Small Business Spotlight – January 2018: Maxon Fine Jewelry

Company name: Maxon Fine Jewelry
People in charge: Rick & Jane McElvaine, owners
Year founded: 1972

Describe what your organization provides for its customers:
Our intention is to provide old-world great service and fine quality merchandise in a contemporary marketing environment while taking advantage of technology and resources that the modern customer demands and deserves.

Give us a brief history of your business and what makes it unique:
Joe Maxon founded Maxon’s Diamond Merchants & Estate Jewelers 45 years ago based on his experience in the diamond business and contacts in New York City and Miami. He developed a reputation for important diamonds and jewelry with a particular focus on estate pieces. In the early 1980s, Maxon’s became an authorized Rolex dealer and is now the only in southern Missouri. Rick and Jane McElvaine became involved in Maxon’s in 1994. Joe’s experience combined with Rick and Jane’s Gemological Institute of America knowledge and formal bench training created the perfect transition for the McElvaines to continue the traditions of Joe Maxon. Our bench jeweler of more than 30 years and knowledge of our three certified and graduate gemologists makes the purchase and appraisal of estate jewelry part of our DNA. In 2018, we re-branded as Maxon Fine Jewelry and moved to a brand new store. We are also the only locally owned American Gem Society store in the Springfield area, so you can count on us being dedicated to excellence!

What’s the most exciting recent highlight for your business?
After 26 years in the Brentwood Center, we have built our own stand-alone store located near the intersection of East Battlefield and Lone Pine at 2850 E. Battlefield! We have incorporated modern technology with the traditions of service for a luxurious brick-and-mortar location.

Where do you hope to see your business in 12 months?
With the big move behind us, we are looking for growth that respects our own standards in business: personal service, great value, and a knowledgeable and professional staff. We certainly appreciate the solid business growth we’ve enjoyed for 45 years in this market. Maxon Fine Jewelry will be looking for new lines with the input of our clients.

What advice would you offer to someone starting their own small business?
Dream big, work hard, and be patient … and remember, the sweetest fruit is always on the tallest branch.