An RJO Memoriam of Kate Peterson Remembering Kate

Early Easter Sunday morning—April 9—a fire broke out in the house where Kate Peterson and her family lived in Gaithersburg, MD. The fire injured Kate and killed her three dogs. Kate was taken to the hospital in critical condition. The following Wednesday, April 12, Kate died of her injuries.

Kate started her business, Performance Concepts, in 1997. She offered consulting services, specializing in the retail jewelry industry, among others. She soon became a popular and highly respected presenter and author in the industry, regularly writing for a variety of jewelry publications and attending shows and events across the country.

Kate was an important figure in the success and growth of RJO, as noted by CEO Sarah Streb in her column in this issue. What follows are tributes and anecdotes about Kate from members of RJO and others in the jewelry world. In addition, there are small insights Kate shared with RJO over the years.

While there certainly are no true silver linings surrounding Kate‘s death, there may be a little glimmer for all of us, with the knowledge that much that was loved about her will continue on in those whose lives she touched.

On the night Kate died, her sister Beth posted this message.

Marketing and advertising are my specialties, but jewelry is the world we do most of our work in, and I am learning something new each day about the industry and the people in it. I enjoyed every opportunity I had to talk to Kate about life, family, travels, and of course, jewelry. I learned something new from her in every client meeting, every dinner, and every phone call we shared. I loved her candid, no-sugar-coat approach to difficult conversations. I will forever be grateful for our collaboration, friendship, and those opportunities to learn from one of the best!

Tammy Benda Buzz Advertising Agency Marquette, MI

The devastating loss of my dear friend and longtime colleague has left a gap I fear cannot be filled. Kate was an inspiration to all her friends, and we relied on her for guidance and direction. She will be deeply missed.

Kate was an integral part of helping Diamond Council of America (DCA) reach the success we enjoy today. She served as a DCA board member and education consultant for over twenty years. Her leadership and advice were critical to DCA. We will be less without her.

Terry Chandler President/CEO Diamond Council of

America

Kate’s Favorite Jewelry Joke

Once upon a time a thief was working a well-to-do neighborhood, and after scouting out a particular house, managed to get in through a second-floor window while the residents were away for an evening. He was stuffing his pockets with jewelry when he heard a whisper, “Jesus is watching.”

He froze, looking around for whoever said it, but after a minute of silence he started to think maybe he imagined it. He went back to rifling through the jewelry box, grabbing everything he could, when again he heard, “Jesus is watching.” This time he was sure the sound came from the corner of the room. He peered through the darkness and realized it was coming from a birdcage. With a sigh of relief, he went over to the cage and saw a parrot inside. The nameplate on the cage read “Moses.”

The thief had a little chuckle and said, “What kind of person names their parrot Moses?”

He heard a low growl from behind him as the parrot replied, “The same kind of person who names their Rottweiler Jesus.” your stores even more ... but I don’t want to offend you or tell you how to run your business.

Her humility and kindness brought out the best in me and I answered her saying, “I am grateful for any help I can get!” That day she sent me a Honeycomb outline based on science and about how it’s empowering to women.” I read it again and again; it really helped me grow as a person, as well as my business.

Kate was one of those people you meet in life who seems to show up by coincidence ... or they were sent like angels to redirect or help us to be the best version of ourselves.

Although I’ve only had a few short interactions with Kate, she made me feel special. Capable and humble, and she walked with a quiet confidence.

Kate’s Email Signature

At last summer’s RJO Buying Show, I was posting daily videos as I was wearing my “be kind” and honeybee shirts promoting a new product. Kate came to my booth and said, “I loved your posts, and I have an idea that might help you and

That’s what I mean when I say we come across angels in life. I’ll be forever grateful for Kate’s kindness.

Ivan Levi Levy Creations Chicago, IL

Kate’s Dogs

In 2000, RJO’s In the Loupe published the cover story “Jewelers’ Best Friends,” a gallery of RJO family dogs. Since Kate was known for being a dog fan, she was invited to submit a photo, and she did. It was a picture of her goldendoodle, Stella. Within hours, though, she followed up with the photos below and the accompanying captions:

Kate Peterson was the consummate professional, and her voice and guidance were invaluable. She was a warm, welcoming presence in the jewelry community for many years. She was an excellent teacher and a gifted writer. Her articles, her store visits, and her speeches were all noteworthy. It’s hard to believe she is no longer with us, and her loss will be felt for years to come. She was a connector and a connector of connectors. I was fortunate to have Kate on the Pearls of Wisdom Podcast in San Antonio. She was always available to her peers, sharing her knowledge, and energy, with her unique charisma. Kate will always be the GOAT of Advising, Educating, and Elevating Jewelers across America, in my eyes. Rest in Power, my friend.

Elesa Dillon Southern and Mid-America Jewelry News

If you're short of interesting looking pups ... These are my step-kids:

... and my grandpup Mo.

Upon receiving a copy of the cover story, Kate responded: I LOVE it—and Stella does too. She wants to set up a play date with her co-stars!

Kate was so many things. She was a leader, a mentor, a role model and a friend. I have the greatest respect and admiration for Kate. She was the trifecta of intelligent, witty and personable. Kate was the type of person who you wanted to be around, and you always felt smarter in her presence. My favorite memories of Kate are simple ones. They are the times when I had the opportunity to sit one-on-one and have genuine, authentic conversations, often while enjoying a drink. As a mom, I admired the way Kate beamed when talking (and bragging) about her sons. From savvy crypto currency advice to news of becoming a grandmother, she was loving, happy, and proud. When I close my eyes and picture Kate, I will always see her smile and the way it glowed when she talked about her family and her dogs.

Allison Leitzel Williams Leitzel’s Jewelry Myerstown & Hershey, PA

I am a third-generation jeweler, and I met Kate at the RJO Next Gen Experience in Chicago a few years ago. She quickly became a mentor to me. She empowered me to think beyond normal limits and to ask better questions. She believed in me, and I felt that. My most impactful experience with Kate was when we did the DISC workplace analysis through Performance Concepts. It was through this exercise with Kate I had the largest growth both professionally and personally. Seeing my own self from a different perspective, the good AND the bad. I remember getting emotional about the realization of what I needed to change to be a better leader and a better businesswoman.

I came back to my staff after the weekend in Chicago and they all could tell I was changed. I did the DISC analysis with my entire team, and it truly made a positive impact with my team to better understand ways of communicating and understanding each other based on our profiles.

As a young businesswoman, venturing to take over my parents’ store this December, I am heartbroken to lose an incredible mentor. I feel robbed of the knowledge that was still yet to be shared. Her knowledge, confidence, and perspective are things I carry very close to me, and no matter what I will always go to visit Kate’s Corner when I need help.

Katherine Dahlkemper

Dahlkemper’s Jewelry Connection

Erie, PA

Links about Kate’s Passing

The Centurion, April 12, 2023

InStore Magazine, April 12, 2023

JCKOnline, April 13, 2023

Rapaport, April 13, 2023

National Jeweler, April 14, 2023

Kate’s Thoughts about the Movie It’s a Wonderful Life

I've always loved It’s A Wonderful Life, but I think the reason it has become even more significant to me over the past several years is a new affinity for that last line: ‘Look, Daddy. Teacher says, every time a bell rings, an angel gets his wings.’

Personally, I’ve come to love the sound of bells ... especially with that thought in mind. Lord knows—we need all the extra angels we can get these days!

Oh ... and the bridge scene in the movie was inspired by a place in Seneca Falls, NY, a place I remember visiting as a kid growing up in Buffalo.

I had little interaction with Kate other than seeing her at Shows (always and all of them!) I had a few discussions with her about different industry things on a few occasions and enjoyed her insight. She was not only a kind and caring person that wanted to help you out; she was also very tuned in to our industry and what was going on. She was a great individual and will be missed!

Tom Nelson Nelson Jewelry Spencer, IA

Kate was generous with her knowledge and always brought energy and a collaborative spirit to everything she did. When working with Kate, anything was possible. She loved our industry. Her voice will be missed.

Cindy Chandler Director of Education Atlanta Jewelry Show