Buzz Session

Here’s What Our Readers Would Wish For If They Had One Wish

From marketing know-how to employee assistance to remote work, our Brain Squad has wants and needs.

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2023

INSTORE Staff Instore March 2023 Issue Online Extra

question

If a genie granted you one wish, what would you change about your business?

Give me an endless supply of gold at $350 an ounce. — William N., Menomonee Falls, WI
I would update the physical appearance of the store. Some time ago, I got a lecture on how we could update the physical appearance for $10,000. The actual bill came to $50,000. — Alexander R., Brockton, MA
A perfect and brilliant use of all social media platforms. — James G., Memphis, TN
An exit plan. — Donnie B., Gainesville, FL
That rude people would go to our competitor. — Sue P., Excanaba, MI
Availability of qualified trained help. — Jeff S., Mason City, IA
Affordable housing for my employees … and customers! — Steven W., Chatham, MA
That is hard to say because I LOVE what we have and how we are doing it. Improvements needed? Yes. But that is never ending. Currently the big things the genie could help me with are delegation, clienteling and a digital strategy. — Doug M., Marietta, GA
To have more help behind the scenes so I can be out front. — Karen H., Batavia, IL
More space, more talent, more time! Oops that’s three, but I need all three for it to work. — Amber G., Katy, TX
Have someone else to handle all the HR headaches (including finding and training new employees and keeping them all happy). — Jennifer J., Bozeman, MT
Unlimited money to invest in marketing! It’s the hardest check to write. — Lucy C., Overland Park, KS
If the genie would grant me one person to come in and give me a fair value for my store, I would retire to Costa Rica. — Patty W., Sugar Land, TX
I would ask the genie to turn back the hands of time back to the mid ‘70s. (We had it so good and didn’t even know it!) — J. Dennis P., Johnstown, PA
We’re experiencing some growing pains. Adding new employees means tons of training. I would go back and document all of our processes to compile into a thorough training manual. It’s a massive project. — Joe K., Milford, OH
Everything would be automated and all inventory would be online as well as in store. — Theresa P., Edgewater, CO
Easy move to a standalone location. — Amanda L., Steinbach, MB
I’d have an amazingly talented in-house bench jeweler. — Traci H., Harrisonburg, VA
I wish every employee had ownership mentality. — Stephenie B., Fountain Hills, AZ
I would have an assistant that I could throw 70 percent of the things on my desk at and never worry about them again … — Melissa Q., Chicago, IL
I’d be able to work remotely … I’d be toes in the sand on the Amalfi Coast! — Erika G., Kearney, NE
The industry? Don’t get me started. Our own business? I would replace the stupid, rickety, ridiculous TV trays that we use as tables in the work area of the store. That’s really all I want. Real tables instead of TV trays. Is that so much to ask, Genie? — Gretchen S., Sherman Oaks, CA
A new 15,000 square-foot freestanding building with an incredible buildout interior worthy of a Cool Store debt free! — Tom D., Warren, OH
People to stop coming to the door before we are open. Drives me cray-cray … — Cliff Y., Lowell, MI

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. jewelry store, you’re invited to join the INSTORE Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the jewelry industry. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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.”