Five Things I Know For Sure About Sales: Adam Jacobs

Published

8 years ago

January 10, 2016

Adam Jacobs

Toodie’s Fine Jewelry

This article originally appeared in the January 2016 edition of INSTORE.

Adam Jacobs, 27, started working for his dad, Howard Jacobs, when he was just 15 years old, at Toodie’s Fine Jewelry in Quincy, MA, which was named for his grandmother. Adam hit the $1 million mark in personal sales at age 22 — a goal he has hit every year since. What did his dad think of his son’s talent? “I guess he thought, like father, like son,” Adam says. “He’s a very, very smart businessman.” — Eileen McClelland

1
NEVER FORCE A SALE. I’m not pushy. I give my customers space, urging them to shop around, and then reminding them what I have to offer.

2
TREAT ’EM ALL THE SAME. As part of my training, I would go into a lot of jewelry stores, wearing jeans, work boots, hooded sweatshirt, and some people would help me and others would look down on me. I’ve made some of my biggest sales to customers covered in oil up to their elbows.

3
RESPECT THE BUDGET. Upselling makes clients feel very uncomfortable and gives this business a bad rap. I show them things from $100 to $20,000 but if they tell me they can only spend $3,500, I respect that.

4
FIRST IMPRESSIONS COUNT. Hiring? You should be able to read a natural-born salesperson with how they carry themselves. Are they slouched? Do they make eye contact? How’s their tone of voice? I’m not the most physically fit individual, but I carry myself well, I make direct eye contact, and I get very personal with the person I’m speaking with.

5
JEWELRY IS DEEPLY MEANINGFUL. Two years ago, around Christmas, a true friend of mine came in to look at an engagement ring for his girlfriend. I set it aside for him on Saturday, and he was going to pay for it on Monday, and propose on Christmas Eve. But he was hit by a car and killed that weekend. I still had the ring set aside in January when his parents came in and bought it for his girlfriend. They knew that was what he would have wanted. She still thanks me to this day.

This Third-Generation Jeweler Was Ready for Retirement. He Called Wilkerson

Retirement is never easy, especially when it means the end to a business that was founded in 1884. But for Laura and Sam Sipe, it was time to put their own needs first. They decided to close J.C. Sipe Jewelers, one of Indianapolis’ most trusted names in fine jewelry, and call Wilkerson. “Laura and I decided the conditions were right,” says Sam. Wilkerson handled every detail in their going-out-of-business sale, from marketing to manning the sales floor. “The main goal was to sell our existing inventory that’s all paid for and turn that into cash for our retirement,” says Sam. “It’s been very, very productive.” Would they recommend Wilkerson to other jewelers who want to enjoy their golden years? Absolutely! “Call Wilkerson,” says Laura. “They can help you achieve your goals so you’ll be able to move into retirement comfortably.”