One of Helzberg’s greatest ideas was resurrected from the trash

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.

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.