Ep 69_BrynnaFromSunstone_GLP_FINAL

===

Jen Thyrion: [00:00:00] Hey there. Welcome to Goldie Links, a podcast that welds together creativity, connection, and cash flow for permanent jewelers who are ready to do things differently. I'm Jen Therian, mama maker and the spark behind Goldie Links around here. We know Gate keep, whether it's handmade hacks, business breakthroughs, or the mindset shifts of fuel real growth.

So if you're building a business that shines as bright as your stacks, you're in the right place. Let's link up and make some magic.

Brynna: Hey there. Did you know that we offer handmade permanent

Jen Thyrion: jewelry supplies? Go to goldie link supplies.com to view our beautiful chains, connectors, Bengals, and more, including our non-permanent stretchy bracelets that are available to you for wholesale. Everything is created by our tribe of mama makers.

What is a mama maker? Stay-at-home moms that create on their own time between raising their children, serving as a self-care creative outlet, and supporting their families. Your items come with signage on [00:01:00] how these supplies are made, along with Gemstone property info, as each gemstone has a special meaning.

If you wanna level up your business with handmade supplies, not made by a machine, but made by hand with love, then check it out@goldielinksupplies.com. Now onto the show. Hey, welcome back. Today we're in for a special bonus episode, sitting down with Bryna, the director from the Permanent Jewelry Expo at Sunstone.

We're talking all things PJX, why it's a must attend event for anyone ready to connect, learn, and grow in this industry. From next level education and inspiring vendors to the unmatched energy of being in a room full of like-minded jewelers. Brenna shares how PJX is designed to be truly a transformative experience.

I totally agree. If you're ready to elevate yourself and your business, this episode is for you. I cannot wait to see you at PJX 'cause you're gonna be there, right? You're gonna be there. Okay. Let's dive in. All right. Hey Brina. I'm so excited you're here today. Do you wanna start us off by telling us who you are?

Brynna: Yes. Thanks, Jen. So my name. Brenna [00:02:00] Willerson and I work at Sunstone and I am the PJX event director, and I am super excited to be here today. This is my first year helping to plan PJX, but I feeling really good. It's been awesome to be a part of the team and things are looking really good so far for PJX.

We're on track to have the biggest event ever. Things are looking great, and that's kind of what I do.

Jen Thyrion: I know. I'm so excited. Every time I talk to you, the number's going up and I'm like, this is so exciting. First, let's just hear about you because you know, we might wanna know what brought you to this position, like tell us a little bit about your past.

Brynna: I would love to, so believe it or not, I'm actually fresh out of college, so this is my post-college job,

Jen Thyrion: love.

Brynna: It's so fun. I, so I've always had a passion for planning events. I love everything that has to do with putting on something and making a, a success. And all throughout college I did that. So I was involved with a lot of different clubs.

I actually worked for a furniture company here on the west coast. It's called RC Willie, and they. I worked with them to [00:03:00] put on a bunch of events for their company and that was what I did as my internship when I was in college. So it was really fun and all of those events just kind of took off. And it was super fun because they had let, the first couple went really good and then they kept letting me do more, which I was like, great.

We would do events for every holiday and we'd invite families and kids in, which that was really fun because that changed the environment of just come and shop to come and hang out with your family, right? Like,

Jen Thyrion: yes,

Brynna: I. I got my degree in school in public relations, and I've always been. So in love with the idea of community and we want people to feel like they belong somewhere, right?

Whatever company that's for. And so throughout doing that, our SEIA was really fun and I graduated and I wanted to try something new, you know? 'cause I had done my internship, I had gotten my degree in public relations. And I had done a lot during college, like with clubs and with friends, and I was like, okay, you know, like I wanna try just a challenge and we'll see what we can do.

So I applied for Sunstone and they're the parent company of [00:04:00] PJX, and it was really kind of fun and kind of nervous. Obviously, you know, like I was new so I was wanting to make the best impression, but I went through the interview process and I just felt right off the bat like this was something I wanted to try and what something I wanted to do.

So as part of my interview process, they did ask me a lot about like, you know, my event planning process and if I had any ideas. For PJX and how to make it better. They told me a little bit about what it was looking like in the past in different issues that they'd had and how they anticipated me coming in and helping those problems and changing those things and making it better.

That's kind of how I got the job, but I do feel like it was nice. To have that introduction because as I started, one of the things that I did first was I actually called, um, Andy gave me a list of contacts that he had worked for Andy's the previous Sunstone, PGX guy. He is helped put it on every year, and he gave me a list of contacts of permanent jewelry artists and I called him and I said, Hey.

[00:05:00] What do you like about PJX and what would you change? And that was kind of what inspired me to start putting things together. One of the new things that we did this year was we've incorporated committees, and that's brand new, but that's been super nice because we get our PJ artists on the front lines who are helping plan and who are offering ideas and who are helping with outreach and who are making connections, and all of these ladies that are actually going to PJX and who are passionate about it and who PJX is.

For are involved in the planning. So that's been really cool too, because then we can make sure that the event is tailored to artists correctly and that it's going to be helpful and beneficial and you know that it's what they actually wanna see.

Jen Thyrion: Great. I love that. I know you weren't present during the past PJ X's, right.

But knowing the history at this point, you know it. How do you feel this PJX is different from the past years?

Brynna: Honestly, I'm feeling great. I think there's a different. Vibe in the air, and I don't really know how to even explain that, but I think that people are, 'cause I think when we were first doing PGX, the way I heard it is it was kind of like, okay, we're [00:06:00] trying something.

Right? You're one year two, it's just we're just trying something. Permanent jewelry is still new. We want people to come and have a place where they can get connected and get to know each other, but. We're trying it out. Right. And then I think year three and four, there was still a lot of, okay, what's going well?

What's not going well? Like, you know, there was a lot of learning and obviously there, I don't know if you know much about the sunstone people who helped plan, but we had Brooklyn and then we had Amy, and it's kind of been a lot of just turnover and nobody's. Stayed around a long time, so, but I think that there's a lot going into this year where it just feels different because I think that we've taken some of these things and we've gone back to them, right?

Like one of the things that I heard on my phone calls when I was making those at the beginning was that the first couple years were really fun. They had better swag or they had different activities that they really liked. And so we're going back to that and we're bringing that back because we want. We want the best parts of PJX to come through this year.

I think that's one thing. I also think one of the cool things is that everything I've done so far for PJX has been [00:07:00] an application and review process. So for PJX specifically, you're having people who like are instructors, right? Where they've been screened multiple times by multiple people. So you know for the fact that you're getting people who know what they're talking about and know what they're doing and actually have ex.

Experience. And same thing for all of our different panelists. And same thing for our experience committees, though our experience vendors are a little bit different, but same idea, right? Where it's like these people have been approved on multiple different processes where they're coming. As the best of the best.

Does that make sense? Yeah. So that's another thing that's exciting too, because like this is, we're bringing the best, like this is pjx the year to come because all of the best of the best will be there. And so that's exciting too.

Jen Thyrion: Yeah, I mean, I think like anyone listening obviously is either interested in having a permanent jewelry business or they do have one.

And we can all agree, you know, when you guys, 'cause I've been to every PJX, I've been a vendor, the last two, but I, I've been to every one of them. And the first one was so exciting. 'cause again, I mean, most of us were also pretty new-ish. I mean [00:08:00] obviously within a year or two of doing it. So the industry in itself was so new and I think that that was exciting.

Right. But just like if you can al almost compare it to your own business and how long you've been in your own business, you obviously just get more clear and get better as you go. So it kind of is the same with PJX, like we're going into year four, right? Yes. And so I feel like, honestly, I can even speak to doing permanent jewelry itself for almost four years.

I'm like, yeah. Oh my God. I think if I can compare year one to year four, what a game changer, right? Like I would've never guessed I'd be where I'm at now. It's just like it's, you know. So same thing with PJX. I feel it's like I can see, you know, it's like. You see yourself in that, right? It's like you try things out, you see what works.

You ask people what do they like, what don't they, you know, and you just keep improving. So I think we're at such an amazing place. 'cause I, I've said this every year. I mean, I do think I've gained something every time I go. I don't just say that 'cause I. You know, I'm a vendor. I don't, I truly don't like I, if I wasn't, I would still be going because I'm such a believer and like in person beats anything as well.

Like you can belong to the groups online, you can do [00:09:00] online things, but nothing beats like in person. Right. Absolutely.

Brynna: Yeah. And kind of adding onto that, I think you're right, right? Like. One of the things that I wanted to really bring into PGX as I was planning it this year is community versus competition.

Yes. Right. 'cause like you'll have all these permanent JUUL artists who are coming from all over and it's possible that you might get two or three from the same area or same general location. Right. But it's the in person that's what's coming in, right? Where it's like this, your chance to learn from the same people and get to know the same people and network with the same people and like become connected through that.

Right. It's the circle of. We're making friends and we're getting to know each other, and no, we're all here to learn. And so that is really the biggest part, is we really wanna all become better. And that's what we're really trying to highlight. And we're hoping to bring in a lot of different opportunities at PJX where people can.

Get connected with vendors and with instructors and with the professionals, so to speak, right? Like we are doing our VIP mixer where that is, we're inviting our exhibitors and our instructors to [00:10:00] come and socialize with people who've bought that ticket so that way they can have the chance to. Really get one-on-one mentorship and talk to them and be like, okay, so can I ask you questions here?

Can we talk about this? And I think that we're really trying to foster that environment where there is just so many opportunities to meet in person and get to know the people, and just really be focused on who you're learning from and how you can create better relationships with them.

Jen Thyrion: Yes. I love that.

Well, let's talk like actually like speaking to someone who has no idea what PJX even is. Let's start off with it is in Vegas, which I wanna just note because we were talking about the energy and the fun of the first year or two. Like, and don't me wrong, nothing against Texas, guys. Love it. Love Texas. I just feel like Vegas is a vibe.

Okay. Like it's just a vibe and like Vegas equals fun. So I think that like going back there is also a just, I'm really looking forward to that as well. You. Okay, so the dates are June 2nd, third, and fourth, correct?

Brynna: Yes.

Jen Thyrion: Okay. And how is it gonna start off? So what do we expect if you go to [00:11:00] PJX? Like you're going for the first time, what are you running into?

Brynna: Of course. That's a great question and I am so glad that you asked that and that you brought up Vegas too, because I'm a Vega. I'm a Nevada girl at heart. I. I'm from Reno. I grew up there highlighting all of the fun aspects of Nevada, and so every year with PJX, we try and create a theme, and it's been more prominent the last two years.

Last year was disco cowgirl, and this year we're leaning into feeling lucky or lucky girl syndrome because. Obviously we wanted a tie to Vegas and there's so much fun stuff that happens at Vegas, but it really ties into like the gambling and the drinking and just like the fun, you know, like the fun vibes.

So we're starting with that. And so if you were to arrive in Vegas on the second, I would recommend going and getting checked in very first, right? You can go get your badge, you can go get your little swag bag every year at PGX, we try and just hand out goodies upon goodies, right? Like this is gonna be the opportunity for you to just get fun stuff for you and for your business.

And then we'll probably have a couple hour break, and then from [00:12:00] there we'll probably start, just jump right into it. So at PJX, you have the opportunity to attend classes from different instructors that have been in the permanent jewelry business or have different ex expertise, and they're all going to be teaching different kinds of classes.

And then there's also going to be panels. So. I've worked with a team and we've come up with like kind of different topics to talk about and different kind of questions that can be applied to the permanent jewelry industry, whether that's how to grow your business or where the things are going in the future, or different struggles that different artists might be experiencing.

When you get there, you'll go check in, there'll be a break, and then we'll probably just jump right into classes and have maybe one panel and then you'll get another little break. And in that break, this is the moment to get glammed up, right? Go feel the Vegas energy, put on your makeup, put on your dress.

We're leaning into the feeling lucky showgirl vibe, and so we're wanting everybody to come back to the welcome reception. That'll be that evening, dressed in sequins and sparkles, and just wear that dress that's been sitting in your [00:13:00] closet that you haven't had a chance to wear, you know, but you've been dying to wear and you've been thinking about it.

This is the moment, right? And so dress up, and then you come back and this is where the magic starts. So this is the big event of PJX. This is the part that everybody always goes and leaves and is talking about that they're so excited. It's. The welcome party. So there'll be dinner provided and from there you get a dance and there'll be games and you'll be able to at the same time, shop the marketplace, which this is also the big part of PGX.

Everybody loves coming because of the vendors. You come and you get the chance to shop and get different chains or different things that can help your business. And all of these people from all over the. Country that have things specifically for permanent jewelry artists are gonna be there and that's awesome.

And they're there all three days. But this is the first moment, right? This is the, like, they've got their full inventory. You better go run where you want and go get what you want. You know what I mean? Right. So it's awesome.

Jen Thyrion: I know. I love it. The first night is so fun, by the way. Yes. Like it's all fun, but [00:14:00] like I remember just like my, I could not talk at the end of the night 'cause my, I didn't have a voice.

Like it was just so much fun. So Yeah. Like I love that it starts off that way. Right. It's just like a good kickoff to the whole like experience. So Yes,

Brynna: absolutely. It's shopping and it's dancing and it's a party, right? Like that's what we're here for. Yeah. There'll also be a bars. So people can get drinks, they can just hard you up, you know, feel good with their friends, and we're just so excited.

That'll be the highlight. From there, the next two days are also gonna be super fun. That's when we really jump into the instruction, right? If you've been to an expo before, that's typically how it goes is there's classes throughout the day. And you get to go and you get to learn because obviously PJX is fun and it's a great time, but it's an investment and we want it to be something where it feels beneficial for people who might be new to permanent jewelry.

Maybe they're looking at this like, oh my gosh, like 600 bucks a ticket. That feels like way too much, but actually. You know, you're coming in, you're learning every day. You have classes upon classes upon classes from professionals who are there to teach you, right? Like this is literally the thing to be [00:15:00] investing in.

If, if you're new to permanent jewelry or if you wanna get better at permanent jewelry, we'll have classes and each class will have a different topic, and that instructor is going to be specialized in that area and we'll be talking about it and helping you learn. And one of the cool things that we're doing.

Throughout the PGX this year is we're going to be introducing tracks. So if you are a beginner or an intermediate or an advanced at permanent jewelry, we're going to have classes and panels and different things that are specifically tracked for you. So we'll post that online and on social media and you can follow it.

So we have suggested classes that we're saying, oh yeah, like, Hey, come see this class at this time and learn welding 1 0 1, or come do some basics in. And like kind of go from there, how, here's how to use Canva. We have a class on that, right? Because we know there's some people who might not know that yet and who are still new.

And so we're gonna have these tracks that then no matter what level you are, you can come and you can learn and still be feeling like you can improve, you know, because. We [00:16:00] also want our people who've like you, who've been there every year to come back and be like, yes, I still learned something and I still got something out of, and so that's another thing we're really excited about.

And there will be, we'll probably put that up on the website and the social media beforehand and that will be how. We recommend following the classes. And obviously you can go to whatever class you want and whatever one speaks to you, but that we're excited about that because there's so many different things to learn about when you come, those other two days, you know?

And then same thing, the marketplace will be open so they can shop at any time. And another fun part of PJX is that we also have our experiences there. So you've probably, if you're listening, you might've heard that. You know, some, some girls online might be like, oh yeah, I got a tattoo at PJX. Yes, right.

Jen Thyrion: Throw my hand from last year. It's little, it's little stars on my hand.

Brynna: I love it. It's so fun, right? Like it's so special because that is something you won't forget. And we're gonna have a tattoo artist, we're gonna have a piercer, we're gonna have [00:17:00] tooth gems, we're gonna have probably a wellness. Bar, we might have a hairstylist.

Like it's just gonna be fun, you know, like come treat yourself while you're there. And on top of that, like Vegas itself is a great place to be. It's so fun. If you are looking for an experience to go out and do, there's the strip, there's casinos, there's the pool. There is literally something for anyone and everyone at Vegas, and we're excited about that too because outside of the expo, when you have your free time and when you want to make the most of your trip, there's an opportunity to do that.

Jen Thyrion: I know and you don't have to go far. That's what's so great. I actually lived in Vegas for nine years, so I am, and I think people forget, there's also a bunch of beauty in Vegas, like Red Rocks and things like that that you could do. If you're a nature girl, there's definitely things you can do too. So it kind of feels like it does.

Like check all those boxes of like if you're not a Vegas girl, you're like, oh, I don't like Vegas. You don't have to do the casino thing. You can definitely go off the strip and see amazing things, to be honest. There's so much to do. I mean like Grand Canyon's not far. Like make it a trip and I talked about this last time is like as a, you know, [00:18:00] mom of two young girls and not, and everybody is in that boat, but a lot of people are that do this.

It's kind of like a reason to go and just like have some alone time and like, and treat it like a vacay. A lot of people bring their partners and they. End up staying a little bit later and like taking advantage of that time together. So it's a win-win, right? It's not like you're going somewhere random.

Brynna: I agree. And like kind of along those lines, like there is something for everybody, no matter what stage you're at, whether you're a mom, whether you're young, whether you're older, like Yes,

Jen Thyrion: exactly.

Brynna: You have opportunity. You could stay in and you could do something cheap. You could go out, you could go to the casino, like there's.

Literally so many different options and so many different price points too, where if you wanna keep it cheap, great, or if you wanna make a trip out of it, great. Like there's so many options. I think that's something to be excited about for Vegas because it really is just this awesome location. You know?

Jen Thyrion: I love it. And like just talking about, I love that you have the tracks, by the way, because you know, again, you don't have to follow those, but it does create like. Because we're at the game, right? We're at the time of this where again, that first year we could almost assume everyone was [00:19:00] beginners, to be honest.

You know, I don't know. You might've been a previous business owner Sure. But maybe newer at permanent jewelry. Relatively, right. So it's like now it's like it's, it's that whole thing. You have that person who's brand new, they're like, oh, I'm not ready to go yet. Maybe next year. It's like, no, actually you probably should go.

I as somebody who's been in business and prior to permanent jewelry, there were so many times I said that and like, you're never ready. Ready. But in the same time, like I always talk about this because I just truly stand by why I am where I am in my business. I joined a business mastermind in 2018, so that is six or eight years ago.

Now, which is crazy, but I was so new at business and I knew nothing and I was in the room with these women that were like, you know, multimillionaires. Like I, I didn't understand much of business at that point. And I still think back to the things I learned then. And yes, I couldn't implement them in my business 'cause I almost couldn't even wrap my mind around it.

But now I'm like, oh my gosh, this stuff makes sense and now I can implement it. And now, and also I saw what was possible to be in a room with women that. Maybe are in a, in a stage where I'm not there yet was inspiring. You know what I mean? And it was like, oh my gosh, this is [00:20:00] possible. So it shows you possibility.

And then if you're somebody who has, you're in your business and you're doing pretty well and you're like, why do I need to go? It's like, well, in the end, we all need to evolve and keep evolving to stay successful, right? Even if you feel like, wow, my books are full. There's always something. There's always something that you need, you would like to learn or to improve your business, whether it even be just to feel.

Whether you're successful, but if they're, you feel like you're missing something or you're not feeling like fulfilled or happy with what's happening and you're kind of trying to figure that out, honestly, just going and connecting with people is like, is invaluable. So I think there's just something there for everybody and you know, even if you are doing really well, there's always something, some part of your business where you're kind of not really an expert at.

So it's like you always kind of need help somewhere. So yeah, I think it's for everyone. Agree.

Brynna: I think that's great and you're never gonna regret an opportunity to come and learn. For sure, no matter matter what you might be learning about or even if it's just learning from different people, right? Where like you said, you come and you network and you make a relationship and [00:21:00] a friendship, you're never gonna regret that, right?

Like even if you're worried about, oh, is it worth it? I don't know. Like, I don't know if this class is right for me. Like just come, you won't regret it. I really believe that because that's what it's geared to be, is it's, it's geared to be an experience that is incomparable to anything else that you'll get.

And it's also. Meant to be fun, right? Like as business owners, I think sometimes you get in this mindset of, oh, I need to do more. I need to do more. I'm not doing enough. I need to make sure I'm improving. I need to make sure X, Y, and Z. But come do that and have fun, right? Like, come take a minute where you're s.

You step back from your clients and your appointments and you can just look, okay, I'm going for myself. I'm gonna make a trip out of this. I'm gonna go learn and I'm gonna go spend some time at the pool. Right? And that in and of itself is a great reset and a great way to pause. Reset and then get back into something.

Jen Thyrion: No, I love that you said that because like, honestly, of course this is like, yes, there's vendors there and yes, there's education and it's a lot to take in. But at [00:22:00] the same time, if you're somebody who actually needs to go unplug and actually just get some clarity and like be somewhere other than your environment, whatever, you know, you, we do our day-to-day life, like, you know, we're busy, right.

Whether you are, you know, whatever's, whatever you're doing, you're, you're, we're constantly like just doing our routines. So to break that up and go somewhere and just be able to disconnect is like that alone can be very helpful, you know? But I have to say this, it's like sometimes you go into stuff like that and that's what I found and that's why I fall in love with again.

I've been to so many in-person conventions and retreats and places where I felt very uncomfortable. Okay. Did not know a soul went by myself. And sometimes it surprises what you get out of it. Like you go in with a certain intention and you leave like being like, oh my God, I didn't even know that I, that that would come up or that I wanted that or that I thought that would be, you know what I mean?

Like I didn't even consider that prior to going and that's what's so cool. I always think back to the first year I went with my girl Ashley, and if anyone's like shopped me at PJX, you have met Ashley. 'cause she's like my right hand woman. We just went as attendees the first like year and she went to an SEO class and I always talk about this and she would be like.[00:23:00]

Lit up. She was like, SEO, I need to know more. This is so my jam. And I thought it was interesting, but I was like, that's not something I really care to like learn more about. And now she's like literally has studied SEO since and now she is like, has her own little course and she helps other people with SEO and she, so that, like that would've never happened is what I'm trying to say.

Like I feel like it would've been very rare if she would've like had that realization if she didn't go to that class at PJX the first year. So it's like you just never know. What can happen.

Brynna: And also your comment earlier about coming alone. Yeah. That's one thing. Like I hope that if there are people listening who are like, I wanna come, but I don't know if I should go because I'd going by myself.

I hope that you still take the leap income. I'm new. I'm gonna be honest. I'm new to permanent jewelry, right? Like I didn't know much about this industry before starting right out of college into this job. And I've been in this job now for 10 ish months, maybe, maybe eight, maybe nine. Yeah. I have never seen a community like permanent jewelry.

It's so cool how much these women are so involved and so friendly. Like [00:24:00] I, I have felt like I've been so welcomed in and just big open arms, right? And I don't even have my own PJ business. Like I create this event and it's so amazing and I feel like. Even just from my own experience, I feel like I can really testify that there is going to be people at PJX who will do the same for you, right?

Who will just welcome you with open arms and who will say great, like come be my friend. Like come, let me show you about X, Y, and Z. Or let me show you why I'm passionate about this or this. Right? And I just, I have loved it and I hope that there are people out there who are listening that are like I. I really think that would be the case for you guys too.

And another cool thing along those lines is I, we've made committees this year, right? And we've done this new idea where we have all these PJ women who are involved in helping plan PJ or PJX, and they'll be there. And so I think that these women would be a great resource to be a friend and they'll have their little badges and that.

They might have a different color shirt or something and we'll, we'll figure it out, but you can go find them and they will be your friend, you know? And I think that [00:25:00] that in and of itself is so awesome. Like,

Jen Thyrion: oh, I love it. I can't speak to that enough. Of course, I'm such a like, you know, and I know it's scary the first time again, like, but I've grown so much just from doing that, like getting outta my comfort zone, going somewhere by myself.

And now, and now it's almost like this, like, although I still get like. Jitters from it, right? It's not like, you know, but it is like, it's this familiar feeling, this exciting feeling where I know I'm gonna grow as a person if I do this right. And so to get outta your comfort zone and being a business owner, that is so important.

So this is like a good practice for you that if you're nervous to do it by yourself, to challenge you, yourself to do it. And honestly, just come up to me and I'll hang out with you because yeah, I'll give you a big hug and you're, you're good. You know, we're fine. We're all in this together. There's plenty of people going alone.

So it's not that you're gonna be unusual for doing that by, by any means. So I think, again, it just pushes you to. Actually also meet people when you're by yourself rather than having like this little buddy that you kind of stick to. Right?

Brynna: Okay. Real talk for a second. Running a business can feel overwhelming.

The content marketing, social media decisions, it's

a

Jen Thyrion: lot. That's exactly [00:26:00] why created GoldLink Society. It's a space where permanent jewelers can get real support, education and tools like quarterly photos and video done for you. Templates, trainings, weekly calls, support group, and. Us to expert trainings who understand this industry.

If you are craving clarity, competence, and community, Goldie Link Society was built for you, you can join us anytime. Go to goldie link society.com. I can't wait to get to know you and

Brynna: your business. See you soon.

Jen Thyrion: Okay. Talk about VIP real quick because how, what is, what do you get with VIP? How does, how does that work?

Brynna: Yeah. I'm so glad that you asked me about this because this just went live last week. So this is like the hard. Everybody's wondering about it. And so it's so fun to talk about. So once again, when I was making my calls, Jen, I was like, okay, what would you change? What would you improve? And I got a lot of feedback that people wanted more from the VIP package, where they wanted it to feel like it was worth their money, and they wanted it to feel.

Less clicky per se. Right. Where they just wanted it to be like, okay, yeah, gimme the upgrade, gimme the chance to have something new, but [00:27:00] like, let it be added to the ticket and not take away from it. Right. Okay. I was like, okay, so this is good to know. So we've done a lot with, we're adding more swag. So like I said, everybody gets their bag of little goodies that they'll have as they get in, and it'll have like a folder, a notebook, a pen, you know, like it's a cute little toe.

You'll get a shirt, but the VIPs will have a level up, so they'll have a couple extra things in their bag. Kind of going along with that part of the VIP ticket this year is we're having a lot of little goodies with the hotel. So we have our pool cabana, and we're gonna have also swag at the pool cabana that you can come and pick up.

Right? And so that's super fun. That'll be an area selectively reserved for VIP. PJX ladies, men, whoever is whoever's going. And they also like, there'll be food there. There'll be drinks there. So that's just the cabana. But there's a ton of other things. With the hotel, we're doing parking passes. So if you're driving or if you're getting a rental car, 'cause you wanna go explore Vegas.

You can get a parking pass, you're set for free. Right? [00:28:00] And then one of the cool things at the strip, if you've never been to Vegas before, they have a lot of amusement rides where you've probably seen the big Ferris wheel or the zip line. And we got our VIP members free zip line tickets. So they can come and they can ride that, right?

Like, and if that's not your thing, that's okay too. But if it is your thing, that's a fun little. Addition to the ticket, um, even just for the photo op, you know what I'm saying?

Jen Thyrion: Right.

Brynna: Um, then as far as the VIP ticket itself with the actual event, so in the past you guys have probably heard there's been the VIP lounge, so we're taking that and we're upgrading it.

So one of the. Feedback that I heard from years past was that it wasn't kind of private enough or it wasn't blocked off enough. 'cause everybody could see in, but like they weren't part of it. And so that's kinda where like the clicky feel came from, right? So we've created a separate room where you can come and you can socialize, network, you could take a break, right?

We'll have couches in there so you can kind of just come take a nap maybe if you need to. And there'll be snacks and drinks provided all day long in that. [00:29:00] So if you just need a little sec to take a refresher. That'll be your spot. And then one of the cool things that we're introducing is our VIP mixer.

So this is brand new for this year. Um, and we are inviting our instructors and our exhibitors to come to a two hour little social, and it'll kind of be, come in and go as you please. Right? Like. We know everybody's here on vacation, so we want them to have their time as they would like to use it. Yeah. But it'll be five to seven the second night and it'll be just come and come get some snacks and little small dinner.

It's like little hors d'oeuvres and come network. Right? Like this will be your opportunity to come talk to the people who are teaching the classes and who are selling these trainings, and you get the chance to get to know them on a deeper level because it's like an exclusive meet and greet. Right.

Which is awesome. Who doesn't love that. Yeah. And then so in addition to the swag and the bags, we're also working right now with some of our exhibitors to try and get discounts for certain products or certain little things. So you can get like a coupon that's still in the works, obviously as we're still coordinating back and forth with different exhibitors.

[00:30:00] But that's the goal.

Jen Thyrion: Okay.

Brynna: It's gonna be an awesome, like package I, and it's only $250. So all of that in and of itself is so worth it. And I just, I hope people take advantage of it because I think.

Jen Thyrion: Say, I love that you said sorry to cut you off, but I was like, you know, when it comes to, before I forget, like there were so many of the women after last PJX, like, you know, especially girls, my members, when we were talking about specifics on PJX and who went, it wasn't even like, yes, there was vendors that me as well, like that offered discounts to VIP and whatnot.

But in general, just I would talk about the. The price of the ticket. And again, the worth of it, because even regardless if you're VIP or not, a lot of times, like when you go to these in-person things, you do get chains and findings cheaper than you would on their website. So I just wanna say that out loud because a lot of like women that went, that actually weren't even VIP.

But they, like, they looked at the chains after the fact of these companies. They're like, oh my gosh, I got it so much cheaper at PJX. So a lot of times that works and especially when you're buying more and you're able to actually communicate, obviously with the, you know, with the [00:31:00] vendor. Because again, if you're purchasing a very large amount, mostly they're gonna work with you.

You know what I mean? So it's like, it just works differently than, again, in person versus online. It just is. So that's just kind of how it works. But that in the end, when you go home and say you're gonna, you're gonna wait and purchase a lot in person, by the time you do the math, you probably saved. Just as much as you bought it online that you bought, you purchased your ticket.

Right. So like that's kind of how that happens. So

Brynna: I'm like, along with those lines, Jen, like it's just the additional like reassurance of, okay, I've met this person, right? Like I

Jen Thyrion: know,

Brynna: I know, and I'm buying from this person in person and I'm working with them and we're figuring X, Y, and Z out, or I'm purchasing this from them.

Yeah. And it creates such a different vibe than just ordering online from, it's a trend. You know, like this really becomes personal and you get to talk with them and grow your business in that way, which is super cool. Instead of just, oh, I'm gonna press buy online. You know, like, and that's good, but it's just not the same.

Jen Thyrion: I know. I agree. Okay. Is there anything about PJX that maybe we didn't cover that you'd want someone to know about it [00:32:00] or anything that we missed?

Brynna: I feel like I know everything, so I'm trying to think, okay, what would people want? I

Jen Thyrion: know, right? I'm like, what would someone want to know?

Brynna: A couple things to know is PGX will have stuff going on all day long.

So one of the other cool things that we have, if you're new to permanent jewelry and you're thinking about starting a business and you're thinking about coming, is we have our welding lab, um, and we're actually gonna be teaching classes out of the welding lab. We have sunstone certified, like guys who work here who are gonna be in Vegas.

Teaching how to use the welders, how to use Argonne, how to use like the different microscopes and all the different things. So if you're new and you don't understand quite yet how to use this tool or what this is for, you'll have the opportunity to learn that, which I feel like is really unique because I feel like, you know, we offer in our kits, in instance, kits, we offer training, but this is a hands-on in person.

You're working with somebody both looking at the same welder. Doing your welds and learning how to move forward with permanent jewelry. And so [00:33:00] that's kind of cool. But we'll have classes in there that'll fall in with the tracks, like how you and I have already talked about, and that'll be probably mostly for beginners, but we might have one or two intermediate or advanced classes.

Options in there too. We'll see. That's another kind of awesome thing. And another thing that I really just wanna highlight is just the fact that like, I feel like this is the party to meet so many fun people. Like I've been involved online mostly for questions, but also in all of the chats of, hey, like.

You know, we're getting together PJX, or hey, we're doing this at PJX. And I've loved it. Like, I feel like women, the women are so excited and I feel like I cannot distress enough that I hope everybody else is excited too, because I feel like I'm seeing just this vibe of, Hey, we're gonna go, we're gonna learn, and then we're gonna go out and party.

You know? Or we're gonna, Hey, we're gonna go and we're gonna learn and then let's go hang out. Let's go get dinner and get to know each other better. And I'm living for that. Think that is so it's, you know what I mean? Like, I think back to, I don't know if. 50. But I think back to like the era of the gross tour where everybody was [00:34:00] making bracelets and talking and doing all the different things.

And that's how I feel about PJX. And I know it's not quite the exact same, 'cause obviously it's a different industry, but it feels the same kind of way. And that to me feels really special because I feel like this is just the opportunity to come and improve yourself, but also meet friends and have fun.

And I just feel like I wanna to stress that more because.

Jen Thyrion: I know it's so much about the experience and the memories and like, it's so funny because it's actually synonymous like with what we do. Yeah. Like, that's what's funny. It's here we are permanent jewelers and we know if you've been in this long enough, you know how important the experience is.

Right. Like, that's why this is gonna stay around forever. And so here, you know, we're like talking about PJX, which again is an experience just like your, your customers could buy jewelry online, different experience than coming to you. Right. And getting it with your friends and you know, like making a memory.

And so same thing, right? Like PJX Sure. Could you get education online? Sure. Could you shop for supplies online? Sure. But like, it's a totally different experience and totally [00:35:00] different memories and, you know, just knowledge that you're gonna gain from simply just watching a YouTube video on something versus going to an actual class.

So,

Brynna: absolutely.

Jen Thyrion: Yeah. I'll stand by that all day long. Like, that's just like, it's just, yeah. It's priceless. Okay. I think we covered it. All right. I like. If we could bottle a feeling up, if we can bottle it up, it's like we could, or like try to like put it into words. It's hard to do. So yes,

Brynna: as a shameless plug, if anybody's that's listening has any more questions, feel free to email me.

Yes. Or check online. We post all of our stuff on the website and on social media. Sometimes it does get buried, but we have lots of FAQs. We have lots of informational posts. If you're wondering what time to fly in, what time to fly out, travel things, outfit ideas, it's all online. So just feel free to check our socials 'cause we're posting everything there.

So

Jen Thyrion: Perfect. I love that you said that. So where can we find, you wanna list your socials and kind of where they can find that stuff? Like the website and whatnot?

Brynna: Yeah, so we have our at permanent jewelry expo on Instagram and Facebook, maybe TikTok eventually we're, we're trying to get that up and going and then they can [00:36:00] email me or.

Just our general PGX email. So the first one you can, I'll give them my email. It's B willson, W-I-L-L-A-R-D-S-O-N at, okay. Sunstone welders.com. And they can email me with questions or there is info@pjx.org and you can also email that one PJ Expo.

Jen Thyrion: Okay. Perfect. All right. This has been awesome. I will see you at PJ X.

I'm so excited. Thanks,

Brynna: John.

Jen Thyrion: Thank you so much for your time. All right. See you later. Thank

Brynna: you. Bye

Jen Thyrion: bye. Thank you. Well, how do you feel? I hope you found value in today's episode and you walk away feeling inspired. I would love to hear from you. Let's link up. You can find me on Instagram at Goldie Link Society.

You can find out more about our permanent jewelry membership@goldielinksociety.com. Our handmade permanent jewelry, supplies of connectors, chain, and more@goldielinksupplies.com. [00:37:00] Okay, I will see you next time. Have a golden day.