Steve Bennett (jewelry entrepreneur)
| Steve Bennett | |
|---|---|
| Born |
5 February 1966 Birmingham, United Kingdom |
| Residence | Birmingham |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Known for | Gemology, Gem Hunting, TV Gemstone Expert |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Bennett nee Davies |
| Children | 6 |
| Website | http://www.tggc.com |
Steve Bennett is a British gemstone expert and serial entrepreneur.[1] He is known for his online shopping businesses.[2]
Early life and education
Bennett grew up in Birmingham, where he learned to sail and play the saxophone and guitar. He also studied geology. He was a poor student during his secondary education, but later completed a computer training course.
Career
As a young man, Bennett worked in a number of office based computer roles. After losing his job, he set up his own UK company selling computers and later software. This small enterprise later became Software Warehouse, and grew to be a 30 store retail chain in the 1990s. Bennett sold the company in 2000.[3]
With the advent of the internet, Bennett established jungle.com[3][4] which he later sold for £37 million at the height of the dotcom boom.
Bennet started several more e-commerce, retail and entertainment companies. He set up jewelry retailer Gems TV in 2004[5] and The Genuine Gemstone Company in 2007. The company employs about 500 staff members. In 2012 Genuine Gemstone was named to the Fast Track 100 list of fastest growing privately held companies.[1]
In 2014 the company operates several brands, including Gems TV,[6] a broadcast shopping channel; Rocks TV, which is shown on DirecTV and Dish TV; Gemporia.com,[7] an ecommerce website which hosts live auction rooms and an online television show The Lounge; Jewellery Maker, a television channel and associated e-commerce website for jewellery making hobbyists; NOWSEEN.com, a fashion focused website aimed at a younger audience; and Gem Collector.com, an e-commerce website which sells loose gemstones.
Awards and Accolades
- 1996- Software Warehouse wins 3i Quest for Growth for the Midlands
- 1997- Software Warehouse wins the first ever Fast Track 100.[8]
- 1999- Software Warehouse wins Retailer of the Year, sponsored by PC Direct
- 2000- Steve Bennett named Runner up Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2012- The Genuine Gemstone Company tops Sunday Times Fast Track 100[1]
- 2013- Steve Bennett wins Ernst & Young Midlands Entrepreneur of the Year
- 2013- Steve Bennett wins Ernst & Young UK Turnaround Entrepreneur of the Year[9]
- 2013- The Genuine Gemstone Company wins Jewellery Retailer of the Year[10]
- 2013- The Genuine Gemstone Company places sixth in Sunday Times Fast Track 100
References
- 1 2 3 Fast Track 100, Sunday Times. "The Genuine Gemstone Company Fast Track 100". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ↑ "TV shopping channel entrepreneur agrees deal to buy rival". Birmingham Post, May 25, 2010
- 1 2 "Software Warehouse's old retail chain shuts doors". Linda Harrison, The Register 8 Aug 2000
- ↑ "The Internet jungle". BBC News, 21 September 1999.
- ↑ "Gems TV Founder: Why I Sold Then Bought Back My Own Business". Forbes, Aug 30, 2014 Jason Hesse.
- ↑ "Gems TV review – Spinel, tanzanite, tulelei: there's nothing the charming Bennett family can't sell". The Guardian, Tim Dowling, 3 September 2014
- ↑ "Creepy engagement ring lets your partner TRACK your location". Daily Star, Scott Campbell / 13 June 2015
- ↑ Fast Track 100, Sunday Times. "Software Warehouse Fast Track 100". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ↑ & Young, Ernst. "Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year Turnaround Entrepreneur 2013". Ernst & Young. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ↑ Jewellery Association, British. "BJA Retailer of the Year". British Jewellery Association. Retrieved 12 March 2014.