At Joint Venture Jewelry, we strive to make you feel like part of the family. Please take a moment to get to know Our Staff.

Lee Hankin

Proprietor

After spending a short time in sales early in his career, Lee decided he was best suited for owning his own business. In 1983 he and his brother began to operate a small “Mom & Pop” drugstore (sundries, cigarettes, candy and more) located in Northeast Philadelphia. He soon learned that it was impossible to compete with the drugstore chains that were booming in the area. Being the entrepreneur that he is he found there were a number of times riders of the public train were strapped for cash and needed money for a pass and decided to transform that little shop into his first “pawnshop.” From there he went on to open a few shops many of which were located in “strip centers” – a first for the pawnshop business.

After running the shops quite successfully, Lee decided his real passion was in the jewelry business. Lee and Donna moved to Cary in the Summer of 1998 for a change of pace. Lee went on to train at the Gemological Institute of America, GIA, and the birth of Joint Venture Jewelry began.

After being an avid athlete all his life, tennis (USPTA teaching pro and has coached both Green Hope High School and Meredith College), golf, racquetball, running and mountain biking (the American Tobacco Trail’s his favorite), Lee wore out his right hip. In early 2012, Lee had total hip replacement surgery and has recovered remarkably!

Besides sports, Lee has a weakness for cars; don’t get him started about Mercedes and NASCAR! He also has converted to his new Southern culture well, embracing the PBR and pickup trucks. Lee’s newest gem is his Miniature Pincher, Ruby. She can always be found close to her Daddy!

Favorite Quote: “It’s only money – meant to be earned & spent.  You never know what lies ahead, enjoy the moment.”

 

Donna Hankin

Proprietor

Donna got started working in jewelry with her college part time job in 1976 at, “The Jewel Box” as she attended Penn State University pursuing a degree in Individual and Family Studies. Never thinking too much about the jewelry business then but she did appreciate diamonds and gemstones.

After obtaining a Masters in Counseling Psychology and Social Work at Washington University in Saint Louis, Donna spend most of her early adult life at work, working for 22 years in the human resource/organizational development arena. She was very successful in the corporate world, representing a firm that taught management skills, team building, problem solving, decision making and quality improvement. When the consulting firm she managed in North America was merged she opted out which at last allowed her to be home with her children and joined Lee in the business.

Today, you will find Donna spending a good deal of time working with antique and estate dealers to ensure Joint Venture Jewelry has fantastic choices and special “visiting values,” in store. Because of Donna’s human development background she is often helpful with those who struggle in making decisions as she can help clients sort out their desires even if they’re unstated. In addition, most redesign and custom projects are championed by Donna. She also helps to develop promotions and marketing plans as she is the voice of Joint Venture Jewelry on the radio and the master of ceremonies for our TV/video spots.

In her free time, Donna is often up early for morning workouts and on the American Tobacco Trail biking for miles. Family has been and will always be her top priority, with that said she’s a creative cook and enjoys sharing a good bottle of wine with family and friends.

Fun Fact: At 16, Donna got her motorcycle license as her father designed the “line” for the Harley Davidson plant in York, PA. Today, however she prefers tooling around in her Mini Cooper—stick shift, the way to drive! Her weakness is red licorice, but don’t you dare bring in a bag—it will be gone in no time!

Jen Hankin

Director of Communications

Growing up in the jewelry business, Jen has developed an exceptional and expensive taste in vintage jewels.  As Donna and Lee’s daughter, Jen has had a hand in the business since she was in grade school.  Starting out as Holiday gift wrapper, Jen has grown into Joint Venture Jewelry’s Director of Communications, focusing on social media, public relations, and marketing after graduating North Carolina State University in May 2011.

Jen obtained a BA in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Journalism.   Her dedicated efforts have transformed Joint Venture’s social media; Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Pinterest, in to the ‘it’ spot for all jewelry industry news, trends, and facts in the Triangle. 

Currently, Jen is learning all aspects the family business and is often times seen working with Lee on consignments or with Donna on custom design work. She is enrolled with the Gemological Institute of America, GIA, in pursuit of earning her Graduate Gemologist degree in the near future.

In Jen’s free time, she loves living in downtown Raleigh and experiencing all the Capital City has to offer. She enjoys taking her dog, Jade for walks, shopping, watching TV, staying connected with her Pi Beta Phi sorority sisters, all things Wolfpack and staying physically fit.

Favorite Quote: “All that I’m after is a life full of laughter, as long as I’m laughing with you.”

 

Kayla O’Connor

Internet Sales Manager

Kayla grew up in Wattsburg, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four children. After graduating high school in 2005, Kayla attended The Pennsylvania State University, The Behrend College, majoring in Communications. During her college years she was active, playing on the women's varsity basketball team.

After graduating in 2009, she moved from Pennsylvania to Hickory, North Carolina. Her first job in the jewelry industry was with Piercing Pagoda, working as the assistant manager for two years before relocating to Morrisville, NC.  Shortly after relocating, she started a new career with Joint Venture Jewelry in September 2011.

Kayla works as Joint Venture’s Internet Sales Manager. She’s responsible for processing online sales from the website’s 'Buy it now' page.  In addition, she processes new inventory, applying price tags, taking photos and updating and managing the store website.

In her free time, Kayla enjoys spending time with her finance, Adam, walking various NC trails, taking their dog to the park, attending various concert and sporting events, reading and eating good Sushi.

Favorite quote: "The life and love we create is the life and love we live."

 

Jennifer Chmelo

Client Development Manager

Jennifer is from Morgantown, West Virginia with a very strong and loving family, the second of 5 children. She now resides in Raleigh, and has lived in the great state of NC for more than 15 years.  As a small child, Jennifer grew up loving jewelry and playing dress up with her Grandmother's large shiny 1950's costume jewelry with endless strands of pearls plus "Sunday Go to Church" hats.

Being fabulous and just turning 50, Jennifer joined the Joint Venture Jewelry team in 2006, during its Annual Fall Vintage Show. As its Client Development Manager, Jennifer works closely with customers, layaways, emailing repair pickups, and shipping. She’s great with keeping all the consignor paper work organized and keeping records up to date. Her favorite aspect of the job is gazing over all the new treasures as they come in and pearls are her weakness!

Jennifer is our resident jewelry historian, as she loves to read many jewelry books, even before coming on staff and her library continues to grow as does her jewelry collection! Jennifer was given the opportunity to attending The Antique Jewelry and Art Conference (Jewelry Camp 2008) at Hofstra University with Donna in Hempstead, NY.

In her free time, Jennifer loves gardening, visiting with family, friends and reading a good book.

Favorite quote: “The heart is the place where we live our passions. It is frail and easily broken, but wonderfully resilient. There is no point in trying to deceive the heart. It depends upon our honesty for its survival.”