Connect with us

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

Published

on

Since the beginning of the year, Mark and Monika Clodius have been involved in a major expansion of their Rockford, IL, store, Clodius & Co. Trying to finish in September, they’ve settled on an architectural style, obtained permits, come up with an interior layout and dealt with countless other minutiae. Now they’ve started looking ahead to managing the larger staff a bigger store will require. instore updates March’s developments.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Laying the groundwork for what Mark and Monika are calling Clodius College, an employee training program. You just think of the bricks and mortar, Mark said of a project like theirs that will double their sales floor space, but what are the consequences?? In their case, the consequences involve expanding from 12 to as many as 20 employees. It’s so important to have a system to present employees the most knowledge before they go out on the sales floor, Monika said. With two managers from their store, the Clodiuses attended The Friedman Group’s Retail Management Camp, and Mark went to a regular Financially In Tune (FIT) Group meeting of retail jewelry peers for inspiration for Clodius College. Mark: Training will help employees see their jobs as careers. Monika: It will define everyone’s roles a help, since the staff has grown four-fold in the store’s six-year history. We’re going to be enabling our employees to step up to the plate without our input all the time, Monika says. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

A MOMENT OF SILENCE: A long-time employee passed away from cancer that had been in remission. With a small staff, Mark and Monika noted that it felt like losing a member of the family, and their work has been affected by the tragedy. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

CURVEBALL: A plastic surgeon friend who heard they were expanding their store asks:Got room for me? For five days, Mark and Monika explored a larger addition to house a doctor’s office possibly a benefit to their business. The change would require a zoning variance, setting back the project by two to three months. We like the idea, Mark said. While they won’t change course now, they will adjust the architect’s drawings to allow for a future addition down the road. 

Advertisement

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

TIME AWAY FROM RUNNING THE STORE: About 10 days for management seminars and the Midwest Jewelry Expo. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

TIME INVESTMENT: What’s a weekend, anyway? asks Mark. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

MARK’S TASK THIS MONTH: A lighting plan. While in Las Vegas for the management seminar, Mark and Monika were able to see some of the biggest-name jewelry stores and take home ideas. Mark left convinced that the latest trends in lighting do not necessarily do a better job than their current system. I’m going to try to improve the looks while keeping how it works.

Advertisement

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

THINGS THAT CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM AWAKE: Little details keep creeping into my brain in the middle of the night, says Mark.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

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.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular

Best Stores

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

Published

on

Since the beginning of the year, Mark and Monika Clodius have been involved in a major expansion of their Rockford, IL, store, Clodius & Co. Trying to finish in September, they’ve settled on an architectural style, obtained permits, come up with an interior layout and dealt with countless other minutiae. Now they’ve started looking ahead to managing the larger staff a bigger store will require. instore updates March’s developments.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENT: Laying the groundwork for what Mark and Monika are calling Clodius College, an employee training program. You just think of the bricks and mortar, Mark said of a project like theirs that will double their sales floor space, but what are the consequences?? In their case, the consequences involve expanding from 12 to as many as 20 employees. It’s so important to have a system to present employees the most knowledge before they go out on the sales floor, Monika said. With two managers from their store, the Clodiuses attended The Friedman Group’s Retail Management Camp, and Mark went to a regular Financially In Tune (FIT) Group meeting of retail jewelry peers for inspiration for Clodius College. Mark: Training will help employees see their jobs as careers. Monika: It will define everyone’s roles a help, since the staff has grown four-fold in the store’s six-year history. We’re going to be enabling our employees to step up to the plate without our input all the time, Monika says. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

A MOMENT OF SILENCE: A long-time employee passed away from cancer that had been in remission. With a small staff, Mark and Monika noted that it felt like losing a member of the family, and their work has been affected by the tragedy. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

Advertisement

CURVEBALL: A plastic surgeon friend who heard they were expanding their store asks:Got room for me? For five days, Mark and Monika explored a larger addition to house a doctor’s office possibly a benefit to their business. The change would require a zoning variance, setting back the project by two to three months. We like the idea, Mark said. While they won’t change course now, they will adjust the architect’s drawings to allow for a future addition down the road. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

TIME AWAY FROM RUNNING THE STORE: About 10 days for management seminars and the Midwest Jewelry Expo. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

TIME INVESTMENT: What’s a weekend, anyway? asks Mark. 

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

Advertisement

MARK’S TASK THIS MONTH: A lighting plan. While in Las Vegas for the management seminar, Mark and Monika were able to see some of the biggest-name jewelry stores and take home ideas. Mark left convinced that the latest trends in lighting do not necessarily do a better job than their current system. I’m going to try to improve the looks while keeping how it works.

Rethinking the Store: Clodius & Co.: Month 3: Growing Pains

THINGS THAT CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM AWAKE: Little details keep creeping into my brain in the middle of the night, says Mark.

Advertisement

SPONSORED VIDEO

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.”

Promoted Headlines

Most Popular