Quality meets style at Debbie Mouton Jewellers

Local business person and entrepreneur, Debbie Mouton is the epitome of women empowerment and an example of what women can achieve if they put their minds to it.
Debbie Mouton Jewellers in Polokwane is a subsidiary of Gold City Jewellers Company of which Mouton is the sole owner. The group has five retail outlets of which one is Debbie Mouton Jewellers Mall of the North that opened its doors in 2011.
The empire started with Bosman Jewellers where Mouton was General Manager from 1997 to 2002 when she purchased the store from its previous owners. Her responsibilities as General Manager provided her with experience of the trade and helped her to fully understand and satisfy customer requirements.
“My philosophy has always been that you get out what you put in. I encourage young entrepreneurs to work hard, stay positive, give attention to small problems that could spiral out of control, offer the best possible customer service and never forget where you come from,” says Mouton when asked about her business principles. “Listening to your personnel is very important. They work on grass roots level and have great ideas that could be beneficial to the business. Most importantly, be honest. Do the right thing and do things right.”
In addition to stocking well-known brands, Debbie Mouton Jewellers offers the design and manufacture of custom-made jewellery. The store also offers long service awards, gifts, valuations of jewellery and repair services.
Debbie Mouton Jewellers is a member of Chevron, the largest group of independent retail jewellers in South Africa and Mouton served as a Director for over six years. This gives the company access to quality suppliers and special terms, including better purchase prices. “Jewellery manufacturers, importers and agents target Chevron as a convenient way to reach the better independent retailers in South Africa,” Mouton explains.
She says she has always had a keen interest in Polokwane business and served on the Board of the Polokwane Chamber of Business for more than 10 years and as President of the Chamber in 2006. De Beers awarded their SMME prize for Women in the Mining Industry to her in 2007.
Mouton says pure and simple hard work is the key to her success and she learns from other people every day. “If you are willing to really listen to others, you can learn something from every person who crosses your path or plays a role in your life,” she says.
At Debbie Mouton Jewellers the team always strives to look after the client and they will go to the ends of the earth to find a product or item if it is not in stock. As manufacturing jewellers, they are able to make jewellery according to customers’ specifications.
“We also do repair work on jewellery and watches and I have a gold smith and setter on site to ensure quick and thorough work. Between the three of us, we have more than 100 years of experience in the industry,” says Mouton.

Story: MARKI FRANKEN
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