Our History
In 1946, Herman Goldman started a scrap metal business in Flint, Michigan. His son, Morris, worked by his side for many years and eventually took over the operations of General Iron & Metal.
Morris’ sons, Mark and Arnie, daughter, Marilyn and her husband, John, all became involved with the business and later took over management following Morris’ death in 1976. The company has remained at the original location over the last 62 years.
Marko Metals had being buying scrap gold and silver for years and was expert in the process. However, in 2007, Marilyn said to John, “You know, it is women who have the gold and silver. What do men have? A ring? I want to design something for women—something that is safe , comfortable, and fun”.
Knowing that the business of buying scrap gold had always been considered a little “sleazy”, and less than honest, and was a very masculine business, Marilyn thought the time was right to follow her instincts and develop an opportunity to buy gold and silver with women in mind.
She reasoned that most women would never go to a scrap yard or a pawn shop to sell their unwanted jewelry, and that they probably didn’t feel comfortable selling it to a jeweler, as the jeweler’s main business is to sell new, expensive jewelry. Many women worried whether the jeweler would be condescending to them, and they didn’t want to sell back to them things they bought from them previously.
Marilyn’s entrepreneurial spirit gave birth to Goldmans in February 2008. Marilyn unveiled her model which included gold expos in a pleasant hotel environment as well as gold home parties. She wanted an atmosphere that was totally transparent, where every seller would learn about their gold and silver and the Goldmans’ buying procedures.
Marilyn proceeded to find great people to work for Goldmans and grew from 2 to 58 employees by the end of 2008. Her hiring philosophy was simple; testers should enjoying working with people, be concerned about the customer, be able to become experts in identifying gold and silver using Goldmans’ techniques, and most importantly—be honest.
Marilyn says, “This is the best job I’ve ever had—giving money to people for things they don’t want. And, our customers always have fun at our parties and expos, as well as taking home lots of money for things that were just sitting in their jewelry boxes.” All of Goldmans’ employees feel the same way.
Our History
In 1946, Herman Goldman started a scrap metal business in Flint, Michigan. His son, Morris, worked by his side for many years and eventually took over the operations of General Iron & Metal.
Morris’ sons, Mark and Arnie, daughter, Marilyn and her husband, John, all became involved with the business and later took over management following Morris’ death in 1976. The company has remained at the original location over the last 62 years.
Marko Metals had being buying scrap gold and silver for years and was expert in the process. However, in 2007, Marilyn said to John, “You know, it is women who have the gold and silver. What do men have? A ring? I want to design something for women—something that is safe , comfortable, and fun”.
Knowing that the business of buying scrap gold had always been considered a little “sleazy”, and less than honest, and was a very masculine business, Marilyn thought the time was right to follow her instincts and develop an opportunity to buy gold and silver with women in mind.
She reasoned that most women would never go to a scrap yard or a pawn shop to sell their unwanted jewelry, and that they probably didn’t feel comfortable selling it to a jeweler, as the jeweler’s main business is to sell new, expensive jewelry. Many women worried whether the jeweler would be condescending to them, and they didn’t want to sell back to them things they bought from them previously.
Marilyn’s entrepreneurial spirit gave birth to Goldmans in February 2008. Marilyn unveiled her model which included gold expos in a pleasant hotel environment as well as gold home parties. She wanted an atmosphere that was totally transparent, where every seller would learn about their gold and silver and the Goldmans’ buying procedures.
Marilyn proceeded to find great people to work for Goldmans and grew from 2 to 58 employees by the end of 2008. Her hiring philosophy was simple; testers should enjoying working with people, be concerned about the customer, be able to become experts in identifying gold and silver using Goldmans’ techniques, and most importantly—be honest.
Marilyn says, “This is the best job I’ve ever had—giving money to people for things they don’t want. And, our customers always have fun at our parties and expos, as well as taking home lots of money for things that were just sitting in their jewelry boxes.” All of Goldmans’ employees feel the same way.