b'20 UNDER 40Q&AQ1: WHAT IS THE BEST BUSINESS ADVICE YOU HAVE EVER RECEIVED?ALEX BELLMAN, COO TRISH CARRUTH,FOUNDER & LEAD DESIGNERBELLMAN JEWELERS,YOUR PERSONAL JEWELER, ROYAL OAK, MIMANCHESTER, NHPrioritize customer satisfaction Focus on what you do bestabove all else. Ensuring my clients and ignore what other peopleare delighted with their custom and companies are doing. engagement rings, wedding bands, and heirloom redesigns has been the cornerstone of my success. Building strong relationships with NATACHA METAYER, customers, understanding their PRESIDENT & OWNER unique preferences, and delivering JNCY JEWELERS, MIAMI, FL exceptional craftsmanship has not only resulted in repeat business but Treat your vendors like the stars theyalso valuable word-of-mouth referrals. are. Your clients will come and go but theIn the jewelry industry, reputation and trust are everything, and bench jeweler, diamond setter, and stonehappy customers are the key to long-term success.setters are the backbone of your company.EMILY PHILLIPPY, OWNER, EMILY CHELSEA JEWELRY, PHILADELPHIA, PAComparison is the thiefof joy. This advice can apply to all aspects of life, but I found it especially helpful as Ive grown my business, especially in periodsof doubt, discouragement and chaos.NIKIA LEVESQUE, VICE SCOTT UDELL,PRESIDENT OF MARKETING VICE PRESIDENT DAYS JEWELERS, WATERVILLE, ME LONDON JEWELERS, My predecessor and former co-owner ofMANHASSET, NYDays Jewelers always said, The harder you work, the luckier you get, and I genuinelyLearn every aspect of believe that. The importance of persistencethe business from the and dedication in achieving success cannot beground up. Take the underestimated. Success is not a result of luck, but rather the outcome of consistent effort,time to educate yourself perseverance, and resilience. By putting in the hard work, you increaseon every position in the company.your chances of encountering opportunities and achieving favorable outcomes. Nothing that is worth it comes easy. LAUREN FORBES, DIRECTOR OF DIAMONDS AND GEMSTONES VALERIE MADISON FINE JEWELRY, SEATTLE, WAPractice the concept of tactical empathy, which is defined as the awareness of another persons perspective; under-standing their viewpoints and emotions. In any negotiation, whether it be in a sales pitch with clients or negotiating with a vendor, active listening and understanding the perspectives of others can aid in your persuasion and influence. This skill will build rapport and uncover pain points, giving you the information needed to form a strategic response. NATIONAL JEWELER 57'