ColumnistsJan 24, 2023
On Data: Here’s How Independent Jewelers Did in 2022 ColumnistsJan 31, 2023
Squirrel Spotting: How About a Word for the New Year?
It begins with a “t” and ends with a “c” and is imbued with warmth and positivity, Peter Smith writes.
Peter Smith is an industry consultant, speaker, sales trainer, and author. He can be reached via email at TheRetailSmiths@gmail.com.
I recently received an invitation for a catch-up Zoom call from my friend and author, Mark Ryski.
If you’re in retail and you don’t know Mark, you would do well to check out his books, “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” and “When Retail Customers Count,” probably the best two books on customer conversion I’ve ever read.
Mark had sent me some possible meeting times and when I selected one, he responded using a word that brought a huge smile to my face and transported me to a different time and place.
We all understand the power of words, but we tend to think about that in the context of how we might offend someone by using the wrong ones. It is rare, for me at least, to have a single word become almost transcendent.
That is, however, what happened to me when I received Mark’s reply.
When I read the word, I was transported back to my Colibri days in the 1990s and a recently departed friend, Larry Feeney, a longtime jewelry guy who died in May 2021.
During the four years Larry and I worked together at Colibri, he would bound all over the building in Cranston, Rhode Island, always wearing a smile, and ready with a humorous quip for everyone he met.
Whether Larry knew it or not, one of the words that he used with reckless abandon, and which I always loved, was “terrific.”
Related stories will be right here …
If you’re in retail and you don’t know Mark, you would do well to check out his books, “Conversion: The Last Great Retail Metric” and “When Retail Customers Count,” probably the best two books on customer conversion I’ve ever read.
Mark had sent me some possible meeting times and when I selected one, he responded using a word that brought a huge smile to my face and transported me to a different time and place.
We all understand the power of words, but we tend to think about that in the context of how we might offend someone by using the wrong ones. It is rare, for me at least, to have a single word become almost transcendent.
That is, however, what happened to me when I received Mark’s reply.
When I read the word, I was transported back to my Colibri days in the 1990s and a recently departed friend, Larry Feeney, a longtime jewelry guy who died in May 2021.
During the four years Larry and I worked together at Colibri, he would bound all over the building in Cranston, Rhode Island, always wearing a smile, and ready with a humorous quip for everyone he met.
Whether Larry knew it or not, one of the words that he used with reckless abandon, and which I always loved, was “terrific.”
Everything seemed to be “terrific” to Larry, and as much as I always enjoyed hearing him use that word, I never managed to embed it into my own vocabulary.
For whatever reason, it never seemed to fit me the way it fit Larry, and before too long, I’d forgotten about it altogether.
Despite not working with Larry since 1996, we would occasionally meet up at various industry events, or during market week in Las Vegas.
Sometimes we’d just have a quick catch-up, crack a joke or two, and be on our way until the next unscheduled visit.
If the conversation was of any duration, however, I was almost certain to hear Larry use “terrific” in his speech, and it struck me the same way every time, “Jeez, that’s a word I need to use more!”
When Mark’s email came in and I read the word “terrific,” I thought of Larry and, once again, vowed to use the word more in my own speech. I mean, really, what’s the downside of saying “terrific” more?
Going forward, I’ve decided I will replace my New Year’s resolutions (I don’t much care for them anyway) with a word for the year.
And for 2023, that will be “terrific,” a strong word imbued with warmth and positivity. A word that means something special to me.
A word that invokes memories of friends past and possibilities yet to come.
Seems like a terrific idea.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Columnists
The Latest
SourcingMar 12, 2025
5 Factors That Will Impact the Diamond Industry in 2025The industry is changing as it grapples with new realities around distribution, supply, and the need for consistent, effective marketing.
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Q&A: New GJEPC Chairman Kirit BhansaliBhansali discusses the potential impact of U.S. tariffs, demand for diamonds by market, and the “cautious confidence” in India right now.
Lab-GrownMar 12, 2025
Beyond Jewelry: Possibilities in the Lab-Grown Diamond SectorAs lab-grown diamond brands pop up across India, academics are researching how to grow demand outside of the jewelry industry.
Brought to you by
Watch: GIA Field Gemology at the One-Hundredth Expedition: A Look Back and to the FutureSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingMar 12, 2025
Indian Leader, Retailer Among 2025 DDG Honorees Govind Dholakia and Tanishq will be recognized for their contributions to the industry at the Diamonds Do Good Awards in Las Vegas.
Weekly QuizMar 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 12, 2025
Marla Aaron Migrates to LondonThe New York City-based brand has opened its first U.K. location with a permanent shop-in-shop at Liberty in London.
AuctionsMar 12, 2025
A Medieval Bishop’s Sapphire Ring Is Going Up for SaleA metal detectorist discovered the ring that is believed to have belonged to a bishop in the late 12th to early 13th century.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
JA New York Announces Education, Live Demo LineupsOrganizers looked to new partnerships and interactive experiences to enhance the spring show, set for March 16 to 18.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2025
Bogolo Joy Kenewendo to Speak at Annual JVC LuncheonKenewendo, Botswana’s minister of minerals and energy, will discuss the future of diamonds.
CrimeMar 11, 2025
Man in Florida Swallows Allegedly Stolen Tiffany & Co. Jewelry The suspect allegedly stole almost $800,000 worth of diamond jewelry from a store in Orlando and then swallowed it during a traffic stop.
CollectionsMar 11, 2025
Marco Bicego Celebrates 25 Years With Collection, CampaignFounded in 2000, Marco Bicego is commemorating its milestone anniversary with a “25 Best” collection and campaigns honoring its heritage.
TechnologyMar 11, 2025
Hill & Co. Launches New B2B Buyer DatabaseThose attending the company’s upcoming Zoom workshop will receive early access to “The List,” its new resource for finding buyers.
Events & AwardsMar 11, 2025
JSA to Honor GIA Employee at Annual LuncheonThe organization will present an award to Amy-Elise Signeavsky, law enforcement and diamond recovery manager at GIA.
MajorsMar 10, 2025
Terry Chandler to Retire After 24 Years as Head of DCA Chandler started his jewelry career at Michelson Jewelers, joining the Diamond Council of America as president and CEO in 2001.
CollectionsMar 10, 2025
MaeVona Co-Founder Debuts 3D-Printed ‘Tùsaire’ CollectionScottish American designer Maeve Gillies collaborated with Platinum Guild International on jewelry created by direct metal 3D printing.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show in May, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to five up-and-coming jewelry industry professionals.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2025
These Designers, Journalists, and Retailers Are Up for a Gem Award The 2025 Gem Awards are set to take place Friday at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Jane Fonda, Mariska Hargitay Star in Pomellato’s IWD CampaignThe annual star-studded campaign for International Women’s Day encourages collective action against domestic violence.
CollectionsMar 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yeprem’s ‘Golden Strada’ NecklaceThe statement piece is seen in Yeprem’s new “You Play the Game” campaign, created for International Women’s Day.
MajorsMar 07, 2025
Borsheims Names New Senior Security and Facilities ManagerLongtime employee Kyle Slosson has been promoted to the role.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Wixon Jewelers to Close After 37 YearsFirst-generation jewelers Dan and Hope Wixon are retiring and will close their Minneapolis-area jewelry store in May.
CollectionsMar 06, 2025
Guzema, 3.1 Phillip Lim Collab on New ‘Snake’ DesignsThe limited-edition collection, a nod to the Year of the Snake, is Ukrainian brand Guzema’s first partnership with a U.S. brand.
IndependentsMar 06, 2025
Stephen Barnes Is the New Owner of IJOAfter more than 50 years, Jeff Roberts is handing over ownership of the organization to IJO President Stephen Barnes.
Events & AwardsMar 06, 2025
Borsheims’ ‘Ike-It’ Award Goes to JewelerSenior Jeweler Jay Wolff was named employee of the year.
MajorsMar 05, 2025
Neiman Marcus’ Dallas Flagship Store to Close, Confirms Saks GlobalThe 111-year-old store will close following a dispute among Saks Global, a landlord, and the City of Dallas over a small piece of land.
AuctionsMar 05, 2025
Sotheby's To Auction 51 ‘Alien’ WatchesThe upcoming “Area_51” watch sale is a collaboration with heist-out, featuring vintage and modern timepieces with futuristic designs.
