Episode #371: In this episode, Brandon Aversano shares his journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, inspired by his cancer diagnosis. He founded Alloy Market, a platform that offers a transparent and value-driven way for consumers to exchange their gold and jewelry. Brandon emphasizes the importance of having a support system and believing in oneself as an entrepreneur. He discusses the challenges of disrupting the traditional pawn shop model and the positive impact of recycling precious metals. Brandon also highlights the need for a strong company culture and the importance of being open to learning and embracing new experiences. In this conversation, JM Ryerson interviews Brandon Aversano, the CEO of Alloy, a company that helps people sell their unused jewelry. They discuss the value of unused jewelry and how Alloy provides a convenient and transparent platform for selling it. Brandon shares his personal story and the mission behind Alloy, emphasizing their focus on helping people. The conversation highlights the potential value of heirlooms and the importance of considering selling them to unlock their true worth. Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:52 Diagnosis and Inspiration 05:02 Transition from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 08:51 Support System and Belief in Self 10:42 Creating a Transparent and Value-Driven Business 13:51 Recycling Precious Metals and Making a Positive Impact 18:23 Industry Reception and Disruption 20:47 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship 22:36 Building a Strong Company Culture 27:11 Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey 31:11 Creating a Results-Oriented Work Environment 38:18 Lessons Learned and Overcoming Challenges 41:01 Discovering the Value of Unused Jewelry 41:30 Connecting with Brandon Aversano 42:40 Unlocking the Potential Value of Heirlooms Guest bio: Brandon Aversano spent many years in the Financial Services industry working with Fortune 500 companies, strategizing with senior-level executives on product design/launches, and overseeing organizational budgeting and financial reporting and analyses. Ultimately, his sole focus has been improving historically unpleasant physical or digital experiences for consumers across industries. Through his professional and personal experiences, he discovered there wasn’t a trustworthy or safe solution for people to exchange their pre-owned precious metal jewelry or scrap metal for cash easily, safely, or quickly. Brandon took matters into my own hands and created Alloy, whose mission is to bring radical transparency to the precious metals exchange industry. Alloy offers accurate upfront estimates and industry-leading quick and safe payouts for selling your gold, silver, or platinum jewelry. As one of the largest digital buyers of precious metal jewelry and scrap metal, Alloy makes it easy and safe to exchange your items for cash. Contact Brandon: Website: https://thealloymarket.com Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonaversano Alloy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thealloymarket Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thealloymarket Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alloymarket TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thealloymarket