Press Releases

Biggest Group Yet for RJO Next Gen Experience

Published

5 years ago

June 8, 2018

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) Oak Brook, IL (May 19 – May 21) – Setting aside time to continually learn about the industry and invest in yourself as an employee is not an easy task. It takes planning and drive. Last month, almost 40 members of RJO spent a weekend retreat at RJO Next Gen 2018. These three days were full of networking, idea sharing, and personal development exercises. RJO’s CEO Sarah Streb says, “This year’s turnout surpassed our already high goal for 2018. It’s incredibly reward- ing to see so many new faces each year.”

Co-facilitators Kate Peterson of Performance Concepts and Sam Centellas of Outsight Consult- ing made sure to keep the group moving both physically and mentally so they got the most out of the weekend. With topics that covered everything from communication styles to inventory man- agement, this whirlwind weekend ensured that attendees went back to their stores brimming with new ideas.

The next RJO Next Generation Experience is made possible by sponsorship from RDI Dia- monds, Ostbye, Stuller, Edge Retail Academy, Diamond Producers Association, Rarest Rainbow, and Federated Insurance.

In keeping with their commitment to further education of the industry, The RJO Foundation awarded over $2,000 total to six applicants in their Spring 2018 cycle. Past awardee Samantha Tupper of Wink’s Jewelry in Brookings, SD says, “I am so thankful to RJO and the RJO Founda- tion.” The RJO Foundation awards scholarships twice a year and is currently accepting ap- plications for the Fall 2018 cycle.

Biggest Group Yet for RJO Next Gen Experience

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”