On this 31st day of December, many people take a look back at the past year. Some may make resolutions for the New Year; getting organized, losing weight and exercising more top many people’s resolution lists. The beauty of these resolutions is that we stay the same (same person, same place), but get to change. What better excuse to take the person you are and turn into the person you want to be? The advantage is that there are 365 in which to do so!
As a company Fink’s took on many new projects in 2007. All our stores were converted to a new operating system, we closed and opened and relocated some locations, and we launched a new website and blog but ultimately stayed the same company at our core through the value Fink’s customer’s have come to expect.
So what are your resolutions? Are you going dramatic or taking baby steps? Throughout 2008 you get to see ours unfold right here!
Monday, December 31, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
Feel the Rush
Being right in the middle of the holiday season it’s not uncommon to hear the question, “Have you finished your shopping?” With the Super Tuesday of gifting only four days away it’s a good time to look at the holiday shopping personalities of consumers.
Do you meticulously make a list months in advance, double-checking names to make sure all are accounted; then think of every conversation you’ve had with those people in the past year as to hints on not only their psyche, but what gift would suit them best? Or, do you just give gift cards to one and all? Is Black Friday the equivalent of your Super Bowl, or is December 24th? Are you just lucky in finding those perfect gifts in your everyday shopping? Or, will we be seeing you 3 days from now with a look of panic of your face looking for something to light up her face, perfectly wrapped and placed in a little black bag?
Do you meticulously make a list months in advance, double-checking names to make sure all are accounted; then think of every conversation you’ve had with those people in the past year as to hints on not only their psyche, but what gift would suit them best? Or, do you just give gift cards to one and all? Is Black Friday the equivalent of your Super Bowl, or is December 24th? Are you just lucky in finding those perfect gifts in your everyday shopping? Or, will we be seeing you 3 days from now with a look of panic of your face looking for something to light up her face, perfectly wrapped and placed in a little black bag?
Thursday, December 13, 2007
419 Holiday Designers' Showcase
The title of this post is just simply the title of the event. Nothing else seemed to do it enough justice to warrant that coveted title position and the excitement surrounding this special night. Some of the vendor representatives that attended were from Mikimoto, David Yurman, John Hardy, Breitling, Roberto Coin, DiModolo, Marco Bicego, Lady Heart, Ritani, and SUWA.
It was a night of great concentration. . . after all, with so much to choose from you want to make sure you get the right one, or maybe more than one. . .
After much thought and concentration, it was time to loosen up and celebrate!
Official greeter, Executive Assistant Connie Light.
This year it was decided by the powers that be that a fashion show was in order. . .so our Director of Sales Training, Charlene Hudson, took the reigns and made it happen!
Charlene in the background emceeing and VP Mark Bair being a gentleman, as always.
Immediately following that, there was a drawing for a custom designed ring or pendant from Ritani. . .
High fives all around!
Winner Shawn Best holding the diamond, with 419 @ Colonial manager Debbie Cochran.
With Harout Ritani choosing the perfect design.
And our love of delicious food has been mentioned hasn't it? This spread did not disappoint.
It was such a wonderful night for Fink's employees and our customers alike. We can't wait for next year!!!
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Events, and Then More Events
This fourth quarter has been an especially busy time for Fink's Jewelers with planning, executing and enjoying our customer events. The next few posts will have photos from our events both at our stores and off site. And other event photos will be shown in the side bar to the left.
First is the John Hardy event held at the Charles Luck Stone Center in Richmond by Architectural Digest and Fink's. John Hardy's leading designer, Guy Bedarida, was present and brought along special one-of-a-kind pieces from the Cinta Collection as well as Hardy classics.
First is the John Hardy event held at the Charles Luck Stone Center in Richmond by Architectural Digest and Fink's. John Hardy's leading designer, Guy Bedarida, was present and brought along special one-of-a-kind pieces from the Cinta Collection as well as Hardy classics.
And those shots are just of the amazing jewelry. Here at corporate we LOVE good food, not to mention the great location!
And finally. . .these two ladies made the trek from Fink's corporate office in Roanoke to make sure things ran smoothly.
John Hardy Buyer Kristie Lipscomb & Marketing Director Lindsey Kirby
Monday, November 5, 2007
On the Cutting Edge of Jewelry Fashion
In the Spring/Summer 2007 Issue of JCK there were two trends that we noticed and loved. Both relate to nature, earth and the elements, but are very different in style. We showcased both these trends in our holiday catalog which hit homes this month.
The first is “Be Wilderness” and takes a look at earth inspired themes in jewelry this year. Since we were planning our catalog at the time this issue was published, we felt somewhat validated with our choices for the John Hardy pages especially. The new JH Kawung collection is, in a word, divine! The entire collection is bold and elemental with gold and sterling silver in the natural patterns and shapes of leaves and gemstones in colors that could only be found in nature. The mailing of the JH catalog on November 19 went into 30,000 of Fink’s customer’s homes to share this collection and win them over, like it did us!
Another mention was the use of different golds. White, yellow and rose gold, oh my! Roberto Coin specifically carries gold in these hues in several collections, like the Chic and Shine collection that is featured side by side with white, yellow and rose gold bangles and earrings in our holiday catalog as well. We also mailed 5,000 Coin catalogs to our customers on November 5 that show not only varieties in gold, but some animal inspired designs as well.
Speaking of animals as inspiration . . .
The second trend is “Animal Attraction” and focuses on the literal and implied use of our 4 (or more) legged friends in jewelry design. Roberto Coin uses crafts beautiful pieces in his Animalier collection that are named Cobra, Giraffe, Leopard, Lizard, Nemo and more! John Hardy also takes the animal theme quite literal and makes gorgeous creepy crawlies out of gold and silver. In fact we used some to highlight our about JH page in the spring JH mailer we produced in-house at Fink’s.
Another, less literal way in which animals are used is in the David Yurman Men’s line. Alligator, Rhinoceros, Tiger’s Eye, Dinosaur Bone and Thoroughbred are all par for the course in this line. Whether in style, texture or stone depends on the individual piece.
Have you seen these trends in stores this season? Are you wearing them, wanting them?
The first is “Be Wilderness” and takes a look at earth inspired themes in jewelry this year. Since we were planning our catalog at the time this issue was published, we felt somewhat validated with our choices for the John Hardy pages especially. The new JH Kawung collection is, in a word, divine! The entire collection is bold and elemental with gold and sterling silver in the natural patterns and shapes of leaves and gemstones in colors that could only be found in nature. The mailing of the JH catalog on November 19 went into 30,000 of Fink’s customer’s homes to share this collection and win them over, like it did us!Another mention was the use of different golds. White, yellow and rose gold, oh my! Roberto Coin specifically carries gold in these hues in several collections, like the Chic and Shine collection that is featured side by side with white, yellow and rose gold bangles and earrings in our holiday catalog as well. We also mailed 5,000 Coin catalogs to our customers on November 5 that show not only varieties in gold, but some animal inspired designs as well.
Speaking of animals as inspiration . . .
The second trend is “Animal Attraction” and focuses on the literal and implied use of our 4 (or more) legged friends in jewelry design. Roberto Coin uses crafts beautiful pieces in his Animalier collection that are named Cobra, Giraffe, Leopard, Lizard, Nemo and more! John Hardy also takes the animal theme quite literal and makes gorgeous creepy crawlies out of gold and silver. In fact we used some to highlight our about JH page in the spring JH mailer we produced in-house at Fink’s.
Another, less literal way in which animals are used is in the David Yurman Men’s line. Alligator, Rhinoceros, Tiger’s Eye, Dinosaur Bone and Thoroughbred are all par for the course in this line. Whether in style, texture or stone depends on the individual piece.
Have you seen these trends in stores this season? Are you wearing them, wanting them?
Friday, November 2, 2007
The catalogs are coming... The catalogs are coming!!
Triangle Town Center Store Manager Claire Brown w/ Emily Karlinski on HalloweenThis time of year is always exciting for me. As with anyone, I love seeing my own family and giving thanks. The Fink's holiday catalog, released near Thanksgiving each year, specifically brings back a lot of memories for me.
Far before I ever worked for the company, or even went to school - for that matter, I roamed the halls of SouthPark mall- catching a free ride on my father's shoulders (We'll forgo the stories of the trips to Sears that I thought would never end). I remember the fountain at the main entrance, and the blindingly beautiful chandeliers at Fink's, which was on the same corner. I stared with amazement at everything in the store as if it was a museum and every piece in there was a prized possession.... Needless to say, that fascination never went away.
Growing up near Charlotte, everyone drooled over the pieces that were in the Fink's Christmas catalog. We looked and dreamed and wished about every item that we saw... and (I can't believe I'm actually admitting this) even cut out pieces from the book and 'tried them on.' What better way for a little girl to play dress up, than with the most fabulous jewelry she's ever seen?!?
So now, a couple decades later, I get to work with those fabulous jewels daily. I love meeting new customers, and seeing loyal customers, who catch me up on the latest & greatest with their families and how they have grown over the years. It's a joy beyond words to have someone, whom you sold an engagement ring years ago, bring in their children to help select a 'prize' for their wife for Christmas.
The holidays are an amazing time for each of us. I look forward to the season, and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow in a company that has such a rich history of providing memories to so many.
Wishing everyone an amazing season - building new memories of your own,
Far before I ever worked for the company, or even went to school - for that matter, I roamed the halls of SouthPark mall- catching a free ride on my father's shoulders (We'll forgo the stories of the trips to Sears that I thought would never end). I remember the fountain at the main entrance, and the blindingly beautiful chandeliers at Fink's, which was on the same corner. I stared with amazement at everything in the store as if it was a museum and every piece in there was a prized possession.... Needless to say, that fascination never went away.
Growing up near Charlotte, everyone drooled over the pieces that were in the Fink's Christmas catalog. We looked and dreamed and wished about every item that we saw... and (I can't believe I'm actually admitting this) even cut out pieces from the book and 'tried them on.' What better way for a little girl to play dress up, than with the most fabulous jewelry she's ever seen?!?
So now, a couple decades later, I get to work with those fabulous jewels daily. I love meeting new customers, and seeing loyal customers, who catch me up on the latest & greatest with their families and how they have grown over the years. It's a joy beyond words to have someone, whom you sold an engagement ring years ago, bring in their children to help select a 'prize' for their wife for Christmas.
The holidays are an amazing time for each of us. I look forward to the season, and am grateful for the opportunity to continue to grow in a company that has such a rich history of providing memories to so many.
Wishing everyone an amazing season - building new memories of your own,
~Claire Brown
Triangle Town Center
Catalog Season
We all have memories from childhood of holiday catalogs. Sitting and dog-earring pages, circling our carefully selected future gifts and hoping for the best after we turned it over to our parents, and maybe written a letter to Santa detailing our goodness over the past year.
This article in Jewelers Circular Keystone (or JCK as it’s known around these parts) goes into the methods behind the production madness of a holiday catalog. If you didn’t click the link, I’ll sum it up for you. Basically, a catalog is a great way for Fink’s to get in front of our customers while defining our brand, highlighting our key vendor collections and showing what we’re made of. Each of our buyers works with our vendor partners to choose merchandise that is relevant and of the latest style. In addition, Fink’s always tries to show pieces that you’ll only find here, like our Fink’s diamonds.
The Fink’s Jewelers holiday catalog is the biggest marketing project of the year. Our in-house ad agency, Marc Advertising is responsible for almost all aspects of the catalog. The process starts around June and doesn’t end until all 250,000 catalogs have been delivered to customer’s homes and are displayed in our stores in November.
There are two main aspects to the catalog: Prep and Production. Prep includes choosing the merchandise to feature, laying out pages, choosing a photographer, model and location and some color correcting and touching up photos where needed. Production is basically the execution of everything involved in prep. More details and a view of the catalog from a store’s perspective coming soon!
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Welcome!
Hello, and welcome to Fink’s Jewelers blog! Over there on the right sidebar is a brief history of Fink’s Jewelers. More information can be found on our website about our history, stores, vendors, events, jewelry care and quality and so much more! On top of that, many of our posts will give you an inside look at the jewelry industry from our corporate employees and a peek at our 14 stores through the eyes of our sales staff. You’ll also get the low down on Fink’s events and our publications via this site.
In addition to a blog, 2007 has brought a few other changes for Fink’s Jewelers. It all started in February with the grand opening of our second freestanding location in Forest, Virginia near Lynchburg. We refer to this location as Thomas Jefferson Crossings, or just Lynchburg. Per usual we gave away Fink's gift cards to the first customers there. And to celebrate further we even gave away a three stone Fink's diamond ring!
Then in May we moved our MacArthur Center location in Norfolk, Virginia within the mall. The new location is over 3,500 square feet!
This summer we closed our Crabtree Valley Mall location and chose to focus on the other three stores in the Raleigh, North Carolina area - Cary Towne Center, Triangle Town Center and The Streets at Southpoint. But we’re not done yet! Just this fall we opened a new store in Charlottesville, Virginia at Barracks Road!
In addition to a blog, 2007 has brought a few other changes for Fink’s Jewelers. It all started in February with the grand opening of our second freestanding location in Forest, Virginia near Lynchburg. We refer to this location as Thomas Jefferson Crossings, or just Lynchburg. Per usual we gave away Fink's gift cards to the first customers there. And to celebrate further we even gave away a three stone Fink's diamond ring! Then in May we moved our MacArthur Center location in Norfolk, Virginia within the mall. The new location is over 3,500 square feet!
This summer we closed our Crabtree Valley Mall location and chose to focus on the other three stores in the Raleigh, North Carolina area - Cary Towne Center, Triangle Town Center and The Streets at Southpoint. But we’re not done yet! Just this fall we opened a new store in Charlottesville, Virginia at Barracks Road! In addition to stores opening, closing and moving, we've been busy with customer events in almost all our markets throughout the year and we’re just getting into the holiday season! Pictures and details will come soon, promise!
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