Patti Geolat has earned her reputation as one of the best jewelry appraisers in the country and is happy to be celebrating her 34th year in the business. As such, her company, Geolat is a prime example of a successful small business. Geolat is a small operation in terms of the number of employees, which makes it feel almost like a family.
One of the team members is Judy Asa, vice president of operations, who will be celebrating 20 years with the company in January. Asa is the first voice clients hear on the phone, and the first face they see when they walk in. She wears many hats from the set-up of the client file through their entire initial experience with Geolat. After that first visit, clients continue with additional appraisals or selling more jewelry to the veteran estate dealer. Many have discovered that they can also buy jewelry from the curated and diverse collection of Geolat Mondial, available to view on 1st Dibs. Geolat feels fortunate to now be working with the 2nd and 3rd generations of some of these clients.
“Being such a small office,” says Asa, “it is not unusual for me to work at 10 different things during the course of the day. I love that part of it, but I also enjoy getting into the research aspect, whether it is a single item or a large estate”.
Asa loves to learn new things as this is when her curiosity and love of learning takes off. She has the opportunity to research jewelry, fine and decorative art, furniture, and textiles. She enjoys working with experts in all of these categories – it fuels her passion!
“We build on that first phone call and then the subsequent visits with a client,” says Asa. “We are a sounding board, we offer solutions, we give them permission to talk freely, and we laugh and cry with them. Our personal touch is so important, from the first call to the final documents. We are an advocate for our clients and a source of information and sometimes comfort.”
Before coming to Geolat, Asa says she was a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at the school for both of her children. “I was taking basic computer classes at Collin County Community College, mostly to be able to create invitations to parties,” explains Asa. “A friend of mine worked for Patti part time, and she mentioned that she would be leaving and Geolat was going to be looking for someone. Patti called me. I tried to beg off, saying I thought I would start off by working at a temp agency, but she was so persuasive and I came in for an interview. I started off working two to three days a week from nine until two. Once the kids were in middle school, I went to full time.”
She is a key member of the Geolat team, but Asa also leads a rich life outside of work. She is an avid golfer, and loves working in the yard and reading in her spare time. She has been married for 35 years to Jim; they have one son, Jimmy and a daughter Jordan. Judy and her family have just welcomed their third rescue golden retriever, “Buddy,” to their family.
In the last 20 years with Geolat, Asa has had many experiences, but her most memorable was born out of a moment of panic.
“I put a 5.00 ct diamond solitaire ring in the cleaner, not realizing it was only being held temporarily in a spring-loaded mounting. I pulled the rack up and the diamond was not there! My life flashed before my eyes – here I had just started and already I would have to work forever to pay for this darn diamond, thankfully it was resting calmly at the bottom of the cleaner!”
“I would like to express my appreciation for Patti’s patience and friendship over the years. Her willingness to work with my schedule when the kids were little, when I was a caregiver to my mother for 8 years, and through my recent bout with breast cancer. She not only drove me to appointments when I needed her to, but she came and sat with me during my chemo treatments! Not to mention daily visits when I was in the hospital. We have shared laughter and tears over the years and have become fast friends, and for that I am grateful.” After 20 years, Asa cannot see herself anywhere else.
Remember to get your appraisals in the new year. Call Judy for your appointment.
jasa@geolat.com 972.239.9314 www.geolat.com
