In the Loupe
In the Loupe
Interviewing the New AGS President ft. Bryan Moeller & Alexis Padis
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Mike sits down with outgoing AGS president Alexis Padis and incoming president Bryan Moeller to talk about what a smooth leadership handoff really takes and why education, ethics, and consumer protection keep the organization aligned.
We also discuss the upcoming AGS Conclave, the pressures reshaping jewelry retail, and how independent jewelers can earn trust with today’s hyper-informed customers.
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Welcome And Guest Setup
SPEAKER_02Welcome back everybody to In the Loop. What is up, everybody? My name is Michael Burpo. Thanks again for listening to In the Loop. And this week, we got some illustrious guests. I'm speaking with Alexis Pattis, the former president of AGS. She just finished her two-year term, and I've had two previous interviews with her, one when she started and one with a one-year check-in. And now as she calls it a close and hands the torch to Brian Moeller, and he's the new president of AGS. And they're talking about Conclave, their event in September that's all education focused for retail jewelers, but also what Alexis has learned in two years. What Brian hopes to learn, his vision for the industry and the future of the industry. It is really a special interview. I'm so kind of pleased. Sometimes I finish these and I'm on like a little bit of a buzz. You know, I can't believe that went so well. And I'm so inspired after speaking with people that really seem like they are in the driver's seat. I hope you enjoy it. It's a really cool one. Go check out Conclave. I hope you do. I'll see you soon. Bye.
Sponsor Message From Punchmark
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Alexis Reflects On Two Years
SPEAKER_03Hello, Michael. Hi, Michael. Nice to be back. And here with my buddy Brian.
SPEAKER_02Nice to be back. I'm so excited. Alexis, I had you on as for your first exclusive interview uh when you were first named president two years ago. It's crazy how the time flies. And then we did a one-year check-in, which was really cool. I I loved hearing um you have a real learner's mindset in how um, you know, this position comes with like, I'm sure you have to learn a lot of things rather quickly. And then uh now you are in, you know, you just handed off the uh the I don't know, scepter, I guess you might say. It's a medal, actually. It's a medal. Yeah, it's a medal. To uh to Brian. Um maybe just to kind of set it up, Alexis. What's the the last two years been like for you?
SPEAKER_03Uh well, you said it was a blur, and that could not be more accurate in my worlds. Uh, you take on something like the AJS presidency, and you know, it feels like this finite two years to anyone looking in from the outside, but it's really a capstone to about 10 years of serving on the board and serving under, you know, a variety of different presidents, and then eventually going on to the executive committee, becoming secretary, president-elect, and then president. Uh, sitting on the other side of this is a little still very um odd for me. Uh, the one thing that I am 100% confident in is that Brian is the perfect person to be our current president. And he knows this. I've said it a million times, but I'm not sure our organization has seen a more prepared president, uh, both from just his general knowledge and ability to interact with people, the fact that he served as chair of a variety of our committees, but also that he comes from such an amazing family history of the American Gems Society. Brian's father, who was one of the founding members of our laboratory, was a past president as well, Chipley Award winner. So, Brian, uh, for somebody that's really struggling with the fact that I'm no longer president, I loved every single second of serving on the AGS board and interacting with the AGS team. I'm working with the board members themselves. I really get to sit here uh feeling relaxed, relieved, and uh here to support Brian however I can.
SPEAKER_01But I doubt he needs my help in any way, shape, or form. It's so funny. I was just gonna say, Michael, uh, Alexis must have separation anxiety because she has called me no fewer than five times asking if there's anything that I need from her, which of course she's been very supportive through the entire transition. And yes, um, there is going to be some opportunity, Alexis, sooner or later. And um stay stay tuned.
SPEAKER_02Yes. And Brian, uh AJS is kind of unique in that you guys do have this whole um format for leadership, which I I think is quite unique to uh to the group. Um there's a acting president, and then there is also a um, I guess a president-elect. Uh that that will be the next one. Um, maybe could you set up uh what it was like shadowing for the last two years and then being president-elect, and then um maybe just a little bit about yourself and your history. I'd love to.
SPEAKER_01Uh so you know, if you talk about the whole path through the board, it starts with generally with a director at large position way back when um if you so desire, you move into a committee chair position. And at that point, the uh nominee nominating committee will um ask you to become secretary. Um and at that point, your six years starts. Um, two years as secretary, two years uh as president-elect, and into the president chair. Um, I have been in so many meetings with
How AGS Prepares Its Leaders
SPEAKER_01Alexis. I am so ready for the position. Three years, four years ago, I may not have said I was ready, but the American Gem Society does such a great job of preparing you for what's to come. Um, and so I know all the ins and outs of obviously as you know the chair, but I even so last year, year before, um, Alexis, you know, made sure that I was involved in every decision, um, in every discussion. Um, and that really gave me the um, you know, the the ability and the knowledge to to take over a seamless, a seamless transition from Alexis. Yeah.
SPEAKER_02Wow. And it what one thing that's at its core, AGS is uh is an education, education-based um group. So I imagine that education of their leadership is also likely important.
SPEAKER_01Aligns with the core values, no doubt about it. Yeah, I mean, and um, you know, the the the pillars of the American General Society is making sure that we uh educate jewelers um and they're using their education uh with integrity and ethics. So um it's something that really we all believe in, um, not just as, you know, because we're involved, but just it's how we run our businesses and it aligns with our own personal values. So it just, you know, it made sense for me to um be involved in this organization because it aligns with my ideals.
SPEAKER_02Yes. And you are quite obviously a uh a retailer at heart. Um uh what how what's your experience with the uh with the jewelry industry?
SPEAKER_01So I own two jewelry stores in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. Um the business started 75 years ago. It's our 75th anniversary. My grandfather started the business as a little mom and pop, repair, fix it shop. Um, and then um myself, my brother, and my uncle purchased the business for my father, I want to say six, seven years ago. So um 40 employees, two locations. Um, it's a family business through and through. Not only my brother, my uncle, my aunts, my cousin, um, my mother and father are still pretty involved in the business. It's uh yeah, you can swing a dead cat and hit a molar around here. So it's it's it is really rewarding. We um we we um, you know, I get to you know be surrounded by family and I get to help people celebrate. So it is a really rewarding industry and a rewarding business. Now I tried to avoid it as long as I possibly could. Yeah. And I was in my 20s, I was in the glamorous world of health insurance sales. And then when I turned 30 and wised up and became a little bit more mature, I decided maybe the family business is not the worst thing in the world.
SPEAKER_02Man, and what a and I was just mentioning this to you beforehand. It's I think that is the seemingly the best way. Uh I I think actually interestingly, um, I am quite close with uh Craig McBean from Ospie. And he was he was saying that um oh, no way, yeah. He was saying that he um, you know, spent some time away, didn't want to do it, and then he got caught at a weak moment and he and he was able to step in. And I think that uh maybe some time away in different industries kind of gives you a little bit of perspective, a little bit of distance, can uh make the heart grow fonder. But um, when did this transition take place? The um the president-elect into president position.
SPEAKER_01Certainly. So um normally it um the the transition happens in the spring and it aligns with our annual conference conclave. Uh normally conclave is in the April-May um area timeline. Um however, this with the this fall conclave being in September in Orlando, the transition happened at our spring board meeting in Lexington, Kentucky. Um, and so at the end of the board meeting, Alexis stood up, said some very, very kind things about me, handed me the medal, put it over my head. I said some very kind things about Alexis, all true. Um and um then, you know, that's that started the transition. But like I said, it didn't it didn't feel that different from you know a um workload standpoint or you know, a um, you know, it just it it was just okay, yeah, I've been waiting a long time for this, let's go. So that's kind of personally how how that transition
Brian’s Retail Roots In Minnesota
SPEAKER_01felt. And in Orlando, yep.
SPEAKER_03I was just gonna say in Orlando, so we have Conclide coming up. It's September 14th through 17th. And of course, I encourage all of your listeners to sign up and register. It is our industry's best networking and education conference. There's no trade show floor. Your focus is on the education, on networking, on improving your business, improving yourself. I cannot give a bigger um cheerleading remark than to anyone who's interested in just really embracing all that our industry is to please register for Conclave. But we get to do because of this odd timing, I do get to re-metal Brian on stage and give some closing remarks.
SPEAKER_01Yep.
SPEAKER_03So it's a strange combination of things, but courtesy of Brian being flexible and being so wonderful, we're able to kind of find a way to make it work. He gets to do all the hard work right now, and I still get to have my moment on stage in September and get to meddle him.
SPEAKER_01You get the medal back for all of one or two minutes before I get it back again.
SPEAKER_02Man, what a really uh interesting thing, especially just to touch on the education aspect again. Um, it's so funny. Every jewelry show has education as part of their shows. I will say, I would never point your fingers, but I do feel like some shows, it's like one percent of the show, or maybe even less, where it's like, and people go there to do their buying. But hearing that it there's no, there's no uh show, you know, floor, no vendor floor, it's just education. It's it allows you to put 100% of your focus on uh get making people uh learn and get better. That's that's such a cool focus.
SPEAKER_01It is the only educational conference in the jewelry industry, and it is three days of hard-hitting courses on every topic you can possibly think of. Uh succession being a hot topic in the industry, obviously, um lab grown gemology, um, sales, marketing, you name it, there is a course for you. So if you are in any sector of the jewelry industry, you will find value at Conclave and you will learn something. So that's and it's just it's a great chance just to be around other um individuals that have the same philosophy as you, that they they all want to grow their business. They all want to be a little bit better. And so we're all there for a shared purpose in, you know, educating ourselves, supporting each other, and growing the business, growing our personal businesses.
SPEAKER_02Wow, I'm so excited. And I know that um uh we always hear really great things about it. We try our best to uh we have our own client workshop where we try our hardest to educate our clients because uh we've learned that well-educated clients are the best clients. Uh the ones that understand the products, understand where it fits into their business, where their business is even going, uh, those are the ones that we want to have as our clients that are sticking around the longest, that are the healthiest. Um, so that's fantastic. But Alexis, are there any responsibilities as former president? Do you are do they send you off to this this farm upstate and and and then what?
SPEAKER_03They put me off to pasture. Off to pasture. Georgie Glime coined the term has been for when uh John Carter and Michael Richards both rolled off as uh board president, and Lisa Bridge probably wore that title, and I will be doing the same. Um, I still sit on a few committees, I still
What Makes Conclave Different
SPEAKER_03bug Brian all the time with how I can help. Uh, but AJS is an organization, whether or not I sit on the board, I will always be involved with and be supportive of because it's made such a huge difference for me personally, uh, me professionally, and for our business. I really can't give a bigger um what's the word? I apologize. It's a Friday. Yeah, endorsement is a perfect word. I really just live and breed this organization by choice because it's meant so much to me.
SPEAKER_02That's that's fantastic. Now, um, Alexis, uh, when I had interviewed the first time, one of the things I found very interesting is that you were saying because the two-year window as president is so short that you, by nature of it, will take uh, I think you use the term, take some bows for the hard work of the people who came before you. But then undoubtedly that you will leave some things uh unfinished that will be close, that you will then uh undoubtedly pass to Brian, and Brian will pass to his elect. Um, could you are you able to talk just a little bit about your time as president and like what your most proudest um time and and what you're proud of as president of AGS?
SPEAKER_03I think you hit the nail on the head. This two-year time period is remarkably short considering the amount of disruptors that are going on in our industry, the things that AGS, especially recently, has really tried to focus on. Uh, I was fortunate to get to become president on our 90th anniversary at Conclave, our 90th year as an organization. And one of the things that Brian and I both really focused on is how do we future proof this organization? And that was a process that began quite a bit before I became president. And it's something that we really focused on as the last two years is how do we future proof, both in making sure that our committee chairs have deputies, making sure we're embracing the younger generations and really focusing on our young title holders, making sure we're embracing the older generations and our past presidents rather than truly put them out to pasture. We created a group called the President Circle, where every quarter or so we engage with the past presidents, we let them know what's going on within the organization. And then at Conclave, we all come together and meet, which is always so wonderful to get to reconnect with some of in my mind, these people are legends, right? You get to sit down at a table with these people you've looked up to your whole life. And for me, that's in particular what I'm especially proud of is the focus we've really taken on ensuring that AGS has a very long future. We've had 90 successful years, we want to have at least 90 more. So through our dues restructuring, through our membership categories, uh, we're really trying to embrace the changes and the evolution that's happening in our industry. And like I said, that process started well before my time and will definitely continue on through Brian's presidency and then through Mitchell Clark's presidency and Denise Richards' presidency. But for me personally, that's what I'm really proud of. Um, and you know, those two years go really quickly, but Catherine Bodo, our CEO, is really that glue that makes sure that that strategic continuity continues on throughout each presidency. So that it's not these really quick to your terms where everybody has different objectives. We really all try to align ourselves throughout our progress on the board to make sure that we're really taking a long-term strategic look at the American Gem Society.
SPEAKER_02Wow. That's I mean, you have to all be unified in a in a view. Otherwise, I couldn't imagine it being like stilted or or feel like kind of um like herky jerky if if it's gonna end up going from one person with a a view that doesn't exactly align. Uh at the same time, those the future proofing, just to kind of touch upon that, so funny.
Future Proofing AGS For 90 More
SPEAKER_02It's like the the least sexiest part of a business is sometimes like the infrastructure.
SPEAKER_03100%.
SPEAKER_02You can make you can make your entire career off of infrastructure building. Uh it's it's what I kind of feel like my main aspect at Punchmark has been is like a lot of reporting, like figuring out how are we tracking all the teams and how are we actually figuring out if we're doing well besides just on a revenue level? Like what are the other indicators? Seeing that you guys are building that is really quite cool. But is there anything that was that maybe was just on the on the the top of the ninth inning and you just haven't brought it home that you think Brian is going to be picking up next?
SPEAKER_03We're really fortunate as an organization to have such a strong mission statement, which is focused on education and consumer protection, which is why by default we're all so aligned with the strategic initiatives, is that North Star really keeps us all very focused. I don't necessarily see anything that, you know, is kind of the period at the end of the sentence because there's been a pretty dramatic progression with our divestment of the lab, uh, our reinvigorating the relationship that we have with our sibling organization, GIA, uh, and converge our GIA and AGS version of Conclave that happened last year. Um, and now through our membership dues restructuring and our new membership categories embracing new types of members, it's very easy now to say that focus moves into let's bring in new types of members. Let's really, instead of AGS being an exclusive organization, we want to be an inclusive organization. Anyone that's willing to adhere to the American Gem Society standards, we want them in our camp. We want them to feel welcomed. We want them to feel a part of this community. And I know Brian shares that. So I don't see a moment of pause between our presidencies. He really, you know, that's really a strength of his is creating that community. And he's the perfect person to take over at this time, considering a lot of the non-sexy work has been done behind the scenes primarily by the board and the AGS team. We've got new bylaws, the sexy thing, right? We're rewriting bylaws for why bylaws.
SPEAKER_01That's a real hot topic. I mean, I agree. I mean, the definition of retail has changed so dramatically in the past 10, 15, 20 years. And the American Gym Society um membership standards um really um focused on traditional retail. And we started to see applications from non-traditional um business models. When maybe they have a retail and a wholesale um contingent, maybe they are online, maybe they work out of a um, you know, a office building rather than your traditional brick and mortar. And so we, as the industry is shrinking, we all know this, right? You know, the the mom and pops are closing their their doors, um, the fewer jewelers than there were 10 years ago. How do we make ourselves relevant for the next 10 years? And that's really the torch that I'm carrying on is, you know, um, Alexis set the table. Uh, and so now, you know, I have to take it to the next level. And much of what I've been doing for the past two or three months is just talking to people, listening.
SPEAKER_02I agree.
SPEAKER_01Listening to, you know, their own individual concerns within their businesses, what they envision um the direction of the American Gem Society, um, and you know, empathizing a bit with them and everything that they got going on in their lives. So that's really gonna take it uh us to the next level is just connecting with the industry. Wow.
SPEAKER_02And you know, uh, I guess of of interest and of note is you both come from similar yet different backgrounds. So um Alexis out of uh California, um, and then Brian out of Minneapolis. Uh do you find that that gives you a different perspective? Um, you know, having someone from um maybe like uh, because Alexis, you're in San Francisco, correct? Having uh one of the our largest, largest cities. Minneapolis still quite large, but most likely with a uh, you know, a different demographic of of shoppers as well. Um, do you find I'm sure that that's also pretty uh important to your consumer base where your your client base that you have people from all over as members of AGS. Is that something that um you give a focus to to make sure that you have presidents from all different parts of the US?
SPEAKER_03A big focus when we look The overall compilation of the board is to make sure that we have representation from different areas of the country. The Midwest, right now, the Midwest is kind of taking over the ABS board. We're very aware of that. Um, but making sure we have different age ranges, obviously, gender, um, socioeconomic background. And I think you hit the nail on the head, store size is a big one. A good portion of our membership or, you know, two, three, four people. One of our um board members, Kevin Mays, our education chair, he makes a point of saying, I have to close my store for three days in order to attend Conclave. That's how much Conclave means to me and how important it is to me in my business that we just shut our doors. And that's a good portion of our membership. So that's definitely a focus of something, a focus in general that we really um make a point of acknowledging is our membership is very broad and we want to make sure we're hearing from those voices. And Brian, especially, from the moment he joined the board, has been the guy that takes the phone calls, that is willing to talk to anybody, have those conversations. And I really think that will serve him well and serve the organization very well.
SPEAKER_01And let's not forget about our partner members, um, you know, our vendors, our suppliers, the uh industries that support the jewelry industry, whether that be technology, whether that be security, um all of these member categories are inclusive with the American Gem Society. And we're all we're all we're all the same people, right? We're all looking to better our business, to um make sure that the the end consumer is getting
Inclusive Membership And New Retail Models
SPEAKER_01accurate information, is um, you know, um taken care of. And that's it's it's so refreshing to be surrounded by people with the same, you know, the same thought process in a variety of different areas, demographics, business types, you name it. So I mean, I've learned a lot from Alexis, you know, not only professionally, but just, you know, because things are different in the West Coast, right? And so her consumer um preferences and habits are different than mine. Um, and that just, you know, it just kind of uh makes it um a little bit larger than just what we do at the board table.
SPEAKER_02Man, that's really quite interesting. It it really does uh represent like a cross-section of the US. And um having I've what I've learned is the people who I find the most inspiring and interested, uh interesting are the people with education as like a yeah, as a core foundation, with a learner's mindset. And like I had mentioned in the beginning, when I spoke with you first, Alexis, I was really kind of struck by how you you do have a hunger to learn and improve. Now, two years later, you've kind of learned and improved. Now, as you become, what was your term, uh a presidential has been, if you will, uh, like you said, uh how has that informed you as a business owner, as a as a mother, as a um, I I guess because you run it with your parents, as a daughter. Um, how has that informed you in other aspects of your life?
SPEAKER_03The real answer is that I thrive in chaos. Um, you know, people are just people at the end of the day, and everybody has a very core motivation, their why. Uh, and in my business and dealing as a daughter, as you know, a mom, as a former ADS president, as a part of this industry, I really just try to understand people's why. And that works really well with my team here as well. Um we're all just doing the best we can, and all of us, in some way or another, thrive in chaos. Uh, but for me, you know, that learner's mindset is crucial to me. You say, you know, you've learned and improved over the last two years. I guess that's true, but there's still a whole heck of a lot more learning and improving to do, and that's what I'm here for.
SPEAKER_02That's lovely to hear. That's the that's the truth. And and there's always more. There's always, always will be more. If your term was 50 years, I'm sure that you'd probably get to that 50th year and still be like, ah, you know what? There was more to be done. Um, but at the same time, Brian, uh, a lot of the people that are going to be turning into this episode, I'm sure, are gonna want to hear your kind of your vision for where AGS is gonna look uh be going for the next uh, you know, few years. Um, could you just give me maybe just an overview on where you think the industry as a whole is right now? You had alluded to it in one of your previous answers, but um where are we right now, would you say?
SPEAKER_01Uh the industry is in transition, but it seems like it's been in transition since I started in the industry 18 years ago, right? There's always disruptors. Um, and it's just what's the disruptor now and what's the next disruptor going to be. So, you know, if at the global level, you know, what's going on with uh the diamond mines and demires is really, really concerning. Um, at the national level, it's the um shrinking of the industry and the consolidation of the of the majors. And, you know, if you're talking about my day-to-day operations, I don't know if there's going to be people that are willing to work in luxury retail in the next 10 or 15 years. So there's all um, you can almost drown yourself in thinking out, but really it's about the what the what are the things that you can control and what are the things that you can't control. In the end, we help people celebrate and people like shiny things. So we're very lucky about that. People like baubles. Um, and so from that standpoint, we're always going to be here, we're always going to be relative. You know, AI is another, you know, um, outlier or disruptor or whatever you want to call it, but it'll never replace us because people want the personal connection. People want to know that they have somebody that's in their corner. Uh, and that's the best part about what we get to do every single day is to help people. So um, you know, it it'll be interesting to see what the industry looks like in the next 10, 15 years. What happens to the independent jeweler? Um, are they still relevant or the majors just kind of gobble everything up? But in the end, people want that personal service and they want to know who they're working with. And we're again really fortunate for that.
SPEAKER_02You know, wow. That what a what a really interesting kind of you really did sum it up quite well. Uh the human connection is just becoming increasingly more important. I guess it's more stark of a of a contrast with the the more generic version. I'm quite fortunate uh
Disruptors Hitting Jewelry Right Now
SPEAKER_02since I actually in the two years um since I uh first interviewed Alexis, uh, I I did um move back to my hometown. I was able to move in and get a house in my hometown. And it's a small town. And what I've learned about the value of connection and the the, I guess, like the inquantifiable value and price of these like one-to-one or one-to-many connections that are beyond just, for example, buying from an Amazon. Uh it's so funny. It's amazing how your shopping habits change. When I used to want a book, uh, I used to just buy it off Amazon when I lived in major cities. Now I shop online, I see it and I screenshot it and I actually order through my uh local bookstore. Yeah, and I just send it to them and it's the exact same price, pretty much. And I know that I'll pick it up next time. It's right next to my local coffee shop. So I walk over there, I'd pick up my book instead of buying it through an Amazon. Why? Because I want that bookstore to be there. And I think you're you're onto something with what will happen to jewelers? Man, if I knew, I'd be able to make a lot of money, I'm sure. However, I do feel like there is this feeling that I don't think is going to go away. And I don't, I'm sure that the majors will need to be out there, but I do think you're right. I think maybe we're getting close to a point where um the independents need to kind of identify what that feeling is, the one I just described at this bookstore, and kind of latch onto it. And and that is what their strength is, I guess, if that if that makes any sense, I guess.
SPEAKER_01I know that we are fortunate in that we have a succession plan with my cousin who just joined the business, who's 20 years younger than me. Um, so we're set for the next several decades, God willing. Um, but I know that most of the industry does not have that luxury. Yes. Um, and we've done such great things within the society to address that by creating a um succession planning task force and partnering with Obsidian on a and create a course specific for jewelers on succession planning that covers all the various um scenarios, right? It could be um, you know, yeah, you have some an error parent, it could be that error parent is not in the family business, right? Um, and all those different possible scenarios. And so um, you know, it is, I do consider myself us to be one of the fortunate ones, but I also have a broader understanding of what's going on out there. And, you know, it'll be, like I said, it'll be interesting. I'll be here, but I don't know, you know, I don't know what the industry will look like. So um you also mentioned what the vision is for the American Gem Society in the next two short years that I get to be at the helm. First of all, our committees are doing amazing things. The education committee just um is creating new um education platforms and courses, um, sales focus, repair taken focus, um, giving you know jewelers the tools that they need in our store. The title holder, young title holders, Alexis mentioned it, it's you know, uh inviting younger generation to be more involved in the jewelry industry, which is sorely needed, um, to my point earlier. Uh, and membership, uh, and uh the guilds, taking taking the American Gem Society out to the local communities. And then, of course, the Conclave Committee is at hard work right now, making sure we have just an unbelievable event in September. So, you know, part of it is supporting them, but also making sure that their initiatives align with um our core values and what Robert Shiple, you know, uh created the organization based on. Uh, you know, the buzzwords are knowledge, ethics, and consumer protection. But what does that actually mean? Making sure that the decisions that we're making are in the best interest of the consumer, help create a more ethical industry, and really um, you know, help the the people that that are standing on the other other side of the counter. Um, so supporting them, talking
Educated Shoppers And Building Trust
SPEAKER_01to people, um, and you know, developing the um the framework for the next successful two years.
SPEAKER_02Wow, it's so interesting to hear uh because at the same time, like we said, two years is so is very short, but at the same time, there is a lot of impact that you can have. Uh you you were talking about education. It just kind of spawned another thought for me. And Alexa, I'd love your kind of for you to weigh on this as well. I am not a shopper, but I do a lot of uh I'm not a um a retail owner, but I do a lot of these conversations with uh consumers. And the one kind of fact that's kind of um become apparent to me is shoppers are the most well educated they've ever been. The amount of information you can find about any product is, I mean, incredible, especially with pre-shopping. You can you have AI to help you explain everything that you want. Uh, the kind of some of the mysticism is maybe going away from jewelry. Whereas before, it's like you've probably never seen a diamond that big when you walked in, and then someone can like show it to you, and there's like a oh wow, uh moment. What do you think is the responsibility of these well-educated retailers to handle well-educated shoppers as well?
SPEAKER_03I'm sure Brian has these as well. Uh, the term that Deb Hiss uh coined way back when is folder boys. And folder boys have existed since, you know, the internet, but even before that, you know, engineers are engineers and they're gonna geek out over dominant proportions and things like that. Um, you know, at the end of the day, I think this consumer now is overwhelmed by information. Uh, paralysis by analysis is a very real thing. And because there's so much information out there, a lot of times people almost get so nervous by it that they can't make a decision. And we've continued to promulgate that uh type of shopping with things like Amazon, where you don't really have to make a finite decision, right? You can order three dresses and return two of the three and call it a day. So the consumer now, in buying an important piece of jewelry, an engagement ring or something that commemorates an anniversary or birthday, they're making this somewhat finite decision and are looking to the subject matter expert on the other side of the counter to really help them through that process and to wade through all of that information that they're getting on the internet. There's a reason they begin on the internet, they want to have kind of a baseline. But they come into the store because they need somebody to help them filter through the crap. Everything on the internet is written by a biased source, with the exception of perhaps in gemological terms, you know, GIA has a fantastic website and it's pretty neutral. Um, but other than that, when you Google something about diamonds, you're getting an online retailer that's gonna spit back out what they want you to know.
SPEAKER_02It's gonna tell you what's yeah, the truth. Yeah.
SPEAKER_03So the consumer needs to have somebody that they trust sitting across and helping them get through it. And that's why I think the American Gem Society is so important and why we're within the top 10 resources that consumers use when they're looking to start the jewelry purchase process because they everybody's just looking for somebody that they can trust. And our organization's focus is consumer protection through gemological expertise and education. And it all plays a part in kind of this ecosystem and making sure the consumer finds what they want and know exactly why it is what they want.
SPEAKER_02Yeah. Now, Brian, do you do you get binder boys at your your shop in Minneapolis as well?
SPEAKER_01We all do. And now, and now it's on all the in their notes in their phone. And, you know, um, first of all, you know, you compliment them on their research, right? Because they they put a lot of time into it. And you have to understand that this is one of the most important purchases of their entire lives. Yeah. Um, it has the is certainly the most symbolic, and I'm talking specifically of engagement range, right? Um, it is certainly symbolic. Um, but you know, what else are you going to own and wear and enjoy and love every day for the rest of your life? And then your kids and your grandkids will fight over that that that special memento, uh uh, that special piece. So um I understand, I get it. Um, and you know, they yes, they want somebody that they can trust, but also uh trust comes is built based on not only a personal connection, but also knowing that the person that you're working with knows what they're talking about, right? They're not just um regurgitating uh training material, they're not just um, you know, blowing smoke. Um people see through that in an instance. And so having an educated team, being educated personally is what gives that end buyer faith in us. And so that really that's so important um to continue to grow every single day. And I've always said that if you're not learning something every day, you might as well retire. You're done, right? Just just shut her down. Um, and so you know, being the most educated staff in our certainly our area and one of the most educated in the in the country is really important to us because it does help build that trust with that, that, um, with that, with that buyer.
SPEAKER_02Man, trust is also just one of those, you can't put a price on it. Uh, you can't buy it, you can definitely uh sell it away, that's for sure. But uh it sounds like something that is you guys understand the importance of it. And I think that increasingly when I speak with retailers, man, they really appreciate how people come back generation after generation to be the ones to buy with them.
SPEAKER_01So rewarding.
SPEAKER_02Yes. And uh I guess maybe Brian, just to kind of maybe put a little bow on this, is um, I'm very interested in hearing where leaders are getting their
Mentors, Listening Tours, And Community
SPEAKER_02improvements. Obviously, you learn a lot from from your board and from the people that you work with. Uh, do you have any any mentors or anybody that or like a peer group for how you are improving? Um, you said that you got to improve and learn something every single day. Uh, where's your source for that?
SPEAKER_01I surround myself with people that are a lot smarter than I am, Michael. Um and so yeah, I I do. Um CEOs, um, there's there is a local bank CEO that I've become good friends with. And, you know, not only kind of understanding the differences between our business, but also understanding the similarities, right? Um, and he has a great philosophy for the people that he hires. He um the first interview is just just chatting, not even any hard-hitting questions. It's just getting to know the the individual and um are they good people and do they align with it with that organization's core values, right? And so um really I've had several mentors over the years. I've um, you know, and I learn a little bit from from everybody I talk to. Um, and you know, similarities, differences, differences in industries, you name it, but it's just um it's just about you know surrounding people yourself with people that that are have the same ideals as yourself. And again, the society is great for that because everybody in the American Gender Society has similar ideals to us.
SPEAKER_02So that's fantastic. Well, I can't I can't thank you all enough. Uh it's so crazy, Alexis. I I I literally remember it like it was yesterday sitting down with you. I was just so excited that um someone that I knew was going to be leading this this major organization. And uh now to see that you know your time uh is kind of run its course and now you get to to move on is so exciting. And then to see that Brian kind of comes in. Um, but to see the that you guys do come from like this well-educated and kind of still inspired background, it's not doing it because you have to, it's gonna do it because you want to. Um, maybe Alexis, is there anything you want to leave? Um, maybe any AGS members that are going to be listening, um, anything you want to leave with them uh as you kind of you know wrap up your your two-year stint?
SPEAKER_03You know, the last few years was very much a reminder to me that AGS is so much more than just a personal organization. It's truly this family, this community that's built on integrity and on generosity, on mentorship, on real genuine friendship. And it was such a privilege and an honor to get to be at the helm. Um, I just encourage anyone that's on the fence, if they've ever considered joining the American Gem Society, now is the time to do it. The organization is in such a wonderfully inclusive place. Uh, and there's no more important time. Brian hit the nail on the head. We are constantly interrupted by disruptors, whether it's the internet, whether it's lab grown, whether it's AI, and we're all in this together. Yeah, terrible. I mean, gosh, it's what did what did I see today? Brazil's now at 25%. Um it's, you know, you have to keep a pulse on so many different things as a business owner. And that's not even factoring on what happens day and day out on the sales floor, to have this community of peers that really just wants what's best for our industry. A rising tide raises all boats. Uh, the American Gem Society, in my mind, is the strongest organization our industry has. And I really just encourage everyone who's considering being a member to stick your neck out and put it in application, but also to please come to Conclave in Orlando again, September 14th through 17th, because it really will change your life within this industry.
SPEAKER_02That's fantastic. And Brian, anything you wanted to uh leave off on as you begin your two-year stint? Um, anything for listeners that might be either on the edge or they are AGS members already?
SPEAKER_01I want to hear from you. I want to hear your thoughts and your perspectives. I want to talk to you. I want to hear your concerns with the industry. Um, I want to hear what you feel is the benefits of your um American Gems Society membership or maybe why you're reluctant to make the jump. Um, you know, I just I love talking to people. I love getting to know people. And I think that that's going to um, you know, really benefit me in my next couple of years is just gaining um different perspectives. So um, you know, you can get a hold of me pretty easily through American Genom Society. I'd love to have a personal conversation with with everybody, or you know, stop me in the hallways at an at Conclave and shake my hand. Um so I'd really appreciate that.
SPEAKER_02Brian, where can people go if they want to uh to to potentially sign up? What's the uh where should they uh be going on?
SPEAKER_01That's just probably info at American Genom Society.org. Um is that doc or dot org or dot com, Alexis?
SPEAKER_03It's dot org, but it might be AGS.org.
SPEAKER_01Okay.
SPEAKER_03Um AGS website is the easy answer.
SPEAKER_01Yes, easy for us to say because we could just, you know, we just call them right up and they answer our phone. So um so yeah, and um the the membership team is um delightful. They're fun people to work with.
SPEAKER_02Fantastic. Well, I can't thank you all enough. Um, Brian, maybe we can have a follow-up in a year, like I did with Alexis. I would love to get a chance to hear about your perspective on uh, because I'm sure, like you said, so much to learn in one year. I'm sure we'll we'll teach you quite a lot and we'll see how it goes from there. Alexis, congratulations on a great uh two years, and uh I can't wait to see what you do next. I'm sure it'll be amazing. Um, but everybody, thanks so much for listening. Check out their website, maybe see you at Conclave. Um, and I will be back next week, Tuesday, with another episode. Cheers. Bye.
Final Thanks And Closing Credits
SPEAKER_02All right, everybody. That's the end of the show. Thanks so much for listening. My guest this week was Alexis Pattis, the former president of AGS, and Brian Moller, the current president of AGS. This episode was brought to you by Punchmark and produced and hosted by me, Michael Burpo. This episode was edited by Paul Suarez and with music by Ross Cochran. Don't forget to rate the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and leave us feedback on punchmark.com slash loop. That's L-O-U-P-E. Thanks, and be back next week, Tuesday, with another episode. Cheers. Bye.
