b'Kathy and Jeff, who is also retired, spendfuture. And those words dont come easily half the year in Maine and the other half into me because there are a lot of challenges Florida, but she spends as much time withI will say, from theout there.family as she can. bottom of my heart,Independent jewelers today have to I dont sit idle very much, she admits.contend with increased competition from Ive taken many leadership positions onI see a very brightonline retailers, the rising price of gold, and boards [outside the jewelry industry], whichfuture. And thosean unpredictable geopolitical climate.really excites me because I like to learnIn the end, though, its the people who something new, she says.words dont comemake up the business that give Kathy that Serving on boards gives me different per- assurance.spectives of different organizations, whethereasily to me becauseThe key to success is the people who are its education or health care. I love to learnthere are a lot ofguiding and navigating that ship, she says.and I love to be engaged with people onAt Days Jewelers, we have such an boards where theres collaborative effort,challenges out there.embedded and strong culture with the ele-especially when we achieve great things Kathy Corey, Days Jewelers ments in place to grow this company. I see a together. very bright future because of these remark-Kathy is also an outdoorsy person, spend- able individuals.ing her time in her vegetable and flower gardens when shes in Maine. Now retired, Kathy enjoys spending time with her six She and Jeff also enjoy sailing and have traversed the coast ofgrandchildren. They are the apple of my eye, she says.Maine every year for the last 30 years or so.Theres always something going on in our lives, which keeps us engaged. Its fun, she says.FUTURE OF THE BUSINESSWhile Kathy is mostly retired, the future of the business is still top of mind.Some people call me a very two feet on the ground indi-vidual. I am very realistic in my outlook on things, she says.I will say, from the bottom of my heart, I see a very bright From left to right, Joe Corey, Erin Corey Moran, Kathy Corey, Jeff Corey, and Emily Corey EynatianNATIONAL JEWELER 31'