Sponsored by MAYORS
Meet The MAYORS Dream Team
Celebrating its 110th anniversary this year, MAYORS is the leading luxury retailer for bridal, fine jewelry, and Swiss timepieces in the Southeastern United States. In this series, we introduce you to, the MAYORS Dream Team for a sneak peek into what makes this group of jewelry and watch aficionados tick!
By Viviana Shanks
Contributor
During my frequent travels, I have had the pleasure of visiting several MAYORS boutiques throughout Florida and Atlanta, with each experience leaving me with a memorable MAYORS moment.
Known for providing an exceptional client experience as well as having outstanding product knowledge, the MAYORS team prides itself on building relationships and delivering personalized experiences. A trip to their boutiques feels more like a casual catch up with your favorite sales professional to view the latest and newest wares on offer.
To celebrate our latest partnership with MAYORS, we are getting to know some of the team members who make this experience unique and compelling.
Jennifer “Jenny” Moore
Jennifer Moore works in the Rolex boutique at The Mall at Millenia in Orlando, Florida. A graduate in Hospitality Management from the University of Florida, the story about how she started working at MAYORS is quite beautiful. It all started 15 years ago when she was looking to purchase a timepiece for her dad and visited the Rolex boutique. "I've always been interested in watches, but I became increasingly interested when I purchased something for my dad,” Jenny recounted. “After much research and a lot of thought: a steel nondate submariner is what I wanted. And crazy enough, 15 years ago, Jason Lopez helped me purchase it! Who would have ever thought that one day I would be working for him?!?"
Today, Jenny is a sales professional, focusing on giving her clients the best service and creating lasting relationships. "Many times, timepieces are given for milestone moments in one's life... birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, "push" presents! They are lifetime pieces that will be passed down from generation to generation. I’m aware of the importance of my role and therefore strive to provide the best-in-class service, making each experience magnificent and memorable," Jenny stated.
When asked about her dream watch, Jenny selected a Rolex GMT Master II, stating that she would find the complication quite useful in her daily life. Owning one myself, I can relate. The Rolex GMT Master II is elegant, valuable, iconic, and the perfect fit on a ladies' wrist (read HERE).
Galo Escobedo
Galo Escobedo has been a part of the MAYORS family for five years and is proud to be the Boutique Manager at MAYORS in the Aventura Mall located in Aventura, Florida. From a young age, Galo has always been surrounded by luxury watches. His family often wore Rolex timepieces, and when he started his journey with MAYORS five years ago, his curiosity and passion intensified even more.
For Galo, working at MAYORS is like working with family. The uplifting and contagious team spirit can be felt upon entering the boutique. When asked about his most memorable moment during his career with MAYORS, Galo was hard-pressed. "This one is tough because there are so many,” he stated. “Assisting one of my childhood friends to choose the perfect diamond ring for his new fiancé."
Currently the IWC specialist, Galo's dream watch is far from the crown of the Schaffhausen's waterfalls. He dreams of a Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time. The cushion-shaped case gives it a unique look and draws interest. This contemporary timepiece is powered by an innovative caliber, showcasing the brand's aesthetic and technical savoir-faire.
Okechukwu “Okey” Nwoke
Debuting a little over a year ago, the Audemars Piguet flagship boutique in Lenox Square, Atlanta, has been a raging success. Okechukwu Nwoke, who goes by the name Okey, is proud to be recognized as one of their most experienced employees. His interest in watchmaking started due to his background in technology and fashion. Okey told Watchonista, "My interest in watches came from my interest in fashion. A wristwatch is one of the few pieces of jewelry in a man’s wardrobe. It's a statement piece."
Okey has many cherished memories at Audemars Piguet; however, there is one that stands out above them all. "I had a couple with their kids walk into our boutique. They were new to Audemars Piguet. This was exciting for me because I had the opportunity to educate them on the brand and guide them as they discovered our current collection,” explained Okey. “After trying on a couple of watches for his wife and sharing family photos and some laughs about silly things our kids both do, the couple decided not only to buy a watch for her but also for him. It was a great experience because it was more about building a friendly relationship with the client, which resulted in a transaction close to $100k. Putting relationships first goes a long way."
Working exclusively on the exceptional timepieces from Le Brassus, Okey’s eyes are, of course, drawn to the newest 11.59 by Audemars Piguet. “I love the new Audemars Piguet CODE 11.59 (rose gold with white dial),” Okey stated. “I love how simple and understated this watch is at first glance. It's innovative in its design and is part of the future of the brand.”
Audemars Piguet Boutique Atlanta by Watches of Switzerland, address: Lenox Square, 3393 Peachtree Rd NE Atlanta Georgia 30326, phone: +1 404-233-8202 email: 4225@aplenoxsquare.com. To make an appointment at the boutique, click here.
Jackie Rugel
MAYORS is the destination for jewelry in the Southeastern United States. From engagement rings to tokens celebrating success, you will always find what you are looking for at one of the MAYORS boutiques.
At the Dadeland Mall location, Jewelry Salon Manager, Jackie Rugel, is happy to guide you and make your experience memorable. Her knowledge and expertise in fashion drove her to take a job with MAYORS a year ago when a client of hers thought she would be a perfect fit.
Exclusively specialized in jewelry, Jackie takes pride in helping clients celebrate those unique and unforgettable moments in life. One of her favorite MAYORS experiences was when a customer went down on one knee right in the store. "My favorite customer experience is when one of my colleagues brings out their client's ring,” Jackie reminisced. “This guy is SO excited to pick up the engagement ring, he gets down on his knee and proposes to his girlfriend right there in the store! This experience reassured me that I love what I do every single day."
Jackie believes that jewelry has an essential role in one's life and the emotions you feel when wearing it are powerful. Whether it be an engagement ring or a self-purchase to celebrate a special milestone, Jackie is passionate about jewelry. But her favorite jewelry is anything bridal.
Serendipitously, MAYORS is holding a sale on engagement jewelry for the entire month of September, so it might be the perfect time to visit Jackie and find the ideal ring to pop the question!
Joe Reyna
Growing up with a grandfather and father who worked in the jewelry industry, Dadeland Mall Sales Manager, Joe Reyna, fit in perfectly at MAYORS. Joe quickly became passionate about jewelry, owing much of his knowledge to his father and grandfather. He discovered his passion for timepieces when he became engaged and found out about a Belgian engagement tradition in which women get a ring and men get a watch. From there, Joe began learning more about calibers and the different watch brands.
What sets MAYORS apart is its culture of cultivating relationships with clients. For Joe, the "end game" is not landing the sale but ensuring his clients make the right decisions for themselves. When asked about the importance of building relationships and trust, Joe shared: "Last year, while walking the store, I noticed a young man looking in from afar. I waved and welcomed him in. He revealed to me that he recently left a department store and purchased his first high-end timepiece. I expressed my excitement and explained a few features and benefits about his watch (Tag Heuer Formula 1 chrono). Before I knew it, we had spent 2 hours laughing and exchanging stories. We kicked it off and offered my service anytime he was by the area (even though he had never shopped with us)."
“It turns out, after leaving my store, he spontaneously decided to walk back into the department store to adjust the bracelet. He immediately noticed no one shared the same enthusiasm over the watch, and to top it off, no one even wanted to size the timepiece. Eventually, a team member from a different department attempted to remove a link, and the watch ended up scratched. They refunded him the money, he walked directly into MAYORS and purchased the same watch. You can tell he walked out that day with a better sense of fulfillment."
When asked about his favorite watch, Joe knew exactly which one would satisfy his heart! "A Rolex GMT Master II Rolesor,” Joe said. “I feel it's the right combination of ruggedness and elegance. The rose gold compliments my caramel skin, plus the GMT functionality is ideal when the family and I travel to Europe."
Video: MAYORS Dream Team
(Photography by Watchonista)
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