Mark’s Story
We would like to introduce to you our Owner and Senior Jeweler/Sales person, Mark Douglas.
How long have you been in the Jewelry Business?
Mark has been in the Jewelry Business for 45 years as a goldsmith and diamond & stone-setter in 5 jewelry stores, and a manager of a jewelry repair shop servicing over 45 stores. God then gave Mark and his wife an opportunity to buy their own store, and now, 30 years later, he is still making customers happy by repairing and creating “Symbols of Love”.
What are your hobbies and enjoyments?
“I love singing mostly Christian music. I was a worship leader for over 30 years and sang in a southern gospel quartet that traveled a bit mostly on MN. I have always enjoyed talking with people and making them laugh. I love to tell stories and joke around with friends and family.
What do you like best about the retail Jewelry Business?
I love being a part of the special moments in people’s lives. If jewelry could talk I often wonder, what wonderful stories we would hear! I love to take the time to hear the stories people tell when our jewelry is used to commemorate something memorable in their lives and our creation truly makes them happy.
Hey Mark, Did you always want to be in the Jewelry Business?
I was actually in college training to be a minister! My Dad was a pastor and a carpenter, so I thought I would follow in his footsteps, but I got hired as a jeweler while I was going to Bible college. God was preparing me for my life’s work even before I knew it! After a short, part-time stint as a youth pastor, God moved me into full-time jewelry work.
How did you get into the Jewelry Business?
Mark was first invited into the jewelry business in 1980 when his college roommate recommended him for a job as sales person and gold smith at the local jewelry store. At the interview Mark was asked to take a little saw and cut a ring with it. After Mark completed this minimal task, the manager, Leland Smith, said, “You’ve got the job.” Mark was surprised at the quick decision and asked, “How do you know that I can do it?” Leland said, “I can tell by the way you hold the saw that you can do this job!”
Where did you get your experience & training?
Mark worked for this small town jewelry store as an apprentice under LeLand Smith, an accomplished jeweler, for 4 ½ years. Then Mark & Ruth moved to the twin cities in MN where he continued to work for small jewelry stores doing repair and gold-smithing work while attending school and working at a local church.
In 1989 Mark managed a trade shop team that did repair work for approximately 30 retail stores across the upper mid-west. It was here that Mark realized that what he really enjoyed was to talk with people and to work with the customer face-to-face to make the piece of jewelry that they really wanted.
In 1992 Mark’s boss opened a retail store in the newly built Mall of America. I was very expensive and proved to need more money than his boss could afford. Mark returned to the repair business, but had a desire to get back into retail.
In 1995 Mark & Ruth purchased a retail store in Faribault, MN. And then later opened a second store in Owatonna, MN.
While trying to create an exit strategy, Mark, Ruth and, their soon to be heir, Jonathan closed their two small-town stores, and purchased a store in the Phoenix area that had a much greater opportunity for growth, an area with almost unlimited potential customers.
We would like to introduce to you our Owner and Senior Jeweler/Sales person, Mark Douglas.
How long have you been in the Jewelry Business?
Mark has been in the Jewelry Business for 45 years as a goldsmith and diamond & stone-setter in 5 jewelry stores, and a manager of a jewelry repair shop servicing over 45 stores. God then gave Mark and his wife an opportunity to buy their own store, and now, 30 years later, he is still making customers happy by repairing and creating “Symbols of Love”.
What are your hobbies and enjoyments?
“I love singing mostly Christian music. I was a worship leader for over 30 years and sang in a southern gospel quartet that traveled a bit mostly on MN. I have always enjoyed talking with people and making them laugh. I love to tell stories and joke around with friends and family.
What do you like best about the retail Jewelry Business?
I love being a part of the special moments in people’s lives. If jewelry could talk I often wonder, what wonderful stories we would hear! I love to take the time to hear the stories people tell when our jewelry is used to commemorate something memorable in their lives and our creation truly makes them happy.
Hey Mark, Did you always want to be in the Jewelry Business?
I was actually in college training to be a minister! My Dad was a pastor and a carpenter, so I thought I would follow in his footsteps, but I got hired as a jeweler while I was going to Bible college. God was preparing me for my life’s work even before I knew it! After a short, part-time stint as a youth pastor, God moved me into full-time jewelry work.
How did you get into the Jewelry Business?
Mark was first invited into the jewelry business in 1980 when his college roommate recommended him for a job as sales person and gold smith at the local jewelry store. At the interview Mark was asked to take a little saw and cut a ring with it. After Mark completed this minimal task, the manager, Leland Smith, said, “You’ve got the job.” Mark was surprised at the quick decision and asked, “How do you know that I can do it?” Leland said, “I can tell by the way you hold the saw that you can do this job!”
Where did you get your experience & training?
Mark worked for this small town jewelry store as an apprentice under LeLand Smith, an accomplished jeweler, for 4 ½ years. Then Mark & Ruth moved to the twin cities in MN where he continued to work for small jewelry stores doing repair and gold-smithing work while attending school and working at a local church.
In 1989 Mark managed a trade shop team that did repair work for approximately 30 retail stores across the upper mid-west. It was here that Mark realized that what he really enjoyed was to talk with people and to work with the customer face-to-face to make the piece of jewelry that they really wanted.
In 1992 Mark’s boss opened a retail store in the newly built Mall of America. I was very expensive and proved to need more money than his boss could afford. Mark returned to the repair business, but had a desire to get back into retail.
In 1995 Mark & Ruth purchased a retail store in Faribault, MN. And then later opened a second store in Owatonna, MN.
While trying to create an exit strategy, Mark, Ruth and, their soon to be heir, Jonathan closed their two small-town stores, and purchased a store in the Phoenix area that had a much greater opportunity for growth, an area with almost unlimited potential customers.