Episode 33: Our 1st retailer, Sam Messiha from gem Bijou
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from Wish List failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Narrated by:
-
By:
About this listen
Bob's ex-employer drops by to sit in the hot seat. In all seriousness, we had a great conversation with one of Canada's leading watch retailers. We've spoken with media personalities, collectors, brand representatives, brand owners, and designers, but never with a retailer before. It was about time we had someone on the other side of the watch counter. You'll really enjoy this conversation.
Gem Bijou website: https://gembijou.com/
Sam's watch: https://monochrome-watches.com/tudor-black-bay-black-bezel-red-triangle-79220n-exclusive-review-live-photos-specs-price/
Brent's right wrist: https://www.rzewatches.com/collections/utd/products/utd-8000-gr
Brent's left wrist: https://www.omegawatches.com/fr-ca/watch-omega-seamaster-diver-300m-co-axial-master-chronometer-42-mm-21030422001010
Marc's watch: https://sherpawatches.com/ultradive-moon_and_sun/
Bob's watch: https://www.casio.com/ca-en/watches/gshock/product.DW-5600BCE-1/
Our Discord Community: https://discord.gg/3pfhUFPYFD
00:14 – Introduction 01:04 – Wrist Checks 05:41 – Sam’s all-time favorite employee 11:16 – How it all began 13:45 – Carrying the watches collectors want 15:45 – How Sam’s heritage shaped his perspective 17:21 – Sam’s destiny in the watch/jewelry business 19:27 – Going the extra mile, events, shows, etc. 20:56 – Travels in the watch business 22:47 – Gem Bijou’s competitive advantage 26:32 – Building relationships with brands 28:52 – Gem Bijou’s newest brand, Montblanc 30:59 – Cool customer stories 38:00 – What are people buying right now? 41:42 – Keeping the right products in stock 44:31 – Balancing bloops & beeps vs. brick & mortar 45:53 – Online marketing and social media 48:04 – How Sean came into the picture (the retail version of Marc) 50:30 – New brands Sam is working with 53:31 – Dream brand to bring into Gem Bijou (apart from Isotope) 57:32 – Proudest decision or pivot that helped his business 59:57 – Gem Bijou pre-owned watches 1:02:07 – All about Sam’s 1959 Omega Speedmaster 1:04:43 – Advice for new retailers 1:08:12 – What would Sam be doing instead of retailing 1:08:52 – How Sam measures success 1:12:52 – How Sam deals with PIA customers like Marc 1:15:49 – Thank yous and goodbyes 1:16:55 – T2C OUT!