Lula and Marion opened their first jewelry store in 1975 with two partners in Mississippi and sold their portion in 1979 and moved to Newport Beach, California where they purchased a store in Newport Hills Center.

In 1991, Traditional Jewelers moved to Fashion Island; a move that would allow their business to grow into one of the top independent fine jewelers of the United States.

Over the years Marion and Lula became very involved in their community with organizations such as Children’s Home Society, Assistance League® of Newport-Mesa, Chariots for Champions and the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce.

Lula sits on the boards of Marconi for Kids Foundation, Chapman University Board of Governors, Mission San Juan Capistrano Foundation, California Jewelers Association, the board of JCK, The Fashionable Women of Chapman and Fashion Island Merchants Association.

She is a member of the Commodores Club of Newport Beach, The Sophisticates for ATSC and The Pacific Club. She has served on the membership committee, board of directors and chairman for the Newport Beach Chamber and chaired the Taste of Newport.