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38 | GRAVITAS MAGAZINE GravitasMag.com She Said HE SAID By Katherine Ferrara Johnson Steve and Julie Weintraub Owners, Gold & Diamond Source and Founders, Hands Across the Bay They're one of the most recognizable and high profile power couples in Tampa Bay. Steve and Julie Weintraub, the charismatic duo who appear on local television commercials pitching the Gold & Diamond Source, are the faces behind the family-owned business that is now the fastest growing jewelry store in the country. Married since 2004, the Weintraubs are also raising a full house - five children ranging in age from 15 to 30. This is a family who works together: Steve runs the day-to-day operations at G&D, Julie serves as Vice President, working alongside their three sons and Steve's sister in the showroom. While diamonds may be their business, charity and giving back to others is at the heart and soul of this couple. Julie is an outspoken advocate for victims of spousal abuse, often accompanying families at trials to garner attention on the case. In 2010, she founded Hands Across the Bay in 2010, a local non-profit that supports and raises funds for domestic violence and other at risk victims in the community. Here in their own words, the Weintraubs share how their long-term friendship blossomed into marriage, and the struggles and successes of blending a family of seven in the public eye. You were long-time acquaintances before you got married. How you first meet? He Said I remember the first day I ever saw Julie. I walked in my store and I saw her and she laughed at me and ran in the back room. I remember what she was wearing. I remember the color lipstick she had on. I remember the whole thing because I thought it was very bizarre that I would strike somebody that I was so funny. She Said I had heard all these funny stories about Steve and he was like this fun, crazy business owner. You have this picture of someone in your head when you hear all these things. He came in and it was just so funny. I don't know why I started laughing but I found it amusing. Both of you are very charismatic and media savvy. Whose idea was it to go in front of the camera? She Said I think it was a mutual decision. Years ago, I had an interior design company and I did the commercials. One of my employees wanted to introduce me to someone who did commercials. Steve and I went out to meet this guy and he said, "You guys should do commercials together." We both thought it was a great idea thinking that jewelry is a very personal purchase. They want to see that face and that name and know that they're dealing with an honest family-owned company. He Said People that come in the store have a fear, most especially men, because they know nothing about diamonds and jewelry. We thought it was very important that whatever we do that we try to let people know who we are. If somebody trusts you, you have a customer. We run into people all the time that come up to us and say "Hi, I know we've never met but we know you." Honestly, we are who we are on the TV commercials. We like to joke around, we have a great sense of humor, and we want people to know that they can trust us. How has being in the public eye affected your family and marriage? She Said We have five kids (ranging in age from 30 to 15). My daughter has come home from school crying because people tell her you don't really have to try because your parents are rich. I said, don't feel bad. Our family are entrepreneurs, you have to work. We have four sons: 16 and then 21, 28, and 30 and they do have pressure. I said there's good and bad that comes with our stance in the community. I don't go out and get to have drinks and act silly. When I'm out I'm always aware there are eyes on me and I'm setting an example. The voice that I have for people —I may lose that if I am not worthy of the respect that I'm given. It's also a security risk for our kids, the kidnapping of family members of jewelry stores. So, they have to make sure when they're out they have to know their surroundings. When you got married and you decided to blend families, how did that work? She Said When we got married we asked ourselves if are we going to have "his," "hers" and "ours" and we decided not to. The reason is because I wanted to be able to bond with his children. They weren't real excited in the beginning to get to know me. I let them know that I'm not here to be your best friend and be really cool. I'm here to actively be a parent and in the long run you'll appreciate it. I did a lot of different

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