Editor's note: This article is a sponsored partnership.
White Buffalo Trading Co. is a Native American jewelry store located in Overland Park, KS. The owner and operator, Pamela Minick, says that her business was inspired by her mother, who also had a store in the same niche market for nearly 35 years. This inspiration has lead Pamela to not only know so much about her market, but also for her to develop a business mind, passion, and experience.
She first started White Buffalo Trading Co. in Illinois, and then moved it to Kansas, where she started in a small shop on Johnson Drive and Mission, only to move to her current, bigger location in the Deer Creek Woods shopping area. Her store flourishes with word-of-mouth advertising because when people go in to shop, they stay to chat. Customers often spend more than 45 minutes perusing her stock and talking with her about the rarity of items and the mines the stones come from.
The thing that stands out the most about White Buffalo is Pamela’s knowledge on the stock she sells. She knows and is careful to buy the most quality pieces and communicates to her customers the stories behind different turquoise pieces. She personally knows many of the artists who make her jewelry and knows which mines produce which turquoise. Many of her vintage pieces even come from mines that are now closed. This and more her customers can talk about - as many of her buyers are collectors themselves.
Her shop is not just for the specialty collector, however. Pamela loves to find something for everyone’s taste, from the newly crafted items to the older, vintage pieces. When a customer enters the shop and isn’t quite sure what they want, she wants to help that person find just the right piece of jewelry - something they’d be proud to wear.
White Buffalo Trading Co.’s unique experience is all due to Pamela Minick and the expertise she brings to her field. Her love for Kansas City and its community keeps her researching and finding the best pieces and artists to feature. Her dedication to showcasing artists, authenticating fine pieces and helping customers keeps her shop more about quality than the bottom line.
Pamela’s plans for White Buffalo are to continue providing great service. She wants to continue learning, traveling, authenticating and collecting pieces to share with her clientele and hopes that those who have a taste for something truly unique will stop by her shop and stay awhile.