Send us a text Prepare to transform your online presence into a powerhouse of holiday cheer. We discuss how to maintain an omni-channel experience that seamlessly connects your digital and physical storefronts especially around the time of year where it matters most! Don't let outdated information be the Grinch that steals your holiday sales—tune i…

Send us a text Email marketing has the power to elevate your traffic to new heights. Mike sits down with Hope Bellair, Punchmark's Digital Marketing Manager, and Sarah Weeks, Art Director at Punchmark, to discuss best practices and strategy for your next Email Marketing campaign. Where is the sweet spot for sending "too many" and "radio silence"? W…

Send us a text Are you open every day between Black Friday and Christmas Eve? Do you close between Boxing Day and New Years? Do you have VIP events or "Guys Nights" to drive traffic? Do you stock up your best sellers with multiples or get a broad variety of products? The busiest time of the year is starting, and Michael sat down with Ray Lantz from…

Send us a text Michael is joined by Jason Adams, Director of Education at Punchmark, to discuss how to get your website ready for the busiest time of the year, and encourages all Punchmark clients to get their website tickets and requests in early. There are a few key parts of your website that should be checked prior to the holidays, and Jason sha…

Send us a text AI has been the buzzword of the last few years, but its accessibility for everyday people can feel limited as some use cases require extra downloads and plugins. Michael wanted to showcase some of the most readily available and accessible use cases for ChatGPT in your every day life. Learn how querying this powerful tool can help wit…

Send us a text Bryan Braddy, the talented artist behind Bad Art Nice Watch, shares how he has created a business out of helping tell the captivating tales of luxury watches. Beginning with a simple drawing session with his daughter, Bryan rediscovered his passion for art, eventually developing a unique and recognizable style using professional-grad…

Send us a text Mike sits down with Constance Polamalu , the founder of Birthright Foundry to talk about the latest updates to her jewelry line since they last spoke during S4 E34. Constance discusses her journey this past year, highlighting the meticulous selection of her pieces that were featured on the Golden Bachelorette and the importance of cr…

Send us a text Cheers to Episode 200 of In the Loupe! Whether you've been with us since the beginning, or this is your first episode, thanks for joining us! Join us for our special 200th episode of "In the Loupe," where we journey from our humble beginnings as the "Jeweler's Survival Kit" to becoming a pivotal marketing tool within the jewelry worl…

Send us a text Michael sits down with Ross Cockerham, CEO & Co-Founder of Punchmark, who recently got back from The EDGE Workshop in Connecticut. They discuss what was covered at the workshop, what Ross presented on during his allotted time, and what we can learn from this workshop to improve our own Punchmark Client Workshop. Send feedback or lear…

Send us a text It's time to start thinking about your holiday marketing and begin planning for this year's busy season! Mike speaks with Hope Bellair, Punchmark's Digital Marketing Manager, to discuss how to get your site ready, what the easiest starting points are, and where to look for inspiration. This is the pre-marathon stretch, so buckle up! …

Send us a text This week, Mike talks through his favorite website to order from, and the consistency that has made them stand out to him for nearly 8 years. Moo.com is a company that makes business cards and greeting cards, and their communication, ease of use, and overall quality stand out in a crowded field. Mike tries to pull out a few key lesso…

Send us a text Mike sits down with Lee Elgin from Elgin Fine Jewelry and Vincent Spilotro from Arezzo Jewelers for a Retailer Roundtable to talk about how the trade shows were this year, as well as how they are prepping their stores for the holidays. We dive into how the surging price of gold effects their business, their strategy for attending sho…

Send us a text Announcing the first In the Loupe giveaway of 2024, powered by Picup Media! Join Michael and Marius as they unbox and demo a new GemLoupe, and the many use cases for it. Michael explains the rules of the giveaway and explains how you can enter! https://www.punchmark.com/loupe Learn more about our sponsor Tailored Rings: tailoredrings…

Send us a text Join us as Stephen Barnes, President of IJO, shares the journey of his first year in leadership. Stephen recounts his experiences leading IJO, highlighted by the recent buying shows at IJO Dallas and IJO Chicago. He discusses the unity and commitment fueling the organization’s mission to uplift its retail members and vendors, reflect…

Send us a text Could a simple hinge revolutionize the way you wear your wedding band? Join Michael as he speaks with Hunter Taylor, the mind behind Tailored Rings, as he unveils his journey of creating a unique hinged wedding band. Inspired by his own struggles with traditional rings due to larger knuckles and an active lifestyle, Hunter leveraged …

Send us a text Curious about what it takes to lead a family jewelry business to new heights? Mike sits down with William Jones IV, the newly appointed President of Sissy's Log Cabin. William opens up about his unique journey from the store floor to the executive office and shares the challenges and triumphs that come with guiding one of the most be…

Send us a text Mike meets with Hope Bellair, who leads the Punchmark Digital Marketing team, about her recent presentation at IJO: Chicago, as well as to tease her upcoming presentation at RJO: St. Louis. She talks through common mistakes she sees jewelers making with their marketing, as well as explains why "plug and play" marketing, like Punchmar…

Send us a text Mike sits down with Craig MacBean, President and fourth generation owner of jewelry powerhouse Ostbye to learn more their recent acquisition of Victor Corporation, a jewelry vendor that has been making jewelry since 1946. He discusses the timeline for the acquisition, why they made the move, and what it means for Ostbye customers. Le…

Send us a text Mike is joined by CEO of Punchmark, Ross Cockerham, to have a conversation about the latest season of jewelry trade shows, innovations at Punchmark, and Ross's recent experiences balancing business and family. We explore the importance of work-life balance, succession planning, and empowering team members to step into greater roles L…

Send us a text If you carry INOX Men's Jewelry, you've probably met Cole Rowland at a jewelry show, as he traveled to almost every jewelry show imaginable as a vendor for several years. However, when an interesting opportunity to step in as the next generation jeweler for Ware's Jewelry, he couldn't resist. Cole made the jump from vendor to retaile…

Send us a text Omni-Channel is a term used in ecommerce and retail to describe a business strategy that aims to provide a seamless shopping experience across all channels, including in store, mobile, and online. At Punchmark, we are constantly encouraging our clients to integrate their online presence with their in-store ones, by integrating with t…

Send us a text Ever wondered how to turn a small local business into an industry giant? Join Mike as he speaks with Dennis Steele, the Co-Founder of Podium, who shares the incredible transformation of his company from its modest beginnings. Discover the innovative strategies that helped Podium elevate businesses like Eric's father's tire shop by in…

Send us a text What does it take to lead one of the most respected organizations in the jewelry industry? Mike sits down with Alexis Padis, the newly appointed President of the American Gem Society (AGS) and a driving force behind Padis Jewelry in San Francisco. Alexis opens up about her unexpected journey from avoiding the family business to findi…

Send us a text Michael sits down with the two minds behind Jeweler's Advantage, the AI Powered tool designed to help elevate jewelry stores to new heights. Their tool, AI CoPilot helps stores reach new markets, build a stronger brand, and, most excitingly, concept new custom jewelry designs in seconds rather than days. With the emerging tools that …

Send us a text The winds of change are blowing through the corridors of family-owned jewelry businesses. Mike spoke with 3 members of the RJO Board about where RJO is headed and what topics are of greatest importance to them. Mike was joined by: RJO Board of Directors Joe Schiavone, Z’s Fine Jewelry (Peoria, AZ) RJO Merchandise Review Committee Joa…

Send us a text This episode was recorded LIVE from the 3rd Annual Punchmark Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC! Mike was join by Alex Schlindwein (also known as Diamond Diaries) of Kiefer Jewelers, and Caleb Falls from Fall's Jewelers, two Next Generation Jewelers for a retailer roundtable! They talk through their views on jewelry trends, how they ba…

Send us a text Join Mike for an exciting vlog-style podcast episode as he takes you behind the scenes of the THIRD annual Punchmark Client Workshop, in Charlotte, NC. He shares what goes into organizing an educational summit for 35 clients, 8 sponsors, and 20 Punchmark Team members. It's a lot of fun every year, and we are already planning the next…

Send us a text Mike is away at the 3rd Annual Punchmark Client Workshop and teases a few upcoming episodes he is excited about! See you next week! Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe Learn about Punchmark's website platform: punchmark.com Inquire about sponsoring In the Loupe and showcase your business on our next epi…

Send us a text Mike meets with Savannah Kell, Junior Designer at Punchmark, to talk about everything she's done to renovate the Punchmark Instagram account, what goes into managing an account sustainably, and the differences in approach for a B2B account versus a B2C account. Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe Learn …

Send us a text Kevin Jack, the creator behind Jack Custom Jewelry on social media, is known for his mesmerizing time-lapse social media showcases. From snowflake ring designs to dragons that will wrap themselves around your finger, Kevin's designs in CAD are inspiring. Mike spoke with Kevin to learn about how he got his start in custom jewelry desi…

Send us a text Prepare to be amazed as we uncover the transformative impact of AI on your business's online strategy. This episode, featuring the insightful Dan Sirois, CPO & Co-Founder of Punchmark, offers an exclusive look into the future of client engagement and web development. We talk about Punchmark's new Creative Strategy Assessment and how …

Send us a text Unlock the secrets of luxury watch photography with photographers and fellow RIT alumnus, Chris Coe and Adam Antalek of Coe Group. We cover the demanding brand expectations of different brands, the balance of in-camera excellence versus post-production finesse, and the inventive techniques that ensure every shot conveys the luxury an…

Send us a text Whether you are selling luxury jewelry or luxury jackets, the art of storytelling is an important one that helps a shopper make the leap of faith that this object is EXACTLY what they've been looking for all along. Michael unpacks a recent online purchase he made on Huckberry for their Flint & Tinder Flannel Lined Waxed Jacket and th…

Send us a text Ever wonder why some websites rank higher than others, or how to make your site the jewel in Google's crown? Michael and Stuart unravel the mysteries of search engine optimization in a candid chat about Google's latest SEO Starter Guide. We're not just rehashing the same old keywords tactics; we are talking about the current state of…

Send us a text A NOTE FROM MIKE: In the introduction of this episode, Michael mistakenly states Day's Jewelers have 10 locations. At the time of publishing this episode, they have 8 active locations. Nikia Levesque, VP of Marketing at Day's Jewelers, joins Michael for a chat that traces her ascent from intern to VP of Marketing and delves into her …

Send us a text The first half of Trade Show Season concludes with IJO Dallas, and Mike speaks with Penny Palmer, Director of Member Services at IJO, to talk about the new vendors that have been added, the highlights of the event location, and some of the exciting educational sessions that will be taking place! And if you've got children traveling w…

Send us a text Step into the sparkling world of Tiffany & Co. with Sara Schoenlank, a Jewelry Designer on the High Jewelry team. High Jewelry is characterized as being the crème de la crème in the luxury world, using the most perfect precious stones possible and pushing the art of jewelry to new heights at every turn. Our conversation with Sara is …

Send us a text Mike is joined by Alex Schlindwein, also known as Diamond Diaries, to discuss her recent decision to expand one of their retail locations to include an adjacent building. This decision is one that many successful jewelers have needed to make and it comes with a whole host of difficult subsequent decisions such as handling existing te…

Send us a text Join the celebration of innovation and leadership as Michael is joined by Amanda Gizzi of Jewelers of America, to tease the "20 under 40" list, spotlighting those who are pushing the Jewelry Industry forward. Tune in to learn the ways Jewelers of America, National Jeweler, and Diamond Council of America amplify consumer confidence an…

Send us a text Get ready to unveil the future of diamond retail with Andre from Nivoda, as he sheds light on an app that's changing the game for jewelers everywhere. Nivoda's diamond marketplace makes it easy for retailers to find the perfect stone for a customer in real time, with millions of diamonds able to be sorted by size, shape, quality, Lab…

Send us a text Michael sits down to speak with Paige the Jeweler, a concierge jeweler who works one on one with her clients to bring their imagination to life! We discuss the process of meeting with a client over coffee to discuss their ideas and the subsequent steps that follow before delivery of a custom ring or other piece of jewelry. We also ta…

Send us a text Mike sits down with Trevor from Leitzel's Jewelry, to discuss his preparation for the RJO Palm Springs trade show. Which vendors is he most excited to sit with, how does he plan for show days, and his approach to staying in the venue hotel or elsewhere. Most importantly, we talk about about what Trevor hopes to get out of his visit t…

Send us a text Michael follows up with Justin VanMatre of National Rarities to unpack a year of unprecedented growth and treasure hunting by hitting the sweet spot with Independent Jewelry stores through their estate buying events. We also run through a session of "Would You Buy This?", putting Justin’s expertise to the test with one-of-a-kind item…

Send us a text Regardless of if a shopper starts online or walking the sidewalk in front of your store, the path to purchase is as unique as the pieces themselves. This week's conversation illuminates the diverse ways consumers shop for everything from engagement rings to casual accessories. We dissect the importance of not just catering to high-ti…

Send us a text We're setting our sights on the latest technological advancements and decoding the secrets of successful digital marketing for jewelers. Michael sets up what Season 5 of In the Loupe will look like as well as teases a few of the episodes he is most interested in sharing. In the second half of the show, he is joined by Ross Cockerham,…

Send us a text It's the final episode of Season 4! Which means another Best Bits episode! In this wrap up, we covered highlights from: S4 E33 -Exclusive First Interview with IJO’s New President, Stephen Barnes S4E23 -What Led to the Creation of the Geller’s Blue Book; an Interview with David Geller S4 E24 - Stop Making These 10 Social Media Marketi…

Send us a text It's the busy time of the year, but that's not stopping us from talking with jewelers in the middle of making their holiday sales. We compare Black Friday performances, early December Sales, and if they open the days between Christmas and New Years. This is the penultimate episode for Season 4, so sit back and enjoy! Thank you to our…

Send us a text This is the follow up episode to S4 E16, where we discussed the creation process (and mistakes) of our new publication, the Vendor Vault. Now, after the completion of our 3rd issue of the Vendor Vault, Sarah Weekes, Art Director at Punchmark, Savannah Kell, Junior Designer at Punchmark, joins Mike to talk about the things we improved…

Send us a text Let's do employee recognition differently this year, and learn how our guest, Alex Schlindwein also known as Diamond Diaries, celebrates with the employees at Kiefer Jewelers at the annual Kiefer Conclave. We go in-depth on the annual event that masterfully blends team-building activities, training, and celebration of hard work. We d…

Send us a text This episode is the follow up to S3 E37 of In the Loupe where we first interviewed Zulu about Smiling Rocks. Ever wondered how a company can make a difference? Zulu Ghevriya, CEO and Co-Founder of Smiling Rocks, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the heart of Smiling Rocks, a brand that isn’t just about adding sparkle to your fashio…