W L
HALLMARK JEWELLERS CELEBRATE 40 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Wirral Life caught up with Jan Foley , Director of Hallmark Jewellers and Wholesale Diamond Merchants , Heswall as they celebrate their 40th Anniversary this month .
Describe yourself in three words . Workaholic , passionate , caring .
Where is home for you ? Looking out over the sea from my balcony watching the sunsets , storms , and soaking up the sun ; it could be anywhere in the world but happens to be in the Wirral , how lucky am I !?
What has been your biggest life lesson so far ? Life is short , embrace each day .
What is your favourite place to travel ? Maldives , paradise on earth .
What did you want to be when you were younger ? I actually wanted to be a court recorder but my Dad had other plans for me and my first job was wearing a double sided sandwich board outside a hotel in Chester advertising a gold sale !
What or who inspires you ? My father , he has been my mentor and my inspiration ever since I was little . He was ambitious and everything he did was for the family . He is now retired and I know I make him proud and have continued the family business to become the success it is today .
What is your favourite industry event ? Sadly , the jewellery industry events have become smaller in the last few years , but the Spring Fair at the NEC has got to be the favourite . We used to go down to Birmingham , book a fabulous hotel and having placed large orders with our suppliers , would then down large quantities of champagne and a slap-up meal in the evenings . They were great times and I miss them .
What are you afraid of ? Failure . That was why it was so lovely to win Business Woman of the Year in 2019 . It was a real acknowledgment for me .
Tell us something surprising about you ? I go swimming every morning . This is so good for my thinking time . I come into work bright as a button and start delegating the jobs for the day
What is your biggest vice ? Vodka and Tonic when I get home every night . Plenty of ice and a slice of lemon .
What has been the most rewarding project so far in your career and why ? It has to be the second major refit of our shop which took it to another level . The shop is modern yet relaxing , the lighting is bright yet soft , and I pride myself in that I provide for every budget and every occasion without exception ; whether the spend is £ 5 or £ 50000 , everyone is treated with the same respect and time .
What is your favourite piece of music or song ? George Michael – Club Tropicana . I actually met him filming for the video for that song and it was love at first sight .
Tell us a fun fact ? The biggest fun I have is time with my beautiful grandson . From fighting for his little life , he is now a happy young school boy and I have my daughter and son-in-law to thank for that . Our fundraising is always for children and includes Claire House , Incubabies and now Stanley School .
Favourite dish to cook ? Roast dinner .
Last book you read ? I am not ashamed to say I can ’ t remember because the only time I give myself to relax and read is on holiday . Covid has unfortunately interrupted those precious times , but I can ’ t wait to start again and I think it might be a book that makes me roar with laughter like Gina Kirkham ’ s tales of her police days .
60 wirrallife . com