
[h3]BIG SALE[/h3]
A WOMAN was taking her time browsing through everything at a jewelry store sales event, and said to the sales associate, “My husband is going to be very angry I stopped at a jewelry store.”
“I’m sure he’ll understand when you tell him about all the beautiful things at bargain prices you found,” the sales associate replied.
“Normally, yes,” she said. “But he just broke his leg, and he’s waiting for me to take him to the hospital to have it set.”
[componentheading] About our Jokers [/componentheading]
Advertisement
Second-generation jeweler Emily Spath Clark was literally born into the jewelry business. After she graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in business marketing she was offered the role of vice president of operations at the family-owned and operated Spath Jewelers of Bartow and Valrico, FL. Emily and her family follow the mottos “With God all things are possible,” and “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” A sense of humor helps in retail, too. “You see so many different personalities,” she says. “When you have a good attitude, it comes across to others and it radiates back to you.”
[span class=note]This story originally appeared in the November 2011 edition of INSTORE. [/span]
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.