JCK magazine is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year! To commemorate that milestone, we’re talking to 150 veteran jewelry professionals in 2019 for a feature series meant to distill the voices of some of the industry’s most enduring and successful professionals.
We can’t print every interview in its entirety in the magazine—so we’ve been posting full interviews here on JCKonline.com every Thursday.
This week we hear from New York City–based jewelry designer Stephanie Gottlieb.
JCK: How long have you been in the jewelry industry, and how has it changed since you joined?
Stephanie Gottlieb: I started working in this industry 10 years ago, when I graduated from college. I was working for a wholesale diamond and jewelry company in New York City called Beny Sofer. At that time, Instagram didn’t even yet exist, and our focus was on the traditional retailer and print advertising/media. I stayed with Beny Sofer for five years before transitioning to my own company. This was at the perfect time, because I really caught the Instagram wave as it was building. The business has made a big transition toward the digital marketplace, with social media driving sales. It’s been an incredible experience to build my business through Instagram.
What’s your experience with JCK magazine?
Most of my experience was actually through my previous role at Beny Sofer. I was responsible for marketing and sales, so I was often working with editors at the magazine to build buzz for our brand while also using the magazine as a resource to understand trends in the industry.
What has JCK magazine meant to you?
JCK magazine is a leader in industry news and represents a celebration of creativity! JCK does an amazing job of featuring deserving up-and-coming designers and new industry concepts while creating a community where designers, retailers, and aficionados can come together.
Top: Stephanie Gottlieb (photo courtesy of Stephanie Gottlieb)
Catch up on all of JCK‘s 150th interviews:
Barbara Palumbo, watch and jewelry industry writer
Roger Dery, gem cutter and cofounder of Gem Legacy
Joanne Teichman, managing director of Ylang 23
Todd Reed, founder and designer of Todd Reed
Jonathan Goldman, CEO of Frederick Goldman
Brian Gavin, diamond cutter and diamond jewelry retailer
Cecilia Gardner, former president and CEO of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee and general counsel and director of the United States Kimberley Process Authority
Sarin Bachmann, event vice president of the JCK, Luxury, and Swiss Watch shows for Reed Jewelry Group
Dave Bonaparte, president and CEO of Jewelers of America
Ettagale Blauer, former JCK New York editor
Lee Siegelson, rare and collectible jewelry dealer and expert
Tamara and Amir Goldfiner, cofounders of Rahaminov Diamonds
Dallas Prince, founder of Dallas Prince Designs
Esther Fortunoff, president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry
Terry Burman, former Signet chairman
Brandee Dallow, president and founder of Fine Girl Luxury Brand Building & Communications
Tom Chatham, CEO of Chatham Created Gems & Diamonds
Tom Heyman, partner, Oscar Heyman & Brothers
Duvall O’Steen, jewelry publicist, Luxury Brand Group
Pat Henneberry, founder and president of the Jewelry Coach
Marty Hurwitz, CEO of MVI Marketing
Hank B. Siegel, president of Hamilton Jewelers
Erica Courtney, jewelry designer
Robert Weldon, director of GIA’s Richard T. Liddicoat Gemological Library and Information Center
Stuart Robertson, vice president of Gemworld
Bill Furman, longtime JCK magazine ad sales manager
Kathryn Kimmel, senior vice president and chief marketing officer of GIA
Katie Kinsella Murphy, owner of Kinney + Kinsella
Frank Dallahan, publisher, The Retailer Jeweler
Jen Cullen Williams, managing director of Luxury Brand Group
Sally Morrison, chief marketing officer of Lightbox
Susan M. Jacques, president and CEO of GIA
Marie Helene Morrow, president of Reinhold Jewelers
Jenny Luker, U.S. president of Platinum Guild International
Beth Gerstein, co-CEO of Brilliant Earth
Russell Shor, GIA senior industry analyst
Walter McTeigue, cofounder of McTeigue & McClelland
Caryl Capeci, president of Hearts On Fire
Eddie LeVian, CEO of Le Vian
Peggy Jo Donahue, freelance writer and former JCK editor-in-chief
Rebecca Moskal, jewelry marketing veteran
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