CDCC’s small businesspeople of the year sparkle

By Sarika Jagtiani
Staff writer
sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com 

Ron and Ellen Sayers are the best, or so say their peers.

The couple, the latest of four generations of Sayers to operate Smyrna’s Sayers Jewelers and Gemologists, won the Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce Small Businessperson of the Year award Thursday at a dinner at the Wild Quail Golf and Country Club.

Ellen teared up and Ron leaned over to shake his competitors’ outstretched hands during a standing ovation immediately following the announcement of their win.

“Now we’re going to Disneyworld,” Ron said, smiling, as Ellen wiped away tears and laughed along with the crowd.

The couple credits the win to teamwork and a passion for the business.

“You don’t get there by yourself,” Ellen said.

“For us to be the best at what we do, it’s an obsession,” Ron said.

He pointed out that a successful small businessperson has to be driven by more than the promise of vacations and large paychecks. It’s hard work, and dedication is necessary.

Continuing education, investing in the latest technology and staying abreast of the latest trends all contribute to Sayers’ success, Ron said.

Both Sayers have studied diamonds, diamond grading and gem identification at the Gemological Institute of America in New York, are members of the Manufacturing Jewelers and Suppliers of America and were invited to become Independent Jewelers Organization master jewelers in 2003.

This all plays into advice Ron’s father gave him: don’t dabble. Do one thing and do it the best.

“You have to have a vision and a determination to succeed,” Ron said.

The couple’s vision, as well as the pair’s involvement in the chamber and the community, contributed to its win, said CDCC President Judy Diogo.

“A lot of people go to Sayers no matter what part of the state they’re from and they go because of the service and the quality of product they offer,” she said.

Diogo said the couple has been a pleasure for the business community as well.

“They have been very supportive of the chamber, and as staff we’ve really enjoyed working with them,” she said.

Honesty, passion and hard work — that’s what has fueled the Sayers’ success, said manager and son Tom Sayers.

“They’ve made their business their life,” he said. “If you put that much effort into something you can’t help but be good at it.”

Chamber members nominated fellow businesspeople to get them on the award shortlist, and that list was whittled down to five by a committee.

Other nominees included Mike Frebert, Dover Litho Printing; Everett “Sonny” Khrum, Monster Racing Enterprises Inc.; Jeffrey Townsend, Townsend Brothers Inc.; and Ann Watkins, AmericInns.

The final vote went to the chamber’s members, making the award especially meaningful, Diogo said.

“They really are standing above their peers and their peers are the ones who are putting them there,” she said. “They’re extraordinary businesspeople, they’re extraordinary individuals.”

The Dover Post co-sponsored the event.