GILT TRIPS

That's a wrap ~ tune in for the year in review, what lies ahead, my gratitude and acknowledgements, plus a parting wish for fans and listeners around the world.

We are joined by author-historian-gemologist Anna Rasche for a behind the scenes talk on the inspiration, process, and challenges in her debut work, "The Stone Witch of Florence". https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-stone-witch-of-florence-anna-rasche?variant=41388816728098https://www.instagram.com/by_annaraschehttps://feastdays.substack.com/

Are women better at branding than business? Chanel mastered both. Today's episode finds the anatomy of her success as an entrepreneur, her formula for a captive audience, and a playbook to create the congruent success in her jewelry designs.

This discussion deals with the line between inspiration and imitation, use of copyrighted ideas, legal steps regarding plagiarism, and the most expensive court cases between designers.

Today I tell my checklist and considerations when it's time to host an occasion, open house, anniversary, or holiday party for your business. Whether it's onsite or at a venue, these steps will keep you and your team on point with comfort and confidence!

This episode breaks down networking arenas, how to effectively interact with 4 types, and best practices for both live and digital connecting opportunities.

In this talk I contrast the regret of being a consumer regarding a purchase and as a professional who is on the supply side of pre-owned items. Since intuition is critical for both parties, 6 ways to anchor that are shared at the end of the episode.

A retrospective of the best commissions and collaborations over the arc of a professional adventure... not all were ideal in theory yet every one opened a new opportunity.

Comparing and contrasting the 5 ways that both traditional and alternative approaches to business space, visibility, clienteling, education, and marketing are revealed in this episode

In this episode I break down 8 ways that an opportunity has been created to enhance career, community, and collaborations. More than skills or knowledge, the competence and confidence with people and possibility is the greatest gift to your business.

Is having insurance for jewelry a necessity? I discuss how it is calculated, the types of claims, claim scenarios and ways to determine if this is a sensible preventative solution for each item.

In today's episode I cover my introduction into gemology, the courses taken at the GIA, and the variety of career paths that are made possible by the value and experience of this study.

Some of us are grateful for the learning curve of those before us. In this episode, I pay it forward by sharing the client requests you are best off to avoid:overworked goldoverpolished watchesheavily tarnished itemscrazed opalscracked enamelstained pearlschipped diamondscostume jewelry

The idea of an invisible thread in our career is broken down into: the half of time, when we are expanding into more, and the timing of intersecting people, places, or possibilities outside ourselves.

The hindsight realization on being an apprentice is that it is a mix of dark and light learnings. In this episode I cover the technical lessons, the etiquettes of in-house creating, and the foreshadowing of getting fired and refusing the re-hire invitation.

The ready-or-not happens to us all when it's time to get serious about the career. In this episode I cover the areas that my first post-college job developed:SellingBeing a courrierCustomworkRepairsColored gemsAppraisalsBest/worst lessons

I took it to heart when my business mentor said, "pay it forward". In this episode, I cover the ways I've contributed knowledge and experience in my field:Training LeadershipProfitBrandingEventsedit and publish 11/20

In this episode, I share on the 5 areas of my industry where I had mentoring:NetworkingClientelingStrategyEducationTroubleshooting

In today's story, I share the 3 types of robbery experienced in my career. Aside from the beauty of the industry, this addresses some of the ugly - and the lessons learned for the future.pickpocketed as a courrierclient cancels payment on goodsthe showroom is compromised

It's never simple to recount a full adventure, but it's worth explaining why alloying your elements may lead to your ideal career.

Thank you for your listening. Now it's time to build on the educational part of the industry by going into the experiential side. I'll speak on adventures, misadventures, mistakes, and miracles. Come along!

What tests and tools help identify jewels? why does it matter to know what category gems are in? Come hear about the road to gemology.

What exactly is custom jewelry? How does a project come to fruition? When does a piece need repair work or restoration?

Is the desire for luxury expressed or engineered? How does it affect the real deal? Today's episode explores fakes and shares exposures.

Was this brand's rise predictable? Is this genre original, or uniquely reintroduced? Did growth happen organically or by some formula?

Is a Rolex a good investment over innovation? Is the brilliance of the brand based on product or promotion? I will guide you through what I found in today's episode.

Which families of gems have become mainstream? What are the virtues of each type? Come learn more in this episode and see the big picture on categorizing discovered jewels!

Does it matter how we made or enhanced a gem's hue? When is improving its tone expected, and when should it be documented? Will treatments affect care and cleaning? In today's episode I will cover enhancements in the world of jewels with color.

What determines a groundbreaking innovation? Is it revolutionary or cumulative visioning? Where are the best blogs for learning? I will serve all this up and more in this episode.

How long was the journey from the first time measuring unit to today’s versions? What are the main components of modern watches? Let’s inform ourselves on those answers and more.

Where do you take jewelry or watches when it's time to let it go? Which style of reselling fits your needs and comfort levels? Let’s learn all about entering the secondary market with your precious possessions.

How did diamond cutting evolve? Why isn't technology more involved in this aspect of the industry? What are the goals for cutting the rough? We will investigate this and more, while hearing from experts on styles and pricing in this episode.

What is humanity's obsession with good and bad luck? Why create mythology about the mystique of jewels? We will find those answers and more in this episode.

Is there a romance to wearing the same metal used in transportation? Or having your ring match the element of a joint replacement? Does it go further that our human innovation and progress and into our emotions and aesthetics? Let's shed light on the less familiar to completely unknown compounds, their characteristics, and some of the disadvantages of straying from the noble metals of the last episode.

What characteristics set precious metals apart from the rest? Where can we find gold and silver in other industries and products? Why did platinum take so long to identify? Let’s answer these and discover the wonderful world of fine jewelry elements, beyond the art form of the metalsmiths that mastered them.

Why are lab-grown diamonds so polarizing? How long did it take us to invent this material? Where is the diamond industry heading? Let's cover the nature, timeline, and economy of this technological breakthrough and product.

What has captivated cultures through the centuries around the world? How did an isolated uprising change the global industry? In today's episode I weave fact and folklore of the most recognized crystal in the industry,

Why was Harry Winston unstoppable, even in a century of wars and a stock market crash? How did this private soul become a household name? In today’s episode we will discover the rise of an entrepreneur who was equal parts purveyor, profiteer, publicist, and philanthropist.

What made this jeweller to the kings so significant? How was Cartier a progressive in both clientele and service? In this episode I review the volatility of the times, subsequent reinventions, ultimate rise as thepremiere designer for European monarchs, and strategic refresh during Covid.

What is the origin story of America's titan in jewelry? How was Tiffany & Co visionary in both product and marketing? In this episode I share the staying power, relevance, and impact in industry, culture, and environmental consciousness.

Who was Elsa Peretti? Why did Tiffany & Co. want to collaborate with her? Today I discuss her game changing creativity, the paradigm shift in jewelry and more, and finally the elevation of sterling as a fine metal.

Have a listen about how I "fell" into this profession, the topics that will be covered, and what to expect from my narrative while you're tuning in to this podcast. Ready? Let's go!