Retail

l RETAIL

KATHY BIGHAM President and CEO Bigham Jewelers

Kathy Bigham followed her passion for stunning jewelry by selling gold chains to fellow students in college. After earning her business degree, she worked for a multi-store jewelry company and quickly became CEO before founding Bigham Jewelers in Naples in 1995—the 8,000-square-foot Bigham Galleria today. Through three decades, Bingham has consistently given back to the community by supporting innumerable nonprofits. She was inducted into the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida Business Hall of Fame in 2016.

EDUCATION: Kent State University FIRST JOB: Mowing lawns, paper route HOBBIES: Travel, snow skiing, dancing FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I enjoy really fast cars. BEST ADVICE: My grandmother’s words: “Kathy, always be charitable.” LESSON LEARNED: It is more important to hire a person of character than the most qualified person. You can always teach someone the business details. You can’t teach character. ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: Follow your passion, and do not take “NO!” for an answer. Anything is possible. ANNE FLEMING General Manager Waterside Shops Anne Fleming loves people, fashion, and a fast-paced environment, so it is little wonder that she thrives as general manager of the venerable Waterside Shops. Retail has taken her to Dallas, San Francisco, Detroit, New York City, and Miami. Fleming is extensively involved in the community, coordinating dozens of fundraisers annually in partnership with Waterside Shops and local charities. She serves on several area boards and is a strong advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. WILLIAM BOYAJIAN Owner Port Royal Jewelers

William Boyajian is a third-generation jeweler in a family business that started in New York City in 1913 and established a presence in Naples in 1968. Boyajian grew up in Naples, graduated as a gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America when he was 18, and continued studies in art and design in California. He opened Port Royal Jewelers in 1992. He is a long-time community supporter and participates in mission trips to Central America.

EDUCATION: Gemological Institute of America FIRST JOB: I worked for my father when I was at Gulf Coast Junior High. I walked to Fifth Avenue South after school to help by cleaning jewelry cases. FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: USS Nemo’s FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY PLACE TO VISIT: Rookery Bay FEW PEOPLE KNOW: I teach Sunday school to children at New Hope Ministries. MOST INSPIRING PERSON: George Washington SECRET TO SUCCESS: Listening to God

BUCKET LIST: Travel to Brazil and Peru

EDUCATION: University of California, Los Angeles HOMETOWN: Salinas, California LESSON LEARNED: Whether I think I can or think I can’t, I am right. SECRET TO SUCCESS: Work harder than everyone else, stay relevant, and keep learning. HOBBIES: Entertaining diverse guests at home for lively evenings of meaningful conversation FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Central California CHARITIES: Women’s Foundation of Collier County, STARability Foundation, Champions For Learning MARISSA HARTINGTON Co-owner Marissa Collections

Marissa Collections was launched by husband-and-wife team Burt and Marissa Hartington in 1975 as a storefront boutique featuring hand-selected clothing, jewelry, accessories, and shoes. Marissa personally styled each client, and the boutique became an instant success. The 10,000-square-foot Third Street South shop receives accolades by national and international fashion publications, designers, and clients. Marissa remains the creative force, while Burt anchors the business end of the operation. Their son, Jay, helms marketing, jewelry, and menswear.

EDUCATION: Jagiellonian University in Poland FIRST JOB: Research psychopharmacology—It was my only job before Burt, my husband, and I opened Marissa Collections in 1975. FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: In the late 1980s, Michael Kors came to the store for his first personal appearance. I had organized a dinner party at the Ritz, but Michael pleaded, “Please, please can we have a cheeseburger, martinis, and a cigarette at your house?” We did just that and had the best time laughing all night. HOBBIES: Geopolitics, reading historical novels, and binging on foreign historical period dramas—more than 50 per week!

JARRED KAPLAN Managing Partner Provident Jewelry

Jarred Kaplan transferred his love for art to the jewelry business and uses his creativity to help turn his clients’ visions into a reality. As a graduate gemologist from the Gemological Institute of America, he has 25 years of experience and manages two Naples showrooms and another in Fort Myers, offering appraisals, watch and jewelry repairs, new and estate jewelry, and custom design. Kaplan serves on the board of the Fifth Avenue South Business Improvement District.

EDUCATION: New School of Social Research HOMETOWN: Spring Valley, New York SECRET TO SUCCESS: Having a passion for what I do every day and being a creative problem-solver LESSON LEARNED: With more success comes more stress. HIDDEN TALENT: I was a jazz drummer before entering the jewelry industry. FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: Japan FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Food & Thought CHARITIES: Humane Society Naples APRIL WOOD Owner Grace Lakes Florist As a child, April Wood was surrounded by proteas and hydrangeas at her parents’ flower shop. She eventually moved to Naples in 1992 to purchase Grace Lakes Florist, the oldest florist in town dating to 1949. Following a fire at the venerable Fifth Avenue South store, Wood resiliently kept the business operating, and it’s again thriving. Wood stays abreast of trends at trade shows, exhibits, and wholesale markets in Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, and New York City. DEANNA WALLIN Founder and CEO Naples Soap Company

Deanna Wallin, a pioneer in the natural skincare industry, founded Naples Soap Company in 2009 from her desire to create high-quality skin and hair care products that were not only beautiful but better for you. Today, she runs a multimillion-dollar enterprise with 10 locations throughout Florida, and her products are sold at hundreds of retail stores across the United States.

EDUCATION: Lorenzo Walker Technical College (LPN), Barry University HOMETOWN: Bonita Springs, Florida FUNNIEST WORK EXPERIENCE: I’ve had the pleasure of working in our Naples Soap Company Key West store on many occasions. As you can imagine, there is always something strange and notable happening along Duval Street. LESSON LEARNED: Never hire or work with family. HOBBIES: Travel, reading, aerial yoga, riding my Harley Davidson FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: The Real McCaw FAVORITE BOOK: Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell

FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATION: New York City

EDUCATION: Randolph-Macon Women’s College HOMETOWN: Lynchburg, Virginia FIRST JOB: Working in my parents’ flower store MOST INSPIRING PERSON: My mother, Eleanor Wood GREATEST CHALLENGE: Overcoming a devastating fire that destroyed my business FAVORITE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS: California, Colorado, Hawaii PET: Sugar (chihuahua) FAVORITE COLLIER COUNTY RESTAURANT: Pazzo! Cucina Italiana MICHAEL WYNN President Sunshine Ace Hardware

Michael Wynn grew up around the family’s Naples business, Wynn’s Family Market, founded by his grandfather, Don Wynn. With grocery and hardware operations, Wynn saw firsthand the results of hard work and community involvement. As president of Sunshine Ace Hardware since 2005, he has overseen the company’s expansion to 11 locations in five counties, and more than doubled company sales. He has been actively involved in the business and civic community.

EDUCATION: Florida Gulf Coast University (MS) HOMETOWN: Naples, Florida FUNNIEST WORKPLACE EXPERIENCE: Creating a fake finger out of almond paste to scare the safety coordinator into believing that there had been a terrible accident in the meat department. BEST ADVICE: From the most inspiring person in my life, my grandfather Don Wynn: “If you take care of your people, they will take care of your customers, and the business will take care of itself.” LESSON LEARNED: Trust takes years to build, seconds to break, and forever to repair. FAVORITE BOOK: Lincoln: The Unknown by Dale Carnegie ADVICE TO 18-YEAR-OLD SELF: What you say “no” to may wind up mattering even more than what you say “yes” to in your life/career.