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
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
