SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
IndependentsApr 29, 2016
7 questions with Karen Goracke
A chance encounter at a soccer game brought Karen Goracke back to Borsheims in 2004 on what was intended to be a temporary basis. Today, she's preparing to become the company’s next president and CEO.
Fast-forward nine years and Goracke is the new president and CEO of Borsheims, taking the reins from outgoing CEO Susan Jacques.
“I was just going to work the Christmas season. It’s been the longest Christmas season ever,” she laughs.
Goracke, a 47-year-old Omaha native, and Borsheims’ Director of Advertising and Marketing Adrienne Fay took the time to speak with National Jeweler about the changing of the guard at the Midwest retailer, the opening of its second location in the Nebraska Crossing Outlets and what it’s like to work at a Warren Buffett-owned company.
National Jeweler: You’ve worked at Borsheims for a total of 25 years, leaving and then returning to the company after a few years with your family. What made you want to come back?
Karen Goracke: I had actually run into Susan (Jacques) at a (college) soccer game, of all places. We had remained friends during that time … she said, why don’t you think about coming back part-time. My youngest (child) was about four and I said, you know, maybe I should. And that’s how that dialogue started.
It’s such a great place to work. Our best asset is our people. I have many people that I consider friends as well as co-workers.
NJ: When you heard that Susan would be taking over the role of interim president and CEO of the GIA, did you have an idea that the CEO post at Borsheims would be opening up and that you were a candidate?
KG: Absolutely not. I was not thinking about it, to be honest, in any great capacity. We were getting ready to open our second store and our focus was really on the opening. In my role as director of merchandising I have a whole other store to outfit with beautiful jewelry. That has been my focus right now.
NJ: How did you find out who would be the next president and CEO?
Adrienne Fay: Everything happened very much like a domino effect. Susan knew the next president and CEO would come internally and she knew it would be someone from Borsheims. She was very confident in her executive team and that it would be someone from her executive
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
team. It was a discussion that they (Jacques and Buffett) had, and Karen was brought in as the conversation was finalized.
NJ: I’ve read that Warren Buffett is “bullish” on women in the workforce and has promoted many women into leadership roles at his companies. What is it like working for Buffett?
KG: I haven’t officially started working with him but I think Borsheims is a great model of how women can succeed in business. I think we have just a great culture here. Six out of the seven (people) on the executive team are women. It’s just very family-oriented. I have the luxury of being able to spend a great amount of time at work and at home. It’s a place that actually promotes that kind of balance. I can’t be really great at my job if I am failing at my personal life.
Susan has been really great at promoting that ideal--making your life work. It can’t be all work. As much as I love work I do need to spend time with my family. That’s so important to me. I am very active with my kids as well as things within the community. It’s really close to perfect as you can get in being a working wife and mom.
NJ: Why did Borsheims opt to make its second store an outlet?
KG: It was a conversation we had had for about two years. It was more a type of conversation around the type of development that would happen. We waited to see the type of luxury retailers that were going to open in this outlet.
But it (the new outlet store) is in the same wheelhouse as what we do. We are a luxury discounter. For us, this is something we still knew and are familiar with: to be able to do deep discounts but have a quality product to offer to customers.
NJ: Does Borsheims have plans for a third location?
KG: Not at this time.
NJ: What was the last book you read?
KG: I just read Divergent, which is more of a teen novel my son was reading. Two of my three boys are also avid readers and a lot of times we’ll try to read (books) simultaneously and have our own book club. This is something we enjoy doing.
NJ: I’ve read that Warren Buffett is “bullish” on women in the workforce and has promoted many women into leadership roles at his companies. What is it like working for Buffett?
KG: I haven’t officially started working with him but I think Borsheims is a great model of how women can succeed in business. I think we have just a great culture here. Six out of the seven (people) on the executive team are women. It’s just very family-oriented. I have the luxury of being able to spend a great amount of time at work and at home. It’s a place that actually promotes that kind of balance. I can’t be really great at my job if I am failing at my personal life.
Susan has been really great at promoting that ideal--making your life work. It can’t be all work. As much as I love work I do need to spend time with my family. That’s so important to me. I am very active with my kids as well as things within the community. It’s really close to perfect as you can get in being a working wife and mom.
NJ: Why did Borsheims opt to make its second store an outlet?
KG: It was a conversation we had had for about two years. It was more a type of conversation around the type of development that would happen. We waited to see the type of luxury retailers that were going to open in this outlet.
But it (the new outlet store) is in the same wheelhouse as what we do. We are a luxury discounter. For us, this is something we still knew and are familiar with: to be able to do deep discounts but have a quality product to offer to customers.
NJ: Does Borsheims have plans for a third location?
KG: Not at this time.
NJ: What was the last book you read?
KG: I just read Divergent, which is more of a teen novel my son was reading. Two of my three boys are also avid readers and a lot of times we’ll try to read (books) simultaneously and have our own book club. This is something we enjoy doing.
More on Independents
The Latest
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
AuctionsJun 02, 2026
Sotheby’s to Auction 10-Carat Blue Diamond, 1960s Harry Winston Necklace A private collection of five Paraíba tourmalines also will be up for sale at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in New York, scheduled for June 16.
IndependentsJun 02, 2026
State of Retail: 6 Things Retailers Should Know About Consumers TodayFrom Gen Z’s view of luxury to “doom spending,” these are the six consumer trends to note this year.
Events & AwardsJun 01, 2026
Design Atelier Brands Have a Big Night at Emotional Couture Design AwardsThe show started by honoring Mildred Marcano, ended with a tearful Beth Anne Bonanno, and recognized a dozen-plus designers in between.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
RapNet Rebranding as Rapaport TradeThe revamped online diamond marketplace will feature pricing intelligence and data-driven tools for more efficient buying and selling.
SourcingJun 01, 2026
Gemfields’ Higher-Quality Emerald Auction Achieves $26.8MThe miner said demand for higher-quality emeralds is stable, but there is notable caution in the market.
CollectionsMay 29, 2026
Cultus Artem’s Necklace Is the Oasis in Las Vegas’ DesertThe “River of Heaven” necklace, our Piece of the Week debuting at Couture, combines 26 salt and pepper diamonds spaced by Tahitian pearls.
IndependentsMay 29, 2026
Meet the 2026 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s inductees include second-, third-, and fourth-generation jewelers.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Announces Jesse Itzler as 2026 Keynote SpeakerThe author, speaker, and entrepreneur will give his presentation, “Spiritual Billionaire,” on Saturday morning.
Events & AwardsMay 28, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach on Sunday night.
MajorsMay 28, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Buy The Clear Cut Signet will integrate the online-only, natural diamond-focused jeweler into Blue Nile, which it wants to position as a higher-end retailer.
CollectionsMay 28, 2026
Meet The 17 Newcomers to Couture’s Design AtelierThese up-and-coming jewelry brands are bringing their distinct aesthetic and unique point-of-view to the Design Atelier for the first time.
