True Tales

This Jeweler Checked Her Store’s Security Camera From the Doctor’s Office. What She Saw Got Someone Fired.

A Louisiana jeweler’s promising new salesperson didn’t make it to Day 3.

Published

1 month ago

March 13, 2026

INSTORE Staff Instore April 2026 Issue

This Jeweler Checked Her Store’s Security Camera From the Doctor’s Office. What She Saw Got Someone Fired.

Her first day went great. But her first night went greater. IMAGE: GENERATED BY MIDJOURNEY

A FEW YEARS AGO I hired a salesperson that really shined on her first day, we were so excited that we had picked the right one. She was so happy about her first day that she went home and celebrated too much. The next morning my husband and I were at a doctor’s office with our daughter and I decided to check the cameras at the store to see how our new sales girl was doing. Well, she was asleep, hung over, with her head down on her desk. Then I watched a customer walk in, her head remained down on the desk and the client had to walk past her and to the back to find someone to help him. My husband immediately jumped in the car, drove to the store and fired her! — Dianna R., Lafayette, LA

After 35 Years in Kent, Bonaci Fine Jewelers Found the Right Partner to Close the Right Way

Bob Bonaci spent 35 years building a jewelry business and community presence in Kent, Washington. When he decided it was time to retire, he knew the process would take careful planning — and the right help. Fellow jewelers who’d been through it pointed him to Wilkerson. The results exceeded expectations. Wilkerson’s hands-off approach let Bonaci step back while the team handled every detail, meeting his personal and financial goals throughout. “It is phenomenal, the success that we’ve had.” Watch Bob share his retirement story.