very proud of our entire team, especially Eileen.

Second, I am pumped to announce our keynote speaker for The INSTORE Show: Marcus Collins, branding expert and head of strategy for Wieden+Kennedy

New York. Cool detail: Marcus is formerly the head of digital strategy for Beyoncé! We liked it, so we put a ring on it. He’ll be teaching INSTORE Show attendees about “consumer meaning-making” and the intersection of culture and branding next August.

Finally, I was thrilled to have longtime jewelry writer Jennifer Heebner contribute our lead story for this issue. Jen has been a friend for many years, and after she organized The INSTORE Design Awards, I casually asked if she would consider writing a story for us. She graciously consented, and you can read the latest on colored gemstones (and tips on buying and selling them) right here.

See you next month when we unveil this year’s Big Survey!

Trace Shelton

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

The post INSTORE Nabbed Awards, a Keynote Speaker and a Story by One of Jewelry’s Top Writers appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.

What amazes me most is that year after year, independent jewelry store owners find ways to take retailing to a new level, bringing in concepts from other retail and service sectors and using them to add to the experience their clients receive. This year alone, we cover M.S. Rau, which features museum-quality jewelry and paintings; Fiat Lux, which melds fine jewelry with body art and piercing; JustDesi, which offers an energy-filled Beverly Hills shopping experience while remaining approachable; Adornment + Theory, which focuses on diversity in its jewelry, artists and staff; Richter & Phillips, which converted a bank vault into a speakeasy; and Pistachios, which uses an innovative social media strategy to make the world of contemporary art jewelry more accessible.

My favorite part of our America’s Coolest Stores project is getting the chance to visit at least one of the winning stores. Writing about jewelry retailing is an exciting vocation, but it’s even more fun when you get to experience the store and interact with the people that make it cool.

If you’ve never entered, mark your calendar to visit instoremag.com/acs in January and do so. Yours might be the next store we all learn from!

Trace Shelton

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

The post What’s Cool About Writing About “Cool Stores” appeared first on INSTOREMAG.COM.