Sparkling success

Kesslers Diamond Center has three stores in the Milwaukee area, one in Appleton and plans to open another store in Madison.
The state’s largest diamond retailer, Kesslers had 50 percent growth in annual sales for 10 years in a row in the 1990s, and the company’s revenues grew 15 percent each of the past two years, bringing the firm’s 2005 projected revenue to $20 million.
"I want to be the most respected name in diamonds in southeastern Wisconsin," said Richard Kessler, owner of Menomonee Falls-based Kesslers Diamond Center. "(Kesslers will) continue to serve Wisconsin to the highest level possible."
The best way to gain respect is to respect others, Kessler said.
"The key to our success is having respect for our clients, for our employees, for each other and for the community," he said. "What makes our company unique is our culture of caring. It goes back to what your mother taught you, to treat others the way you want to be treated. That is our philosophy, and it works big time."
Kessler said he tries to give his employees all of the tools they need to successfully serve the customers.
Every new employee attends a four-week training program called "Kessler University" before they ever set foot on the sales floor. New employees then work side-by-side with an experienced associate for another four weeks before they work on their own.
"Nobody else in the industry does this," said Kessler. "It’s our sophisticated training that separates us from our competition. I expect [our employees] to make decisions for our company, and I know that 9 out of 10 of them make money, but that once in awhile, one will cost me money. I let the employees know that they are forgiven in advance for their decisions that cost the company money. I have never fired someone for doing what they thought was the right thing."

Kesslers
Diamond Center
Location: N82 W15340 Appleton Ave., Menomonee Falls;
3600 W. College Ave., Appleton; 17260 W. Bluemound Road, Brookfield; and
5075 S. 76th St., Greenfield
Year Established: 1980
Main products/services: Diamonds and engagement rings
Number of Employees: 67
Website: www.kesslersdiamonds.com

June 24, 2005, Small Business Times, Milwaukee, WI

Sign up for the BizTimes email newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the people, companies and issues that impact business in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin

What's New

BizPeople

Sponsored Content

Stay up-to-date with our free email newsletter

Keep up with the issues, companies and people that matter most to business in the Milwaukee metro area.

By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy.

No, thank you.
BizTimes Milwaukee