‘Embrace Changes,’ Says Valobra, Whose Namesake Jewelry Store Has Become a Houston Institution
Jun. 16, 2022
How did you get to where you are today? I had little choice in the matter; I grew up being trained to become the fourth-generation jewelry designer behind my great grandfather, grandfather, and father. It was my duty to carry on the family business and continue the hard work and success they built from nothing, beginning in Torino, Italy in 1905. I was surrounded by jewelry and its craftmanship as a young child and was taught the business from a very young age.
Whom do you credit? As I stand squarely on the shoulders of three great men that ran the company before me, my main motivation is to carry the torch to the next generation by carefully expanding the business, protecting the brand, and maintaining the highest level of ethics and professionality while doing it.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Passion and conviction for what you do are going to be of paramount importance for your success. Passion for success may not bring you success, but passion for your work will undoubtedly bring you success.
- Take great care of your client. A relentlessly fanatical approach to customer service is another great key to success.
- Never cease to learn about your business and ways to improve it.
- Don’t fear changes; embrace them and try to anticipate them.
What’s more important in a successful business: seeking the highest profitability or to striving to purvey your clientele with the best values? It is like health and happiness, the two do not exist without the other.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? The steady progression of custom designed jewelry creations for an ever more sophisticated clientele excites me. It challenges my staff and continues to refine our skills and knowledge. In terms of preparing for the future, my long-term goal is to instill the principles and business values to my next generations that were instilled to me.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner? Opening successful jewelry boutiques in America thousands of miles away from my comfort zone and making them highly successful. Creating a working environment that is both fun and efficient, cultivating long-term loyalty from clients and staff alike. Continuously curating a sterling reputation and an unequivocally ethical stance.
What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner? Successfully adapting to my business’ ever-changing trends, competing ethically and efficiently in the world of digital content, and constantly creating new designs while delivering value and exclusivity to our clientele.
Keep Reading
Show less
EVEN THOUGH WE hope things cool down outside, some folks in Houston are about to get even hotter with the arrival of trendy fitness studio Ritual One next month in Uptown Park. The Dallas-based concept will offer classes like Power Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Power Yoga, Inferno Flow, and Inferno HIIT — all taking place in its infrared-heated studios.
Ritual One was founded by two “power yoga” gurus, Kalene McGraner and Nicole Preston, who wanted to bring an elevated and more luxe feeling to the yoga experience. The Houston studio will offer beautifully designed locker rooms, an infrared heating system, and an air purification ionization system.
The heat — class temperatures range between 95 and 102 degrees — promises to help increase blood flow, boost metabolism, burn calories, torch fat and detox the body. “We spent several years researching heaters and ionization systems to create state of the art systems in our rooms that promote and maximize detoxification and heat you from the inside out,” says McGraner. Meanwhile, the air purification ionization system kills bacteria while ensuring the air is well-oxygenated.
In addition to detoxing, Ritual One is determined to assist in reducing pain and inflammation: Every studio is equipped with antimicrobial and shock-absorbent floors to minimize impact and prevent injury.
Ritual One is currently under construction and will occupy the former Revolution Cycling Studio space located at 1121 Uptown Park Blvd., Suite 9.
From Your Site Articles
Keep Reading
Show less
Fairytale 'Boo Ball' Yields Happy Ending for Ronald McDonald House
Daniel Ortiz and Jacob Power
Nov. 1, 2024
Evan and Kate Elsenbrook and Elyse and Drew Tolson
SUPPORTERS OF RONALD McDonald House Charities of Greater Houston gathered for a whimsically fun fete at the Hilton Americas hotel. The 2024 Boo Ball was themed "Once Upon a Time," and it raised a true happily-ever-after amount of $1 million — a new record!
More than 700 costumed revelers — Cinderella, Jack and his beanstalk, and more! — were greeted a magical-castle photo backdrop, and grabbed a glass of bubbly on their way into the main ballroom. Event chairs Jennifer and Scott Allison mingled with the creatively dressed guests and gala honorees Lesha and Tom Elsenbrook, Vuong Ho, Deric Jech and others. And the organization's CEO, Cristina Vetrano, gave remarks thanking guests for their support of their ongoing mission to provide the safety and comfort of "home" to seriously ill children and their families during long hospital stays.
In addition to a silent auction, a raffle and a "Baubles and Bottles" draw, a "paddles up" contest generated more than $185,000 in less than five minutes — plus a match of $150,000 from an anonymous donor. Johnny Bravo emceed this portion of the evening, which raised funds specifically for 15 one- and two-bedroom apartments for families who need extended stays in the Med Center.
Partiers packed the dance floor thanks to Radio Live, who kept the beats pumping all night long.
Aaron and Victoria Bludorn
Zac and Courtney Hamon
Angel and Amy Hinijosa
Ben and Bethany Buchanan
Will and Semmes Burns
Cristina Vetrano, Tom and Lesha Elsenbrook, Jennifer and Scott Allison
Tinkerbell
Crowd dancing and singing with the band
Tiffany Riggs, Angela Majors, Gracie Hernandez, Logan Harrison
Susan Blaney and ZoAnn Dreyer
Edward Sanchez and Kristen Cannon
Steve Genest, Peggy Micko, Peggy East, Dick East
Erica Bartlett, Matthew Begnaud
Frank and Natalie Vega
Gary and Judith King
Hallie Vanderhider and Bobbie Dees
Ronald McDonald and Johnny Bravo
Jessica and Gray Lisenby
Kurt and Michelle Lyn
Mike and Susan Blaney
Laura Thompson
Nicole Mott, Michelle Marandi
From Your Site Articles
Keep Reading
Show less