Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vince Yee. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Vince, appreciate you joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I worked for years in the jewelry industry before starting Dreams To Reality. That is where I learned about personal jewelers. So, I didn’t come up with the actual idea. I just adapted it to serve everyone; not only the affluent. Becoming Charleston’s only true Personal Jeweler took tons of time and networking to grow and reach the current level of success. I’m truly thankful that I had the help, support, and trust of so many people from all over the Greater Charleston Area as well as a few people in other states. I could not have done this without everyone. Especially considering that I was doing a traditional business in an untraditional way in a very traditional place. I’m more than elated with the level of success the people of Charleston have bestowed upon me and look forward to continuing to serve them and growing to new levels of success.

I knew this was a worthwhile endeavor because I saw the jewelry customers changing but the industry staying the same. Customers wanted to get better values; not lowest prices. They also wanted to customize their jewelry without it costing them a ridiculous price. I thought for a while that I would open a store with very little stocked jewelry and be almost totally custom. Then I thought I didn’t need a store because I knew how to grow without a storefront. That put all the numbers and logistical pieces into place and it made sense to help the new style of clients.

It is absolutely amazing to see how much my clients love getting their perfect dream piece. “Perfect” is literally how they describe the jewelry I bring to life for my clients. Even this afternoon when I delivered a custom designed Platinum 2.68 Carat Oval Diamond Halo Engagement Ring. I hope his lucky lady loves it as much as he does. They also appreciate me looking out for their budget and well as being totally truthful with them; not just selling them something. Plus, there is something really special about getting a custom designed piece made specifically for that one person and this piece literally being one of a kind in the entire world. All of this and more adds to the special story of the jewelry piece; which is the true value of the jewelry.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Charleston’s Personal Jeweler and Owner of Dreams To Reality Designs LLC. Being a Personal Jeweler means I can do everything a jewelry store does but I do it without the jewelry store to give you a better experience and affordability. Therefore you don’t have to leave the comfort of your home, office/workplace, or any other locations that is convenient for you. By offering you the best value I also give you the convenience of not having to go from store to store, remembering what the salesperson said, remembering prices and qualities, dealing with bad drivers and traffic, and any other inconveniences associated with “shopping”. You simply tell me what you want and I will look through my various sources, many who also work with the jewelry stores, to find you what you want or I can make it for you.

I’ve been in the industry for 20 years. Through the years I started as a low sales associate, worked my way up through management, eventually becoming a consultant for the retail jewelry industry covering the United States, to now being a successful small business celebrating it’s 10th anniversary. I’m fortunate that I have had the jewelry education and mentors who have taught me what jewelry is really about. It is not some pretty rock in expensive metal. It is about capturing a special moment between the gifter and receiver. Or, about feeling a certain way for an achievement or just because. It is about symbolism, meanings, and faith. And, so much more. My mentors and educators have been such an integral part of my success.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

An old philosophy helped me build my reputation. This philosophy was all you need to do well in retail is to have the right product, at the right price, being sold by the right person. That is the simple version. Breaking down each section is what created my reputation. Starting with the right product which changes with each different client’s preferences. My experience allows me to listen and decipher what each of my clients want as a look as well as a feel to each piece. In essence what personality does my client want this piece to have and offer to the person (s)he is gifting it to. Therefore the pieces I create are considered Perfect by my clients. The right price also comes from listen to my clients and melding that information with a wide array of strategies to achieve what my clients want while staying comfortably within their budget. Understanding that my clients want value, not a lowest price (aka lowest quality), and that everyone’s value is different is a key to building my reputation as well. As for me being the right person, I have 20 years of experience that allows me to work with just about everyone. My clients know that I am on their side; not working for a store. Therefore, my clients are my customers as well as my employers. Therefore, 100% of my loyalty goes to my clients. My clients know I don’t care about the money part of the experience. Therefore, their best interest will always be foremost, not my earnings/profit. Another key to my success and reputation is to not focus on the rewards but to focus on just doing a good job and the rewards will come. I’m honest with them even at the cost of losing the sale. I’d rather have the relationship with my clients than a sale. The stuffy suit and tie super-professional style never appealed to me. My stance is that I’m just another person like my client. I just happen to know about jewelry and will use that knowledge to help my client. With that I keep my consultations light-hearted and entertaining while being educational to the various levels that my clients desire. I just try to be a good person and treat others as I would want others to treat my grandmother. All of these parts of that simple philosophy as well as just my general personality has helped build my Personal Jeweler reputation within my market.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

I always say I had so much help on the path to success. Working with new clients is necessary to continue to be successful as well as continue to grow. There are two sources that account for the significant majority of new clients. Those are networking and previous clients. I’ve participated in Charleston’s networking world for 10 years. The relationships that I’ve been fortunate to have from the networking world has been responsible for a huge part of my success. Many of the Networkers have done business with me or have connected me with their family and friends. Another huge source of new clients has been previous clients. Jokingly, I say I’m Charleston’s Most Popular Best Kept Secret. That is because I do not do any traditional advertising (newspaper, magazines, tv/cable, radio, rarely social media). The only way to find me is to know me or know someone who connects us. Since I’m still here 10 years later. I appreciate and love the support from the Networks and previous Clients as well as everyone who helped me achieve this success!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://dtrdesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dtrdesigns/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DTRDesigns/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-yee/
• Other: Vince@DTRDesigns.com (843) 801-5154

Image Credits
On the headshot: Paolo Ciccone – Dreamlight Images