b'HOLLY WESCHEHolly Wesche and Assistant Manager Maggie Collins pose at moter of making that team No. 1. For her,the stores disco- defeat her. One of her greatest character-[its worth] the amount of time and energythemed privateistics is her willingness to just never give jewelry show.she puts into training her employees andup and always push forward.hiring the right people. She didnt always have a 15,000-square-Holly says her team regularly talksfoot building. She was quite the visionary about whats changing and what they, as ato take that step, Woodard says.store, can do differently.While Hollys generation is certainly Innovative thinking is something shedifferent from her parents generation encourages of her team, especially afterand the way the store does business has COVID. evolved, there are morals and values she The pandemic was a blessing for thelearned from her father she still holds jewelry industry. It forced us to innovate,close to her business, and to her heart.it kicked us in the butt in some ways,When I met Jim Wesche, I was im-which was good, Holly contends. pressed with his sincerity and his knowl-Before COVID, I had two salespeo- edgeHe was always a really humble, kind, ple who did quite a bit over the phone.and compassionate man, Woodard says. They would send videos or pictures,Ive often said the apple doesnt fall too far but usually to clients who were outfrom the tree.of town or maybe were busy at work. Now, everyone on the sales team doesFAMILY LEGACY AND SERVICEthat all the time every day. Serving the community was, and still is, We even talked about get- just as important to the Wesche ting a greeting card franchise infamily as serving the customer.the store, so that way a guy canMy family has always been come in, get his wife a card, getvery involved in the community her a gift, we gift-wrap it beau- SHE DIDNT ALWAYS HAVE Aand very involved in church. tifully; its a one-stop shop. 15,000-SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING.Faith is very important to us. I For the store, its all aboutrun my business with the foun-taking the shopping experienceSHE WAS QUITE THE VISIONARYdation of Christian principles, to the next level and usingTO TAKE THAT STEP. but thats what was modeled forward-thinking strategies tofor me, frankly, my whole life, incorporate new technology. Its JIM WOODARD, Holly says.a strength she often relies onWOODARDS DIAMONDS At her church, Faith Fellow-her team for, knowing they eachship Church, shes served as can bring something different& DESIGNa Sunday School class leader, to the table. board member, and board I dont considerchair in various capacities myself a very innovativesince 2012.person. Im kind of aShes been an active sure-and-steady, tried- member of the Melbourne and-true, extreme gritRegional Chamber of and perseverance . kindCommerce for over 20 of person. years, where she served in You could say Hollyleadership positions in-knows herself well becausecluding as a board member those closest to her echoand an executive commit-the sentiment, includingtee member for approxi-Woodard. mately 15 years.One of the greatest at- Holly also served on tributes of Holly is her grit,the board of the Florida intentionality, and focus.Business Bank Advisory In her lifetime, shes had afrom 2005 to 2008 and lot of challenges and set- was a board member of the backs, but she has foughtHealth First Foundation hard to push through themfrom 2014 to 2016. and never let any of thatThe Wesche Jewelers team at the stores Diamonds & Denim promotional event She was named one ofContinued on page 16NATIONAL JEWELER 23'