Father’s wisdom takes NM jeweler to fourth generation

The tough part of being a leader in a multigenerational business is giving sound advice on life and work. That’s a lot of pressure to get it right. And, that’s a lot of wisdom earned and learned over years of working retail. 

Kyle Bullock will become the owner of Bullock’s Jewelry at the end of this year. Similar to many incoming generations of jewelers, he swept floors and took out the trash as a kid and worked on the showroom floor during summers and holiday seasons in high school and college.

And, like most jewelry generations, Kyle liked and appreciated jewelry but had other career interests with a background in clinical psychology and work in entertainment. But during graduate school Kyle left those pursuits to become Gen 4.0 for the Roswell, New Mexico-based jeweler. 

Then newly married, Kyle was ready for lifelong commitments both personally and professionally. Upon settling into his role in the family jewelry store Kyle learned from his father the innate and high value of a retail operation’s reputation. 

“Son, don’t get greedy,” Bullock’s Jewelry’s current owner Don Bullock said to Kyle years ago. “No diamond is worth our reputation.”

Paternal advice takes many forms from “don’t force it or you’ll break it” to “treat a woman the way you’d want a sister to be treated.” When it came to retail advice Don’s hard-earned wisdom, captured in a concise, relatable quote, deeply resonated with Kyle. 

“That has been the most valuable lesson that has paid me back in dividends over the years,” says Kyle. 

Typically, the first generation business owner bears the greatest burdens with financial and sweat equity, long hours and huge risks. In looking back at his family history in retail jewelry, Kyle admires his great-grandfather’s sacrifices when he opened Bullock’s in 1926. But the real challenges to keep the family business going landed on Kyle’s father’s shoulders as a young man. 

Dixon, Kyle’s grandfather, eventually took over operations. Things were going well for the business as it grew in sales, stature in the community, evolutions in inventory and operations, and a move to a larger store location in the 1950s. Unfortunately, Dixon died from a brain tumor when Don was only 17 years old. 

The future of a multigenerational jewelry store was in the hands of a teenager. The odds against Don were “insurmountable,” says Kyle. “This [store] was the family’s insurance policy.” 

With enormous pressure bearing down at 17 years old, Don had to manage the store, provide for the family, and figure out his adult career pursuits all while finishing high school. It’s no wonder Kyle invests so much in his father’s words of wisdom. 

“Looking back, it is truly remarkable he made it, and a testament to his character and determination that he was able to grow it over his lifetime,” says Kyle. 

Don’s formative years was learn-as-you-go regarding day-to-day operation management. Absent his father and fatherly advice Don sought out what he needed to know from peers in trade groups, industry professionals and consultants to take the family jewelry store to the next level. Equally important was Don’s steadfast commitment to constantly reinvest capital in the store. 

“He has taken a little store that was just getting along and turned it into a thriving, successful jewelry store,” says Kyle. 

With Don nearing retirement, Kyle had the benefit of decades of learning from a mentor and a loved one. And, operationally, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Kyle has learned much from fellow jewelers and trusted industry advisors. And, being a Gen 4.0 in the Digital Age Kyle’s main contributions to date are techy related. 

“I’ve completely revamped the tech infrastructure, remodeled the store based on sales data, and worked on creating better systems for CAD custom sales,” says Kyle. “Ultimately, in all this growth, I hope it is said of me that I was compassionate and empowered my team to succeed at every turn.” 

Stepping up the store’s community outreach efforts is another Kyle contribution. Kyle is the director of a summer camp for teens. Family members help out each summer. He’s also active with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), homeless and teen shelters, as well as community economic development organizations. “Community support is a big part of who we are as a business,” says Kyle.  

Working with his father, Kyle and Don have also developed a “tough on inventory” policy. 

“I have no compassion for old stock,” says Kyle. “If it’s over 365 days, it will be remade, scrapped, or balanced for new stock and I do this process every two weeks. Over time it has weeded out virtually all our aged inventory. I also expect high turn rates which come as a result of steady reorders every week to two weeks. We balance when we reorder as well, which keeps the old stuff trimmed. We have a system of this built over many years that has now become a fairly well-oiled machine.” 

A pinnacle of personal and professional successes is the confidence that comes in sharing the wisdom and information that has helped one prosper. Years back, Kyle wrote a series of articles called “Over the Counter” for an industry trade magazine that evolved into a podcast. 

“I interviewed jewelers on their most precious jewelry stories and talked about the takeaways it could have for us all,” says Kyle. “I stopped doing that show a few years back. I hope it inspired a few folks along the way! Since then I’ve developed and produced a few other podcasts outside the industry, including the national award winning series Crashed in Roswell: Survivors in a Misunderstood City.” 

For now, Kyle is enjoying working side-by-side with his father. In 2024 and beyond, Don’s involvement with the store will decrease to part time while Kyle takes the helm full time. Kyle isn’t “rushing him off” as every day with a mentor and retail hero is a day with good advice and good memories that will take Kyle and the family store far into the future.