Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
This is Fred Ball for Zions Bank, speaking on business.
John Christiansen started his jewelry business in Ogden when he was a young man. He had little experience in the retail business but he was smart and ambitious. And with a total of $1500 he started John's Jewelry on the very south end of Washington Boulevard.
Because he had little capital, he had to economize in every way possible. He wanted to call his store, "Christiansen's," but the sign company charged by the letter. Since that name had 13, it was an easy decision to call the store "John's," which only had five.
Felicia Christiansen Maloney, John's daughter, is an accomplished artist. She has worked in the store since she was 14 years old. In fact, she sold her first painting when she was just 11! At this young age, Felicia was a natural at making wax molds and designing custom jewelry. Basically she helped with every aspect of the store operation over the years. It was natural for Felicia to continue John's Jewelry tradition of providing customers with the finest product they can buy for their money.
Felicia told me that much of her business is to custom design pieces or have exclusive outside designers create one-of-a-kind pieces. The customer base is broad but the majority of clients are workingwomen who value quality jewelry, unique pieces and high value. Most are repeat customers and some have been buying from John's since 1949. With only 463 certified gemologist appraisers in the United States and Canada, and just two in Utah, Felicia was proud to tell me that John's is one of those coveted jewelers.
I was impressed with all of the beautiful items there. And I was particularly impressed with the large selection of Lladró and hearing about the "new look and feel" Lladró. These popular Gres pieces are beautifully produced from sandstone porcelain.
I asked Felicia what she loved about her job. She said most customers she sees every day are happy. They buy for special occasions like weddings, anniversaries, special events like a promotion, a raise or something else that makes her customers happy. And so, she's happy, too!
For Zions Bank, I'm Fred Ball. I'm speaking on business.
