b'KATHY COREYJoseph Corey (center) cuts the ribbon at the retailers Manchester, New Hampshire, location in May 2024 to mark the completion of the stores renovation.Shes been a role model, serving on various boards to make theRETIREMENT PLANNINGjewelry industry as successful as it can be, like Diamonds Do Good. When it was time for Kathy and Jeff to retire from the retailers Its a lesson more people in the industry, himself included, shouldday-to-day operations, that strong employee connection they spent so take to heart, Joseph says.much time and energy developing played a key role. He describes Kathy as a get-it-done person whoKathy says shes often heard from people her is organized and collaborative, apt descriptors for aShe is one ofage who say theyre ready to retire but have no woman known to love a to-do list. succession plan, which happens often when chil-Shes the type of person who is able to putthe kindest,dren are not interested in carrying on the family herself into the shoes of the people who sur- most lovingbusiness.round her [in order] to make the best decision,The Coreys didnt have that problem. Their Joseph says. individualsson, Joseph, is president, and their second daugh-Kathy brought process and procedure to theter, Erin Corey Moran, also contributes to the buying and inventory management end of theyoull ever meet.family business.business, he says, something that has been crucialShes very muchStill, Kathy and Jeff started their retirement to Days success.planning early and asked themselves some hard Its a balance of having the most fashion-invested inquestions.forward products for your customers, but makingpeople.How would they step away from the company? sure your inventory turns, he says. And how would they fulfill their mission state-When he took the reins as president of Days Jeff Corey,mentto build a company that lasts? Jewelers in 2021, his parents gave him a key pieceDays Jewelers They could host a going-out-of-business sale, of advice. but that would involve closing all the stores, which Surrounding yourself with very good peoplewas not in line with their mission statement.is the way to success. Growth can only be done through growth withThey could also sell the company.other people and you cant do everything yourself, he says. We knew that would most likely affect the culture of our organi-Empowering people and retaining good people is vitally important. zation, so we didnt have much appetite for that, says Kathy.Continued on page 3028 RETAILER HALL OF FAME 2025'