Toby Pomeroy - Revolutionizing Gold Mining, Integrating Bitcoin, Redefining Consumption and More

Lauren Petrovic sits down with Olivia Landau, founder and CEO of The Clear Cut, to unpack what it really takes to build trust inside one of the most opaque industries in the world, and turn that into a multi-million dollar business.

From her early days on the bridal floor at Tiffany & Co. to launching an educational blog that evolved into a category-defining brand, Olivia shares how transparency became her competitive advantage.

This conversation goes beyond diamonds. It explores conviction in leadership, knowing the “hill you’re willing to die on,” and building a company rooted in non-negotiables. Even when the market pushes in the opposite direction.

They also dive into the evolving definition of luxury, the rise of bespoke experiences, and how trust—not product—is becoming the true currency of modern brands.

00:00 – Opening: Trust in one of the most opaque industries

01:00 – Olivia’s founding story & early exposure to diamonds

03:00 – From Tiffany & Co. to the Diamond District

04:30 – The Clear Cut begins as an educational blog

05:30 – Turning a side project into a real business

06:30 – Inside the diamond industry: relationships, trust, and opacity

08:00 – Educating the modern consumer

10:00 – Misconceptions about natural diamonds & supply chains

11:30 – Visiting diamond cutting facilities in India

13:30 – The global diamond supply chain explained

14:30 – Building proprietary tech (GEM platform & AI layer)

17:00 – Market insights: what clients are buying today

19:00 – Natural vs. lab-grown diamonds: long-term implications

20:00 – Leadership under pressure & decision frameworks

22:00 – Standing firm on non-negotiables

23:00 – Building a company with your partner

25:00 – Parenthood and redefining “balance”

27:00 – Seasons of life and work

29:00 – The future of luxury & shifting consumer behavior

31:00 – Experience vs. product in luxury

32:00 – Trust as the foundation of modern brands

33:00 – What Olivia is most proud of (Columbia Business School case study)

35:00 – Legacy, impact, and long-term vision

36:00 – Non-negotiables: honesty & authenticity

37:00 – What luxury needs today: personalization

38:00 – Jewelry styling & closing reflections

What if the future of luxury isn’t about exclusivity—but radical inclusivity?

In this powerful episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watches & Jewellery Initiative 2030, for a bold and timely conversation on redefining what leadership looks like in today’s global luxury landscape.

Together, Lauren and Iris explore:

• Why trust is now the defining currency for business.
• The evolution of leadership from hierarchy to inclusivity.
• How women’s empowerment and climate action are deeply interconnected.
• The role of luxury brands in setting standards for transparency, traceability, and sustainability.
• The importance of collaboration, mentorship, and building ecosystems where creativity and accountability thrive.
• Collaboration across industries is necessary for progress.

Whether you’re a CEO, creative entrepreneur, or emerging leader, this conversation offers both practical insights on what it means to create a lasting legacy.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Watches & Jewelry Initiative 2030
• UN Women – Women’s Empowerment Principles
• UN Global Compact

Follow Iris Van der Veken on LinkedIn for updates on her work.

Connect with Responsible Luxury

• Follow Lauren Petrovic on LinkedIn
• Follow Responsible Luxury on Instagram
• Explore Laurenti New York
• Stay tuned for upcoming events during Climate Week NYC 2025

Chapters

[00:00] Introduction and Background

[03:11] Leadership Evolution and Principles

[12:03] Social Impact and Early Influences

[16:30] Transition to the Diamond Industry

[21:23] Driving Change in the Industry

[27:32] Children's Rights and Global Compact

[31:34] Collaboration with UN Women

[38:46] Watches and Jewelry Initiative 2030

[40:42] The Importance of Nature in Business Resilience

[43:38] Governance and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement

[46:39] Collaboration Over Competition

[51:54] Cultural Perspectives on Sustainability

[56:54] The Interconnection of Climate and Gender

[01:00:53] The Future of Responsible Luxury

[01:05:56] Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

[01:08:21] Legacy and Impact in the Industry

What if your Rolex could be as liquid as your stock portfolio? In this episode of Responsible Luxury, host Lauren Petrovic sits down with Jake Plonskier, founder of Watches.io, to uncover how the luxury watch market is being transformed into a dynamic asset class.

Together they discuss:

• Why trust and transparency are the missing links in luxury markets
• How blockchain and data are unlocking the $30B+ watch industry
• Rise of liquidity in the watch market
• The parallels between watches, diamonds, and fine art as alternative investments
• What it takes to build a responsible, scalable business in an industry built on legacy

From blockchain-backed authenticity to the untapped potential of resale markets, this conversation offers a masterclass in rethinking legacy, ownership, and value in the luxury world. If you're curious about the future of luxury, alternative assets, or just love a good founder story - this one's for you.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – 02:15: Welcome and episode introduction
• 02:15 – 08:45: Jake’s journey: From traditional finance to luxury watches
• 08:45 – 14:00: The vision behind Watches.io: Liquidity, transparency, and access
• 14:00 – 20:30: How Watches.io is building trust in a skeptical market
• 20:30 – 26:00: The intersection of blockchain, data, and luxury authentication
• 26:00 – 31:00: The parallels between watches, diamonds, and art as alternative assets
• 31:00 – 36:30: Building an ecosystem of responsible luxury: Lessons from the journey
• 36:30 – 41:00: Rapid-fire round: Jake’s favorite timepiece, top leadership advice, and legacy reflections
• 41:00 – 43:00: Closing thoughts and how to connect with Watches.io

In this special episode, host Lauren Petrovic takes you behind the scenes at the 19th Annual Sustainable Business and Design Conference at the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she moderated a dynamic panel on “Powering the Next Generation of Responsible Luxury.”

Joined by industry leaders Tiffany Stevens, Malyia McNaughton, and Wendy Waugh, this conversation dives into how luxury brands are redefining sustainability — not as a trend, but as a core business imperative.

Together, they explore:

• Transparency in the supply chain — from diamonds to fabric mills
• The rise of upcycling, heirloom redesign, and secondhand markets
• Consumer expectations and the future of ethical sourcing
• Private equity’s growing role in ESG accountability
• How the next generation of creatives is shaping luxury’s evolution

This episode is a call to action for leaders, students, and consumers alike to reimagine what responsible luxury can look like in 2030 and beyond.

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Featured Panelists:

Tiffany Stevens - Chief Business Officer and Global Head of Sustainability, International Gemological Institute

Malyia McNaughton - Founder and Designer, Made by Malyia

Wendy Waugh - Founder, Golden Collective

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Follow Us:

@laurendpetrovic

@tiffanycstevens

@madebymalyia

@responsibleluxurypod

On LinkedIn:

Tiffany Stevens

Wendy Waugh

Lauren Petrovic

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For comments, questions, or speaker ideas:

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