Headlines

Meet the Woman Who’s Prepping Alex and Ani to Go Public in the Next Two Years

Published

8 years ago

March 18, 2016

INSTORE Staff

Veteran CFO takes different tack with sales strategy.

Jayne Fitzpatrick-Conway, the chief financial officer of jewelry maker Alex and Ani, is leading a distinct sales strategy for her company that she believes will result in a deeper connection with customers and thus build greater loyalty, CFO magazine writes.

The strategy’s foundation is selling jewelry based on its “meaning” rather than focusing on bling and impulse buying, the article says. As she describes it to the magazine: “Where some might view us a jewelry company, the consumer has loyalty around the meaning of our jewelry and their emotional connections to those meanings. That’s what gives us sustainable growth, beyond [being] just another jewelry company.”

The rest of the piece is a deep dive on the company that explains its brick-and-mortar strategy and vertical integration, as well as its ambition to go public in the next few years. But before Alex and Ani reaches that point, Fitzpatrick-Conway will have to guide the company through multiple audits.

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.”