Casting and Recasting
May 02, 18
Entering a family business is often a choice the second or third generation does grudgingly. Grace and Angela Karaguezian both entered their father’s jewelry business, Kirk Kara. “The Karaguezian retail store was in the central shopping district in downtown
Her sister Grace Karaguezian focuses on industry relations, partnering exclusively with fine jewelry retailers in the
Both sisters agree that "Most importantly, our father, with his entrepreneurial spirit of improvement and innovation, has welcomed us into the business." During their work for the company, Kirk Kara encouraged his daughters to "implement fresh ideas and a vision for the future of Kirk Kara to the fullest."
The Karaguezian family arrived in the U.S.A when Grace was 3, and Angela 4. Their father opened his shop in 1984, "in
The Karaguezian family's tradition of gold metalworking dates to 1890 when their great-grandfather, an artisan, established a fine jewelry manufacturing workshop. Then in 1928 their grandfather, Artin went a step farther and opened a workshop and retail store in downtown
“Encouraged by our own creative instincts in 2004, we collected our father’s sketches, investigated production costs, and presented our ideas to our father. [He] worked closely with us to create a collection of engagement rings and fine jewelry that caters to the stylistic needs of today’s brides.” This may seem easy to take in, but when realizing that the Kirk Kara tradition goes back over 100 years, across two continents, there is a lot admire. As a younger generation willingly joins in and embraces the family business. The trio launched designs that form a one-of-a-kind bond between style and comfort.
Another change happened when in 2004, "Encouraged by our own creative instincts, we collected our father's sketches, investigated production costs, and presented our ideas to our father. Infused with a new inspiration, our father worked closely with us to create a collection of engagement rings and fine jewelry that caters to the stylistic needs of today’s brides." The trio launched designs that form a one-of-a-kind bond between style and comfort.
Grace and Angela Karaguezian gradually started working in the family business. As Angela remembers, "From a young age we spent high school holidays and summer vacations at our father’s office or in the convention halls of fine jewelry trade shows around the country. Two sisters, close in age, we grew up in a creative environment and had an eye for jewelry design at a young age and grew to love the family business."
Grace was the first to enter the family business after graduating from the
As many people who work in a family business know, not every family business is an enterprise you want to be a part of. As the two sisters point out, “We’re not just working for the family business; we are energized to revive it every day.” This is an important distinction the two daughters make about working with their father in a business he started. “In the last seven years, we’ve branded our father’s designs in the American bridal marketplace and rejuvenated our business strategy to create a brand vision, making an almost 100-year-old business into a fine bridal industry leader.”
Grace and Angela have divided work responsibilities between themselves to help the company, avoiding overlapping and competition. A quick glance at the company website, www.kirkkara.com, following the press link reveals over 40 mentions in some of the most sought-after bridal trade publications.
Grace focuses on industry relations, partnering exclusively with fine jewelry retailers in the
The connection between incorporating the new generation and success can be linked to the idea that a younger person offers more than a fresh viewpoint. Rather, Grace comes in with energy and familiarity with both the company and new marketing outlets and tools ranging from public relations to internet advertising. A new approach to marketing can create a business advantage, leveraging the business and creating brand differentiation.
A great example you can see of the changes the sisters implemented is the emergence of the Kirk Kara brand name. They also pioneered innovative sales tools for their exclusive partners including product training seminars, a brand identifying campaign with fresh print advertisements, in-store jewelry displays, point-of-purchase materials, customer catalogues, national advertising programs and a strong web presence under the company's domain name.
In many family businesses, when members join they are often steered toward managerial positions or into work in the same area that the founding generation began. This is not true for the Karaguezian sisters, "Kirk Kara provides both of us an outlet to express our passions and individual talents in jewelry design, publicity, marketing and sales," Angela explained. "We also respect the Kirk Kara family legacy in our own lives, especially considering the many wonderful opportunities it provides the both of us. By joining the family business we answer the call to combine our traditional foundations with my modern-day spirit. "
But an interesting point is the connection she sees with her father. "His entrepreneurial spirit of improvement and innovation has welcomed us to come into the business, and implement fresh ideas and a vision for the future of Kirk Kara to the fullest."
Making your wishes known and respected is the key to success when joining a family business, "Striking a personal and professional balance with effective team communication is essential to a family business." Angela continues: "When generational differences exist, we look to our values to take on company challenges. Effective communication is the key to a successful family business. To keep a life/work balance, our family makes time for fun outside of the office. We meet for dinner at least twice a week and share family time on vacation to relax and enjoy the success we’ve built together."