Holly Wesche serving as a judge for the prestigious Spectrum Awards, jewelry design contest.
Jim & June Wesche
THOSE EARLY YEARS On October 27, 1977, Jim and June purchased their first storefront in a strip center along the beachside of Melbourne, FL. Here, Wesche Jewelers was born. But like anything in life, new beginnings rarely come without growing pains. And for a short time, the Wesche’s were doubtful their new adventure would succeed. Yet, thanks to the dedication and hard work of loyal employees, Wesche Jewelers survived and soon began to thrive. Just three years later, the company had doubled in size, and Jim and June began thinking about what came next. The answer? A second location in the Melbourne Square Mall — the first regional mall in the area. Doors to the new store opened in 1982, and the Wesche’s never looked back. CONTINUING THE FAMILY LEGACY Like her father and great-uncle, Holly has seen and expanded on a vision for the future of Wesche Jewelers. After joining the family
enterprise in 1985, Holly worked closely with her father learning all aspects of the business, while her mother continued to handle the bookkeeping. She also spent time completing her degree, becoming a Graduate Gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, then earning the advanced title of Certified Gemologist from the American Gem Society. Eventually, Holly was running most of the day-to-day operations while her parents traveled the world. Over the next two decades, Holly continued the Wesche family legacy while carving a path of her own. Following her purchase of the business in March 2002, Holly bought a three-acre plot of land and built a brand-new store, where Wesche Jewelers has resided since 2006. For Holly, continuing a family legacy in jewelry also means being a part of the industry on a national stage. She was very active with the Florida Jewelers Association, having served as its president, just like her father and great- uncle before her. That involvement led to her
being elected to the national Jewelers of America Board, where she has served for 14 years. From 2019-2021, she sat in the same seat as her great- uncle, Herb Underwood, serving as Chair of the Jewelers of America Board of Directors — being just the third female to do so in the organization’s 116-year history. She’s also a well-known figure in the Independent Jewelers Organization, the American Gem Society, and the Continental Buying Group, just to name a few. To this day, the Wesche family legacy can be found in nearly every nook and cranny of Wesche Jewelers. From the original five employees in 1977 to eighteen in 2022, Wesche Jewelers has seen many seasons of growth and has no plans of slowing down. We are honored to be your trusted family jeweler and love being a part of all kinds of special moments. As one of the largest independent jewelers in the state, Wesche Jewelers is not only carrying on its family legacy, we’re helping you carry on your own.
9 WESCHE JEWELERS MAGAZINE
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