Key to This Jeweler’s Success? Staff, Staff and More Staff

Published

9 years ago

October 9, 2016

INSTORE Staff

What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned as a retailer?

“Staff, staff and staff. They will make or break your business. What’s exciting now is that I’ve been doing this for over 40 years, and this is the best staff I’ve ever had. We have over 15 either graduate gemologists or those who are training for their diplomas. I’m sure there’s no staff in America that has as many [graduate gemologists] and it makes a tremendous difference to our loyal customers.” — Ernest Perry, Perry’s Fine Antique and Estate Jewelry, Charlotte, NC

Four Decades of Excellence: How Wilkerson Transformed a Jeweler's Retirement into Celebration

After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.