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Your Letters About The Pandemic

Readers talk about what they’re doing, why they love industry webinars, and why you should stay off Facebook.

Published

4 years ago

April 20, 2020

INSTORE Staff Instore May 2020 Issue Online Extra

Let us pray for all the families who lost loved ones and the many sick people going through this. Thank you to all the doctors, nurses and health care and essential workers who have sacrificed themselves to help others. We can only be hopeful and pray!! — Stacey S. Sachs, Solomon’s Fine Jewelry & Watch, Albertson, NY
I just want to thank all of our industry professionals that have come together to offer these ongoing webinars every day. It’s been a huge help! Just knowing we are all in this together and learning about everything we can do to manage our way through this pandemic. — Pamela Rossi, PJ Rossi Jewelers, Lauderdale by the Sea, FL
Loved your last two issues … I’m still reading them, as I spent a lot of time looking at the Design Awards Guide to vote first! Stay safe and thanks for all you do! By the way, huge shout-out to Shane Decker who left us and probably many others a most inspiring and kind voicemail … I’ll be saving it and personally thanking him! — Jill Keith, Enchanted Jewelry, Danielson, CT
While all of this is difficult to go through, I have really appreciated the learning opportunities such as webinars that have come from it. It also has given me the time to write and mail notes to my top 100 clients and to call and check on others. Looking forward to virtually attending AGS Conclave this year, too. Not as much fun as the regular way, but very much appreciated! — Jane Johnson, RM Johnson & Sons, Salem, VA
I’m most annoyed by the constant sniping about political matters online. It’s not helpful. It raises your blood pressure. No matter how much we watch the briefings, the doctors are the experts. Let them do what they do and pay attention to the recommendations. Unplug from Facebook, etc. to save your sanity! — Brian McCall, Midwest Jewelers and Estate Buyers, Zionsville, IN
The governor of Wisconsin feels we are nonessential, but our emails, Facebook messages, and phone messages all make us feel quite essential. We love our customer family and know things will be just fine for us when we get to the other side. — Jo Goralski, The Jewelry Mechanic, Oconomowoc, WI
A big relief to sit down and enjoy your magazine away from the nonstop news of the world’s pandemic. — Janice A. Niebauer, Jan & Dan’s Jewelry, Erie, PA
I’m not great at writing, but I’m so grateful I started reading your magazine. I broke my hip, and my son would bring me the mail from work every few days, and there it was, like magic … I was hooked. Thank you for getting me through the tough times and sharing the crazy and just making our insane business seem normal. — Sherrie Schilling-Devaney, Sherrie’s Jewelry Box, Tigard, OR
Growing up in the jewelry business, I remember my dad telling me that during the Depression, the jewelers that stayed open were the ones who offered repair service. He said that people wouldn’t buy new but would want to restore or repair what they already had as it was close to their heart. This was true during our last recession and when 9/11 took place. We are in our “new” home shop working on customers’ repairs. Wishing everyone good health personally and professionally! — Teri Vogan, Vogan Gold & Silver Works, Colorado Springs, CO
OK, now I see what people do with their down time. I don’t think I like it! I’m not a TV watcher, alright a movie every now and then, but not every night of the week. I like reading books, but again, not every day. I like having free time but not this much free time! I didn’t realize how much I like being busy, being challenged, being in control of my deadlines. I’ve learned a whole lot about myself in these last few weeks; my husband and I get along fine in constant close quarters, my house is clean, my closets are organized and my pantry has lost all of its expired goods. I’ve gone target shooting, I’ve read business books, cleaned the hangar, washed the cars, motorcycles, and the plane! I’ve gotten pretty good at most anything I attempt to draw, color and or shade. My yard is done, my flowerbeds mulched and my spring plantings complete. I want to be at work. I don’t want to do anymore coronavirus research or any more CPA conference calls about loans. I want to not wear a mask and gloves! Wow! This feels so good to vent! — Denise Oros, LInnea Jewelers, La Grange, IL

Why This Jeweler Chose Wilkerson

Mark Lauer is the owner of Mark Michael Diamond Designs, the Minnesota-based jewelry gallery known for exceptional and uniquely designed diamond jewelry. Though he loved creating the beautiful jewelry his business was known for, retirement was an exciting alternative to the 60+ hours a week he’d spent building it up. He called Wilkerson to help with a retirement sale. “I did talk to two other companies, but I just didn’t feel they offered the same services that Wilkerson did,” he says. “I knew Wilkerson had the expertise to follow through and give me the service and results that I wanted. They’re the number one rock stars in this industry.”