THREE BALLS CHRONICLE
VOLUME 7 / ISSUE 10
October 2024
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!
In addition to the Sacramento Kings games that have been added, we also added some new events for early next year. If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Golden 1 Center yet, the Kings games are the perfect opportunity to bring your family and friends. Lastly, a huge thank you to everyone for your hard work in making this possible. We couldn’t have done it without your hard work and dedication! Happy Halloween! Thank you!
President’s Letter
Hello Team Loyalty,
As we approach one of the busiest times of the year, I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for the incredible work each of you has been doing to make Loyalty Pawn a trusted name in our community. Our progress is evident in the numbers and customer feedback, and I'm eager to share some key focus areas as we approach the holiday season.
The holiday season represents a significant opportunity to showcase our strengths in customer service and product offerings. Let’s continue to emphasize the personal touch that sets us apart. Consistency in customer experience will be key to maximizing sales and building long-term customer relationships.
Retention should remain a priority as we endeavor to not only attract new customers but also deepen our relationships with existing ones. Your efforts in creating memorable experiences have not gone unnoticed, and the positive reviews speak volumes about your dedication. Let's continue to deliver excellence in every interaction, ensuring our customers keep coming back.
The data shows an impressive trend in our pawn rollover strategy, contributing significantly to loan growth. Keep up the excellent work in managing these transactions efficiently and ethically, continuing to build trust with our clients.
We will be exploring new inventory opportunities at the upcoming conference. For those attending, your insights will be invaluable in deciding which products will appeal most to our customer base. Please ensure to share your findings and observations with the team upon your return.
Thank you once again for your hard work and commitment. Together, we can make this holiday season our most successful yet. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out.
Gratefully,
Stan Lukowicz President, Loyalty Pawn
Letter from the General Manager
Greetings Everyone,
It was a great September!! We had a busier-than-expected month with many positive things to report. First, we would like to recognize that all the stores hit their minimum sales goal again. El Camino Roseville and Broadway exceeded their sales goal by 20% +. This is the second month of increased sales, largely due to eager salespeople, a wider variety of jewelry, and general good selections. We have been delivering a new select variety of jewelry every 7 to 10 days, which seems well received! This honestly couldn’t be accomplished without Kirby and John from Broadway. Thank you so much!
While we have increased our loan and sales business, we always like to take the time to recognize our top-performing salesman for the month. First place goes to Dominic T, 2nd place goes to Norma B and 3rd place goes to Ah X. This trio is making waves for the quarter as well! They dominated the 3rd quarter of the year in their sales positions!
As an observation, we did dig a little deeper in our financial data, and to no surprise, Dominic, Norma and Ah have the highest layaway books in the company. This further proves the importance of not missing out on opportunities as the successfully redeemed layaways really add to the bottom-line productivity for the team and the stores!
Heading into October, I’m observing the holiday spirit at locations. Let's keep it fun and exciting. Even though it doesn’t quite feel like fall, we will anticipate cooler weather soon! Hopefully, this will bring even more clients to our locations when it becomes cooler!
To conclude, we have decided to keep more resalable inventory on hand to help hit our yearend target goals. We have seen increased sales in the last couple months from displaying more price point items. We will continue to do so through the Holidays! If you have clients looking for items we may not have on hand, please direct them to our online shopping page, where we currently have 2,800+ items for sale company wide.
Sincerely,
Wayne Silliman General Manager
“Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did.” – Newt Gingrich
Loyalty Pawn Family
Greetings, Loyalty Family!
First, I want to extend my congratulations to all the stores for achieving your impressive 5% goals, and a special shoutout to the three stores that have hit their remarkable 20% stretch goal! It's incredible to see that this marks the second consecutive month where everyone has met their targets. Your hard work truly shines through, and together we are getting closer to our goal of selling four jewelry pieces a day. After thoroughly analyzing the data and ensuring that each store is equipped with the right inventory, we are fully set up for success! As many of us prepare for the California Pawn Convention this month, I can’t help but feel excited about the opportunity to explore the latest trends and innovations in our industry. It's always a thrill to see the unique items on display and to connect with brilliant minds who share our passion. This month, we also have the pleasure of spotlighting our reigning #1 salesperson in Loyalty Pawn and SLA, Dominic Tognolini, from the Roseville location.
Remember, as John F. Kennedy once said, "Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction." Let’s keep pushing forward together!
1. What helps keep you motivated? I am self-motivated by setting three tier sales goals, watching daily numbers to reach the highest possible Bonus Incentive I can.
2. What professional skills do you think everyone should have? Excellent Communication Skills.
3. What professional skills would you like to master? Gemologist
4. Who is the best pawnbroker you know, and what makes them the best? Big Stan. Years and Years of experience!
5. What do you consider yourself to be good at, and what could you improve? The ability to set up and close a sale in minutes! / Becoming a better communicator in certain situations
6. What is the best perk you have had at a job? Bonus Money
7. What is the most valuable career advice you've been given?ABC’s!
8. What can the company do to celebrate a success you've had? Higher bonus percentage
9. What do you like about the pawn industry? Learning something new every day. The ability to help others in need. Hustle and grind.
10. What do you dislike about the industry? The bad reputation the Pawn Industry has, which is inaccurate. If people understood how we help people in need, they wouldn’t think the way they do!
11. What can the company change or improve to make it better to work here? Annual reviews and raises when you are a top performer, and or a dedicated employee that is putting in effort to improve the Company
12. What's the last big challenge you've had, professionally or personally? Reaching my highest goal set, also dealing with several Family members death!
13. Where do you see yourself in five years? Retired, fishing and playing a lot of golf!
14. What is something you would like to get better at in the pawn industry? High end watches
15. Have you checked something off your bucket list? What was it? Yes, going to the Masters Golf Tournament.
16. If you could choose any celebrity to be your best friend, who would it be? Elon musk, Jeff Bezos or Donald Trump!
17. What are you looking forward to this year? More patience with people and personal Goals and Growth
18. If you could be a professional in any sport, what would it be and why? PGATour. This was my goal as a young man before I got married
19. What do you value more: time off, making more money, or benefits? Making more money
20. What is a small thing that makes your job easier or better? Apositive attitude under any circumstances
21. What is the best work event you have attended? What made it so great? Trip to San Francisco and Arizona. Learning new things in the Pawn Business, Diamond Training and seeing how other Pawn shops conduct their daily business.
Security Awareness
In our industry, where valuable items and personal interactions are the norm, security awareness is paramount. Protecting both employees and clients involves a combination of strategic practices and vigilant behavior. By implementing a few simple yet effective measures, pawn shops can create a safer environment for everyone involved.
The Importance of Discretion: One of the first steps in enhancing security is to maintain discretion regarding the layout and operations of the store. Employees should avoid posting images or details about the store’s layout on social media platforms. This seemingly small action can inadvertently provide potential thieves with valuable information about entry points, security measures, and high-value items’ locations. To further enhance security, regularly switching around the store's layout can keep potential threats guessing. A dynamic display not only deters criminals but can also create a more engaging shopping experience for clients.
Strategic Display of Inventory: When it comes to displaying inventory, especially expensive jewelry, it is essential to be strategic. Instead of clustering high-value items in one location, spreading them throughout the showcases can minimize the risk of theft. This approach ensures that no single area becomes a target for opportunistic criminals. Additionally, when showing jewelry to clients, employees should always request identification. This practice not only helps in verifying the client's identity but also creates a transparent atmosphere of professionalism and trust.
Leveraging Technology: With advancements in inventory management systems, such as Bravo, pawn shops can optimize their display and security practices. By cataloging items in a detailed inventory system, businesses can keep some high-value items in the back while still showcasing a portion of their stock. This enables employees to qualify clients before bringing out expensive items, ensuring that only serious buyers have access to the most valuable inventory. Moreover, by not displaying all jewelry at once, pawn shops can maintain an air of exclusivity while simultaneously reducing the risk of theft. Clients will appreciate the curated experience, and it adds an element of security for the shop.
Documentation and Communication: In the face of potential threats, documenting suspicious incidents is crucial. Keeping a dedicated file for these occurrences allows pawn shops to track patterns and identify potential risks. Regularly reviewing this documentation can inform security strategies and help staff remain vigilant. Furthermore, open communication among team members about any incidents or suspicious behavior is vital. By fostering a culture of awareness, employees can look out for one another and create a unified front against potential threats. Regular team meetings to discuss security measures and share observations can reinforce this culture.
In conclusion, security awareness in the pawn shop industry extends beyond protecting inventory; it encompasses the safety of both employees and clients. By implementing simple yet effective practices such as maintaining discretion, strategically displaying inventory, leveraging technology, and fostering open communication pawn shops can create a secure environment. These measures not only safeguard valuable assets but also enhance the overall customer experience, leading to greater trust and loyalty in the community. In a business built on personal interactions and valuable transactions, security awareness should always be a top priority.
Shop Talk Manager Updates
El Camino
Greetings, Mummies and Witches!
As we dive headfirst into this bewitching month of October, we hope you’re all conjuring up some fangtastic fun! Here at Team El Camino, we’re feeling the spirit of the season and have set our sights on a new, ghoulishly ambitious goal of $66,019.03. But don’t think we’re stopping there, oh no! We’re revving our broomsticks and aiming for an eerie $70,000.00 this Q4, ready to haunt those targets we missed in the past!
As we enter the final stretch, it’s pedal to the metal, With our cauldron of new inventory bubbling away, we’re ready to brew up some serious sales magic. But wait, there’s more! Our layaway book is growing faster than a werewolf on a full moon, and we need to keep our clients in the loop about their haunting debts. A little reminder here, a little update there let’s keep those Mummies informed. Now, let’s give a big round of applause for our team, who celebrated last month with a ghostly cheer after hitting our target goal! I can already hear the cackling laughter of success echoing through the halls. I believe we can summon that spirit again!
And speaking of spooktacular things, let’s not forget to send a spooky birthday wish to our very own Stan Jr.! May your day be filled with ghoulish delights and a cake that doesn’t turn into a ghost before you can eat it!
So, as the days grow shorter and the nights grow darker, we wish you all a safe and wickedly fun Halloween with your family and friends. Let’s conjure up some magic this Q4, and who knows? We might just turn those targets into dust! Happy haunting, everyone!
Tony Mora
Hi Team Loyalty
As we head into the final quarter of the year, we’re excited to maintain the momentum we’ve built throughout 2024. September was a success, with our team hitting our 5% sales growth goal. This achievement sets the stage for an even bigger push in October, where we’re aiming to reach our ambitious 20% sales growth target. In addition to our sales goals, we’re also looking forward to some fun team activities especially the pumpkin carving contest! May the best carver win, and let’s keep the competitive spirit alive both in sales and creativity. Roseville is excited to crush Q4 and hit all our yearly goals. Let’s start Q4 big and finish this year strong!
Justin Martinez
Roseville
Broadway
Hello Team,
I'm thrilled to share that we've successfully hit our 20% sales goal for two consecutive months! This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Their commitment to securing new layaways has played a crucial role in driving our success. By building strong relationships with customers and showcasing the value of our products, we've not only increased sales but also fostered a sense of loyalty within our community. Let's keep up the momentum and continue this fantastic work together!
John Mark
Florin Mall
Hello Loyalty Pawn Families,
Halloween is here, and everything is spooky! We have treats throughout our showroom floor, with a special buy one, get one half off on our goodies. Let’s merchandise these treats to entice our trick-or-treaters. Team Florin did it again, hitting our 20% sales goal! Our target was $74.2k, and we achieved a total of $78.2k in sales, which is about $4k over our goal. I want to extend a huge congratulations to Team Florin for this achievement!
We have another goal set for October at $78.5k in sales. I am confident that with the holidays around the corner and our great BOGO sales, we will hit it. Our goal is to sell $78.5k for the next 3 months of the last quarter to reach our year-end sales goal of $900k. Team Florin is also excited and continues to maintain a strong loan balance of over $2.1 million.
A big thanks to Wayne, Javi, John, and Kirby for securing new jewelry inventory for Florin. We are already moving those pieces quickly. We can’t wait to see the big impact we will make in the last quarter! Also, great job to El Camino, Broadway, and Roseville for hitting your sales goals as well. Let’s do it again this month!
Mark Xiong
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 your 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 or you can ask your supervisor! 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!
Jeff Lynne's ELO October 23rd Wednesday 7:00 PM
Rod Wave October 25th Friday 7:00 PM
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party November 1st Friday 7:00 PM
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party November 2nd Saturday 11:00 AM
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party November 3rd Sunday 3:00 PM
Disney On Ice Presents Mickey's Search Party November 3rd
Keshi - Postponed
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Trans-Siberian Orchestra November 27th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Zach Bryan November 29th Friday 8:00 PM
Zach Bryan November 30th Saturday 8:00 PM
Justin Timberlake January 15, 2025 Wednesday 8:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters
January 20, 2025 Monday 1:00 PM
Harlem Globetrotters January 20, 2025 Monday 6:00 PM
Monster Jam January 24, 2025 Friday 7:00 PM
Monster Jam January 25, 2025 Saturday 1:00 PM
Monster Jam January 25, 2025 Saturday 7:00 PM
Monster Jam January 26, 2025 Sunday 1:00 PM
PBR January 31, 2025 Friday 6:45 PM
PBR February 1, 2025 Saturday 5:45 PM
PBR February 2, 2025 Sunday 11:45 PM
Deftones March 1, 2025 Saturday 8:00 PM
Heart March 4, 2025 Tuesday 8:00 PM
Mary J. Blige
March 8, 2025 Saturday 7:00 PM
Disturbed May 9, 2025 Wednesday 8:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings October 9th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Trail Blazers vs. Kings October 13th Sunday 7:00 PM
Timberwolves vs. Kings October 24th Thursday 7:00 PM
Trail Blazers vs. Kings October 28th Monday 7:00 PM
Raptors vs. Kings November 6th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings November 8th Friday 7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings November 13th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Timberwolves vs. Kings November 15th Friday 7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings November 16th Saturday 7:00 PM Hawks vs. Kings November 18th Monday 7:00 PM Nets vs. Kings
24th Sunday 6:00 PM Thunder vs. Kings November 25th Monday 7:00 PM Spurs vs. Kings December 1st Sunday 6:00 PM Rockets vs. Kings December 3rd Tuesday 7:00 PM
Jazz vs. Kings December 8th Sunday 6:00 PM
Lakers vs. Kings December 19th Thursday 7:00 PM
vs.
76ers vs. Kings January 1st Wednesday 3:00 PM Grizzlies vs. Kings January 3rd Friday 7:00 PM
Heat vs. Kings January 6th Monday 7:00 PM
Rockets vs. Kings January 16th Thursday 7:00 PM
Wizards vs. Kings January 19th Sunday 6:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings January 22nd Wednesday 7:00 PM
Magic vs. Kings February 5th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Pelicans vs. Kings February 8th Saturday 7:00 PM
Warriors vs. Kings February 21st Friday 7:00 PM
Hornets vs. Kings February 24th Monday 7:00 PM
Spurs vs. Kings March 7th Friday 7:00 PM
Knicks vs. Kings March 10th Monday 7:00 PM
Grizzlies vs. Lomgs March 17th Monday 7:00 PM
Caveliers vs. Kings March 19th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Bulls vs. Kings March 20th Thursday 7:00 PM
Bucks vs. Kings March 22nd Saturday 7:00 PM
Celtics vs. Kings March 24th Monday 7:00 PM Thunder vs. Kings March 25th Tuesday 7:00 PM Trail Blazers vs. Kings March 27th Thursday 7:00 PM
Nuggers vs. Kings April 9th Wednesday 7:00 PM
Clippers vs. Kings April 11th Friday 7:00 PM
Suns vs. Kings April 13th Sunday 12:30 PM
September 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
MAY – Emerald
JULY – Ruby
SEPTEMBER – Sapphire
NOVEMBER – Citrine & Topaz
FEBRUARY Amethyst
APRIL – Diamond
JUNE –Pearl & Alexandrite
AUGUST – Peridot
OCTOBER – Opal & Tourmaline
DECEMBER – Topaz & Turquoise
Anniversaries, Birthdays and New Hires
October Birthdays
Matthew Stevens October 13th
John Mark October 15th
Adam Kimbro October 22nd
Stan Lukowicz October 27th
Danesia Robinson October 16th
October Anniversaries
Joshua Bonton 8 years
Kirby Erlanger 6 years
Stephanie Alfaro 2 years
September New Hires
We do not have any new hires this month.
Loyalty Pawn’s Goals, Values, and Visions
“The Leader in Local
Lending”
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
Loyalty Pawn Employee Services Corner
Clear October Morning!
No clouds are in the morning sky, The vapors hug the stream, Who says that life and hope can die In all this northern gleam? At every turn the maples burn, The quail is whistling free, The partridge whirs, and the frosted burs Are dropping for you and me. In the clear October morning.
~ Edmund Clarence Stedman
OCTOBER CALENDAR OF NATIONAL EVENTS
• October 2 starts Rosh Hashanah, a Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of the new year.
• October 9 is Leif Eriksson Day.
• October 11 marks the start of Yom Kippur at sundown.
• October 14 is a busy day, with three more holidays packed into it:
• Canadian Thanksgiving. This holiday shares many similarities with its American equivalent.
• Columbus Day (U.S.), a federal holiday, is observed on the second Monday in October. It was on October 12, 1492, that Christopher Columbus landed on a small island in the Bahamas, convinced that he had reached Asia.
• Indigenous Peoples’ Day (U.S.) a holiday that celebrates the history and cultures of indigenous peoples native to what is today the United States. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated in cities and states across the country, often alongside or in lieu of Columbus Day.
• October 18 is St. Luke’s Little Summer. This is a date steeped in folklore. Traditionally, around Saint Luke’s feast day, there is a brief period of calm, dry weather.
• October 24 is United Nations Day, which aims to bring awareness to the work of the United Nations worldwide.
• October 31 is Halloween (All Hallows’ Eve)! Do you know the true history of Halloween? It’s not as frightful as you might think.
Just
for Fun Dates in October
Oct. 4: International Ships-in-Bottles Day
Oct. 6: National Noodle Day
Oct. 12: National Fossil Day
Oct: 24–Nov. 11: World Origami Days
Oct. 28: Frankenstein Friday
OCTOBER GARDENING -Tips
Things To Do In Your October GARDEN
October Full Moon October is a great time for stargazing.
The Full Hunter’s Moon October’s full Moon, known as the Hunter’s Moon, arrives on Thursday, October 17. Like September’s Harvest Moon, the Hunter’s Moon is closely tied to the autumnal equinox.
October is the perfect time to plant trees, shrubs, conifers, and hardy perennials or spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils and if you’re looking to sow cover crops or install lawns, now is the time for that as well.
• Plant Trees, Shrubs, and Roses
• Divide Perennials
• Add Bulbs to Your Landscape
• Store Pots in October
• Mulch in October
• Compost
• Weed
• Extend the Season
What’s in season in October? Apples and brussels sprouts are going strong over here and it’s time to stock up on every type of winter squash.
• Apples
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Dates
• Kale
• Pomegranate
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Sweet Potato
LOVE PEOPLE & COOK THEM TASTY FOOD! The Ambitious Kitchen has some amazing recipes to try this month! Check it out! https://www.ambitiouskitchen.com/peach-brussels-sprouts-salad/
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 e malhotra.john@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.
Fun Halloween Trivia Questions for Spooks and Giggles
Answers are upside down below:
What was the ancient Celtic fall festival that was a precursor to Halloween?
How many bones are in the average human skeleton? What does the word "Halloween" mean?
Where was the first city-wide celebration of Halloween? How is Laurie Strode related to killer Michael Myers in the Halloween movie franchise?
Did you know?
Candy corn was originally called “chicken feed.” Now it is just called gross. Finding a spider on Halloween night is considered good luck, unless it's in your shoe. That's just scary. The first Jack-O'-Lanterns were carved from turnips because no one wants to eat turnips! Just sayin…
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! 916-752-2255 employeeservices@loyaltypawn.com
