Post by Macmoish on Apr 20, 2011 19:17:20 GMT
PFA Give Me Football
Justin put his Diamond Thoughts into practice
Justin is proud Diamond Thoughts has gone from ‘strength to strength’.
Making and selling jewellery to the stars is a far cry from playing professional football....
...and it’s a million miles away from turning your hand to painting and decorating.
That was the situation Justin Cochrane found himself in when he was released by QPR as a 19-year-old – and he didn’t like it one bit.
Fortunately for Justin, he was able to carve at a pro career with the likes of Crewe, Rotherham and Aldershot before returning to non-league football.
In between times, he studied in business management – with the help of the PFA – and subsequently set up a company which makes bespoke jewellery.
Diamond Thoughts was born six years ago and, with his former jeweller partner, Justin has built up a business respected throughout the English game...and beyond.
The hours of studies he put in during his time at Crewe have certainly proved worthwhile, and Justin and his business associates have recently moved into new premises in North London.
Diamond Thoughts make and provide rings, bracelets, ear rings and the like to the exact specifications and design ‘thoughts’ of the client. Justin has even designed items of his own.
He says: “As a youngster I was interested in business, and I was also quite creative. I do have some crazy ideas, but we have a top fine artist who can put them into practice.
“In the main though, it’s up to the client to present us with the ideas – and sometimes images – of what they want their personal piece of jewellery to look like.
“About 70-80 per cent of our business comes from professional footballs, from all levels of the football league. Basically, we visit them, they tell us what they want, and we deliver the goods.
“We have made jewellery for something like 60 footballers since we started six years ago, and the likes of Kenwyne Jones, Yaya Toure and Sylvain Ebanks-Blake are among our list of clients.
“We have also provided jewellery for players in Turkey and France, and it’s all about providing something that is both personal and unique.
“As a young player I certainly never thought I would be involved in something like this, but it certainly beats going out painting and decorating, which I did after I was released by QPR.
“I had spell in non league with Hayes before signing for Crewe and it was while I was there I decided to approach the PFA about doing a business studies course.
“It was tough, and I was a bit wet behind the ears, but I stuck at it and paid dividends as I came out with a HNC in business management. The PFA were a great help, and it’s stood me in good stead ever since.
“A friend of mine, who was and still is a jeweller, suggested we started a business making bespoke jewellery for footballers; combing his skills with my new-found business knowledge and my contacts in the game.
“Diamond Thoughts has gone from strength to strength over the last six years and the day when I was released by QPR – and I was left wondering ‘where do I go from here’ – seems a very long time ago,” added Justin, who is still playing part-time for Boreham Wood.
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