Celebrating Victory: Irene Byrne & Co Wins ‘Outstanding Jewellery Store’ at the 2024 Blue Mountains Local Business Awards!
When Irene suggested attending the Blue Mountains Local Business Awards Night, it was meant to be a fun ‘date night’— a chance to mingle and enjoy a lovely evening out. Little did we expect to transition from ‘Finalists’ to ‘Winners’!
As we sat with other wonderful contestants from our vibrant mountain community, sipping on Champagne and applauding the achievements of our peers, the announcement of our win came as a delightful surprise. Hearing our name called out was surreal!
The journey to the stage was filled with warm hugs and familiar faces. Irene, ever the social butterfly, embraced the moment with grace and joy. On stage, she expressed our heartfelt gratitude: “Two-time winners, we owe it to our incredible clientele & community, and we are incredibly humbled by the support we are receiving.”
Irene Byrne & Co is a family-owned jewel in the heart of the Blue Mountains, led by our inspiring Irene. With over 45 years in the jewellery industry, Irene’s expertise and passion have created a legacy that shines brightly in our Antique Jewellery Boutique.
Her strength and determination in facing life’s challenges have fuelled her passion, making our boutique a beacon of beauty and tradition. A huge thank you to the Local Business Awards and Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains for an unforgettable evening. Here’s to our supportive community, our loyal clients, and the beautiful journey ahead. Thank you for believing in us and being part of our story. We look forward to continuing to serve you with the finest jewellery and heartfelt service.
Here is a sneak peak into the questions we were asked as a finalist for the awards ceremony -
What is the product and service your business provides?
Irene Byrne & Co Antique Jewellery specialises in the selling of antique
jewellery. We also specialise in the restoration of heirloom jewellery, repairs and resize of jewellery, and the redesigning and manufacturing of bespoke jewellery.
Briefly describe the history of your business.
Irene started early at 16 sitting at the 'bench' learning from master jewellers in Sydney. It was in the workshop, where she observed numerous antique pieces being melted down and redesigned into modern jewellery, that she realised how the history of jewellery-making and incredible craftsmanship was literally being blown into the wind. Over the years it became Irene's purpose to become a guardian of sorts of the antique pieces that crossed her path. As Irene's children grew up, two of her three children joined her in the family business of acquiring and selling antique jewellery.
How do you promote your business?
We use social media to promote our business, mainly Instagram, and we have a website too. A lot of our business is from word of mouth community relations, and ensuring good products and services.
Describe the level of customer service and quality of your product.
We are very dedicated to our clientele and the quality of our products. We understand that our clientele being happy with their purchases and the jewellery looking good on them, is our best advertisement. Our clients know they can always come back to us if they have any issues, and we always endeavour to solve within reason any problems that may arise. Ensuring we only sell high quality jewellery first up, obviously minimises any need for problem solving.
How are staff trained and motivated?
Staff are trained as we work in a tight environment together. Irene is a wealth of
information and we all still, after many years, learn from her on a daily basis about
the family business, the industry and its history.
Detail your commitment and endeavours in business.
We are committed in ensuring that antique jewellery continues to exist and are cared for by people who appreciate them. Antique jewellery is all handmade and
gems are often measured and cut by hand. There is an attention to detail and craftsmanship that is void in modern jewellery manufacturing. We feel it's important to preserve these incredible pieces and have them available to those who understand their uniqueness. Antique jewellery in a way is an art-form.
Detail the successes of the business during the last two years.
Like everyone else in the upper Blue Mountains we were affected by fires, two
lockdowns and at least two floods, yet we have persevered thanks to our beautiful
and trusting clientele and community. We see this as a great success based on the
turbulent economic environment everyone has been in of late. It's a testament to the sentimental value of jewellery as well, and its ceremonious meaning in our life.
Humans have worn jewellery since the beginning of time.
Describe how your business supports the local community.
We feel safe to say we have become a tourist attraction in Leura. We have people
coming up to see us specifically from all corners in Australia. This truly warms our
hearts, and we often recommend other local businesses to our clients. We also
have a close connection to our local community, and are a reliable business our community can turn to when in need, with regard to jewellery repair and purchasing
gifts.
Describe where you see your business in the future.
We see our selves even more interwoven in our local community and with our clientele. We are a family business in antique
jewellery, it's like polishing a diamond, it gets better and better with time and effort.
What makes your business a winner?
We don't really think of ourselves and the business as winners per se, we simply love what we do, and dedicate our time and effort no matter what life presents, and we are met by our clientele and community accordingly. This business, our Boutique, is a relationship and a life style. It's a way of life.
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