Loyalty Pawn's Three Balls Chronicle Volume 6 Issue 8

THREE BALLS CHRONICLE

VOLUME 6 / ISSUE 8

August 2023

IN THIS ISSUE

Letter from the President

Letter from the General Manager

Loyalty Pawn Family

SecurityAwareness

Store Manager Updates

Golden 1 Center Events

Monthly Sales

Monthly Birthstone Guide

Monthly Birthdays and Anniversaries and New Hires

Loyalty Pawn’s Core Goals, Values and Visions

Employee Services Corner

Team Loyalty!

We have added some new events that are available so be sure to check that out starting on page 10 and we have many events for you and your families to enjoy, so be sure to get your requests in. We will be adding King’s Games for this upcoming season soon, so be on the lookout! We have also added new section learning about how to prevent scams within the pawn industry, so be sure to read up on that information. And don’t forget to share our electronic newsletter with your friends and families on the Issuu App. Keep doing an amazing job Team Loyalty!!

President’s Letter

Hello Loyalty Pawn Family,

I want to first apoligize for this letter going to be short. I have had a lot going on this past month I am sorry to say that my mother’s condition has worsened and I feel she will not be with us for that much longer. I am trying to spend as much time with her as possible. I want to thank Wayne and Javier and honestly all of you for being there and taking care of the stores.

As you are all very aware our loan balances are growing, which is exactly our goal, however it does put a stress on our capital. I am currently working on securing more funding to support our growth. We did pick up some new inventory from the National Pawn Expo and that should help with some sales. Keep doing an excellent job of communicating clients' needs and wants.

Thank you again and any prayers for my mother are appreciated.

Gratefully,

Stan Lukowicz

Letter from the General Manager

Hello Everyone,

We have ended another hot month! I can’t wait for fall to arrive. Now that August is here, school is about to start and now is a great time to move those electronic items. As you know, we have a competitive layaway promotion. This is a great time to secure electronic items and jewelry on layaway. This layaway promotion is especially advantageous for the soon-to-come holiday.

As always, we like to highlight the top salesman for the month. In July, the first-place salesman was Paul M. Second place goes to Dominic T., and third place goes to Norma B. Great job, everyone. July was a softer month in sales, but we expect an increase in the next few months.

As we were anticipating, our loan growth continues to be aggressive. We are not seeing a slowdown in lending but are seeing nicer, higher-end items come in for evaluation. Compared to previous months, we are also experiencing an uptick in new customers at each location. This is an excellent opportunity to build our want lists at each store. This can be a great tool to build repeat/ referral business.

I wanted to take a moment and speak about the last NPA convention in Atlanta Ga. This event was awesome! They had a great turnout, including many jewelry, diamond, and purse vendors. This convention compared to some in the past felt very lively. The National Pawnbrokers Association also had many seminars that included How AI will be integrated into the pawn world the impact of lab-grown diamonds in the marketplace as well as lending for pawnbrokers. What I have specifically learned was that change is constant in this industry. It's amazing that all the ongoing advancements in artificial intelligence are starting to pick up ground within the industry! However, this convention wasn’t 100% work. One evening, we were able to meet up with Lauren and friends to see the Braves face off with the Diamondbacks. Sadly, the Braves couldn’t pull through but that certainly didn’t ruin a good time! The experience was pretty cool on the other side of the map, and I would recommend going if you have never been to Atlanta!

Lastly, in the ordinary course of business, we often get sucked into the daily rituals and routines of the store process. We are goal-oriented and client-focused. We like to take time to celebrate our successes. Managers often schedule offsite meeting spots such as dining, golf, bowling, or the downtown arena. We sure don’t want to stop celebrating. If anyone would like to share ideas for future team rewards or celebrations, please email Wayne or Javier.

Sincerely,

Wayne Silliman General Manager

“Your attitude, not your aptitude, will determine your altitude.” -Zig Ziglar

Loyalty Pawn Family

Greetings Loyalty Family,

Our loan growth has been exceptional, a true testament to the hard work and dedication we put into our business. However, we must not overlook the importance of continuously improving our retail operations. With that in mind, I am thrilled to announce the addition of fantastic new price point pieces to our inventory. We have carefully chosen these pieces, expecting them to be a great contributor to our retail. To assist our team in boosting sales, let us focus on implementing two effective sales tactics. Firstly, let's not forget the power of upselling. Encourage our team to identify opportunities where they can suggest additional items or services to our clients. By offering matching accessories or complementary pieces when a customer shows interest in a particular item, we can increase the overall transaction value and provide a more comprehensive shopping experience. Secondly, let's leverage the influence of customer reviews. Encourage our team to collect positive feedback and reviews from satisfied customers, which we can feature in our marketing materials and display instore. By showcasing these reviews, we build trust and credibility with potential buyers, ultimately increasing sales. Lastly, I am excited to introduce our newest team member, Dominic Morales, who has joined the Broadway team. Let us extend a warm welcome and support him as he settles into his new role.W

1. What is your favorite way to spend a day off? Cleaning or with my Girlfriend making food.

2. Where is the next place on your travel bucket list and why? Hawaii

3. What was your favorite age growing up? 12I was in little league.

4. Do you have a favorite holiday? Why or why not? Christmas -family is together.

5. What was the last thing you read? Why are We yelling by. Buster Benson

6. What was the last TV show you binge-watched? Suits on Netflix

7. Are you into podcasts or do you only listen to music? Podcasts, white noise, meditation music.

8. What is one thing that can instantly make your day better? My girlfriend and getting paid or making an impact on someone.

9. What is one goal you have for this year personally and professionally? save money.

10. Ideally, how would you spend your birthday? relax of with the ones I love.

11. What is your favorite board game? Monopoly

12. What is the best way the company can celebrate you and your team's success? Recognition.

13. What causes are you passionate about? being clean and not leaving trash on the street.

14. What is an essential part of your daily routine? Staying calm.

15. Who or what inspires you in your career? My dad

16. What is something an outsider would not know about your industry? my story. Just ask

17. What is the career highlight you are most proud of? Being able to move out on my own.

18. Do you believe in having a "five-year plan"? yes. Stability

19. What is the best piece of advice a family member has given you? Everyone hits rock bottom at some point.

20. What is your definition of success? financial freedom we get back up together!!

Security Awareness

How to Avoid Being Scammed: Identifying Genuine Rolex Watches, Banknotes, and Designer Handbags. Counterfeit goods are becoming increasingly prevalent in today's market, making it crucial for consumers to be able to identify genuine products and protect themselves from potential scams. This article will provide simple and informative steps to help you spot authenticity in Rolex watches, banknotes, and designer handbags, as well as tips to safeguard your personal and financial information.

Identifying Genuine Rolex Watches:

1. Inspect the movement: Genuine Rolexes have a smooth, precise ticking motion, while counterfeits often feel rough or inaccurate

2. Verify serial and model numbers: Check these numbers against Rolex databases or authorized dealers to ensure they match authentic records.

3. Assess weight and materials:Authentic Rolexes are heavier due to their high-quality materials, so pay attention to weight and ensure precious metals and gemstones are genuine.

4. Examine the Cyclops lens: Genuine Rolexes have a magnifying Cyclops lens that accurately magnifies the date by 2.5 times.

5. Check engraving and dial details: Genuine Rolexes have precise engravings and logos, while counterfeits may have spelling errors or less crisp engravings.

6. Verify the movement of the second hand: Genuine Rolexes have a smooth, sweeping motion, while replicas might tick.

Authenticating Banknotes:

1. Color-shifting ink: Genuine banknotes have ink that changes color when tilted back and forth.

2. Watermark: Hold the bill up to the light to see a watermark on the right side that matches the face on the bill.

3. Blurry borders, printing, or text: Counterfeit bills often have noticeably blurry details and lack microprinting.

4. Raised printing:Authentic banknotes have raised printing, which can be felt when running fingers down the bill.

5. Security thread with microprinting: Look for a thin strip running vertically on the face of the bill, which glows under ultraviolet light.

6. Red and blue threads: Genuine banknotes have small red and blue threads woven into the fabric.

7. Serial numbers: Check the serial number against the corresponding year to ensure authenticity.

Spotting Authentic Designer Handbags:

1. Logo and branding: Look for accurate logo placement, stitching, and font without misspellings.

2. Materials and quality: Genuine bags use high-quality materials and exhibit excellent craftsmanship.

3. Stitching:Authentic bags have even and neat stitching throughout.

4. Hardware: Check the quality of zippers, clasps, and buckles, which should be engraved or embossed with the brand logo.

5. Serial numbers and tags: Verify that serial numbers and authenticity tags match the brand's format and are securely attached.

6. Packaging and dust bag:Authentic bags often come with well-designed packaging and a branded dust bag.

7. Price and source: Be cautious of heavily discounted prices or purchasing from unknown sellers.

8. Authenticity certificate: Some bags come with a certificate or card, so verify its legitimacy with the brand.

9. Design details: Pay attention to specific design elements unique to the brand, such as patterns, logos, or signature hardware

10. Compared to official images: Compare the bag to official images provided by the brand to spot any discrepancies.

Protecting Yourself Against Scams:

1. Educate yourself: Stay informed about the latest features, designs, and packaging from trusted brands.

2. Stick to reputable e-commerce platforms: Beware of suspiciously low prices and unknown sellers.

3. Pay attention to the packaging, labeling, and overall quality: Counterfeit items often have spelling errors, poor craftsmanship, or inferior materials.

4. Compare the suspected counterfeit item with an authentic one: Make sure packaging, logos, fonts, or colors match.

5. Seek a second opinion from an expert or contact the brand directly: If you have doubts about the authenticity of a product, don't hesitate to ask for help.

6. Protect your personal and financial information: Be cautious when sharing your credit card details or other sensitive information online.

7. Capture customers' ID and save the transaction under the customer's name: Acommon scam is using other people’s debit and credit cards to run up large amounts of debt and never have to pay it back.

By following these precautions, you can better protect yourself against counterfeit goods and potential scams. Remember, being vigilant, doing your due diligence, and seeking assistance when in doubt are key to ensuring you are purchasing authentic items. Always remember to use the tools that have been provided for you to further assure that we are purchasing authentic goods like the Sherlock Holmes, Entrupy, Sigma Metalytics.

Shop Talk Manager Updates

El Camino

Team Loyalty,

hope everybody had a great July and stayed cool and hydrated. I also want to give a special thanks to Stan and Wayne for the great time at NPA in Georgia. Met a lot of great vendors and learned from a couple seminars. Mingled with other great pawnbroker around the U.S. and shared crazy and unique stories and took ideas from other pawnbrokers. In other great news sorry Florin but it was a great run, but team Elco took it this time we tried pushing for 100k fell short of 7k. Also it’s not a secret or out of the norm we continue to grow our loan balance through out the company. Another great thing we provided is new inventory to some of the stores lets sell, sell, sell to feed that loan beast. We are running the 20% down and 20% off layaway promo this month so let’s lock inventory into layaway. Other than a huge thanks to team El Camino we have a goal of 70k this month. 10k more than last year to date. Hope everyone has a great August if anyone has a chance check out the Rib cook off in Reno 30th - September 4th

Cheers, Tony Mora

Roseville

Hello Team Loyalty,

Welcome to the August edition of our monthly newsletter! As we dive into the summer month, Roseville has set our sights on an exciting and ambitious goal: to surpass last year's August sales of $41,000. This year, we are determined to reach even greater heights, with a target of $50,000 in August sales. Let's take a moment to reflect on the accomplishments of July. Our loan balance has grown by an impressive 3%, a testament to the confidence our customers place in us. Redemptions have seen a 1% increase, showcasing the effectiveness of our services in meeting their needs. We are particularly proud to share that we welcomed an 8% rise in new customers, expanding our community of satisfied clients. Our dedication to growing our loan balance is unwavering, and each new customer we can assist contributes significantly to pushing our balance upward. We are committed to providing exceptional service and fostering financial empowerment for all our valued customers. Together, let's make August an outstanding month, exceeding expectations and reaching new milestones. Thank you for being part of the Loyalty Pawn family, and we look forward to a fantastic month ahead!

Justin Martinez

Broadway

Hello Team,

I hope everyone had a safe 4th of July last month cause its time for the big holidays to make an appearance. That’s right winter is coming and with it pumpkin spice latte and good food and more time with family. Aww yes and only the best time of year CHRISTMAS that’s right I’m talking about Christmas time in August. The perfect time to start your shopping with loyalty pawn and having such a great sale this month matching layaway payments up to 20% that’s just what the Broadway team is going to be doing we are pushing layaways on everyone who walks threw the door. We are demanding that our new team members ask every customer they interact with both Dominic and CC are undertaking the training process and we are going to be expecting big things from them. So take a way’s this month Broadway has 2 new team members buy stuff from loyalty pawn on layaway and Christmas is the best time of year.

John Mark

Florin Mall

Loyalty Pawn Families,

I hoped everyone had a wonderful Independence Day. I wanted to congratulate Team Florin for hitting an alltime high loan balance. We ended July with little over $1.9million in loan balance and we have never done this before, so big congrats to them. Great job El Camino for taking first place in sales, it was a great run to see who is going to take first place. Every time we got close to beating you guys, Team El Camino pulls some magic out of their hat and pulls forward with the lead. So overall great to the team. Florin is going to come back in August with full force and reclaim our first place in sales. Florin did some rearranging our showroom floor to make it look a little different and by doing so we were able to move some of our older amps and speakers. We are going to do some rearranging this month to see if we can move some more of our inventory. Our focus for August is to look in as many layaways as we can. We have a goal set for 100 layaways this month and to end August with $85k in sales. We have about 5 months before Christmas and now is the perfect opportunity to lock in those layaways, especially with this month’s promo. Get a head start on Christmas shopping 20% down we match up to 20% off on layaway.

“Life is like a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.”

Mark Xiong

Top Performers in July

July End of Month Balances

Golden 1 Center Upcoming Events

Below is the list of events that are posted as of right now and we will be adding events to this list each month as they get posted! The events in green are available and the events in red have already been spoken for. If you would like to request tickets send you ticket request forms to lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com so that I can get your requests in and if you need a request form email lauren.l@loyaltypawn.com and I can send you a copy! With the Golden 1 Center opening back up there is a limited number of tickets available, so for every event you are only allowed to request and receive 4 tickets per event!

August Sales Flyer

Monthly Birthstone Guide

This will help educate you about some of the more popular semi and precious stones we come across and it will also help you close some more sales. The idea is to educate you on each month’s birthstone as you can arrange your cases properly and make suggestions to our clients that may be browsing or even looking for a gift. Let’s think outside the box when utilizing this information.

JANUARY – Garnet

MARCH – Aquamarine

FEBRUARY Amethyst

MAY – Emerald

APRIL – Diamond

JUNE –Pearl & Alexandrite

JULY – Ruby

AUGUST – Peridot

SEPTEMBER – Sapphire

OCTOBER – Opal & Tourmaline

NOVEMBER – Citrine & Topaz

DECEMBER – Topaz & Turquoise

Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires

July Anniversaries

Brittany Walker 8 years

Paul Molina 5 years

Tony Mora 3 years

August Birthdays

Alicia Jimenez August 3rd

David Palomares August 5th

Lilly Lukowicz August 12th

Cecelia Hernandez August 14th

Dominic Morales August 21st

Justin Martinez August 29th

July New Hires

We would like to welcome out most recent new hire to the Loyalty Pawn family. Cecilia Hernandez and Dominic Morales to our Broadway team. Welcome Cecilia and Dominic!

Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions

Company Wide Goals

• To Offer Immediate Relief with a Short-Term Loan.

• To Develop, Recruit and Inspire an Elite Work Force, Driven by Loyal Business Practices.

• To Provide the Highest Standard of Quality, Commitment and Value to Every Customer in Our Loyalty Pawn Family!

Core Values

• Loyalty

• Dedication

• Creativity

Company Vision

• Loyal People Committed to Everyday Satisfaction

“The Leader in Local Lending”

Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner

AUGUST…

August days are hot and still, Not a breath on house or hill, Not a breath on height or plain, Weary travelers cry for rain; But the children quickly find A shady place quite to their mind; And there all quietly they stay, Until the sun has gone away, August is too hot for play!

~Annette Wynne

AUGUST CALENDAR OF NATIONAL EVENTS

• August 1, traditionally known as Lammas Day, was an old festival to mark the annual wheat and corn harvest. It was a sort of Thanksgiving (harvest time) in Britain. Lammas also marked the mid-point between the summer solstice and autumn equinox.

• August 1 is also a Civic Holiday in many parts of Canada. Celebrations and names for this holiday vary across the country. For example, in Alberta, it’s celebrated as Heritage Day; in British Columbia, it’s known as British Columbia Day!

• August 10 is St. Lawrence’s Day. “Fair weather on St. Lawrence’s Day presages a fair autumn.”

• August 11 marks the end of the Dog Days of Summer, which began on July 3.

• August 17 is when the Cat Nights begin, harking back to a rather obscure Irish legend concerning witches; this bit of folklore also led to the idea that a cat has nine lives.

• August 19 brings National Aviation Day, chosen for the birthday of Orville Wright who piloted the first recorded flight of a powered heavier-than-air machine in 1903.

• August 24 is St. Bartholomew Day. “At St. Bartholomew, there comes cold dew.”

• August 26 is Women’s Equality Day, which celebrates the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment and, with it, women’s right to vote in the United States.

Here are some more fun things to celebrate in August:

• Aug. 1–7: International Clown Week

• Aug. 3: National Watermelon Day

• Aug. 8: National Sneak Some Zucchini Onto Your Neighbor’s Porch Day

• Aug. 10: National S’mores Day

• Aug 12: Vinyl Record Day

• Aug. 13: International Left-Handers Day

• Aug. 20: International Geocaching Day

• Aug. 20: World Honeybee Day

• Aug. 25: Kiss-and-Make-Up Day

August Full Moon

August’s first full moon, the full Sturgeon Moon, reaches peak illumination on the night of Tuesday, August 1. For the best view of the full Moon, look skyward that night! Read more about August’s Full Moon. It’s also one of the four supermoons of 2023!

Blue Moon

You’ll be able to see another full moon this month as well and it’s going to be a doozy! On Wednesday, August 30, there will be a Blue Moon, which will also be the BIGGEST supermoon of the year. Be sure to get out there and check it out!

August Moon Phases

Full Moon: August 1, 2:32 P.M. EDT

Last Quarter: August 8, 6:28 A.M. EDT

New Moon: August 16, 5:38 A.M. EDT

First Quarter: August 24, 5:57 A.M. EDT

Full Moon: August 30, 9:36 P.M. EDT

AUGUST GARDENING -Tips

Keep your late-summer garden looking fantastic with these easy tips for your August garden.

• Divide Perennial Flowers. ...

• Add Fall Color. ...

• Replace Annual Flowers. ...

• Repot Houseplants. ...

• Wage War on Weeds. ...

• Plant Perennials and Shrubs. ...

• Water Evergreens. ...

• Harvest Herbs.

LOVE PEOPLE & COOK THEM TASTY FOOD!

The Ambitious Kitchen has some amazing recipes to try this month! Check it out!https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/ingredient/berry/

401K Loyalty Pawn Retirement $avings Program

Are you saving for retirement? Why not start today? If you have completed 12 months of service with Loyalty Pawn, you’re eligible to participate and start putting away those pretax (or post tax Roth) dollars into your very own 401k account. To enroll, send me an email and I’ll help you get started Contact Employee Services at employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com Start saving for retirement’s tomorrow, today!

When it comes to 401(k) plans, it's your money. But your boss and the government make the rules. Need more 401k investment info and advice? Contact our Investment Advisor, John Malhotra.

John S. Malhotra - Financial Services Representative CA Insurance License # 0K09207 1478 Stone Point Drive, Suite 390 Roseville, CA 95661 d (916) 607-9754 | f (844) 295-8527 e malhotra.john@principal.com w www.principal.com

Thank you for my subscription to the Old Farmer’s Almanac for inspirational quotes and the Ambitious Kitchen for this month’s Love People, Cook them Tasty Food content for LP’s Three Ball’s Chronicle this month.

If you need HR, Payroll, Benefits, or Family support, Loyalty Pawn’s Employee Services is only a phone call, text message, or email away, on demand, anytime!

Liz Dowd, PR Guru: 530-613-2796. Dmae Shannon BSHRM 916-752-2255. John Malhotra. 401k. 916-607-9754

Loyalty Pawn

Corporate Office:

1708 Broadway

Sacramento, Ca 95818