Joan Hartel Visits Hawaii
It’s a Small World
When Joan Hartel, owner of Vantel Pearls in Foxboro, Massachusetts called me to say that she was coming to Hawaii and wanted to meet me, I knew that we would have some fun stories to share.
I started my home party pearl jewelry company in the early 60’s and sold it in the early 80’s to “retire” in Hawaii. Joan started Vantel Pearls in the late 80’s as the result of a trip she made to Hawaii. She had never heard of Empress Pearls, yet our companies were doing exactly the same thing from opposite sides of the US.
Both of us started out as a retail store, gravitated into home shows and fairs, and then wound up doing home parties. We were both active in the Direct Selling Association (DSA) and as it turned out know some of the same people that are still a part of DSA, such as Mulford Nobbs (Nobby) who still operates his company, Jeunique International.
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We had breakfast at the Halekulani Hotel this morning, shared our exciting stories with each other and then went to the Honolulu Design Center to see the Success Dynamics offices, where I am currently “retired” (LOL). While there I showed Joan how the Morning Report works and our heads are now spinning as to how we can make that a part of Vantel Pearls. Once we get that going I will have come full circle and will no doubt be working with more direct selling companies.
What a World!
To see us up close, click on the photo, and then click on your back button to return to the blog.
November 4th, 2007 at 11:30 am
Ron -
I met you a few years ago from an introduction from Regis. I have thought of you often, but have been speaking in the mainland about 300 days out of the year.
I’m going to be home through the holidays as my husband is having an operation tomorrow that will take 6-8 weeks of down time.
Please e-mail me and we can set up a time to talk I am sure that we can be of support to you in reaching the direct selling companies.
Aloha,
Nicki Keohohou
November 4th, 2007 at 12:06 pm
Aloha Nicki,
I have sent you an e-mail. I’m looking forward to seeing you.
November 5th, 2007 at 3:11 pm
It really is a small world! Sounds like you had a great and productive time.
November 9th, 2007 at 5:16 am
Great to see Joan having a good time as she always does .LOVE working for and with this lady .
November 18th, 2007 at 7:52 am
I was hoping you had photos of Joan surfing — with her Vantel Pearls on….
Cheers,
Anne
November 18th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
Me too; Joan is supposed to send me a photo… As soon as she does, I will put it up in here.
November 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
Congratulations to Ann Buchda, winner of the Vantel Pearls Founder’s Challenge to travel Hawaii, and how lucky she was to have met Ron Martin! Im sure that Ann and Vantel Pearls founder, Joan Hartel had as much impact on beautiful Hawaii as this pearl paradise had on them!