Good to Great: Out Side The Box

Published

9 years ago

July 8, 2014

INSTORE Staff

Good to Great: Out Side The Box

OUTSIDE THE BOX l Innovative Events

Beer Tasting / Class

D & H Sustainable Jewelers, (San Francisco, CA)

Founded by Lindsay Daunell and Shawn Higgins, D & H Sustainable Jewelers seeks to connect its local community with the environment – and what better way to do that than to invite clients new and old to a beer tasting and class with a local brewer. Backroom Brewery owner Julia Claggett debuted her Haight St. Hefeweizen in the store’s in-house Rose Cut Wine Bar, and 50 people packed into the store for the evening. — STORY BY TRACE SHELTON

Interview with Audra Smith, Internet & Media Manager/Designer

How successful was the event?
“We have events regularly, and the Backroom Brewery Event was by far one of our most successful. We were packed to the gills with regular clients, jewelry designers and beer enthusiasts. We saw a lot of new faces.”

How did the event tie in with your store’s brand?

“Our goal is to foster a feeling of community. We want people to feel good about keeping their dollars local. Most of the jewelry artists we feature are local to the Northern California/Bay area. Our bar, The Rose Cut Wine Bar, has become a great place for social networking. Our clients have the opportunity to meet one another and the artists who create their jewelry.”

How did the beer go over with the crowd?
“Julia Claggett and her partner, Christene Banda, currently brew out of their apartment in the Mission district. Judging by the impressive flavor of their beer and the reaction from the crowd that night, they are going places. A client couple of ours enlisted them that night to brew a signature beer for their wedding. We also gave Audrey Thompson, a local real estate agent for Coldwell Banker, the opportunity to sponsor the event. It was fantastic networking for her and she provided hors d’oeuvres for us.”

How did the event affect business?
“All of the sales associates at D & H are designers, and we were all on hand for the event. We kept our regular inventory on display, but the focus was not on sales. A few clients discussed design ideas and made future design appointments, but the focus was more on the beer, the brewery, our sponsor and socializing. A few of the jewelry artists we carry in the store regularly turned out that night, but again, it was to mix and mingle.”

Wilkerson Testimonials

Wilkerson: “They Feel Like Family”

Newton’s Jewelers in Fort Smith, Ark., was a true institution. But after being at the helm for most of his life, owner (and descendent of the original founder) Kelly Newton decided it was time to retire. He chose Wilkerson to handle the sale. “I’ve known the owners of Wilkerson for a long, long time. I felt at home with them,” he says. The final retirement sale was just a “blast” and the Wilkerson sales team made it so very simple and straightforward, says Newton. Would he recommend Wilkerson to others? Absolutely. “They’ve done incredible work,” says Newton. “They feel like family.”