Star City Six – Michelle Williams
Sartor Hamann Jewelers (sartorhamann.com) is a family-owned company that has been in business for over 114 years. Michelle Williams is the manager of Sartor Hamann’s SouthPointe Pavilions location.
Tell us a little about your business.
We specialize in selling fine jewelry, and we take great pride in servicing clients who have a desire for higher quality pieces of jewelry. We also specialize in custom design work. I feel so blessed to get to manage a fabulous staff at our SouthPointe location. I truly love what I do.
How did you get started in the business?
I have been in the jewelry business for 25 years, but I actually got into the business by accident. I was out of college, working for a retail store, and I was secretly shopped by a jewelry company that had approximately 200+ stores in the United States. They convinced me to work for them and I spent the first 10 years of my career learning the “corporate” way of selling jewelry. I then made the switch to Sartor Hamann and have been with them for the last 15 years. Through learning the “family” way of selling jewelry, I’ve seen there truly is a big difference in corporate and family-owned jewelry stores.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally?
In regards to the jewelry business, I would say making sure our clients get as much education as possible while in our store. We want our clients to have fun when they are choosing a diamond, but we also want to give them a good education and the confidence that they are buying the best. There are a lot of places, (especially the internet) that can really make a client feel like they are getting a good deal…..when in fact, they are not.
Tell us a little about your family.
My husband of 24 years, Gary, and I have six beautiful children and three grandchildren. We are going on our second year of being empty nesters and are enjoying the extra time we have with one another.
What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life?
Losing my father to brain cancer. Losing him made me realize that life is short and to never take your loved ones for granted.
What is your favorite thing to do on a day off?
When I get a day off, I actually love to lay low at home with my family and pets. If I get a couple of hours to myself on that same day out in my flower garden…that is pure gold!
What is the most unique or interesting thing about you that most people probably don’t know?
I can sing. I did an off-Broadway musical in New York back in the late 80s and I currently sing with an acapella quartet in Lincoln called Star City Blend.
Who inspires you?
My family. I wake up every day wanting to be the best I can be for them. Also, my parents, because they taught me what love is, what faith is, and what is truly important in life.
If you could choose only one descriptive word to be remembered as, what would it be?
Genuine.
If you could have a super power, what would it be?
Time travel! I would love to go back in time to meet all of my ancestors.
If you could choose any other profession to be successful in, what would it be?
Landscaping. I love to be out in my yard and come up with creative ideas to make it unique and pretty.
What is your favorite book or the last good book you read?
The High Tide Club by Mary Kay Andrews.
If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so?
Phone: (402) 420-2244; Email: michelle@sartorhamann.com; Website: sartorhamann.com; or visit me at Sartor Hamann’s SouthPointe location, 2900 Pine Lake Rd., STE C.