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2020, You Owe Us Big — And More Of Your Letters From November

Readers share thoughts on what’s happening.

Published

4 years ago

November 30, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore December 2020 Issue

Big Thoughts on the Big Survey

I always enjoy this story and think it is insightful. It’s fun to see what the different parts of the country are doing and what is popular in different regions. — Robin Lies, Burnells Creative Gold, Wichita, KS
Big Survey was really good — tons of great information in there. Kudos! — Tom R. Nelson, Nelson Jewelry, Spencer, IA

Digital Domination

Digital communication has become normal for clients, bypassing phone calls and store visits. So new hire interviews have an increased focus on communication and keyboard skills. It’s become a requirement! — Debbie Fox, Fox Fine Jewelry, Ventura, CA

COVID Concerns

I think the fear right now is the unknown of what is going to happen. Will we be shut down again, will customers shop in our stores for Christmas, how much inventory do we need? Juggling business with employees who have kids home virtual learning and how to handle their issues. — Beth Guntzviller, Miner’s North Jewelers, Traverse City, MI

Brain Squad Balm

My husband and I worked our town’s polls for the election, and when I finally got to the office on Wednesday, I didn’t see the INSTORE email for the survey. I was afraid I accidently deleted it in my exhaustion. I was sad about it for a couple days, then here it was today! Showed me how much I look forward to this each month. — Jo Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, Oconomowoc, WI

You Owe Us, 2020

My hope is we end this year on a high note with strong holiday sales. We deserve it after what 2020 has put us through. — Marc Majors, Sam L. Majors, Midland, TX

Mask Matters

Security with masks now a regular thing — what are people doing to keep their store safe? (We were robbed by a man wearing a mask and a baseball hat and could not get an ID.) — Anne Marie Marker, Rolland’s Jewelers, Libertyville, IL

Family Legacy, New Chapter: How Wilkerson Turns 89 Years of History Into Future Success

After 89 years of serving the Albany community, Harold Finkle Your Jeweler faced a pivotal decision. For third-generation owner Justin Finkle, the demanding hours of running a small business were taking precious time away from his young family. "After 23 years, I decided this was the time for me," Finkle explains. But closing a business with nearly nine decades of inventory and customer relationships isn't something easily managed alone. Wilkerson's comprehensive approach transformed this challenging transition into a remarkable success story. Their strategic planning handled everything from advertising and social media to inventory management and staffing — elements that would overwhelm most jewelers attempting to navigate a closing sale independently. The results speak volumes. "Wilkerson gave us three different tiers of potential goals," Finkle notes. "We've reached that third tier, that highest goal already, and we still have two weeks left of the sale." The partnership didn't just meet financial objectives—it exceeded them ahead of schedule.