56 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2018 N ational Jeweler reached out to past Retailer Hall of Fame inductees to gain insights into their personal heroes and charitable natures, as well as the advice they feel has served them best. Here are their answers. JEFF COREY DAY’S JEWELERS CLASS OF ‘00 Q:What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? A: Always exceed customer expectations. Statistics indicate that if you treat a customer well, there is a 26 percent chance that customer will purchase his or her next piece of jewelry from you. If you exceed the customer’s expectations, those chances jump to more than 80 percent. Q:Who is your hero? A: My father is at the top of the list. My career in the jewelry business began at 6 years old when dad first brought me to work with him in his jewelry store and taught me how to engrave. He taught me that the greatest gift a human being can offer to another is the gift of knowledge. Dad was always happy. He taught me his secret: Control your attitude through your expectations. His message was: “Expect a lot from yourself, but temper your expectations of others and life, and you’ll always be happy.” Q:What charity is closest to your heart? A: Jewelers for Children, so much so that I chose to serve on the board of directors. It’s a wonderful charity because it has given so much to the people who need it most. When our company turned 100 years old, our staff, customers and suppliers joined forces and raised over $100,000 for JFC. I think every jeweler in America should be supporting it. VICKI & HOWARD CUNNINGHAM CUNNINGHAM FINE JEWELRY CLASS OF ‘09 Q:What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? VC: Many years ago, Dror and Ronnie Yehuda invited us to a meeting regarding a possible membership in Scull. We were hesitant at first due to the financial commitment but due to their encouragement, we joined. The lessons we learned through that association helped us be more successful in our business, but the relationships we formed with fellow indepen- dent jewelers like ourselves are absolutely priceless. Even though we no longer have a full-scale jewelry store, we still treasure and value those relationships. Q:Who is your hero? HC: Herb Furman, the first person I met who sold diamonds on the road while I was on the road selling watch bands, he was extremely well-liked and I wanted to emulate him over my whole career; Ernest Moody Sr., as a new sales rep for Keepsake Diamond Co., he took me under his wing and encouraged and supported me; David Kelley, taught me the finer points of the diamond business; and Jim Clark, I always admired his strong moral values and the professionalism with which he runs his jewelry organization. Q:What charity is closest to your heart? VC & HC: Jewelers for Children. SUSAN JACQUES GIA PRESIDENT AND CEO CLASS OF ‘97 Q: What is the best piece of business advice you’ve ever received? A: For 20 years, I reported toWarren Buffett as president and CEO of Borsheims.WhenWarren of- fered the role to me, I asked him what advice he could give me. He told me one of his most famous quotes, which has become my professional and personal mantra: “Don’t say or do anything that you don’t want to read about on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper, to be read by your family, friends, colleagues, clients and the public. It takes many years to build your reputation, and it can be destroyed in minutes.” Q:Who is your hero? A: Nelson Mandela. I was born and raised in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), a segregated country. Thankfully, I had parents who valued and respected all people. Mandela was a remarkable man and inspirational leader who could have allowed his hatred and anger to divide South Africa when he became president. Instead, he brought people together to put aside their differences and achieve greatness through respect, dignity and a commitment to a better life for all in a democratic and free society. Q:What charity is closest to your heart? A: Jewelers for Children, because of the tremendous work that they do in raising money from the gem and jewelry industry to help children in need. I was fortunate to serve on the JFC board for a number of years. The passion and commitment of JFC Executive Director David Rocha, the board and the industry is commendable as we help children facing very challenging situations. QUESTIONS & ANSWERS wrap-up