Seems that everyone is wondering when will the economic downturn end and what good news is out there?  Well I am here to say business is no longer just flat but it is up and down and THAT IS GOOD NEWS. 

More good news is that tough business makes those of us try even harder with even better service and sharper prices.

What else? How about an experience I had recently. Someone who works retail referred to the place they worked as “an Icon.” I once thought the same thing about a business I owned and I learned a hard lesson.  Stay humble, never think you or your business have achieved a particular status. We are all here for only a moment. 

Lastly, I just committed to an alzheimers fundraiser.  interested give  me a call or e-mail. It’s going to be a…drag race down Main Street.

Bob

Rose-Marie’s Corner, July, 2010 - DINNER WITH RAY

Every Thursday evening when Bob works late at the store, my 94-year-old father-in-law Raymond and I have dinner together.  We have had this tradition for many years.  Thursdays used to be the day that my in-laws would go out to dinner.  When my mother-in-law Marjorie passed away in 1997, Ray would eat out with Irene, Bob’s aunt.  But after Irene passed away a few years later, I was the one to continue the tradition with Ray on those evenings. 

Both of us look forward to our time together every single week and we have fun deciding on a place to go.  We have our favorite restaurants, but sometimes I disappoint Ray if I’d rather not go some place he chooses.  It most likely is the other way around every once in a while, but Ray would never let me know – that’s just the way he is.  When our kids Julia and Ian aren’t busy, they’ll join us, too which is even more to Ray’s liking because he treasures every moment he spends with the two grandchildren who live in Indianapolis.  The other four granddaughters all live out of state.

There’s never a dull moment during the couple of hours we are together.  We always find plenty to talk about.  On those occasions that Julia joins us, Ray loves to hear about her editorial work at Jack & Jill children’s magazine.  When Ian is with us, well, you can imagine, I don’t get a word in, because it’s all about sports, any sport, or about Ian’s law studies.

Many times Ray tells us about his four years on several different aircraft carriers in the Pacific during World War II, a time filled with adventures, treacherous times, remarkable experiences and bonds with the carriers’ admiral and his staff.  He remembers everyone by name, including those of his cabin mates. Ray finds himself thinking of those years constantly. 

When he talks of his late wife Marjorie, his eyes glaze over, and he says, “I still don’t know how I got so lucky that Marjorie wanted to marry me.  I was 37 years old by then, never been married, and she was a very attractive 25-year-old lady whose favorite uncle told her, ‘He’ll never marry you – after all three of his four older siblings never married’.  And yet she did and we loved each other very much for 44 years.”  I can attest to that.  One day, for example, they were holding hands as we went down in an elevator at the New York Hilton where we used to stay when all four of us would attend jewelry shows there. 

 But I like it most when he talks of the Goodman family origin.  Bob’s grandfather (Ray’s father) came to this country in 1890 as a 20-year-old young man without any family all the way from Kishinev in the country of Moldova near Russia.  Zanvil Goitman landed in Philadelphia where an immigration judge chose to give him the American name Jacob Goodman.  Jacob found a job in a local tannery, but as he couldn’t speak English, he wasn’t able to read the instruction labels on the chemicals he had to use, and received severe burns all over his body.  He was taken to the charity ward of a nearby hospital where he spent six months convalescing and learning English.  Then he became a peddler to earn a living.

In next month’s “corner” I will continue the family saga and let you in on Bob’s induction into the family business.      TO BE CONTINUED……..

These days, times are tough, who doesn’t know that?  But I think there are more positives out there than negatives. Let’s find out what they are. 

Let me get this deal rolling.  Hey we are still in business.  That’s damn good.  And better yet, our business is strong! That’s a real plus!

I am still married to a women I love…a lot.  What a credit to Rose-Marie!

Every day I hope to make a new friend…and usually do.  Relationships have never been stronger with our suppliers as we’ve all learned to be more patient and trusting.

My two great kids are happy…at least as far as I know.  My dad is alive and kicking at 93 years old. Now that’s an accomplishment!

Zionsville - what an incredible place to do business! Great customers, great location. I couldn’t be happier if I was, well you fill that one in.

Ok I got it started - now let’s see what you have! Let me know how your world’s going - especially the positives.

The Polar Express, a great Christmas story by Chris Van Allsburg that is about the spirt of Santa Claus and of Christmas.          

The end of the story goes like this: 
 

“At one time most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them.  Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound.  Though I’ve grown old, the bell still rings for me as it does for all who truly believe.” 
 

It is Rose-Marie and my wish that the bell will always ring for those who listen.  That the sweet sound reminds us of the true miracles of the holiday season, be they of this world or not. 
 

If you haven’t read The Polar Express you are invited to stop by the store and take a few minutes to read our copy.  Bring your kids if you like. 
 

We also have bells for anyone who truly believes.

CIVILITY:   noun, according to the Fifth Edition Oxford Dictionary means polite, obliging, not rude.  If you ask someone, do you practice civility, the automatic answer… yes.  But is really that easy?  

Believe me, I think I’m polite and obliging all the time, but there’s a huge difference between what one thinks they do and what one does.  Am I rude at times?  Yes, especially when I think, no, when I know I am right.  Do I try to be obliging?  Yes, but successes are fleeting, few and far between.  

What about you?  Do we all believe that trying absolves us from succeeding?  I find that I fall into this trap. How do I escape?  My failure to be civil is brought to my attention, often in very direct ways. Man,that is always a rude awakening, especially for someone as perfect as me.

Why is this a subject worth considering?   From the standpoint of being in business, just think what life would be like if civility was a basic tenant of doing business.  Not just written into a mission statement or paying it lip service, actually practicing civility.   

Oh my goodness! Customers would really feel special, not taken for granted and customer loyalty it would grow out the butt for those businesses that practiced civility.

Really, why should any customer be loyal without a daily no constant practice of those three words that make up the Oxford Dictionary definition?What about incorporating civility into each and everyone’s personal life…..just think.Perhaps this is only a dream, I don’t know. 

What do you think?By the way, Rose-Marie and I saw a really good movie this past weekend, Inglorious Basterds.

 Bob

Well this is my first try at blogging and to be quite honest I am intimidated.  I’ve been thinking about what to write for some weeks and suddenly it came to me this morning, what a wonderful place Zionsville is to do business. 

My lovely wife, Rose-Marie and I have had our jewelry store in Zionsville for nine years this October.  Before that my father and I owned a chain of jewelry stores in the shopping centers in Indianapolis. Having a larger business means you know your customer in the marketing sense, but having a small business in Zionsville gives Rose-Marie and me the opportunity to get to know everybody that walks into the store.  We may become acquaintances and perhaps even friends.  I am happy that we have made many new friends in Zionsville.  Owning a business in town has given us the chance to become involved in the community and the causes we feel close to.  Buying our building a couple of years ago has given Rose-Marie and me a greater feeling of belonging and commitment to the community. 

Which brings me to the point… (those of you who know me are saying, man that was quick for Bob).  In these challenging times I look around Zionsville and see the positives.  In terms of business there are few empty spaces in downtown Zionsville, the same goes for Boone Village and the other strip centers in town.  That is remarkable.  Look around in other communities and malls.  Do you see lots of empty spaces?  That may be because there isn’t a strong sense of community in those places.  Not so in Zionsville, and the residents prove it by shopping in town. If the residents of Zionsville didn’t support the individual businesses, there would be lots of empty spaces.  What a tribute to everyone who lives here, and I for one would like to take the time to thank you.

Ok I am cooking now, so let’s switch gears. While there are lots of people who only focus on the horrible situation we find ourselves in, we choose not to fall into this trap. And believe me it is a trap.  Is business tough, challenging?  Yep business and life are tough, but don’t we as entrepreneurs love the challenge?  Is this the first bad downturn?  Hell no, and it won’t be the last one.  What an opportunity to reevaluate our businesses and lives.  

So be positive and look for the good side of life and business.  And I would like to take this opportunity to express what an honor it is to own a business in Zionsville and be accepted as part of the community.

Thank you for your time.  I look forward to doing this again and please let me know your thoughts and comments.  Blog back or better yet, stop in the store because I love to talk and I have an opinion on everything.