THIS MONTH, as we enter summer’s hot, lazy heart, you probably could use a little something to invigorate you.
INSTORE’s solution? This month’s special lead story, “Whoppers,” packed with tales of your fellow jewelers’ biggest sales. One thing about those whopper sales: They’re almost as fun to read about as they are to make. (Almost.) And they make you realize what a magical business we work in.
There are two themes that run through these stories: One, be persistent, because sometimes those big sales only come after a long, hard fight. And two, enjoy those serendipitous whopper deals when they come. Some of the transactions took less than five minutes to make. Others required months or even years.
You’ll read about sales made in bathrooms and sales made from hospital beds. You’ll experience sales made to customers in muddy boots with stinky feet and sales made to trophy wives with their very own “handlers.”
You’ll experience delicate negotiations and sales made, unmade, and then made again. You’ll even be there for a surrealistic limo ride where a jeweler starts to believe that his refusal to share an offered marijuana cigarette might jinx his deal.
You’ll learn about some jewelers who are the soul of discretion. And meet others who seem to revel in pushing their customers’ buttons: “If you really love your wife, you’ll buy her this” or “Would you rather buy her the ring and see her smile now, or have me see her smile after you’re dead?”
Advertisement
Enjoy the magazine. Hopefully from the beach nearest you.
Wishing you the very best business,
David Squires
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.
