BY EILEEN MCCLELLAND | Published in the May 2014 issue
Jayne Hernandez, store manager of Hamilton Jewelers in Red Bank, NJ, where she has worked for seven years, is also corporate trainer for the company. It’s a good fit, since she says if she weren’t in jewelry she’d likely be a teacher. “My sole purpose is to inspire my team to succeed,” she says. “That’s where I get the most job satisfaction.” — EILEEN McCLELLAND
ON SHARING: I try to remain very vulnerable and genuine. Vulnerability can be viewed by the world as a weakness, but I see it as strength. Sometimes I’ll think of something I could have done better and I share that with the staff. I’ll use that time to come up with ways to improve.
FAVORITE BUSINESS BOOK: Integrity: The Courage to Meet the Demands of Reality by Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist. I love the way it lays out how to be an effective leader by drawing on your best traits. I often go back to this book when I need to remind myself of my ultimate goal.
THE DRIVE: Living 20 minutes from New York City, it would have been more convenient to find employment there. However, Hamilton Jewelers provided an environment in which I believed I could flourish; despite the 100-mile round-trip commute.
ON TEAMWORK: The staff would rather collaborate and share a sale in order to ensure the client is best served. I am very fortunate to have an incredible group of people who really “get it” right to the core of their souls. They have a “global” perspective of our company’s ultimate goal; building long-term client relationships.
STRENGTHS: I earn the confidence of my team because I believe in what I say and do. My team trusts what I say and know it’s coming from the heart.
GIVING BACK: I serve as president of the board for a nonprofit, Inner City Ensemble in Paterson, NJ, that provides free programming in the arts for children.
ADVICE FOR A NEW HIRE: Leave your preconceived notions at the door. Come in with an open mind so you can embrace the culture of the company while retaining your individuality.