Diamonds are forever. Literally and figuratively. David Gotlib grew up in Antwerp, the heart of the global diamond industry. He is a third generation diamond merchant and has been managing the family business for twenty years with great success. His creativity has translated his passion for diamonds into a unique brand that designs exclusive and timeless cufflinks for men. David Gotlib, a man with a flair for detail and a sense of luxury. Pleased to meet you!
DAVID GOTLIB now comprises six breathtaking collections that offer the discerning customer a wide range of exclusive designs. Originally the cufflinks were only available through the webshop, but in the meantime DAVID GOTLIB has grown into an international brand and is available in various international outlets. From Japan to Spain and from the United States to France.
In 2020, DAVID GOTLIB focused mainly on the Belgian market and started collaborating with the Colman jewellery shop in Knokke and Antwerp, among others. In addition, the brand opened a showcase in the autumn at the Hotel de Crillon in charming Paris, one of the city’s most exclusive locations.
David, can you tell me how you experienced your personal course?
I was born in Antwerp in the late seventies, a time often referred to as the golden age for diamonds. Both my father and grandfather were diamond traders and the discussions at home were often related to the trade. My father enjoyed explaining to us the different rough diamonds and how they were sorted. He appreciated what made them unique and valuable.
As a child I helped my father (or so I thought) sort the goods before they were cut in the factory. I can say that my love for diamonds was literally spoon-fed to me. On the other hand, I was lucky to have a mother who was very passionate about art and culture, which gave me the opportunity to focus on non-professional subjects as well. Whenever we went on holiday, she insisted that we visit all the museums and important art galleries and constantly spoke about the beauty of art. Thanks to this exposure, today I have a special connection to art and creativity.
After completing my studies in Banking and Finance, I decided to join the family business. Today, I have been managing it for almost twenty years. This has allowed me to see the world, meet interesting people and see incredible things. But something was still missing. My creative side, my passion and desire to create and enjoy beautiful things, was not being nurtured enough. I realised that I needed to develop this side of myself more. I started doing interior renovations and decorations and found a lot of satisfaction in that. I learned to focus on details and to follow my own path by adding my personal touch to popular designs. Yet I was still looking for something more, something unique.
When, in honour of my eldest son’s Bar Mitzvah, I inherited gold cufflinks from my recently deceased grandfather, I knew. I decided to combine my love of diamonds with my creativity and started a line of diamond and gold cufflinks.
Who or what have you learned the most from?
Learned is a word that speaks to the past. I try to learn every day. Sometimes this comes from a parent, but recently also from my children and certainly all the people who surround me. It is because of them that I make my decisions daily and adjust them for the better.
What would you not do again?
I would do everything all over again. Without my course, I would not be who I am today.
What would you have done faster?
In recent years, I think it is precisely ‘faster’ that has become one of our greatest pains. Faster means not being able to enjoy the present. We never lived as long as today, yet we have a constant feeling of not having enough time for what we want to do both professionally and personally. Focusing on the present with an open mind for the future is the only thing that can give peace. We should certainly not try to get shorter and faster.
David, can you tell me which achievement you are most proud of?
I can hardly put a score on that, but overall I can look back with satisfaction at what I have done so far. I am married to a fantastic woman with whom I have 5 children who remind me daily of how lucky a person can be. In business, I am satisfied with more than half of my decisions, the rest is irrelevant.
A final question. What is your big next goal – business and/or private?
I’d rather not say just yet!
Thank you David and good luck with everything!
All information on DAVID GOTLIB can be found here:Website DAVID GOTLIB
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