The jewelry business wasn’t something Mandy Collins simply stepped into as an adult. It was part of her childhood, her education, and ultimately her identity.
“I grew up in the jewelry industry. It’s quite literally woven into my earliest memories,” Collins said.
As a child, Collins often accompanied her father Lance Embry to work, spending time at his bench and pretending to repair jewelry. What began as imaginative play soon became a real responsibility.
“By the age of 12, I was regularly helping out at Brinker’s Jewelers, spending summers filing paperwork, and even cleaning bathrooms,” she said.
By 15, Collins had moved onto the showroom floor, learning how to work with customers and guide them through meaningful purchases. At 17, she was trusted with her first engagement ring sale, a moment she still remembers clearly.
“When I turned 17, I was trusted to sell my first engagement ring, a moment that was equally nerve-racking for both me and the future groom,” Collins said. “With guidance, patience, and support, I successfully helped him choose the perfect ring. From that moment on, I was hooked.”
Helping people find jewelry that marked major moments quickly became the most rewarding part of the work.
“I loved helping people find something meaningful, whether it was a gift for themselves, a loved one, or a future lifelong partner,” she said.
While attending college, Collins’ responsibilities continued to grow. She handled inventory, entered bills, and gained hands-on experience in nearly every part of the business.
“Seeing how all the pieces fit together gave me a true understanding of what it takes to run a successful company,” she said.
Despite her deep roots in the industry, Collins said she did not originally see jewelry as her lifelong career. That changed midway through college, when her father had the opportunity to purchase the second Brinker’s Jewelers location at Wesleyan Park Plaza.
“He asked if I would be willing to help with bookkeeping and inventory, and I jumped at the chance,” Collins said.
That decision marked a turning point. Her involvement with Lance & Co. Jewelers expanded rapidly as she began buying inventory, managing financials, and learning custom jewelry design.
“The more I learned, the more passionate I became,” she said. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered a career that aligns so closely with my father’s lifelong passion.”
Since becoming an owner, Collins has focused on investing not only in the business but also in the people behind it. Lance & Co. recently hired a second master jeweler to increase capacity and maintain quality.
“Clint brings not only master-level expertise but also experience as a hand engraver, a service we’re excited to offer our customers in the near future,” Collins said.
She said continued education and training remain priorities for the growing team, which now works with CAD-assisted custom designs and the latest repair and engraving technology.
“At Lance & Co. Jewelers, exceptional customer care and superior products always come first,” Collins said.
Although neither Collins nor Embry are Owensboro natives, both moved to the community in the early 2000s and said the reception they received made a lasting impact.
“The welcome we received was nothing short of remarkable,” Collins said. “This community has supported us every step of the way, allowing us to grow and succeed beyond what we could have imagined.”
That support has fueled a strong commitment to giving back.
“Our love for Owensboro runs deep, and we are passionate about giving back whenever possible,” she said. “From donating pieces to local charities, schools, and fundraisers to sponsoring school events, we are proud to be an active part of the incredible community we are honored to call home.”
Now, nearly two decades after Lance & Co. Jewelers first opened its doors, Collins continues to carry forward a family legacy shaped by craftsmanship, connection, and a deep appreciation for the community that helped it flourish.
