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After managing with a large jewelry chain for several years, the Pickett Brothers decided to open their own stores. Since Len Pickett was familiar with the business they agreed that he would handle the day to day operation and his brother's involvement would only be financial. The initial location was in a strip mall in the Mandarin area of Jacksonville, Florida. They opened on a shoestring and Len worked hard for the first few years. They wanted to give the business every opportunity to succeed so Len joined many local organizations. He was a member of the Jacksonville Chamber and the Mandarin Business Association and although these organizations helped build the business's awareness in the community, coaching his 3 sons' baseball teams in the community showed the best returns. Pickett Brothers Jewelers grew quickly through word of mouth providing quality products, responsive service and emphasizing their home town owned status.
In 1998 Blake Tahran our Master Jeweler joined the store. With over twenty years in the jewelry business on the bench, Blake's experience and talent helped take the business to the next level. The business continued to thrive and in 2004 Tom Rowe a long time friend and veteran in sales, joined the ranks. Joanna Dickens and Brittany our part-time sales associates to round out the team.
Len Pickett got into the jewelry industry in October 1985. While attending college at Florida State University in Tallahassee, Len took a part-time sales position with a large jewelry chain. He loved the business from the start and went through their Career Development program. After finishing college, his first full time job was an Assistant Manager position in St. Augustine Florida. In the new year he helped open a new store for the chain in his home town of Jacksonville Florida. In 1988, building his career, he agreed to open and manage a store in El Paso Texas. Len reports, "I met my wife, Dawn, while she was attending the University of Texas at El Paso. In the early nineties I accepted a challenging high volume store in the Bay area of California. This is where Dawn and I started our family." After several years in the corporate track, Len and family returned home to Jacksonville in the mid-nineties with the experience and knowledge to open the locally owned and operated Pickett Brothers Jewelers.
Even while working as the owner/operator of Pickett Brothers Jewelers, Len keeps active in his community. "My wife, Dawn, and our three boys occupy most of my spare time. I coach their baseball teams, watch their football games, try to surf with them and enjoy a snow skiing week vacation once a year with my family. I also run for exercise and competition, I am currently training for my next half marathon."
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