In the Loupe

Have you ever wondered about the journey a gemstone makes before it adorns your favorite jewelry piece? Our guest, Rachel Merisheki from Gem Legacy, joins us to peel back the curtain on the world of East African gemstone mining. Highlighting her deep-rooted connection to the jewelry industry, Rachel shares the inspiring birth story of Gem Legacy, a non-profit that's empowering the backbone of...

Get ready for Black Friday and this holiday season, with our special guest, Stuart Blessman, Director of Digital Marketing at Punchmark. We've packed this episode with loads of practical advice on how to ride the wave of the biggest shopping season of the year, especially with the evolving trends that are seeing more and more customers favor the omni-channel solution.  Stuart also sheds light...

Mike is joined by our most requested guest from Season 3, Craig MacBean, the President and Leader of Ostbye, one of the most influential and trend setting vendors in the Jewelry Industry. Together, they discuss everything that has changed since last year, what trends they have seen in orders and sell-through, as well as what didn't perform as expected. Craig also teases some future project&ap...

This episode of In the Loupe unboxes the strategy behind Nike's multi-brand approach and their innovative website. We take a deep look at the often-overlooked elements, such as website footer optimization and image consistency that have significantly contributed to Nike's e-commerce triumph. Check out their website: nike.com Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the podcast...

Ready to amp up your email marketing game? We've got Stuart Blessman, Director of Digital Marketing at Punchmark, sharing the nitty-gritty of email marketing and how it's evolved in recent years. From the right amount of emails to leveraging sequences, Stuart guides us through the digital marketing labyrinth.  We take an in-depth tour of email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact...

Who said building a jewelry website has to be a daunting task? Mike is joined by Alex, Diamond Diaries, to discuss her recent website rebuild process and the steps required to revamp her website, as well as WHY she redid her website now of all times. We also take a critical look at the importance of promptness in the digital age, and why having your ducks in a row before holiday season can pay off...

Are you ready to unlock the world of vertical video content? Join me as we delve into the intricacies of Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok, the leading platforms that have revolutionized the era of vertical video content. You'll take away valuable insights as we dissect the strengths, weaknesses, and my personal experiences with each platform. I'll guide you through their uniqu...

Imagine transforming your jewelry store's old inventory into cold, hard cash. With us today is James Porte from Porte Marketing, who offers to reveal the potent role of flash sales and limited time offers for effective inventory management. By employing strategic flash sales, he highlights how your store can improve its cash flow, attract more customers, and raise impressive funds quickly. De...

Join me as I sit down with the inspiring Constance Palamalu, the creative genius behind the high-end jewelry brand, Birthright Foundry. Drawing from her rich Samoan heritage, Constance has successfully carved out a unique space for herself in the world of fine jewelry. We chat about her innovative design process, the fascinating journey of selling her most high-profile piece to date, and the speci...

In the Loupe EXCLUSIVE In his first interview as acting President of IJO, Stephen Barnes opens up about his vision for IJO and what being president means to him. Michael was honored to sit down for an in-depth conversation with Stephen and ask all of the burning questions related to his new position, including what he will prioritize in the short term, how he plans to foster deeper relationships b...

If you have a website, it's important for you to understand what the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) means for you. Delve into the world ADA compliance for websites, joined by the experts from AccessiBe, Punchmark's new ADA compliance partners. From understanding the legal landscape to practical implementation, our conversation sheds light on the importance of web accessibility and how...

Ready to revamp your store and streamline your processes for the upcoming holiday season? Your journey starts with an insightful conversation with Alex Schlindwein of Diamond Diaries. Alongside our host, she reveals the critical importance of summer cleaning for retail stores, with a bonus of the top 10 tips to enhance efficiency and establish good habits. Uncover how consolidating duplicated cust...

Page speed for your website might not be the first thing you think of when it comes to optimizing your website for online performance, but I assure you... it matters more than you expect. Mobile Page Speed Score is one of the key factors that Google uses to rank your website. Punchmark is so excited to have finally cracked the... erm... code and figured out how to take our websites from a middling...

Antwerp, Belgium, is the Diamond Capital of the World. Antwerp's intriguing lore, intoxicating mix of vibrant diamond markets, and the impressive security within the diamond district make it a trip to remember.  Michael speaks with Scott Stambaugh, of Stambaugh Jewelers, who has traveled to Antwerp over 30 times with IJO, as well as Erika Godfrey the organizer of the RJO Rock Tour. And that&a...

Your favorite episode theme is back, baby! We've gotten so much love from the first two ring-buyer interviews, we came back for a third one. What's the general approach to engagement ring buying from someone not within the jewelry industry? What do couples know about jewelry, and what misconceptions did they have before the process?  Mike spoke with two first time ring buyers in two diff...

Are you curious about how artificial intelligence is reshaping our lives? Want to know how businesses can tap into the potential of AI? Join us on the Loupe, where we have the pleasure of unpacking these subjects and more with Daniel Sirois, CPO & Co-Founder of Punchmark, and Alex Schlindwein, also known as Diamond Diaries. They'll help unravel the mysteries of AI, the impact it has on co...

Get ready to unlock the strategies of the best in the business as we bring together an array of professionals from the jewelry industry. We bring on industry leaders, jewelry vendors, and more so you know what is developing around the nation. Looking for inspiration? Well, we've got you covered there too. Prepare to learn what's working from other retail jewelers as they share business s...

Ever wondered how some jewelry stores stay thriving while others struggle? Join us in this episode as we talk to three successful Punchmark clients - Jesse Minor from Minor Jewelry, Anna Barnett from Barnett Jewelers, and Vincent Spilotro from Arezzo Jewelers - who share their retail strategies, current projects, and the secret sauce behind their flourishing businesses. Our guests discuss the vita...

Whether it's Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, or LinkedIn, there are best practices for how to run your business's Instagram account. Posting at optimal times, replying to every comment, and taking great candid footage are all small parts of a larger strategy of engaging with customers to the point they decide to follow you for the long haul. And there are some... mistakes to avoid along the...

Few things have a hold on the world of jewelry quite as great as The Geller Blue Book. More of a binder full of pricing menus, this understated guide details the pricing and costs of nearly every service a jewelry store can provide. If you aren't a retail jewelry store owner, you might not have ever heard of this book, but I promise you've probably been in a store that has, as nearly 50%...

Join us as we dive into the world of discovering hidden treasures, and unveiling the secrets of lucrative estate buying with the experts at National Rarities. We split this episode down into two parts, the first explaining the process of estate buying and marketing an event in your community, and the second hearing how a jewelry retail store runs their own estate buying sales at their retail locat...

Enjoy this compilation of mini interviews I got to do with some Jewelry Industry leaders at the Punchmark Client Workshop.  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

Join Mike for an exciting vlog-style podcast episode as he takes you behind the scenes of the highly anticipated Punchmark Client Workshop, in Charlotte, NC. Follow me as I navigate the workshop's educational sessions, where passionate jewelry retailers come together to exchange ideas and take their online presence to the next level. Send us Fan Mail  Send feedback or learn more about the pod...

Coming to you LIVE from the 2023 Punchmark Client Workshop in Charlotte, NC! For the first time, Michael is joined by Alex, Diamond Diaries, in front of an audience of retail jewelers who traveled from around the US and Canada to learn about the latest in digital marketing and jewelry websites. Listen in as Michael and Alex discuss managing an e-commerce website, what processes you should have in...

If you are a member of the Independent Jewelers Organization, commonly known as IJO, buying group, then you've probably had a conversation with Penny Palmer, Director of Member Services. She's responsible for introducing new potential members to the group, and upholding the exclusivity and integrity of the group. She's been with IJO for over 30 years, starting as a front desk secret...