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Show Today's Bride, February 8, 1984 - Page 9 Wil $4 charm or $8, 000 watelh T T Buying large volumes and passing along to the consumer quality jewelry at a low markup has been the key to success for Sierra-West Diamonds in CottonTree Square in Provo. Tim Branscomb, owner of Sierra-West said by buying "the way chain stores buy, taking a fair markup and giving personalized per-sonalized service to each customer," the business has posted a remarkable record, doubling in volume for the past six years. In addition to the firm's Provo store at Suite 11 A, CottonTree square, Sierra-West now has a store in Vernal and is planning a third for Salt Lake City, "We believe in selling our customer whatever he , wants," Branscomb said, "from a $4 charm to an $8,000 watch." He said that through effective marketing, he is able to appeal to an established clientele while" attracting the younger i : ... ! t One of - the many beautiful selections available at Sierra-West Diamonds consumers, like BYU students, as well. Branscomb began his selling career at the age of eight when he was cleaning and selling mobile homes with his father and brothers in North Carolina. He graduated to selling meat and produce in his father's meatpacking plant until he went to the Phillipines on a mission for the IDS Church. It was in the Phillipines that Branscomb learned to appreciate beautiful jewelry. "While we taught this family about the gospel, they taught us about other gems," he said. . After his mission, Branscomb started working as assistant manager of a tire business, but he was unable to forget the jewelry business. He stated looking for work that was more in line with his interests. in-terests. "For eight months I called back at this jewelry store," he relates. His persistence paid off and he was hired as a salesman. "I was literally the youngest employee who was selling," he said. Within six months, Branscomb had become one of the store's top salesman, and soon after he was made an assistant manager. When the manager resigned later that year. Branscomb found himself taking on more and more responsibility. With that experience under his belt he was made the new manager, and in the remainder of his four years with the company he became the diamond buyer and handled about 80 of the advertising. Feeling he'd gone as far as he could with that firm, he took a position with a large jewelry chain at a 20 percent pay increase. "I was with them for about 10 months," he said. During that time he learned the ins and outs of the jewelry business as it is i f , , , "' i K " ' -I i0 i k n r r j ii J"- , H j I A v 'A d S J-W fffr4 "i-Jrs ' -r- - y n -n i ?? rxi i ft- p fi -n hj MA V " Brothers John and owner Tim Branscomb of Sierra-West Diamonds. conducted by large chains. He also learned how to manage three stores, each with its own manager and assistant managers, often supervising individuals five to 10 years older than himself. But he felt something in the larger operation was missing. "I liked the personal touch that the smaller jeweler has, and decided I wanted to go out on my own," Branscomb said. The result was Sierra-West. To finance the business, Branscomb . initially found himself on the road, selling for another manufacturer, Gemveto, three days out of the week. Then he would work for three days on his own jewelry business. He began in a one-room office, contacted old clients from his past jobs, and started advertising ad-vertising for new ones. After two-and-a-half years his business had grown enough to permit him to drop his work with the other firm and rent the entire office suite. Soon afterwards, Sierra-West set up it's operation in CottonTree Square. With the move, the business was able to set up its own complete Gemological lab, as well as personalized offices to work with customers on a one- to- one basis. Catch Her Eye and You'll Catch Her Heart When you are ready to pop that important question, you need her attention. Catch it with a beautiful diamond from the ring leaders. And capture her heart with your token of love. Elegant wedding bands are also available for the both of you to choose the right rings to represent your special love. With a purchase of a lady's diamond ring through the month of February, receive a free dinner and 45 off the gent's band, as well as the lowest prices in Utah. So come see the ring leaders for all your jewelry needs and buy with confidence. Sierra-West will not be undersold. 1ilHo)d ,4 - I J |