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Rachael Goldman has worked full-time in the pawn industry for twenty years and is the fifth generation of her family to own and manage Goldman’s Pawn Shop in Evansville, IN. She is an active member in her community and has served on numerous boards and committees for local nonprofit organizations including the Evansville Museum of Arts and Sciences, Temple Adath B’nai Israel, Alhambra Theatre, Inc. and the Women’s Fund of Vanderburgh County. Rachael also has a background in stand-up comedy and comedy writing and was a staff writer for the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom radio show. She was the keynote speaker for the 2023 Midwest Pawnbrokers Convention in Indianapolis, IN.
Armslist
Using Armslist.com to drive foot traffic into your store
Monday, July 22nd
3:20 pm - 4:10 pm
This session will focus on the features of Armslist.com and how Pawn Brokers can use the site to get rearm as well as non rearm clients into the store. Many recently added features to the site such as advertising your Transfer Price, Range hours, and many more will help you connect with customers who may just be casually browsing the site but don’t know about your store. Advanced users may want to connect their e-commerce platforms to Armslist and generate more sales to customers that may not necessarily show up in person.
Bluestone Trading Company, Inc.
Jewelry Industry Updates and the Resurgence of Natural Diamond
Monday, July 22nd
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Experienced business leader with a demonstrated history of working in the luxury goods, diamond wholesale and estate jewelry industry. I am second generation buyer and seller of diamonds, modern and estate jewelry from all eras, as well as family estates. As a top graduate from my class at the Gemological Institute of America, I learned to put my skills to use and grow our company. Our company Bluestone Trading was founded in 1978 as primarily being a diamond importer. Over the years I transitioned the company into being a major contender of buying second hand goods from auctions, store closing sales, and family estates/trusts.
Box Brokers group
How To Increase Jewelry Sales Through Better Display Techniques
monday, july 22nd
2:10 pm - 3:00 pm
Larry Johnson is the CEO of Larry Johnson Consulting Services, a visual merchandising advisory firm based in Colleyville, Texas. His firm works with independent retailers around the world to increase profits by improving the presentation of their merchandise. The firm has consulted with scores of retail jewelry stores around the world since its inception in 2014. Larry is the author of “The complete guide to effective jewelry display” the most widely known book on jewelry merchandising in existence. His book was used as the primary textbook in the GIA visual merchandising classes. He has written years of monthly columns for INSTORE, Retail Jeweler and Canadian Jeweller magazines. He holds 3 US patents for display applications. He is a frequent speaker on the subject of visual merchandising at industry events around the world. In the past, Larry served as CEO of Chippenhook and Coastal Display Group. He was a Senior VP at International Packaging and Pacific Northern.
Eyeson
AI Solutions and Strategies for Pawnshop Security and Operations
monday, july 22nd
1:00 pm - 1:50 pm
Roberto Doering, CEO of Eyeson Digital, has 35 years of experience in technology applied to business management and electronic security. He has developed fully integrated electronic security and centralized monitoring projects for hundreds of clients in high-risk industries including medical marijuana, jewelry, pawnbroker, high-end retail, hospitality, logistics and manufacturing. He has worked with clients of all sizes from single store owners to large chains throughout the Americas. Roberto provides expert advice in the use of security technology to create homogeneous security and operational management throughout organizations with multiple facilities. He speaks to how to reach your security goals by cultivating a culture of safety and continued performance optimization within your business. Roberto is uent in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and holds a degree in International Business from Florida International University and a degree in Electronics from Fundação Instituto Tecnológico de Osasco, Brazil.
Strive Marketing Studio
Growing Your Pawn Shop with Compliant Marketing.
Monday, july 22nd
2:10 pm - 3:00 pm
Peyton started Strive Marketing Studio in 2018 and was quickly introduced to the pawn industry by Je Wilhelm and National Pawn. Upon learning of the issues faced by pawn shops that try to advertise themselves with modern marketing practices, he decided to dedicate himself to helping them compliantly utilize these services. Since Peyton has developed a passion for pawn and prides himself as an advocate for the industry constantly working to improve the treatment of pawn shop by Google, Meta, and other large advertising platforms.
President - Stallcup Group
TEAM GRC: EXIT STRATEGY CONSULTING
MONDAY, JULY 22RD
3:20 PM - 4:10 PM
Steve Stallcup discovered his talent for valuing businesses early, buying and selling a grocery store at 17. He spent 23 years at Cash America, the world’s largest pawn shop operator, advancing from loan counter to senior-level buyer. There, he gained deep insight into mergers, acquisitions, and negotiation strategies. Recognizing how buyers exploited sellers’ weaknesses, he decided to advocate for pawn shop owners. In 2009, he founded Stallcup Group to help entrepreneurs secure fair deals and protect their legacies.
Owner, Abby's Pawnshop
Breakout Session: Buying Your First Store – Lessons Learned
tuesday 11:00AM-11:50Am
Maurice Fuller was born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach, where he developed a deep curiosity and a fascination for space and technology. At just sixteen, he began his journey in the pawn business at a small local shop known for its friendly service—an environment that ignited his passion for the industry. While balancing work and high school, he enrolled in community college at seventeen before continuing on to Old Dominion University, where he majored in Chemistry and minored in Computer Science, though his true calling remained in pawnbroking.
Over the next twenty years, Fuller built a reputation as the shop’s go-to problem solver, expanding his expertise through GIA courses and the resources provided by the NPA. He eagerly attended annual industry seminars and classes in Las Vegas, taking full advantage of both the educational opportunities and the after-hours fun. Eventually, he and his wife, Mary-Kathryn, took a leap of faith and opened their own shop with no inventory and zero loan balance, sourcing merchandise from yard sales, thrift stores, and storage unit auctions to fill the shelves.
That early hustle paid off. Today, Fuller and his wife own a thriving 4,000-square-foot store with a substantial pawn balance and the highest Google rating in the entire state. Married with five children (and a beloved dog), he has now spent three decades in the pawn industry. Looking back, he takes pride in how far they have come—from a two-person operation with bare walls to a successful, community-focused establishment.
Nathan began in 2000 as a part time pawnbroker while still in High School. For 13 years he worked for Mister Money, where he was promoted to Manager. When Mister Money changed ownership to First Cash, he was again promoted to District Manger where he oversaw 6 pawn shops in Colorado and Wyoming. Less than a year later, in 2013, he opened Daily Pawn with his family in Fort Collins Co. He expanded to a second store in 2021. He am passionate about the pawn industry and a lifetime learner.
He has 4 children ages 9-20, and he and his wife celebrated their 20th anniversary last summer. To stay active as a family we all do Taekwondo. Last spring he and his oldest son received their 4th degree black belt. He loves to play and collect video games, especially anything Nintendo. Nathan finds that the pawn industry is very rewarding and he can’t imagine doing anything else!
Owner, Abby's Pawnshop
Breakout Session: Buying Your First Store – Lessons Learned
tuesday 11:00AM-11:50Am
Abigail Mielcarek began her journey in Pawn in 2016 at the counter, working her way up the ladder to VP of operations for a 3 store chain in 2018. Abigail oversaw all operations of those stores for 4 years, including the purchase, renovation, and moving of a location into a new space. In 2022 Abigail was ready to move on to her own endeavors, partnering up with another industry veteran, and opened a solo store in Santa Rosa CA, called Abby’s Pawn & Coin. Abby’s Pawn & Coin has a focus on luxury goods and has filled a much needed gap in the area for loans & secondhand goods. Abby’s continues to rapidly grow and is fast becoming the most well known & highly regarded pawnshop in Sonoma County.
Breakout Session: Buying Your First Store – Lessons Learned
tuesday 11:00AM-11:50Am
Chelsea Dunbar Burnette is a member of the pawn industry with over a decade of experience, having begun her career in 2013. Throughout her tenure, Chelsea has cultivated a deep understanding of the intricacies of the pawn business ranging from customer relations and regulatory compliance to market trends.
Chelsea is a passionate advocate for the positive impact of the pawn industry in local communities. She actively promotes how pawnshops provide accessible financial services and support to individuals in need, highlighting their role in local economies and community development.
Chelsea regularly participates in the NPA Legislative conference, Pawn Expo, in addition to industry focus groups. Continuing education in the pawn industry is a top priority for her and her team.
PawnPlus, Inc.
Breakout Session: How To Get More for Your Melee
tuesday 10:00AM-10:50AM
Breakout Session: Adapting to Change – Growth in the Modern Economy
Tuesday 11:00AM-11:50AM
Christopher started in the industry at his family’s pawn shop in 1994. After 15 years in family-owned establishments and 2 years in corporate pawn shops, Christopher bought his first store in 2011. He currently owns and operates 2 locations in Iowa with an eye towards further expansion.
Chad’s Pawn Shop, Lake Charles, LA
Breakout: Panel – Managing after a Catastrophe
Tuesday 2:00PM-3:00PM
Chad is the owner of Chad’s Pawn Shop, with six locations in southwest Louisiana. He has been in the industry for 37 years and previously served as President of the Louisiana Pawnbrokers Association.
Breakout: Panel – Firearms
Tuesday 3:30PM-4:30PM
Robert is the owner of Elk River Trading Company in Tennessee and specializes in firearms, jewelry, and pre-owned luxury handbags. He is a second-generation pawnbroker who has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. Robert is a past president of the Alabama Pawnbrokers Association and currently serves as Vice President of the Tennessee Pawnbrokers Association. Robert is a General Class Amateur Radio Operator and lives with three senior rescue dachshunds in Huntsville, Alabama.
Kendale Pawn Shop, Sanford, NC
Breakout: Panel – Managing after a Catastrophe
Tuesday 2:00PM-3:00PM
Johnny and his wife, Tara, own and operate Kendale Pawn Shop in Sanford, NC. The store was opened by Tara’s father, Jimmy Johnson, in 1980, and Johnny has been running the store full time since 1986. A member of the North Carolina Pawnbroker Association for many years, he has served on the board in many capacities, including President multiple times. Johnny and Tara have been married for 33 years and have twin daughters, Rebecca and Katie, and five grandchildren.
Owner, 455 Cash
Breakout Session: Employee Development
tuesday 3:30PM-4:30PM
Trevor was introduced to the retail business in the late 1980s while working at his father’s Radio Shack store. Since corporate required owners to attend regular training—something his father disliked—Trevor attended in his place and quickly developed a passion for sales. He knew he wanted to pursue retail after university. He had already been exposed to the pawn industry through the previous owner of his father’s store, who used the sale proceeds to open a pawn shop. Originally, Trevor planned to buy and sell only digital media, believing that digital content retained its value since used copies were as good as new. However, customers soon began bringing in a variety of items, and the store quickly expanded its offerings. From the start, he was committed to computerizing operations—an uncommon practice for small retailers in 1994—so he invested in point-of-sale software called “Pawn Power.” One day, a customer requested a loan instead of selling an item. Since the software could handle it and no local licensing was required, Trevor seized the opportunity—and became a pawnbroker.
CapCity Associates
Maurice Fuller was born in Norfolk and raised in Virginia Beach, where he developed a deep curiosity and a fascination for space and technology. At just sixteen, he began his journey in the pawn business at a small local shop known for its friendly service—an environment that ignited his passion for the industry. While balancing work and high school, he enrolled in community college at seventeen before continuing on to Old Dominion University, where he majored in Chemistry and minored in Computer Science, though his true calling remained in pawnbroking.
Over the next twenty years, Fuller built a reputation as the shop’s go-to problem solver, expanding his expertise through GIA courses and the resources provided by the NPA. He eagerly attended annual industry seminars and classes in Las Vegas, taking full advantage of both the educational opportunities and the after-hours fun. Eventually, he and his wife, Mary-Kathryn, took a leap of faith and opened their own shop with no inventory and zero loan balance, sourcing merchandise from yard sales, thrift stores, and storage unit auctions to fill the shelves.
That early hustle paid off. Today, Fuller and his wife own a thriving 4,000-square-foot store with a substantial pawn balance and the highest Google rating in the entire state. Married with five children (and a beloved dog), he has now spent three decades in the pawn industry. Looking back, he takes pride in how far they have come—from a two-person operation with bare walls to a successful, community-focused establishment.
GRC Chairman, LDPM, INC
As CEO of LDPM, Inc, Bill developed the Picasso Pawn brand consolidating 10 individually named pawn stores and seven different companies into one cohesive unit. He started in the pawn business almost 30 years ago as something to do “in between opportunities” and never left. Bill and his wife, Heidi, love to travel and a have a cat named Kiki. Bill is a graduate of East Carolina University and the GIA Diamonds and Diamond Grading program. He is also an avid Carolina Hurricanes fan. In his free time, Bill can be found either on the golf course or practicing his game.
Owner, Abby's Pawnshop
Breakout Session: Buying Your First Store – Lessons Learned
tuesday 11:00AM-11:50Am
Abigail Mielcarek began her journey in Pawn in 2016 at the counter, working her way up the ladder to VP of operations for a 3 store chain in 2018. Abigail oversaw all operations of those stores for 4 years, including the purchase, renovation, and moving of a location into a new space. In 2022 Abigail was ready to move on to her own endeavors, partnering up with another industry veteran, and opened a solo store in Santa Rosa CA, called Abby’s Pawn & Coin. Abby’s Pawn & Coin has a focus on luxury goods and has filled a much needed gap in the area for loans & secondhand goods. Abby’s continues to rapidly grow and is fast becoming the most well known & highly regarded pawnshop in Sonoma County.
Owner, 455 Cash
Breakout Session: Employee Development
tuesday 3:30PM-4:30PM
PawnPlus, Inc.
Breakout Session: How To Get More for Your Melee
tuesday 10:00AM-10:50AM
Breakout Session: Adapting to Change – Growth in the Modern Economy
Tuesday 11:00AM-11:50AM
Christopher started in the industry at his family’s pawn shop in 1994. After 15 years in family-owned establishments and 2 years in corporate pawn shops, Christopher bought his first store in 2011. He currently owns and operates 2 locations in Iowa with an eye towards further expansion.
Chad’s Pawn Shop, Lake Charles, LA
Breakout: Panel – Managing after a Catastrophe
Tuesday 2:00PM-3:00PM
Chad is the owner of Chad’s Pawn Shop, with six locations in southwest Louisiana. He has been in the industry for 37 years and previously served as President of the Louisiana Pawnbrokers Association.
Breakout: Panel – Firearms
Tuesday 3:30PM-4:30PM
Robert is the owner of Elk River Trading Company in Tennessee and specializes in firearms, jewelry, and pre-owned luxury handbags. He is a second-generation pawnbroker who has worked in the industry for nearly 30 years. Robert is a past president of the Alabama Pawnbrokers Association and currently serves as Vice President of the Tennessee Pawnbrokers Association. Robert is a General Class Amateur Radio Operator and lives with three senior rescue dachshunds in Huntsville, Alabama.
Kendale Pawn Shop, Sanford, NC
Breakout: Panel – Managing after a Catastrophe
Tuesday 2:00PM-3:00PM
Johnny and his wife, Tara, own and operate Kendale Pawn Shop in Sanford, NC. The store was opened by Tara’s father, Jimmy Johnson, in 1980, and Johnny has been running the store full time since 1986. A member of the North Carolina Pawnbroker Association for many years, he has served on the board in many capacities, including President multiple times. Johnny and Tara have been married for 33 years and have twin daughters, Rebecca and Katie, and five grandchildren.
