The Brain Squad Shares Their Most Interesting Plans for Summer

Buzz Session: What are your most interesting plans for this summer, personal or professional?

Published

3 years ago

June 20, 2021

INSTORE Staff Instore July 2021 Issue Online Extra

Summer is our marathon season. We expect to dance to the public’s fancy. — Steven Wardle, Forest Beach Design, Chatham, MA
Thrilled to be headed back to the IJO Conference for inspiration and fun seeing friends again … and beautiful jewelry. — Holly McHone, Holly McHone Jewelers, Astoria, OR
Get that border open so I can go up to my cabin in Canada! No phone, TV, radio … incredibly peaceful and totally disconnect for a week. — Tom R. Nelson, Nelson Jewelry, Spencer, IA
Planning some intercommunity events to broader our outreach like working with a local dog shelter and food truck taste-off. — Trisha Corleto, Lowell Jewelry and Loan, Lowell, MA
Being able to relax a bit more, and a bit more “normal” socializing! Just ready for a summer we can enjoy. — Kim Hatchell, Galloway & Moseley, Sumter, SC
We are going to be hosting BONDED events; we invested in a welder and will be offering permanent jewelry to our customer. — Laura Kitsos, Gem Jewelry Boutique, Oak Park, IL
We opened a second store the beginning of May. This summer entire focus is to get the staff ready for December. — Christopher Sarich, Noah Gabriel & Co. Jewelers, Wexford, PA
Work shorter and fewer days … iron out a retirement plan. — Donnie Blanton, Brittany’s Fine Jewelry, Gainesville, FL
After last year’s disaster, I am awaiting some warm dry days to shampoo the showroom carpeting. I know, so much excitement, it will be hard to contain it all. — James Doggett, Doggett Jewelry, Kingston, NH
The store is so busy that we can barely keep up! We’ve been fortunate to hire three new people to help, but training and experience takes time. — Debbie Fox, Fox Fine Jewelry, Ventura, CA
Finally traveling for FUN! Driving to a resort in August and FLYING to wine country, California in September! — Frank Kloiber, Kloiber Jewelers, Milwaukee, WI
Make a lot of money, play a lot of golf, and stay out of the Texas heat in the mountains of New Mexico. — Joe Thacker, Thacker Jewelry, Lubbock, TX
With things opening up, I’m hoping to have friends from all over the country come to my 40th birthday party, which will be an entire day of events. I have enlisted the help of a friend to create a day of mental and physical challenges. Multiple events throughout the day. It should be a fun event! — Jeremy Auslander, Roxbury Jewelry, Los Angeles, CA
Work on our new vacation home and set up a studio there so all I can do is listen to music, design and read — no work brought up there! Review my staff set up: what I need and what I don’t, and how to accommodate what we both want to make it work. Always a challenge! — Susan Eisen, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry & Watches, El Paso, TX
Going hiking and biking in Acadia National Park in June. Going exploring in Rocky Mountain National Park later in the summer. — Dan Levinson, Ellis Jewelers, Concord, NC
This summer for the first time in our history, we will take a small vacation in July. We’re older and wiser now and realize the importance of family time. — Joe Caron, Caron’s Jewelry, Bristol, RI
Having our 80th store anniversary party/sale this month a year late. — Lee Krombholz, Krombholz Jewelers, Cincinnati, OH
We have a sales goal for total sales from January through July, and if we make it, our entire staff will be attending JCK! This is such an amazing incentive, and the team is working hard to make sure they are achieving their individual sales goals so that we make it as a team. — Lucy Conklin, Toner Jewelers, Overland Park, KS
Just trying to enjoy life and being more active socially. This pandemic really taught us the importance of balance, I think, and enjoying life to the fullest because you never know what could happen. — Becky Bettencourt, Blue River Diamonds, Peabody, MA
A 3-day driving course at Porsche! Offshore fishing and maybe a long mountain cool off getaway! 3-4 day in-store Harry Friedman training for manager and staff. — Alan Perry, Perry’s Emporium, Wilmington, NC
Finally taking some time off! I’m not one to take time off, but this summer is it. I’m taking my family to the beach in the middle of June for a week and then taking my wife on an adults-only trip to Turks and Caicos in mid-July. I work six days a week and around 60 hours a week. I then go home to my wife and three small children where the work continues. I need a break and so do they! — Marc Majors, Sam L. Majors, Midland, TX
We are looking forward to giving the staff their vacation first. They have worked so hard this past year through the craziness. I’m hoping for a surprise trip with the family, but we’ll fit it in when we can! — Trevor Williams, Leitzel’s Jewelry, Myerstown, PA
Getting ready to start on construction/renovation to our new location. We have had delay after delay after delay … not to mention Covid. We purchased the building in February 2020 and are still trying to get started. — Joan Charlene Little, Genesis Jewelry, Muscle Shoals, AL
Considering taking an online course to earn my paralegal certificate. — Cliff Yankovich, Chimera Design, Lowell, MI
Celebrating 75 years in business this month! — Jeff Vierk, Vierk’s Fine Jewelry, Lafayette, IN
Hopefully things will slow down? I need a haircut. — Eileen Eichhorn, Eichhorn Jewelry, Decatur, IN

What’s the Brain Squad?

If you’re the owner or top manager of a U.S. jewelry store, you’re invited to join the INSTORE Brain Squad. By taking one five-minute quiz a month, you can get a free t-shirt, be featured prominently in this magazine, and make your voice heard on key issues affecting the jewelry industry. Good deal, right? Sign up here.

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.”