Happy to see you here again at the Pearls of Wisdom podcast. In this episode, Chuck and I were joined by Ross Wesdorp from Jewel-Craft Inc.
Now, Ross and I have a bit of history—we’ve been competitors for over two decades! But hey, as they say, keep your friends close and your competition closer. And today, we’re happy to have him on board.
As a special guest in this episode, Ross talks about Jewel-Craft Inc, a family-owned and operated business that has been around since 1947. They are a one-stop shop for retail toy stores, helping with work that some stores don’t have time to do or don’t have the equipment for.
Ross shares they have approximately 270 people working for the trade, around 200 being bench jewelers or polishers. The remaining employees do data entry, quality control, and other related tasks. Talk about teamwork!
We also discovered that Jewel-Craft Inc differs in its approach by breaking down its processes into specific tasks assigned to individuals. For example, stone setters only cut seeds, bright cut, and set stones. They then pass the piece to the next person who polishes the piece. This approach allows for a quality check at each process stage, ensuring a high-quality result.
Ross also discusses the number of jobs they do in a month, around 40 to 50,000! He explains that they are cautious with the work, checking each job to ensure everything runs smoothly. Ross talks about some challenges they face, such as lost jobs, which are infrequent but do happen.
This episode provides priceless insights into the world of jewelry-making, specifically the work done by trade shops. Ross’s knowledge and experience in the industry make this a must-listen for everyone who wants to learn about the industry’s inner workings. If you’re curious where to find Jewelry-Craft Inc, tune in to this episode.
