My Life and Sanity Files

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

Published

4 years ago

October 25, 2016

INSTORE Staff Instore November 2016 Issue

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

Retirement Made Easy with Wilkerson

The store was a landmark in Topeka, Kansas, but after 80 years in business, it was time for Briman’s Leading Jewelers to close up shop. Third generation jeweler and owner Rob Briman says the decision wasn’t easy, but the sale that followed was — all thanks to Wilkerson. Briman had decided a year prior to the summer 2020 sale that he wanted to retire. With a pandemic in full force, he had plenty of questions and concerns. “We had no real way to know if we were going to be successful or have a failure on our hands,” says Briman. “We didn’t know what to expect.” But with Wilkerson in charge, the experience was “fantastic” and now there’s plenty of time for relaxing and enjoying a more secure retirement. “I would recommend Wilkerson to any retailer considering a going-out-of-business sale,” says Briman. “They’ll help you reach your financial goal. Our experience was a tremendous success.”