EP 119_From Teacher to Top Jeweler: Lorraine Hoffman’s Brilliant Success Story

Introduction:
Hello everyone, this is Guy with Southern Jewelry News and this is another episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry Podcast. Enjoy the episode.

Guy:
Hello everyone, this is Guy with Southern Jewelry News and I’m here with another amazing podcast with a very good friend, somebody that we worked together a few years ago and I’m really happy to have her and talk about her experience.

This is Lorraine Hoffman with Brillante Jeweler. Hixson? Is that the name?

Lorraine:
Hixson, Tennessee, Brillante Jeweler. Jeweler. Yeah.

Guy:
Got it. Got it. No S there. No S. Perfect. So when we met, you were just thinking about it.

Lorraine:
Yes. Very early days.

Guy:
And I don’t even think it was you were thinking about opening a brick and mortar jewelry store. It’s like, let me open up a website.

Lorraine:
Correct.

Guy:
And you had lots of questions because you were a school teacher. And other things.

Lorraine:
Right.

Guy:
And this was a whole new world, whole new life for you. Let me get into jewelry and open up a website. And we talk.

Lorraine:
Correct. And you were actually the very first person that I contacted in the jewelry world. And I think I saw an advertisement or something in a magazine somewhere. And I thought, I’m going to call this guy.

Guy:
All right. And hopefully it was good.

Lorraine:
Yes, yes, of course. Yeah. No, it was actually it was very influential.

Guy:
Oh, yes, it was. That was amazing. And I know we were talking about it yesterday and so forth. And I, you know, and when I see the post and I see her post now, and you were recently nominated as one of the best jewelers or businesses.

Lorraine:
Right. Actually, our city has a competition every year called Best of the Best. And last year I was a finalist. Yes. And then this year, actually just a week or so. I found out that I won the top spot, the winner of Best of the Best jewelry store in Chattanooga.

Guy:
Amazing. And I see Lorraine’s post. I’m like, oh my God, look at that. That’s amazing because when we talked you were, you were a retired school teacher thinking like, man, how do I do this? And now look at you, you are the jewelry store owner. Yeah. How does that make, how does that feel for you?

Lorraine:
Oh, it actually is quite surreal because sometimes I think about how, how did I get to where I am? And there were many difficult moments along the way, a big learning curve because this was like an encore career for me because I’ve already had many years as an educator. And, um, so it is a beautiful feeling of accomplishment, satisfaction. It’s just…

Guy:
I feel it too because I sound like, oh man, look at Lorraine go. Yeah, yeah. And you talk about diamond, you know, you do your lives and so I’m like, ah, she’s a jeweler.

Lorraine:
And really, I could not be where I’m at if it wasn’t for just the beautiful way that the jewelry industry supports people. And really, I feel that they want me to be successful. And they’ve surrounded me. It’s been beautiful.

Guy:
Is there a certain group, people, that really helped you?

Lorraine:
Well, I mean, it started at the Atlanta Jewelry Show. Now, I did attend my very first experience with the industry was JCK, which was incredibly overwhelming but very beneficial. Yeah, you know, but then I went to, shortly after that in 2021, I went to the Atlanta Jewelry Show and that’s where I found my people. Yeah. People. Oh, they were just so… I mean, everybody was so excited that I was a newbie. Yeah. Because everyone I met, three generations, two generations, six generations of jewelry store, family owned. And here I was so new and fresh and people really wanted to support me. They cared for me. They gave me their guidance, advice. I can’t imagine that I would be where I’m at if it hadn’t been for the Atlanta group. And I went to that show for many years until I joined IJO. And actually now in August, I’m planning to go back to the Atlanta show. I just want to go back and feel that group of people. There’s still so many that I know there.

[Commercial]

This episode is brought to you by Gemstar. Lead your jewelry collection with brilliance and innovation. Experience the full line of fine jewelry with Star Lab by Gemstar. Discover our latest designs at gemstarco.com or call 1-866-368-5700.

Guy:
What has been the challenges that you did to pop up that now you’re the owner of the jewelry store? What’s challenging these things?

Lorraine:
Well, actually, because I was so new to the industry, there was a learning curve about jewelry itself. Now, I have some jewelry and design way in my background before I became an educator, so it was really learning all that, you know, and learning the content of jewelry itself from the diamonds to the gemstones to the gold to the repairs, all those things. But I just, like I said, I’ve been surrounded by so many helpful people. Yeah. And of course then I did my homework, did my research, took some classes, went to all the classes available at the Atlanta Jewelry Show, IJO. IJO has been a huge, huge influential part of this journey. Not just about jewelry, but also about the business. Because I came to them when I was really at a turning point with how the business was going to succeed, the business aspect of it all.

Guy:
I remember when we were talking in the very beginning, you were asking, like, should I position this way or that way and so forth? And you chose on a path. And how did that work out for you in terms of developing the business now?

Lorraine:
Well, I attribute some things to you.

Guy:
Oh, thank you.

Lorraine:
Because… I don’t know if you remember, but in that first conversation, when I was basically interviewing you about creating a website for Brillante. And I remember you asking me, well, what’s going to be your niche or niche? I don’t know how people say it. And I was like, I don’t know. All I knew is I needed a website that I was going to put jewelry on. And I remember that question kind of really startling me because what was going to be my niche? And then you just decided to start asking me a lot of questions. We probably talked for 30 minutes or so. And you finally said, I think I know what your niche is going to be. I’m like, what? And you looked at me and you said, you, you’re going to be it.

Because you, and you really affirmed me. You said, you know, you’re warm, your personality, your energy, your passion. I see it. So that’s what’s going to draw people in. And in the end, I guess you were very prophetic because that’s what happened. I mean, it was just this slow evolution of me sitting down with customers and that kind of energy that took place. They saw my passion. They saw my care because really I decided very early on that I was going to build this business on love. Yeah. and service. Yes. And people have seen that and I think we’re just in a time where people are hungry for that kind of interaction, especially with jewelry. It’s personal. Exactly. It’s intimate. It’s meaningful. I literally, and I am not exaggerating, at least once a week have someone sitting at my design table who’s crying. You know, we’re exploring grandmother’s jewelry and she just passed away, right? You know, we’re exploring that. My father passed away and I want to do something with his wedding bands. Or I’m in the middle of a divorce. Right. What do I do with this jewelry? So, and, and, and I just sit there and I’m a sympathy crier, so I’ll get tears in my eyes and we bond. We bond, of course. And jewelry is just so intimate in that way.

Guy:
And I think everyone knows in the jewelry industry that’s what makes one of the things that makes this industry so great is because you’re part of people’s lives, major milestones, big moments in their life. And you’re part of it.

Lorraine:
And they pull me into their story. And that’s what I get so honored that I’m that part of their journey. And, you know, from the young men who sit and we design an engagement ring, I never meet her until after they’re engaged and he’s so proud to bring her in to meet me. You know, and I’m like so honored about that. So it’s just, it’s such a beautiful, beautiful way to be in relationship with people.

Guy:
Yeah. I hear that all the time and, you know, in the beginning when you were trying to figure it out and you know, I get this a lot with jewelers trying to figure out how do they position themselves and so forth. And some of the business owners, jewelers fall in this trap of seeing these other websites and other businesses and I want to be like them and let me put the beautiful couple on the banner and let me do this and, and, and, and unfortunately in that way you because you’re like one of the many fish in the sea. Yeah. And your personality is, oh, you got jewelry. You got jewelry for it. But when you were talking to me and telling me about yourself and what you were, I was like, okay, you’ve got to make it about you. You were so much about the love and spreading that love. And I’m like, okay, I think that’s really key for you. And that became your thing.

Lorraine:
It did.

Guy:
And people will buy you and buy from you because of you, because they like you. They’ll spend more money working with you than they can, you know, they’ll go to Costco or wherever, yeah, online and buy it cheaper, but they’ll because they like working with you they’re going to come.

Lorraine:
Yeah. And it’s, it’s really blown me away, to be honest with you, that people have been so… We want to work with you, Lorraine. We see your passion. We’re coming back here. And I’m like, wow. And I’m just really being myself because I want everybody to feel seen and heard and loved. That’s my biggest thing, that they feel loved. Because jewelry, I say it all the time. I say it in my social media. Jewelry is all about love. And who doesn’t love love? Who doesn’t love love? Exactly.

Guy:
We all love Lorraine. You opened your store when?

Lorraine:
Actually in May of 2022. And because when we started the business, we were going to be e-commerce. Yep. And just because I had a long history in Chattanooga as an educator, many families and students who had grown up and were ready for engagement rings and things like that, they started calling me. And so I would meet with people in my dining room. And I turned my dining room into a showroom. And it was there that I was starting to show diamonds. And then I was also loading up all this jewelry in the trunk of my car and going to businesses that I had friends, like doctor’s offices, nurses, and we met.

And then we realized that this wasn’t safe. You know, I had a safe there in my garage but it was just getting to where bringing all these people and all this stuff into my home. So that’s when we decided to maybe find a little office or a small space to… but we ended up finding a really nice 1,500 square foot business. It actually had been a beauty salon, a hair salon and we remodeled it and I now have 500 square feet of jewelry and design table. It’s a beautiful, warm, perfect size kind of spot.

And right next to it, you go through a doorway, I have an event space. Oh, that’s right. Yes. Yes. I’ve had bridal showers there. I’ve had jewelry events that we’ve done. I’ve had some people in the community, like nonprofit boards, you know, will come there and have their annual meetings. So I kind of gave it to the community. And I even have another space with a full kitchen. Okay. So it was the perfect place to start, you know, a brick and mortar and we, and we love it. And it’s kind of evolved over the years and just gotten, I’ve added more things to it.

Guy:
So you started from scratch with the store.

Lorraine:
Yes.

Guy:
That was easy. No. It wasn’t easy. What were the challenges? Because there’s probably some people out there like, okay, do I buy a store? Do I take over one? Or should I start from scratch?

Lorraine:
Yes, well. We had to do quite a remodeling of the space because it was a hair salon. So we’ve, you know, started pulling up floors and baseboards and painting and removing the sinks where, you know, women’s hair were washed. And we had, you know, the plumbing, the electrical. And then we worked on the design. And I just spent countless hours online looking at jewelry stores. Yeah. To see how I wanted it to look, you know. So yeah, it was a challenge and it took about two months more than what I thought it would.

Guy:
So what was the total timeline?

Lorraine:
We started actually January 15th, I know the exact day, in 2022 and we opened the doors to the public on May 5th. May 5th. Yeah. So I was hoping to open it by March, but that didn’t happen and that’s okay. You know? So we got delayed just with the cases and different things arriving and getting them done.

Guy:
For anybody out there that’s maybe remodeling or opening a brand new store, what’s your advice?

Lorraine:
Oh, that’s a good one. Well, I think for one, it’s to build a team of help, from contractors to electrician. And in my case, my now daughter-in-law and son really took a lot of initiative and I could trust them in watching the work and doing some of it. So it’s building a team that you can trust. That would be the number one thing. And that takes a little time because you have to work with people and get references and referrals and stories from others.

And then I think it’s to… To really have, for me, I had a design vibe that I wanted to have. And so I really tried to have elements that bring, like something very important to me was that we would be, the people that came into my store and began working with me, whether it was a repair or a custom, would be part of the Brillante family. I talk about that.

So I made sure I have a space. I have a wall in the store, and I call it my wall of love, the Brillante wall of love. And I must have 200 pictures there. And I’m constantly adding and taking pictures away because that’s the vibe I wanted, that people felt like, oh. You’re now my jeweler. Yes. I’m part of your family, your jewelry family.

Guy:
So it was to trust some people, really do it. You did a lot of research.

Lorraine:
Yes, a lot of research, yeah.

Guy:
So your store opened up. And what do you think your biggest challenge is now as a jewelry store owner after a few years?

Lorraine:
That’s another great question. Well, I think we’ve come to the point where I want and need another me. Absolutely. Okay? Yeah. So that means, and there’s a beautiful story to this, because just this year, my daughter and son-in-law and my two little grandbabies moved back to this area, to Chattanooga, from Chicago. And now she’s joined the team there.

Now, I have other help that comes in and helps with shipping and, you know, just operational, inventory, tags, all that kind of stuff. But she, I’m positioning her now because, you know, being my daughter, she’s very warm, very passionate, very friendly. You know, she’s, so she is now watching me and kind of learning how do we go through this process of sitting down with someone to talk about what they want to do, whether it’s something new, whether it’s restyling, redesigning.

I see that being a little bit of an evolution. It may take another year, but she will be someone else that people can sit and trust, and it’ll be the same Brillante way. The same Brillante way. That’s very important to me. That we work, all of the people that I have in the store, that they are part of that. This business is founded on love and service.

Guy:
Yes, yes, yes. You’ve created that culture, the company vibe.

Lorraine:
Yes.

Guy:
You have to maintain that. You have to protect that.

Lorraine:
Right, right.

Guy:
You can’t let anybody come in and change it. No, no, not at all. Because that’s going to be something totally different.

Lorraine:
Right.

Guy:
And so, yes, that’s great. Now, again, you were an educator, and then you started the e-commerce business. How did you become a jeweler? How did you become? How the heck?

Lorraine:
That’s another great question, yes. During COVID, the position that I was in, where I was an educator had to be eliminated. It was a private school and there was so much going on during COVID and families were leaving private schools for loss of job and, you know, employment. So they had eliminated that position.

And at that time I met someone who had had 40 years of experience in the jewelry industry. And I was talking about what am I going to do next? And I actually really wanted to do something that worked with people that could take me into my 80s. You know, because, you know, just because I always see myself.

Guy:
So that’s like another 40 years.

Lorraine:
Thank you. Thank you. So, yeah. So this, you know, this man, very kind, generous man said, well, what about the jewelry industry? You know, this is something I have experience in. I can set you up. I can, you know, point you in the direction of where you will get support and help. He knew a lot of contacts. And so that came into my life. And I was like, hey, yeah, let’s do it.

You know, because of course I had a love for jewelry and really from the past a love for design and so we, you know, the first thing we did is he said you’ve got to go to JCK. So we went to JCK on a luxury badge about to spend, you know, time up on the fifth floor. Yeah. You know, and I met so many wonderful people and we kind of made contacts with some vendors at that time and then of course the next thing he said is we’re going to the Atlanta Jewelry Show because that was a show that he knew personally. Yeah. And then, you know, made contacts there.

So it was just really, it was just a series of a lot of baby steps. You know, and just doing the next right thing and the next right thing and the next perfect person coming into my life that I needed at that time. I mean, I really, there’s just story upon story upon story of what I needed coming to me or me being drawn and knowing what to do next.

Yeah. I mean, it’s very, it’s kind of miraculous how it all transpired.

Guy:
I totally believe that things happen for you and people come into, you know, in your life at certain times at the right time. Exactly. Because that’s what was meant to be. And, you know, and I’m so happy to, you know, be part of your journey but also see it. You know, we don’t, we haven’t talked in a while, right? In a few years. And but I’m like, oh, look at Lorraine. She’s a jeweler. That’s amazing. And so this is great. Now you’ve been named the best jeweler.

Lorraine:
It’s called Best of the Best and so the category was jewelry store under shopping. Got it. Yeah, they have different categories.

Guy:
Yeah, so it’s the Best of the Best jewelry store.

Lorraine:
I know.

Guy:
You’re the best. I know.

Lorraine:
I’m owning it.

Guy:
Yes. And that’s amazing. And that’s amazing. And because it’s like your personality. And I think just try to be someone else. It’s just not going to work.

Lorraine:
Yeah. Yeah. I’ve really learned that. I just need to be me. And like I said, I say it over and over and just love people where they’re at. Yeah. You know, and just kind of sit there and listen to them so they see.

I always want people to leave out of my store better than they came in. And I say these things not to build up me or to brag. You know, it’s hard as a person sometimes to say these things, but it just truly amazes me. I’ve had so many people say as they’re walking out my door, they’ll turn around and say, this place is really cool. I just really like the vibe here.

Or they’ll turn around and say, you know, I came in a stranger. And I feel like I’m leaving with a new friend. Yeah, yeah. Just that kind of vibe. And that’s just who I’ve wanted to be.

Guy:
So going back to the trade shows, you said that you started at JCK, went to Atlanta. Some of the jewelers, you know, go to the shows just to buy. What is the real goal in going to the show?

Lorraine:
For me? For me. Because I knew I wanted to build this business on love. And I haven’t really used the word relationship. I want to establish a relationship with every customer. And so for me, if I wanted to be that to my people that walk in my door to do this beautiful jewelry thing with me, then I wanted that kind of relationship with a vendor.

So I was really, my mission was to find vendors who really paired well. And I felt the cohesiveness or congruent that we would have a relationship. I have to have a relationship with my vendors.

That’s so important. So that’s what I looked for at the shows. I was drawn, of course, to the beauty of the jewelry and all those things, but it was really what I felt with the vendor themselves. And for some reason, just because I think that’s what I wanted, that’s what I have. I have this amazing group of vendors that I work with.

And then after the Atlanta Jewelry Show experience of me going there for a couple years, IJO contacted me and I was like, what is this IJO? I didn’t even know what it was. And I went ahead and went to a show in Dallas and just felt that there too with the community, you know, the leadership. And so it’s very important to me to have that experience.

Because then… Because that’s an energy that carries over into my store and with my customers.

Guy:
Yes, yes, yes. So now that you’re running the store, you’re the best jewelry store.

Lorraine:
Capital letters, B-E-S-T.

Guy:
B-E-S-T, Lorraine. And so now what are the things that are keeping really driving the store? I mean, not everybody in town knows Lorraine. A lot of people do and like Lorraine. But what drives the store? I mean, do you do promotion, marketing, your social media?

Lorraine:
That’s a great question. I do have a social media manager who does a lot of that, all that content, you know, that I give to her and she puts together. But I don’t even really feel there is an aspect of that that brings people into the store. Of course, we use Google. Yeah.

You know, we have Google. And every single person who comes into the store that’s new, I ask, where did you hear? And I will say that the majority are Google.

Then one of the things that IJO suggested, because right when I joined IJO, I went to their business college in Connecticut, and they just looked at my business, all the stuff from financials to the setup of the store to the signage. And one of the things they mentioned is you need better signage. So I took their advice. I got better signage. And sometimes people say, oh, I just saw your sign. I didn’t know there’s a jewelry store here.

And then I really did get involved with the Chattanooga Times Free Press newspaper. And that’s who runs this Best of the Best. And they do a lot of marketing through the Best of the Best. So that’s why I kind of got involved with that as well.

And then, of course, now that I’ve been there about four and a half years, now it’s word of mouth. Word of mouth. Yeah. I mean, I have entire families who come to me. Of course. You know, the mom, the dad. The mom’s sister, the grandmother, the three kids, you know, that kind of thing. Everyone’s coming and I’m getting a lot more word of mouth.

And then I have wonderful reviews. I really believe in reviews. I really encourage people, hey, you know, if you’re willing, leave us a review. And that’s made an impact as well. I have a lot of people who come in and have done their research. Because they want to feel, love, seen, and heard with something so personal.

And they’re like, I read your reviews. And I just, this is the kind of place I want to be.

Guy:
There you go. Absolutely. They fell in love with you.

Lorraine:
That’s very sweet. Thank you.

Guy:
That’s very easy with you. So now, now you’re the best capital B. And you’re running a great jewelry store. What’s next?

Guy:
Great question. Great question. I still see myself very heavily involved in being there and being the face. And really leading my employees, you know, and I, you know, I have just a few that come in different times part-time and now my daughter. I want to lead by example. Yeah. And I want them to be able to do what I’m doing, especially through my daughter.

I want to grow the business. Yeah. I have financial goals, you know, that I’m, that I’m working towards. It’s a really good question. I want to… Well, I haven’t mentioned this. Yeah, because this really came from the Atlanta Jewelry Show. I’m actually beginning now.

I’m in the beginning stages of designing my own lines. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. And so I’m actually, I have it programmed. That I’ll probably come out with maybe a half dozen, six pieces by the end of September, yeah, to go into the fourth quarter here. And, and what’s beautiful is I have customers who are so loyal now they want that. Yes, yes. Lorraine, we want a piece that you created. Yeah, you know, because there’s that trust there because in many ways we’re already designing because when you bring jewelry filled with gemstones and diamonds and we take them out and they say, well, what can we make? You’re right, right. So I’m already doing that, but now I want to have some like a collection, a line or something that we’ll say is Brillante Jeweler. Yeah. Lorraine Denise Brillante Jeweler. Yeah, yeah. So that really is kind of a passion I have going on right now.

Guy:
Oh, I’m gonna see those posts.

Lorraine:
Yeah. So the plan right now, because I’m already working on it, is to start with colored gemstones. Oh, beautiful. We’re going to start with a color line. And, of course, there will be diamonds in it. But, you know, the predominant will be color. Because I’ve fallen in love with so many colored pieces. Yeah. Yeah. And colored stones. Yeah. So that’s what’s next for me.

Guy:
Beautiful. That’s amazing. I’m rooting for you. Yeah. That’s amazing. With anybody out there thinking about, you know, starting to opening up a jewelry store and like, oh, my God, it’s like, you know, starting any business is challenging. But anybody thinking out there, what advice would you give to those people thinking maybe I should, I should not?

They keep thinking about it. Right. And in your case, you didn’t even know what kind of business. What was the next step? And you found jewelry. Jewelry found you. You found jewelry. It came together. The world. Yes. Yes. Anyway. What’s your advice for people?

Lorraine:
Well, this one I don’t have to think about much. I think that a great place to start is by doing some reading. Yeah, okay. Okay? Because there are about, I think, maybe three books that I grabbed a hold of and devoured within days. Yeah. And they really helped me know just kind of how to structure. Yes. And how to create. Well, really for me, even a vibe.

One was the E-Myth. Yes. Revisited. Yes. Beautiful. I understood the roles of the business, you know. Then the other one is a book called When Businesses Love. Wow. Excellent book. I couldn’t put it down. Yeah. And I read that early on and I thought, this is who I want to be. Yes. You know, I want to be about love. Right. And then another one was Profit First. Profit First.

Have you heard of that one?

Guy:
Yes, yes.

Lorraine:
And that’s just a system of how you run your numbers and your financials and how you view all that. Yeah. And then, oh, gosh, it just went out of my head.

Oh, the Soul-Sourced Entrepreneur. Yeah, that was another one I read and that is leading a business from your soul. Yeah. You know, because there’s so much out there about hustle and grind, right, and just working yourself and, you know, right into the ground. And I didn’t want to do it that way.

Yeah. And I got a very good business coach. A very good business coach. And that made, and she wasn’t even a jewelry store, jewelry industry. She was more about the business part of it. Yeah, that was excellent. The way to view the business.

And I’ll tell you one thing that she told me that has made a huge difference. She said, take care of yourself first and the business will be successful.

Because I had a year, the second year of the business, where I ran myself into the ground and I ended up upset, actually. I never had to leave the store, but I was just so worn out. Right. And I started working with her and all of a sudden I turned that. Okay. I got to make sure that I’m getting the sleep I need. I got to make sure that I’m exercising, that I’m eating well, that I’m spending time having fun. Yes. And then it just, right, kind of… all of a sudden, everything else just started moving well because I was taking care.

That is something I would tell every business owner. Do not forget about your self-care. Right, right.

Guy:
And there’s so much that… those books, I read some of them, not all of them. I’ve heard all of them, not all of them. And the advice from your business coach, all of that is really just key. And one of my favorite books is Start With Why.

Lorraine:
Oh. Start With Why. Oh, I’m going to have to look that one up.

Guy:
It’s really, really amazing because I’ve talked to jewelers or potential clients for my marketing agency, and some of them just… about business, about profits and making revenue and let’s start this, let’s copy that, this website here and let’s change the thing and we’re going to use these people, we’re going to drop ship from this company over here because they’re going to allow me. And it was so lacking of personality. It was just copying and doing, you know, someone. And they, you know, I feel like… you know, I just don’t feel that they’re going to be successful because they’re just trying to do what someone else is doing.

Lorraine:
Good point.

Guy:
And they didn’t have the culture, the attitude, the, you know, the why behind this business. And they just want to make money. Yeah. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t. And it’s more of a transaction.

Lorraine:
Yeah, it sounds mechanical. It’s mechanical. Very mechanical.

Guy:
You know, your why. And also having that work-life balance is very important because if you’re not good, if you’re not right in the head and you’re tired, you’re also going to put out that same, you know, you’re going to make the best decisions. You’re not going to. Put out the best vibe out there.

Maybe you’re not going to take care of customers the way you really want to take care of them. Especially if you get the wrong type of, you’re putting out a vibe and you’re getting the wrong type of customers. You want to get customers that would be super fans and totally believe in your culture, your concept, your attitude. And you may be weird and quirky and whatever. Somebody out there is going to like who you are for you. And when they like you and buy into you, the buy just got in and they’re going to bring the whole family.

Lorraine:
Exactly. Exactly.

Guy:
And so that’s, that’s really amazing. And I’m really glad that I got to catch up with you and hear about all the amazing things. And so awesome that your daughter’s going to really come in there and be part of it. And I’ve been so happy to see your post and see the success and I’m like, oh man. And then when I saw you like, oh my god. Well…

Lorraine:
We’ve always, I mean, you’ve always been such an important person in my journey. I mean, because it really, you were the first person I ever talked to, you know, so and then we spent a lot of time together creating the website, you know. So, you know, to me, you know, you were one of the foundational pieces in this journey. So, of course, I’m so incredibly grateful. And I always remember that every time I texted you or called you, you got back with me, you know, because you have that same care. Yeah. Yeah. You really do with your people.

Guy:
Absolutely. Absolutely. And so anybody listening, make sure you give Lorraine Hoffman, Brillante Jeweler. Right. Lots of love. What’s the website? How do they contact you?

Lorraine:
Well, it’s Brillantejeweler.com is the website, yes. And on there is all my contact information, you know, the store number, the, you know, social media, all that stuff.

Guy:
So anybody listening, make sure you, you like their, like, Lorraine’s post and give, give it lots of love and engagement and so forth. Share.

Lorraine:
Yeah, because for Instagram it’s Brillante_jeweler, yes, and then of course it’s on Facebook, Brillante Jeweler, yes, yeah. And so sometimes you’ll see Lorraine Denise, Brillante Jeweler, because that was something that the Atlanta Jewelry Show encouraged me to put my name on there if someday I was going to design, which is happening now in 2026. It’s going to happen.

Guy:
I’m excited for that. I’m excited for that. That’s amazing. Well, I am so happy about your success. And being part of your journey and catching up with you, we’re going to have to catch up again in the future. Yes. And see how that line’s going. Yes. And you’re going to tell me about all the amazing new things that happened. And so I’m, thank you so much for joining.

Lorraine:
Well, thank you. Thank you. It was not an accident that we saw each other. Absolutely. Yeah. But a gift, right?

Guy:
It is a gift. And I’m so happy to have you here. Everyone, give Lorraine lots of love. Check out Southern Jewelry News. Subscribe and get the paper. But thank you for watching and listening to this episode. We’ll catch you in the next one. Thank you, Lorraine.

Outro:
Thank you for watching another episode of the Pearls of Wisdom Jewelry podcast. We’ll catch you on the next one. Take care.