WJA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s West Coast Conference Inspires Women
\nJewelers Circular Keystone Online, NY
\nNatalie Zacharia, West Coast Correspondent — JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 9\/16\/2007 3:53:00 PM<\/p>\n
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After four successful years in New York, expectations were high for the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Jewelry Association\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Women in the Know\u00e2\u20ac\u009d West Coast Conference on Sept. 8 in Anaheim, Calif., at the Anaheim Marriot Hotel.<\/p>\n
More than one hundred jewelry professionals from around the country and representing all facets of the industry attended the full-day event. And expectations were met\u00e2\u20ac\u201dif not exceeded.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153For an inaugural event, it was phenomenal,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said WJA National President, Ann Arnold. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It was so satisfying to see how inspired and excited the attendees were, and the enthusiasm they had at the conference.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
High-profile, successful businesswomen filled the speaker line-up, which focused on business strategies, entrepreneurship, reinventing your career, networking, taking over the family business, and even the healing properties of gemstones.<\/p>\n
But for the women there, the conference wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t just about inspirational speakers and motivating breakout sessions \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it was also about making connections and building friendships.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153The event was great, and the networking opportunities were fabulous,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Jayne Schultz, sales assistant for the Las Vegas-based World Jewelry Center and a member of the San Diego chapter. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I really enjoyed spending time with my WJA friends, and meeting new and prospective members.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The first conference was sponsored by Jewelers Mutual Insurance, Platinum Guild International, and the West Coast Jewelry Show.<\/p>\n
Opening keynote speaker Margeaux Cvar, chief executive officer of The Cvar Von Habsburg Group, discussed how to recognize and identify growth opportunities for jewelry businesses by thinking outside of the box. She emphasized the importance of creating a unique and sustainable competitive position in the jewelry industry.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Differentiation is key,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You have to make yourself the niche, not compete the same way the big boys do. Take a different route.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
How can you take a different route? By finding successful strategies implemented by companies that are very different in scope, but similar in structure to your business, said Cvar. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Your performance relative to competitors is irrelevant. It just means that you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re all making the same mistakes. Compare yourself to successful companies similar to your own in other industries, and see how they do business.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Marie Bodman (pictured), president of Breitling USA, spoke about her rise from an administrative assistant to leader of the third-largest watch brand in the world. She attributed her success to persistence, luck, knowing when to ask for help, and choosing valuable employees.<\/p>\n
Bodman also stressed the importance of building a jewelry company to be distinct and unique. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153In the beginning, Breitling tried to grab every niche possible\u00e2\u20ac\u201dfrom the product, to the way we did business,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Bodman, who transformed Breitling from a one-person operation to one of the top brands in the industry in just 15 years. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re an independent business, what can you do that big companies can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d An example Bodman gave is one that she uses herself: sending personal letters to very important customers.<\/p>\n
The conference took an introspective turn when Pamela Mitchell, CEO of The Reinvention Institute, took the stage. Mitchell explained that in today\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s rapidly changing global economy, the ability to recombine your skill set to move between different job functions\u00e2\u20ac\u201dand even different industries\u00e2\u20ac\u201dis essential. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Reinventing yourself is the new form of job security,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d she explained. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The business landscape turns over every 15 years. You have to see where things are going and be prepared to respond in the moment.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
Breakout sessions offered three speakers:<\/p>\n
Amy Swift, co-author of Ladies Who Launch: Embracing Entrepreneurship and Creativity as a Lifestyle, discussed how women entrepreneurs can achieve success by using their intuitive capabilities, rather than following conventional business practices.<\/p>\n
Judith Billson, founder and director of Medicine Energy Wheel, spoke about the beneficial health properties of dozens of gems, and offered suggestions about making and marketing jewelry using healing stones.<\/p>\n
Elsa Martinez Phillips, president and co-owner of Roberto Martinez, Inc., provided tips on how to successfully transition a family business from one generation to the next.<\/p>\n
The Conference continued with a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Women of Excellence\u00e2\u20ac\u009d panel, featuring past winners of the WJA Awards for Excellence. Moderated by Bill Boyajian, managing director of the World Jewelry Center, the panel included Nancy Brewer, founder, Nancy B. & Company; Bev Hori, vice president, Ben Bridge Jeweler; Kathryn Kimmel, vice president and chief marketing officer, GIA; Caroline Stanley, president\/CEO, Red Jewel, Inc.; and Erica Van Pelt, gem photographer. The group answered pointed questions regarding female stereotypes, gave advice on how to market and \u00e2\u20ac\u0153brand\u00e2\u20ac\u009d oneself, and offered inspirational stories about rising up in their own careers.<\/p>\n
The \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Women in the Know\u00e2\u20ac\u009d West Coast Conference concluded with recognition of WJA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Shining Stars, who were announced at its New York Conference last March.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
WJA\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s West Coast Conference Inspires Women Jewelers Circular Keystone Online, NY Natalie Zacharia, West Coast Correspondent — JCK-Jewelers Circular Keystone, 9\/16\/2007 3:53:00 PM After four successful years in New York, expectations were high for the Women\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Jewelry Association\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s first \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Women in the Know\u00e2\u20ac\u009d West Coast Conference on Sept. 8 in Anaheim, Calif., at the Anaheim […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[411],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n