One of Helzberg’s greatest ideas was resurrected from the trash
November 24, 2015 | Bobby Burch
As charismatic as he is ornery, Barnett Helzberg recently charmed a few dozen entrepreneurs as part of Startup Grind Kansas City.
Formerly CEO of Helzberg Diamonds, Helzberg shared with attendees an array of entertaining stories while leisurely pacing the stage and sipping a Boulevard Wheat beer. Here are a few of the stories he told.
“The one thing I know for sure is that all that matters is your family. That’s all I know.” – Barnett Helzberg
On reviving the “I Am Loved” button campaign …
I always loved advertising. That’s the only other business that I’ve thought about. … With the “I Am Loved” button — I was in love. I was one of those really obnoxious people. So I’m drawing up an ad in my apartment and it just says ‘Give her a button or a diamond, but tell her she’s loved.’ It’s either free or $50 or $5,000. I threw it away at first in the wastebasket. It’s too embarrassing. Then I sneak it into our office … and take it to my brother and then my dad and he says, ‘I don’t like it. It’ll fill the store with hippies. But if you’re going to do it, do it right.’
On selling Helzberg Diamonds to Warren Buffett …
(Buffett) is such a people guy and the time had come (to sell Helzberg Diamonds) for a lot of reasons. I was getting lazy. … So I’m in New York and I overheard this lady say “Warren Buffett” So I turn around. … I ran into him on the street in New York and he said send me the information. But I didn’t send it right away. So I messed around and then finally sent it.
On his proudest accomplishment …
Of course one is HEMP (the Helzberg Entrepreneurial Mentorship Program), which I just love and I’m into it almost everyday. There are a lot of organizations that help startups and others that help big companies. We’re in the middle. … We try to really be picky for the most incredible people. For me, it’s just great. People say you’re generous, but no I’m selfish. I don’t hang out with my age group. I don’t hear about new knees and hips and new this and that.
On the importance of family …
The one thing I know for sure is that all that matters is your family. That’s all I know. I would suggest to you that you write down your definition of success. But I think that’s all that really matters.
On the value of teamwork …
We learned with our people that you can go anywhere. If you get your people committed and back them, you’ve got the world. I used to give these trainings at the store openings and I would say ‘Who’s number one?’ And everyone says ‘The customer.’ Then all of the sudden I’m there 32 years and I said ‘You know what, you guys are wrong. You’re No. 1 — it all emanates from you.’ So I think it’s your people.
2015 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Fishtech Labs invests $3M in Overland Park security firm
Tech accelerator Fishtech Labs on Thursday announced its first major investment in Foresite, an Overland Park-based managed security provider. Founded by serial entrepreneur Gary Fish, the Kansas City-based accelerator is investing $3 million in Foresite, which offers cyber security and compliance services for businesses. Unlike most managed service providers, Foresite uses a “white label” approach…
Digital divide initiative could help 9,000 Kansas City households
More than 9,000 Kansas City households are among the potential beneficiaries of a new national digital divide initiative. Comcast recently partnered with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s ConnectHome initiative, marking the largest expansion to Comcast’s Internet Essentials program. Now all Kansas City households within a Comcast service area that receive HUD housing…
New Startland reporter wants to immerse herself in KC’s culture of innovation
Two months ago today, I packed up the last of my belongings in my Columbia, Mo. apartment. And to be frank, I was slightly embarrassed to be moving back in with my parents in Independence, Mo. A recent graduate from the University of Missouri’s School of Journalism, it seemed that almost everybody I knew was…
Exclusive: John Fein departing Techstars to lead new $7M Midwest venture fund
After three years with the Kansas City-based Sprint Accelerator, John Fein is moving on to lead a venture fund that has ambitious Midwestern plans. Fein, who’s served as the managing director at the Techstars-led accelerator since 2014, will serve his last day with the organization on July 31. With decades of fast-paced startup experience, Fein…