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Show Today's Bride, February g, 1SS4 - Page t Will sell $4 charm or $8,000 watch Buying large volumes and passing along to the consumer quality jewelry at a low markup has been the key to success for Sterra-A'est Diamonds in Cotton Tree Square m Provo Tun BraRscomb. owner of Sierra-West said by buying the war chain stores buy. taking a fair markup and giving personalized per-sonalized sen-ice to each customer." the business has posted a remarkable record, doubling in volume for the past stx 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 beleeve in selling our customer whatever he wants." Branscomb said, "from a 34 charm loan SS.CMH watch " He said that through effective marketing, he is a Me to appeal to an established clientele while attracting the vounger One af Ike mam? tea at if ai vrirrUom available at Sierra-Wert Diawwdi consumers, like B YU 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 Vrth 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 LDS 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 be 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. Hrs persistence paid off and he was hired as a salesman "I was literally the youngest employee who was selling." he said Within stx months. Branscomb had become one of the store's top salesman, and soon after he was made an asststanr 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 m the remainder of hts four years with the company he became the diamond buy er 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 2D 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 IIS"-' ITS) rSZT t- v 1f ' ' f " A ' "1 i i f. If I i ;wM Ly II y-'il -tmL 3r Brothers John and owner Tim Brantromb of Sierra-Het Diamonds conducted by large chains He also learned how to manage three stores, each with its own manager and assistant managers. ffen 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. Gem veto, three davs out of the week. Then he would work for three days on his own jewelry business He began in a one-r'om ottice. contacted old clients from his past jobs, and sfafed advert ad-vert tsing for new ones, After two-and-a-half years his business had grown enough to permit him to drop his work w ith 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 bends 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 low est prices in Utah. So come see the ring leaders for all your jewelry needs and buy with confidence. Sierra-West wiU not be undersold. 3r1 Sum miTir. At f JQs Mx k t CTV -ZZZZ |