Leading jeweler CEO speaks to business students

Every semester, Liberty University welcomes prominent speakers from across the professional, political, and spiritual spectrum, as a supplement to classroom learning. On Wednesday, business students heard from Marc Fink, CEO of Fink’s Jewelers, one of the top jewelers in the country.

Fink spoke during a special Convocation hosted by the School of Business. (Convocation, typically held in the Vines Center for the entire student body, was cancelled on Wednesday to allow for various departments to host their own services targeted to their specific programs.)

Fink graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. He then attended the Gemological Institute of America in Santa Monica, Calif., and is a certified gemologist within the American Gem Society.

Fink took over the business 30 years ago, determined to build upon the success of his grandfather and father.

“In any type of business, you have to always be respectful of the generations who came before you and realize you are fortunate to be born into the family you were born into,” Fink said.

Fink’s Jewelers began in the 1930s with Marc Fink’s grandfather pushing a jewelry cart selling jewelry. Fink’s is now leading and operating 16 stores in both Virginia and North Carolina and is one of America’s top 50 jewelers.

Marc Fink said what separates his company from others is its commitment to quality and being family-oriented. When they hire employees, they look for people who really care about others and want to serve, he said.

“Fink’s Jewelers believes in helping each other, creating a team environment, and becoming the jeweler who guides their customer in all their future purchases,” Fink said.

He challenged students to choose a career they will be happy doing 40 hours a week.

“Follow your dreams and do not do something you do not care about. Also, look for a company that cares about people because in the end they will care about you.”

Also during the Convocation, Scott Hicks, dean of the School of Business, announced the school has received approval from its accrediting agency to move forward with its Master’s of Science in Information Systems and Doctorate of Business Administration programs.

“This is very exciting. This is a huge step for this university and a huge step for the school in becoming a full-service School of Business,” Hicks said.