Before entering the jewelry industry, I spent several years working in the medical field. Later, I joined Gordon in managing our apartment properties. After we sold our apartments, I thought retirement would be my next chapter. Little did I know that a much bigger adventure was waiting for me.
When Gordon mentioned the idea of opening a pawn shop, I was immediately drawn to the jewelry side of the business. Knowing how much I loved jewelry, he jokingly suggested that instead of getting involved in his venture, I should just open my own jewelry store. Looking back, I think it may have been his way of keeping me out of all the jewelry stores!
Before taking the leap, I visited a close friend who owned a jewelry store and asked her what she thought about my idea. To my surprise, she didn’t hesitate. She told me she could see my passion for jewelry and believed I would be great at it. Her encouragement gave me the confidence to pursue a dream I hadn’t even realized was possible.
I thought opening a jewelry store would be easy.
Boy, was I wrong.
Building a jewelry business involved far more than I ever imagined. There was designing the store, selecting inventory, creating displays, establishing relationships, learning the finer details of the industry, and putting together an unforgettable customer experience. Every detail mattered. It was challenging, exhausting, and incredibly rewarding.
Thankfully, my husband brought his business expertise and helped me pull everything together. Without his support and encouragement, Baron’s would not be what it is today.
One of the most important parts of creating the store was developing the brand. Gordon found a leopard logo he thought would work perfectly, but I knew it wasn’t quite right. I spent months searching for the perfect leopard until I finally found the one that represented the vision I had for Baron’s.
Then there was the name.
At first, Gordon wanted to name the store after me, but I wanted something unique and meaningful. Instead, I chose to name the business after our beloved cat, Baron. Baron is a beautiful F4 Savannah cat, a breed that combines the elegance of an African serval with a domestic cat. His confidence, beauty, and distinctive character inspired both the name and identity of our business.
Today, one of my greatest passions is custom jewelry design. I love helping people bring their ideas to life and creating pieces that celebrate life’s most meaningful moments. Every custom design tells a unique story, and I am honored every time a customer trusts us to be part of theirs.
This November marks three years in business for Baron’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts, and what an incredible journey it has been.
As we look toward the future, we’re excited about our next chapter. In the coming year, we plan to introduce The Vault by Baron’s, a new concept that will offer something different and exciting for the Crestview community. More details will be shared soon, and we cannot wait to bring this vision to life.
I would also like to recognize someone who has been instrumental in our success: Loretta, our store manager. Loretta has been an invaluable part of Baron’s, helping guide me through the jewelry business, assisting with daily operations, and offering expert advice every step of the way. Her knowledge, dedication, and professionalism have been a tremendous asset to our company. She is also a GIA Accredited Jewelry Professional (AJP), bringing a level of expertise that benefits both our team and our customers.
Most importantly, I want to thank the Crestview community for embracing Baron’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts. Your support, trust, friendships, and patronage have made our dream a reality. We appreciate each and every one of you more than words can express.
Thank you for allowing us to celebrate your engagements, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, and life’s countless special moments. We are honored to be a part of your stories.
And always remember: Life is a love story.
Baron’s Fine Jewelry & Gifts
1301 Industrial Drive, Ste. #200
Crestview, FL 32539
(850) 240-0011