Interview With Jeweler Jason Stavrianidis
Jason Stavrianidis is a fifth generation jeweler, designer, and diamond specialist at Venus Jewlers. We got a moment of his time to interview him. Check out the interview below:
Jason Stavrianidis
— Beginning of interview —
What exactly do you do for a career?
“I am a fifth generation jeweler, diamond specialist, and jewelry designer at Venus Jewelers, and am involved in almost all aspects of the business from serving clients with products and services, networking, digital marketing, jewelry bench work, polishing, quality control, etc.”
What was the process for you to find what you wanted to do?
“My two brothers and I would go to the store and help on the weekends ever since we were 10-years old. It was only a couple of years ago, that I felt the urge to make a commitment and be involved more seriously. I think my biggest motivation was my late grandfather George, my father Peter and my aunt Dora. All three of them contributed in one way or another in my decision to continue this family legacy and tradition. So here I am!One summer, my father had me work full time, and that’s when I realized that I had a passion for not only precious gems and jewelry, but also educating and helping consumers. I feel a great sense of pride to be able to continue my family’s legacy. More than that, it is also a huge responsibility for me since Venus Jewelers is not just my job; it’s my way of life. I want to uphold the reputation my family has set through the years while allowing innovation and growth as my brand of leadership.”
What is the most rewarding part of your job?
“Definitely has to be helping others. Of course, closing a $10,000 or $20,000 or even a $100,000 sale is very rewarding, but more so than that, being able to just genuinely help another person is the best feeling in the world for me. Furthermore, being able to be a part of some of the most special occasions in people’s lives is another very rewarding feeling for me. Watching my client’s leave my store with the biggest smile on their faces, knowing they made a confident and educated buying decision, gives me such a good feeling and really makes me feel like I’ve not only done my job, but fulfilled my grandfather’s mission.”
Can you tell us about your company/job/hustle?
“Our company name is Venus Jewelers, and we are a Fifth Generation Family Jeweler specializing in upscale jewelry, engagement rings, diamond selection, and custom designs. We are best known in the bridal scene by having one of the largest bridal selections in the entire state of New Jersey. We’ve offered beautiful diamond rings and large loose diamond jewelry for hundreds of engagement and anniversary celebrations throughout the years. We even have more than 500 five-star ratings on Google reviews, which is an accomplishment for any business that is listed on Google. We also specialize in custom designs!”
What do you want your audience to know?
“I want everyone to know that jewelry is not only an adornment. It can become part of the wearer’s life story, help express their individuality, and represent milestones in their lives. I want to help others express themselves through a custom piece of jewelry, and more importantly, I want to be able to educate consumers about the world of diamonds, gems, and jewelry. This is my mission!”
What is your greatest success so far?
“A few months back, we celebrated our 40th anniversary, and I wanted to do something very big and different and also give back to the community. So, I came up with a crazy idea! A $10,000 Finders Keepers Giveaway! Essentially, throughout the course of 4 weeks, Venus Jewelers gave away over $10,000 of jewelry through treasure hunts. We would post weekly clues on our social media platforms, and go around town hiding jewelry in various locations. It was a HUGE success! Many people in New Jersey found out about this, and came out to participate. We had over 500 total participants, and it took our social media presence to the next level. To be honest, I was not expecting so many people to participate. Seeing families, friends and children come out to participate in our treasure hunt filled me with joy. Everyone was having so much fun. This is what Venus Jewelers is all about, giving back to the community, and growing TOGETHER!”
Where did you grow up?
“I grew up in Somerset, New Jersey, and have lived here my entire life. I plan on staying in this area, so I can always be close to my second home, Venus Jewelers.”
Where are you from?
“I am 100% Greek! Both of my parents were born and raised in Greece. My father is from the capital of Greece, which is Athens, and my mother is from a place called Drama. I love Greece and I love being Greek!”
Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
“My vision for the next 5 years is to be able to relocate our jewelry store and double its size. I truly believe that I can take what my grandfather started and bring it to the next level. I am looking forward to doubling our inventory, and diversifying our product offering. Additionally, I plan on having a much stronger online presence and dominate the Instagram world by then… perhaps even getting my instagram verification badge by then.”
What is some advice you would give to a young entrepreneur?
“My biggest advice would be to take time to redefine who you are and what you want. It’s so easy to get caught up in what others say about us that we begin to see ourselves in that light. Never lose sight of who you truly are and the unique qualities that you have built within yourself. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned on my journey, it’s that people can only take from you what you allow. If you allow others to define who you are and what you want, then you are giving them the power to dictate where your path will lead. Take time to really think about what it is that you want in life and who you want to be, and don’t let anyone get in the way of that. Be yourself and don’t let anyone define you. Define yourself.”
— End of interview —
Find out more about Jason here: www.venusjewelers.com
Follow his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/jasonthegemologist/
