Meet Jeff
Today we'd like to introduce you to Jeff Kessler! Jeff has been in the jewelry business for nearly 50 years. He was educated at The Gemological Institute of America, the world's foremost authority on Diamonds, Gemstones, and Pearls, and the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gems and jewelry. In 1998, after years of study, he achieved the title of Graduate Gemologist, one of the most prestigious credentials in the industry. He went on to extend that to Master Graduate Gemologist just a short while later, making him the sole MGG in the greater Lafayette area and therefore most qualified person in the area for all of your jewelry appraisals, repairs, and purchases.
Jeff was kind enough to take a bit of his time to answer a few questions, please enjoy:
Q: What accomplishment in your life are you thankful to have experienced?
A: “I am thankful to have been a part of a long time community small business. Small businesses make up over 70% of all business. When a small business first starts, 50% of them will fail within the first five years. Seventy percent of all businesses fail within the first ten years. We are incredibly blessed to have survived 70 years. We have been blessed to be in an amazing community with wonderful people to serve with in our store.”
Q: What key changes have you seen in the jewelry business in the nearly 50 years you've been a part of it?
A: “There have been many changes in the jewelry business since I started in 1976. The average engagement ring price was approximately $650.00. Today, I believe it is closer to $3800.00. Also, men would come into the store and make a selection often without the lady. Today, most couples do this together. (However), many times the man makes the final selection.”
Q: Can you tell us a story of an experience, funny or perhaps lesson-teaching, that has stuck with you, even now, in semi-retirement?
A: “Service never goes out of style. Stall and Kessler’s has driven miles to make deliveries, assisted in wedding proposals, cut rings off of loyal customers for safety reasons toward the end of their human life, or listened to families as they reflect on jewelry items that have been in the family. We care about people.”
Q: As a store, Stall and Kessler’s provides over 20+ local organizations with sponsorships, product donations or monetary gifts. Can you tell us a little bit more about the organizations you have personally been involved with?
A: “I have been incredibly blessed to assist with many local organizations. I have been Board Chairman and Treasurer for the Chamber of Commerce. I have been Campaign Chair and Board President for the United Way. I have been Board Chair for North Central Health Services Grants Board. I was elected twice to the Tippecanoe County Council. President twice. Served on the Area Plan Commission. Have been on the Redevelopment Commission. Have been on a local bank board. Served in youth baseball. Served at Faith Church.”
Q: Can you share an experience from one of the diamond buying trips you've taken in Belgium?
A: “Bill Roberts was owner and president of IJO, who organized our Belgium buying trips.
Jana and I signed up to take a side/day trip to Paris. Bill was an older gentleman in great physical condition. He was an ex-marine. He led us through Paris in one day discovering what most cannot do in three of four days. We were exhausted but left Paris with wonderful memories and quite a bit of shoe leather in France.”
Q: Lastly, do you have any advice for aspiring small business owners?
A: “Most who want to start a small business fail pretty early in their endeavor for several reasons.
They are undercapitalized and did not understand the full commitment to small business and the many hats you have to wear. Selling, Marketing, Purchasing, Business Sense, Cleaning, etc. Most are not meant for being an owner. But, if you have financial support and tremendous grit, few things in life are as satisfying as owning your own business for many of the reasons I have written above.”