Mike Doland of Doland Jewelers in Dubuque, IA, told his three sons that when he turned 65, he’d be stepping aside and they could purchase the business. True to his word, he did leave at the end of December, ready to have some fun in the sun, but still happy to be on call if they need his help.
But it didn’t happen like magic. When Doland turned 58, he heard an attorney discuss succession plans during a seminar and took the advice to heart. “I discussed it with my wife, put a plan together, took it to my attorney and one thing led to another.” At the end of December, his sons assumed the stock of the company and he officially ended his tenure as owner. “We have a winter residence, so they don’t have to worry about my being around for the few months after the transition.”
Because he had that plan in place, he and his sons worked to grow the business, rather than making it smaller, as would have been the case in a GOB situation.
Doland said he was mentally ready. Each of his sons manages a separate store. “They have basically been operating the stores, with my thoughts coming in from the background for the last three years. They’ve been running the business. I wasn’t going to say I’m in charge until the day I turn things over. They are prepared and able to take it to the next level.”
Doland, a former art teacher, started the business in the ‘80s and he’s proud to see it continue. “It’s exciting,” he says. “They have so many different ideas than I would have had at my age. The numbers are bigger now but they are keeping an eye on things, they find joy in that.”
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He’ll be around in an advisory role, after a vacation. “They still want my input — at least they say they do!”
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
