Generation Next

Published

18 years ago

March 2, 2008

Tomorrow's jewelers are being formed today

LET'S LAUNCH A MISSION for jewelers — we can call it “Operation: Legacy.” The goal of the mission is to inspire children — hopefully our own, but if not, the children of others will certainly do — to eventually join the jewelry industry. Our aim is to attract, by any means necessary, young people who can carry this business into the next generation. To ensure that every town has a few budding rockhounds who will eventually become gemologists, fashion freaks who end up as jewelry style advisers, and metal-shop stars who will find their life's work as designers and bench jewelers.

How can we make it happen? Well, it all starts in your store. The first thing you should do, if you're not doing it already, is to bring your kids into the store more often. If you worry that this will be uncomfortable, inconvenient or even dangerous, then please read this month's lead story, All in the Family, to see what a wonderful, inspiring experience spending time in your store can be for your children.

Put them to work. Have them clean cases, sweep floors, and polish jewelry. But also let them do the good stuff — sort diamonds, and even pick a favorite style or two for your inventory. (Quickie idea: If you have a tween-age/teenage child, give them their own case with products aimed at kids in their age group. They pick what goes in there. It'll be like a course in “Advanced Placement Merchandising.”)

We can't force our kids to be jewelers. All we can do is show them what a rewarding business it can be. Then just cross our fingers!

Wishing you the very best business…
David Squires
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER
[email protected]

Exceeding Every Expectation: How Wilkerson Helped d’Original Jewelers Achieve an Outstanding Retirement Sale

When David Rees decided to retire after 34 years of serving Bellevue, Washington’s Eastside, he and his wife knew their exit from d’Original Jewelers needed to honor their decades-long commitment to customers while meeting their financial goals. Since opening in 1990, David had built a reputation as one of the area’s most trusted names for diamonds, custom jewelry, and repairs. Understanding that a successful retirement sale requires more than just discounting merchandise, David chose Wilkerson to manage his transition. What impressed him most was their attention to detail, particularly in accounting and sales projections. The results far exceeded his expectations — the sale significantly outperformed projections, delivering exceptional financial results that surpassed his retirement goals. “They were always there for support. If we needed anything, they were able to accomplish that,” David shares. For jewelers contemplating retirement, David’s experience demonstrates Wilkerson’s proven ability to deliver outstanding results while providing comprehensive support throughout the entire process. His recommendation? “100% yes.”