In the Loupe

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 one, so mark your calendar for the end of April 2025! Send...

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 us Fan Mail  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 episode: podcast@punchmark.com

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 us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast: punchmark.com/loupe Learn about Punchmark's website platform: p...

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 design, his advice for others trying to learn CAD, and common pi...

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 it provides unique insights into your business base...

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 and craftsmanship distinctive to these miniature masterpieces. Wat...

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 the subtle storytelling elements they used that really co...

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 Search Engine Optimization and what has changed...

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 latest leadership venture with the WJA Foundation.   We...

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 with you, make sure you bring them to the show for the opport...

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 a journey through her personal evolution from art school, int...

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 tenants, renovating the space, and the design for a "monument...

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 and industry growth, how to nominate members for the 20...

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 or Natural, and more specifications from the convenien...

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 talk about Paige's experience working in retail and how the de...

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 to the RJO show, and the "holes" in his display cas...

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 items that might just cross their path. Send us Fan Mail...

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-ticket items but also embracing the varied desires of a broade...

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, CEO & Co-Founder of Punchmark, to talk about what he is...

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 Marketing Mistakes!! // Diamond Diaries S4E5 - Dazzling Diamonds fo...

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 guests:  https://www.sundancejewelers.com/  https://ww...

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, how we keep innovating, and what is coming in future issues! Re...

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 discuss employee recognition, the art of public speaking, and...

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 fashion statement but also making a difference in the world. From navig...

Our guest this week is Matthew Ego, CEO & Founder of the forward-thinking Guild and Facet, a renowned white label jewelry manufacturing company. He delves into the world of jewelry customization where Guild and Facet is making a mark, not necessarily through brand name, but through their commitment to exceptional customer service, incredible design, and commitment to leaning into burgeoning te...