[dropcap cap=F]or me, the America’s Coolest Stores contest is a fantastic opportunity to forge a closer relationship with inspired jewelry store owners.
All the cool store owners with whom I’ve spoken have talked about building relationships, too — with their customers, their vendors, their employees and their communities.
This year’s Big Cool winner, O.C. Tanner, began a relationship with Salt Lake City in the first half of the 20th century. Founder Obert C. Tanner became a philosophy professor while establishing a company that makes and distributes employee-appreciation awards.
He shared his success with the community, to which he donated fountains and a concert series. Although he died in 1993, his spirit of generosity lives on. Employees are known as “appreciatologists” and nominate one another for awards. His daughter, the Rev. Carolyn Tanner Irish, says the $25 million renovation of a downtown historic landmark into a jewelry store is, above all else, a gift to the community.
This year’s Small Cool winner is Don Muller Gallery in Northampton, MA. Owner Don Muller builds relationships with rising stars of jewelry and craft. “I love supporting emerging artists,” he says. “Their work is always fresh and exciting, and I value the lasting friendship that I create with each and every one of them.”
So, nurture all of your relationships, practice “appreciatology,” and please enter next year’s contest. (E-mail coolstores@instoremag.com if you want to know more.) We want to get to know you better.
Wishing you the very best in business.
eileen@smartworkmedia.com
[span class=note]This story is from the August 2010 edition of INSTORE[/span]