Southern Jewelry News
  • Featured
    • All
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Sponsored Content
    • Supplier Spotlight
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Merger With a Mission
    From hard knocks to soft landing in new store
    Saban Onyx helps independent retail jewelers get fancy
  • Latest News
    • All
    • COVID-19
    • Furry Friends
    • Industry Awards
    • Industry Events
    • NRF
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Tradeshow News
    • Video
    • What's New
    Diamond industry veteran rebuts dire forecast in The Asteroid Approaches column
    Jewelry store sales and management video from Jimmy DeGroot: Check your attitude before opening the store
    CBG Miami “Experience” event gets positive reviews
    Furry Friends on the Job: Say hello to Sierra of Argo & Lehne Jewelers
  • Podcast
    Dangers of Jewelry theft and how to prevent them 350
    Episode 43 -Kenny Mullins, Dangers of Jewelry Theft and How to Prevent Them
    Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    Episode 42 -Doug Meadows, Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    An-Inspiring-Tale-Behind-50-Years-of-Jewelry-Design-and-More
    Episode 41 -John Atencio, An Inspiring Tale Behind 50 Years of Jewelry Design and More
    Episode 39 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    Episode 40 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 39 -Frederick Mannella, The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Technology Meets Our Values
    Episode 37 – Kyle Bullock, Technology Meets Our Values
    A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Episode 36 – Brooke and Chase Brinson, A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Jewelers Helping Jewelers
    Episode 35 – Aleah Arundale, Jewelers Helping Jewelers: Connection, Support, and Success
  • Columnists
    4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them
    Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing
    Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches
    The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    The Retailer’s Perspective: It’s Springtime in September
    Barbiecore Bling! Are you in?
    Joel McFadden Fine Jewelry
    Successful Custom: The Customers View
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • Digital Magazine
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archive
No Result
View All Result
Southern Jewelry News
  • Featured
    • All
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Sponsored Content
    • Supplier Spotlight
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Les Olson Jewelers: a hands-on operation
    Merger With a Mission
    From hard knocks to soft landing in new store
    Saban Onyx helps independent retail jewelers get fancy
  • Latest News
    • All
    • COVID-19
    • Furry Friends
    • Industry Awards
    • Industry Events
    • NRF
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Tradeshow News
    • Video
    • What's New
    Diamond industry veteran rebuts dire forecast in The Asteroid Approaches column
    Jewelry store sales and management video from Jimmy DeGroot: Check your attitude before opening the store
    CBG Miami “Experience” event gets positive reviews
    Furry Friends on the Job: Say hello to Sierra of Argo & Lehne Jewelers
  • Podcast
    Dangers of Jewelry theft and how to prevent them 350
    Episode 43 -Kenny Mullins, Dangers of Jewelry Theft and How to Prevent Them
    Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    Episode 42 -Doug Meadows, Inside the Generational Legacy of David Douglas Diamonds
    An-Inspiring-Tale-Behind-50-Years-of-Jewelry-Design-and-More
    Episode 41 -John Atencio, An Inspiring Tale Behind 50 Years of Jewelry Design and More
    Episode 39 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    Episode 40 -Brittany Jones,95 Years of Excellence and Legacy of JF Jones Jewelers
    The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 39 -Frederick Mannella, The Rise of Luxury Handbag Trend in Jewelry Stores
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Episode 38 – Kevin Patton, Gem-preneur Family Legacy of Pattons Fine Jewelry
    Technology Meets Our Values
    Episode 37 – Kyle Bullock, Technology Meets Our Values
    A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Episode 36 – Brooke and Chase Brinson, A Pandemic-Born Success of Two Jewelry Visionaries
    Jewelers Helping Jewelers
    Episode 35 – Aleah Arundale, Jewelers Helping Jewelers: Connection, Support, and Success
  • Columnists
    4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them
    Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing
    Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches
    The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show
    Image of Chuck Koehler
    The Retailer’s Perspective: It’s Springtime in September
    Barbiecore Bling! Are you in?
    Joel McFadden Fine Jewelry
    Successful Custom: The Customers View
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
    Holiday Sales Success: A multifaceted marketing approach
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • Digital Magazine
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archive
No Result
View All Result
Southern Jewelry News
No Result
View All Result
Home Columnists

24 Karat Corner: The summer intern speaks freely

Howard Kelrick by Howard Kelrick
August 1, 2016
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Summer is half way through.  The beer aisle at my favorite liquor store is finally running out of those vapid light “summer” ales, the afternoon summer thunder storms are rolling in, and our summer intern has finally found her groove and is getting comfortable in the office.  Perhaps too comfortable.

In the late afternoons, as the South Florida summer heat and humidity takes its toll on my energy level, I often have a snack to go along with the half gallon of iced tea I need to get me through the day.

“Wow, is that like your fifth cookie already?” Amy asked as she stumbled into my office. “You really should watch what you’re eating!”

“Who’s asking?” I wanted to know. “The summer intern, or the kid who gets to go back to college in two weeks?”

With that, Amy smiled at me, took the last cookie on my plate, and walked out the door. We both knew the answer. Yes, I eat way too many cookies each day. And, yes, Amy gets to go back to college in two weeks and is feeling pretty good about herself.

Our industry faces many problems, and new hurdles always seem to be popping up. Speaking of which, have you seen the new lab-created diamonds? Talk about problems down the road! Check them out at the next trade you show attend. They are already available at your favorite findings house!

At a recent trade conference, one of the speakers explained that three quarters of the independent retail jewelry stores in the country are operated by folks who are 55 years of age or older. For anecdotal evidence, just think of all the stores you know personally and who is running them. And, unfortunately, 90% of them have children who have no plans to continue in the family business. Who can blame them? If Mom and Pop were successful in their shop (thanks to six days a week of being open 9 to 9, and even longer in December), then why shouldn’t their children look to find happiness outside the retail life?

Even our precious intern Amy, who spent the summer successfully working in all of our various departments, thinks she is headed to Wall Street or law school. So, where do we find the next generation of retail jewelers? And, who is going to train them? It appears the days of third and fourth generations of the same family learning on the job and then running the store in the future are a thing of the past.

Later this month, The 24 Karat Club will deliver a number of scholarships to people working in the retail jewelry industry to take courses to improve their technical or professional skills. Members of The 24 Karat Club nominated deserving individuals who demonstrated a commitment to developing their bench, sales, or managerial skills.

The retail jewelry store owners of tomorrow are most likely the people currently working behind the counter or benches today. But, they need the training and expertise to assure their success, and The 24 Karat Club is there with the scholarship money to make sure it can happen.

We, like many other companies, offer summer internships to give college kids a professional taste of the jewelry business, and we are hopeful that some might even consider a career in our industry. If your business is offering a summer internship next year, let us know and we’ll put the information on our website.

Next month you’ll read some of the inspirational stories about our scholarship winners, who will be announced at the 24K Club banquet held in conjunction with the SJTA Atlanta Show. We hold great hopes for their future success in our industry. If you or someone you know would like to be considered next year for a scholarship from The 24 Karat Club, please ask your favorite 24 Karat Club Member for details on the nomination process. You can find a listing of our membership at www.the24karatclub.org.

I hope I get to see you at the SJTA Atlanta Show. And, if you think I’m having too many cookies, feel free to say so! Even my intern had no problem telling me!

Howard Kelrick is President of Finger Mate and a  board member of The 24 Karat Club, SEUS.  Finger Mate manufactures and installs expandable ring shanks and sells to retail jewelers throughout North America. Contact Howard at 954-458-2700 or e-mail Howard@FingerMate.com.

Howard Kelrick

Howard Kelrick

Howard Kelrick is President of Finger Mate and a  board member of The 24 Karat Club, SEUS.  Finger Mate manufactures and installs expandable ring shanks and sells to retail jewelers throughout North America. Contact Howard at 954-458-2700 or e-mail Howard@FingerMate.com.

Related Posts

4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them

September 25, 2023
Applied Marketing 101: The Next Big Thing

Applied Marketing 101: The Asteroid Approaches

September 18, 2023

The Story Behind the Stone: Oops there it is!

September 18, 2023
Image of Chuck Koehler

Cool New Things from the Atlanta Jewelry Show

September 18, 2023

Latest News

Columnists

4Cs of Diamonds? Here are the 4Cs of Jewelry Marketing to help you sell them

September 25, 2023
Other News

Diamond industry veteran rebuts dire forecast in The Asteroid Approaches column

September 25, 2023
Other News

Jewelry store sales and management video from Jimmy DeGroot: Check your attitude before opening the store

September 25, 2023

Other News

CBG Miami “Experience” event gets positive reviews

Furry Friends on the Job: Say hello to Sierra of Argo & Lehne Jewelers

Episode 43 -Kenny Mullins, Dangers of Jewelry Theft and How to Prevent Them

Hardrock Summit wraps in Denver

ISG awarded Certificate of the Combat Flag

Artistry, Ltd. releases 2024 catalog

Southern Jewelry News

© 2023 Southern Jewelry News.

Additional Information

  • About
  • 2023 Jewelry Trade Shows & Events
  • Media Kit
  • Contact
  • Sitemap
  • Newsletter Signup

Get Social with Us

No Result
View All Result
  • Featured Articles
    • Featured
    • Featured Retailers
    • Retailer Roundtable
    • Supplier Spotlight
    • Sponsored Content
  • Latest News
    • What’s New
    • Industry Events
    • Tradeshow News
    • On The Move
    • Other News
    • Furry Friends
  • Podcast
  • Columnists
  • Classifieds
  • Subscriptions
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Print Subscription
  • DIGITAL MAGAZINE
    • Southern Jewelry News
    • Mid-America Jewelry News
    • Archives

© 2023 Southern Jewelry News.