Growing up I always told my mother I would never ever work in the family business. Once I hit my 20's I began to open my eyes to all the alluring aspects of the jewelry industry. My mother Judy Carter, the founder of Carter's Jewelry, decided she wanted to retire in 2009 and I begged for the opportunity to see if I had what it took to carry on the family business. The beginning definitely wasn't easy and I had no clue what I was doing. Our wonderfully loyal and kind customers showed the most patience and understanding through my first few years at Carter's. In 2015, I purchased the family business from my mother and officially became a second generation businesswoman! Through the years I obtained my Marketing Degree from USM (Southern Miss to the TOP!) and welcomed my wonderful son Lawson into this world. I am working on my 10th year in the jewelry industry and I couldn't imagine doing anything else! I love our customers, our wonderful community and the fantastic team I get to be a part of. I spend what little free time I have cooking out, swimming, and hanging out with my family! My weaknesses are definitely online researching, furniture and food.
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Payton began her journey at Carter's in June 2018, shortly after graduating from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Marketing. Payton is the Marketing Director for Carter’s and is the woman behind the scenes of the Carter’s Jewelry website and social media. After tripping and falling into the jewelry industry, Payton has found her passion in social and digital marketing, photography, website development, learning about industry trends, and she is an Applied Jewelry Professional through the Gemological Institute of America. Outside of work, Payton loves traveling and working out, and on her days off she can usually be found following her husband around the golf course or spending time with her new baby girl.
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Morgan is one of the newest members of Team Carter’s! She has lived all over Mississippi: Natchez, Ocean Springs, Brookhaven, and finally Hattiesburg! Morgan graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in 2021 with a BFA in Dance and a minor in Public Relations. Through a few internships (her last being with Carter's!), Morgan discovered a passion for social media and digital marketing! She is also currently pursuing a Master's Degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications through The University of Mississippi. Morgan spends her free time discovering new podcasts, hanging out with her three favorite fur babies, planning her dream wedding, and planning new trips with her friends and fiance!
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Rylee joined Team Carter’s in January 2019, worked her way to Senior Bridal Specialist, and is now our first ever Virtual Sales Consultant! (AKA, the girl in the bubble in the bottom right corner of your screen!) She spent 10 amazing years in Hattiesburg, MS, but now calls Fort Worth, TX home with her husband and 3 pets. She earned her degree in Marketing from the University of Southern Mississippi, and is an Accredited Jewelry Professional through GIA. When she’s not spending hours perfecting your online shopping experience, you can find Rylee trying new restaurants, binging Survivor, or golfing with her husband, Ryan
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Lex is our Senior Sales Consultant and Gabriel & Co. brand ambassador for Fashion Jewelry! She studied Communications at University of Southern Mississippi and is an Accredited Jewelry Professional through the Gemological Institute of America. As of October 2021, this Bridal Consultant became our newest bride! In her free time, Lex is usually whipping something up in the kitchen, listening to true crime podcasts, or chilling out with her pets at home in Laurel. She also loves learning--she was actually captain of the debate team and quiz bowl team in high school!
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This dapper gentleman is our Sales Associate, Eric! He graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi in Entrepreneurial Business with a minor in Chemistry, and he has been a part of Team Carter’s since January 2021. He recently earned his Accredited Jewelry Professional certification, and you can always count on his professional attire to be on-point. (Floral prints are his favorite!) When he’s not working at the store, you can find Eric in the great outdoors--working with his hands, fishing, or riding bikes along with his trusty furry companion, Bellona.
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Meet Melanie! She is from Laurel, MS, but has called Hattiesburg home since attending The University of Southern Mississippi. She started her journey with Carter’s in February of 2021 as an intern, and is now one of our beloved Sales Associates. Melanie will graduate with a degree in English in May 2022, and recently became an Applied Jewelry Professional through the Gemological Institute of America. Melanie spends her free time traveling, shopping, and spoiling her two fur babies!
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Blake is a jeweler here at Carter’s and is currently apprenticing under our master jeweler, Tim Sims! She has an Applied Jewelry Professional accreditation through the Gemological Institute of America. In addition to her apprenticeship, Blake has traveled all throughout the Southeast to study at different jeweler schools in order to build on the skills she has already learned. If you ever come in to get a zapping bracelet, she is also our in-house zap professional! In her free time, Blake loves traveling with her husband, eating local, and spoiling her pups.
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If you have a piece of jewelry from Carter’s, it was more than likely constructed and perfected by the Master Jeweler himself—Tim Sims! Tim has been with Carter’s nearly 28 years, and in his words, he “might as well be a piece of the furniture”. Aside from crafting beautiful jewelry for our clients, Tim has a HUGE passion for the outdoors. He lives in Bay Springs with his lovely wife, Penny, and together they have 4 children, and 4 grandchildren. Tim never meets a stranger, & we are super thankful to have him on our team!
Matt Lane is Team Carter’s official inventory specialist and unofficial technology guru. Matt is a native of Meridian, MS and graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a degree in Recording Production and Management. In his free time, Matt can be found writing and producing music. Matt also enjoys performing and is skilled at playing many different instruments! He's also a huge fan of Marvel Movies, The Office, and really anything that gets him laughing!
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Meet one of our newest Team CJP additions, Claire! Claire has had the pleasure of working across many different industries, but is very excited to dive into the beauty of Fine Jewelry here at Carter's. As a graduate of the University of Houston, her background is in Economics and Finance with a passion for exceptional Customer Service and Business Operations. She happily married with three beautiful babies. When Claire isn’t working, on a nice day you will find her in the kitchen, gardening, or tending to her mini farm!
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Amy is our behind-the-scenes queen! She is a native of Petal, MS and has worked for Carter's Jewelry for nearly 5 years. She graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in speech pathology, but later decided to be a rockstar stay-at-home mom to her 3 awesome kids: Lynlee, Callie, and Jaxson. In her free time, Amy loves spending time with her husband of 25 years, Greg, along with her family & friends riding side-by-sides, boating, and hanging out by the pool. Amy says that Carter's is not only a great place to work--but to shop too!
