Articles and News
Brand And Retail News: Lashbrook Announces New Training Program; Two Jewelers Named As Mentors May 28, 2018 (0 comments)
Draper, UT—Lashbrook, an award-winning men’s wedding ring manufacturer and designer, announces a new training and incentive program designed for sales associates of partnered stores.
“Lashbrook University is an opt-in email course designed to help our stores succeed in selling Lashbrook,” said Travis Isaacson, vice president of marketing and client training. “We've crafted the course to appeal to various learning styles and interest levels. Lashbrook University is very simple. Enroll in the course and learn, to earn entries for weekly prize drawings.”
Each week, participants are sent a short email lesson with tips and tricks of selling the Lashbrook brand, along with basic product knowledge. To earn entries for the weekly drawings, participants are asked to follow Lashbrook on social media, pass quizzes, sell Lashbrook rings, and share photos of Lashbrook rings sold on social media.
Weekly prizes vary from gift cards, free lunches, and movie tickets to Lashbrook product, weekend getaways, and a $5,000 vacation.
“We’re excited to equip our partners with the tools and knowledge to succeed,” said Eric Laker, president and founder. “We’ve been asked to create a better training program for our stores and we believe Lashbrook University is the solution.”
Lashbrook University will be available to partnered stores this June.
Separately, the company also released a new line extension of its popular Mosaic Collection, adding rings featuring dinosaur bone.
Lashbrook's Mosaic Collection rings now feature dinosaur bone. Above, red and black versions; tan version is shown top of page.
Matt Isaacson, head of product development, said the launch grew from popular demand. “Our customers have loved our mosaic collection of lapis, malachite, turquoise, and coral but have been asking for dinosaur bone for a while now. It’s finally here.”
The new dinosaur bone styles available in three different colors: red, black and tan. The bone must be inlaid as a mosaic to “add strength to the ring and ensure consistency of color from piece to piece.” Bone used in the collection is sourced from an Arizona dealer and includes pieces too broken down or small to be used in museum displays.
Lashbrook will be unveiling the new dinosaur bone pieces at the JCK Show (booth B60071) this week.
Retailers Gary Dawson, Lee Krombholz Named Mentor Jewelers By MJSA
Attleboro, MA—Two retail jewelers, Lee Krombholz of Cincinnati, OH, and Gary Dawson of Eugene, OR, were appointed Mentor Jewelers by MJSA’s Council of Custom Jewelers. The Mentor Jeweler designation honors jewelers who have helped to further the profession of custom design by generously sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Gary Dawson is the owner of Gary Dawson Designs, an online custom design operation once featured as a “Best of the Best” by Instore Magazine. With more than 40 years’ experience, he has delivered seminars and presentations at numerous events, including MJSA Expo, AGTA GemFair, and the Santa Fe Symposium on Jewelry Manufacturing Technology. He is a frequent contributor to multiple trade publications, including MJSA Journal and MJSA Custom Jeweler, and is a member of MJSA’s Council of Custom Jewelers. He also has initiated an internship program with the University of Oregon to help the next generation of jewelers gain experience.
Gary Dawson, left, and Lee Krombholz, right, were named mentors in custom design by MJSA.
A third-generation jeweler, Lee Krombholz is the owner of Krombholz Jewelers and Just Like You Designs in Cincinnati. He has been a frequent presenter in MJSA's signature At the Bench Live series, which demonstrates common (and uncommon) bench techniques, and is a frequent presenter at MJSA Expo and AGTA GemFair. He also contributes regularly to both MJSA Journal and MJSA Custom Jeweler, focusing on bench techniques and CAD design. A past president of the Mid-America Jewelers Association, he currently serves as vice chair on the MJSA board of directors and as chair of the MJSA Council of Custom Jewelers.
Formed in 2017, the Council comprises some of the industry’s leading custom jewelers and suppliers, who help to guide MJSA’s initiatives in furthering the art and consumer appreciation of custom jewelry design. It is directed by Joel McFadden, the owner of a custom design studio in Red Bank, New Jersey, and who was himself named a Mentor Jeweler in 2017.
Other members of the Council include David Dorian of Dorian Jewelers in Watertown, MA; Christopher Duquet of Christopher Duquet Fine Jewelry Design in Evanston, IL; David Holloway of Holloway Designs in Farmington, AR; Lisa Krikawa of Krikawa Jewelry Designs in Tucson, AZ; Klaus Kutter of A Jour Jewelry in Bristol, RI; Tom McLaughlin of TEM Designs in Liverpool, NY; Dawn Muscio of D. Muscio Designs in Atlanta, GA; Travis Serio of CADCAMTRAV in Carthage, NC; Greg Stopka of Jewelsmiths in Pleasant Hill, CA; and Jim Tuttle of Green Lake Jewelry Works in Seattle, WA.
For more information, visit MJSA.org or call 1-800-444-MJSA (6572).