Former Canberra jewellery designer, Diana Thompson, and her son, award-winning jeweller Travis Thompson, who were at Briolette in Manuka for many years, have joined forces in Thompson Bespoke Jewellers, a glittering gem in the Braidwood business community.
Tell us about the history of your family business.
Thompson Bespoke Jewellers started as a progression from being part-owner of Briolette Jewellers for 30 years until it closed in September 2018, and I moved to Braidwood to live full time. Travis (my son) was our Jeweller at Briolette for about 15 years and then started a business at the coast. Once I made the decision to open in Braidwood, he closed the coast business and moved here to become a partner in this business.
What principles guide your family business?
Putting the customer’s needs first and maintaining excellent service are the core principals. Being a family business, the customers seem to become part of the family as well. We know their history and their children, their ups and downs, so it becomes a much more intimate relationship.
How do you handle conflicts?
All businesses will have conflicts at some time, but you have to work through it and sort it out. It’s a case of egos aside as the business comes first.
What strategies have you used to maintain a healthy work-life balance?
We are open currently five days a week, closing on Tuesdays and Sundays, but because we are a family, we can swap around a lot to make time for events that either of us have to attend and it works well.
How has your family business adapted to changes?
Businesses always have to change and adapt to market trends, whether it be changing a certain style of stock or going through a non-buying period – Covid comes to mind – and carefully watching price point as currently everyone in Australia is doing it tough. You are always planning.
How does your family business contribute to the local community?
We support many businesses in town as that is how the town survives. We all have to support each other, and Braidwood has suffered the last five years. First the drought, then the bushfires, then Covid (the gift that kept giving!) so without all of us supporting other businesses, the town would have been in dire straits.
How did the pandemic impact your family business?
The Covid lockdowns cost us $250,000. That’s income that cannot be recovered so that period was very tough for everyone.
What roles do different family members play in the business?
I am the company director, on the sales floor, designing, and the valuer, as well as buying and the general cleaner, etc. Travis is an award-winning jeweller so he is at the bench full time, but he also works the shop floor and designs as well – we make a good team. As a family business, each member needs to find their niche and work out how to bring value to the business.
What advice would you give other families looking to start a business?
My advice before starting a business is to do your homework. I had 30 years previously to work out the kinks, but I think the most important thing is to thoroughly know your product and your market; listening to your customers is key to getting the right results. Customers are well educated with access to the internet, so you can’t baffle them with waffle if you don’t properly know what you are selling.
Contact details
Visit us in store at Shop 7, 119 Wallace Street, Braidwood NSW.
T: 0459 955 991
Facebook: Thompson Bespoke Jewellers
