Steffany Stroh Shelton
TITLE : Co-Owner
COMPANY : Kenneth Edwards Fine Jewelers
My husband, Ken, and I opened our store five years ago after years of managing stores for corporate retailers. We combined our collective experience and talents to create a different type of jewelry store. Kenneth Edwards is a jewelry boutique full of one-of-a-kinds, amazing handmade pieces and the hottest jewelry trends. Offering designer fashion and bridal collections that would only be found in shops in exotic destinations, our goal is to “keep the shopping in Little Rock!”
Why I Love This
Jewelry is happy – I love happy! Our customers are the best. We have so much fun; they are friends. I love buying the jewelry! I’m a fanatic about it being different and amazing. I know I make our designers go nuts!
Career Goal
To have new customers find us. It makes me crazy to think they are out there missing out on an amazing experience if they haven’t been to Kenneth Edwards.
How will you know when you are successful? I think for my business to have survived the scary economy at the tender age of five and remain healthy is amazing. SUPER-success would be when the business has unlimited funds for charitable donations and advertising.
Favorite Workplace Expression: “A customer is coming!!!”
Best business advice you ever received and who gave it: “Never go into a partnership with anyone!” Advice given to me randomly by my grandmother’s next-door neighbor. She walked over to me as I was working in a flowerbed and said the words while shaking her index finger at me. It turned out to be the absolute truth. Ken and I enjoy owning and operating our business without the involvement of someone else. Who consistently inspires you? It would be my husband, Ken. His excitement for our business really motivates me! What business men and women do you admire the most? Well, I’m being honest, and it is Ken again. I admire his great knowledge of this industry and his ability to really “teach diamond” to customers. I love how much he knows about gemstones, pearls and metals. I have learned so much from him.
Best Day Ever: Any day that a couple chooses and purchases an engagement ring. It is a thrill to be a part of such a special event. We have champagne and celebrate!
Worst Day: Christmas Eve, waiting for UPS to deliver a package with a Christmas gift in it for a customer’s wife. Unable to track the package, and it was never delivered. Finally found at UPS by a savvy employee. No Christmas Eve dinner that night, but the box was found and personally delivered to the customer. Whew!