My City March 2023

Sawyer Jewelers

FOUNDED: 1947 134 N. Leroy St., Fenton 810.629.7936 | sawyerjewelers.com

How did you get your start? I stumbled into the jewelry business by complete accident when I was 17 years old. At the time, I worked as a manager in a small-town pizzeria and was disappoint ed about the broken promises made regarding my pay and future with the company. I began asking everyone I met what they did for a living, if they liked their job and how much they made. One day, I met a lady who was in the jewelry business. She told me two jewelers went out on their own after the Diamond Exchange in Flint moved to California. These gentlemen agreed to meet with me and I was in awe of what they could do, they were so talented. From that day on, I would drive to Flint – after attending college in Lansing and working in Durand – just to sit behind them, to watch and learn. Shortly after, I started working on jewelry and worked with them for six or seven months for free, before moving on in the profession. I was fortunate and eager to learn everything I could. What has contributed to your success? Being very me chanical, naturally; I can make and design just about anything but most of all, it is a love and passion for the profession. community where we lived that involved our passion for locally-crafted beverages. The mission was to make the best products, create a place we could see ourselves hanging out in and where the community connects. In 2007 we rented a 2,000-square-foot strip mall space, learned to make wine, built a small production area and a bar and created a lounge for tasting and gath ering. By offering tastings, glasses and cheese plates to one or two patrons at a time, we grew a following for the products and the place. After two years, we added a brewery, a kitchen, private event rooms and developed a Mug & Stem Club. In 2012, we made a crazy purchase of the abandoned Creative Wood property on N. Long Lake Road. The build-out took two years and we’ve now been there since 2014. What has contributed to your longevity? Our commitment to providing a unique customer experience and building lasting relationships – with taproom guests, local business partners, employees and communi ty organizations we support – have been the cornerstones of our growth. Moving to N. Long Lake Road to expand production, create outdoor seating and a 280-person banquet venue was pivotal. We now hope that the Dream Machine Distillery and, most importantly, investing in our team to help run How did FWB come to be? We are a husband and-wife team that wanted to start a business in the

What are your plans for 2023 and into the future? To continue expanding the store, our talents, and education. In the jewelry business, adaptability is huge. To keep the business growing, I change every year to reflect the trends and edu cate all staff about the latest trends. What has been your most brilliant idea? Our Trade in-Trade up Diamond Stud program – when someone purchases a pair of any size diamond stud earrings from Sawyer Jewelers, they can trade them in for a larger pair the next day, next month or several years later. Who would you like to thank for your success? I am thankful for my staff, the support of the Greater Flint community, and my amazing customers who continue to show their loyalty and commitment to Sawyer Jewelers.

Fenton Winery & Brewery

FOUNDED: 2007 1370 N. Long Lake Rd., Fenton Twp. 810.373.4194 | fentonbrewery.com

the show and evolve operations will provide a boost to further success. What are your plans for 2023 and beyond? Now that we have realized our two-year goal of opening the Dream Machine Distillery and a craft cocktail bar, we plan to shift our focus to improving our outdoor seating areas and adding covered gathering spaces to host parties in our gardens. We will continue to focus on professional development for our team. Investing in them is an honor for us as we hope to help them advance both professionally and personally. What has surprised you most about business ownership? We knew it would be a big part of our daily lives but really had no idea of the energy and focus that was needed to make it and keep it growing. It has been a rollercoaster of struggles and triumphs. Who would you like to thank for your success? Many people are part of our story and have helped us make Fenton Winery & Brewery what it is today. It has been a humbling experience having so many hands help us whether it was building and fixing stuff, lending us money, moving things, making decisions, pushing us in the right direction, allowing us to cry on their shoulders, toasting with us time and time again, sitting out in the cold with us, celebrating milestones with us, or even just sharing our social media posts. We truly appreciate all of you out there. Thank you!

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