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Work Hard, But Don’t Lose Yourself in Your Work, Says Third-Generation Jeweler

Published

5 years ago

October 25, 2016

INSTORE Staff Instore November 2016 Issue

Work Hard, But Don’t Lose Yourself in Your Work, Says Third-Generation Jeweler

Stephen Vaeth
HELMUT THE JEWELER, SHOW LOW, AZ

Stephen Vaeth is a third-generation jeweler whose grandfather, a master watchmaker, opened a jewelry store in Germany in 1928. Stephen’s father, Erich, became a watchmaker while his uncle, Helmut, became a jeweler. The brothers moved to the U.S. and named their own store for Helmut to emphasize its German roots and craftsmanship. Says Vaeth: “I’m a first-generation German-American who was promised nothing, but taught the value of a penny, hard work and goal-setting!”

Wilkerson Testimonials

If It’s Time to Consolidate, It’s Time to Call Wilkerson

When Tom Moses decided to close one of the two Moses Jewelers stores in western Pennsylvania, it was time to call in the experts. After reviewing two candidates, Moses, a co-owner of the 72 year-old business, decided to go with Wilkerson. The sale went better than expected. Concerned about running it during the pandemic, Moses says it might have helped the sale. “People wanted to get out, so there was pent-up demand,” he says. “Folks were not traveling so there was disposable income, and we don’t recall a single client commenting to us, feeling uncomfortable. It was busy in here!” And perhaps most importantly, Wilkerson was easy to deal with, he says, and Susan, their personal Wilkerson consultant, was knowledgeable, organized and “really good.” Now, the company can focus on their remaining location — without the hassle of carrying over merchandise that either wouldn’t fit or hadn’t sold. “The decision to hire Wilkerson was a good one,” says Moses.