Spexton -Judges Comments

Published

14 years ago

July 28, 2009

Clifford Pugh: Who knew Tulsa could be so hip? Spexton oozes cool, from the distinctive storefront with block-letter signage to an interior with exposed brick walls and original tin ceiling. Other cool features: A demonstration area where customers can see the work that goes into the handcrafted jewelry and an ad campaign featuring Oklahoma’s hunkiest guys.

Tim Malone: The design of this jewelry stores says the store is open for new business concepts and promises shoppers a very nontraditional approach to jewelry and fashion and style.

Michael Whiston: The aesthetics of the interior are matched in the clean modern jewelry that Greg and Nate handcraft. Spexton is also unique in that it creates jewelry that is masculine in design and catered towards men.

Penny Preville: Men often get intimidated walking around a jewelry store, and you can tell that Greg and Nate took this into consideration when designing their store layout. The loft, lounge-like decor creates a relaxed environment, which, no doubt, has made them successful with the male clientele.

Steve Samaras: Tapping into the celebrity market has allowed them to create an effective brand name. By utilizing alternative metals in their custom designs, they have created a template for success via the Internet. Their minimalistic model for interior design also matches their product design, which is very cool.

When There’s No Succession Plan, Call Wilkerson

Bob Wesley, owner of Robert C. Wesley Jewelers in Scottsdale, Ariz., was a third-generation jeweler. When it was time to enjoy life on the other side of the counter, he weighed his options. His lease was nearing renewal time and with no succession plan, he decided it was time to call Wilkerson. There was plenty of inventory to sell and at first, says Wesley, he thought he might try to manage a sale himself. But he’s glad he didn’t. “There’s no way I could have done this as well as Wilkerson,” he says. Wilkerson took responsibility for the entire event, with every detail — from advertising to accounting — done, dusted and managed by the Wilkerson team. “It’s the complete package,” he says of the Wilkerson method of helping jewelers to easily go on to the next phase of their lives. “There’s no way any retailer can duplicate what they’ve done.”