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A Business Blooms in Jacksonville, brands, business feature, communities, Florida, Jacksonville business, Muse on Blast, nonprofits, Sam's Club #8116, stories
![Jeff Wellesley & Christine Johnson present $1,000 donation to P.K. Mickens, Executive Director of The D.I.P. Foundation](https://abusinessbloomsinjax.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/sams-club-2.jpg?w=300&h=246)
Jeff Wellesley & Christine Johnson (standing in the background on stage) present a $1,000 donation to The D.I.P. Foundation.
True philanthropy requires a disruptive mindset, innovative thinking, and a philosophy driven by entrepreneurial insights and creative opportunities. ~Naveen Jain
Setting the Stage for the Story
Lessons of leadership come in many shapes, sizes, and stories. Within those stories, a business person can learn nuggets of corporate wisdom that will allow him or her to push the boundaries in how things are done.
In front of a stage draped in blue and bedecked with blue and gold balloons and potted plants, Jazoo from the Jacksonville Zoo and Chum from the Jacksonville Sharks
entertained the crowd while Joshua C. Jackson, “The Voice,” fed into their energy with music and his sports announcer persona. The infectious vibe washed over the Sam’s Club employees in a tidal wave of supportive cheers as they stood in their blue and white t-shirts, the “All In” slogan arced over crisscrossed keys.
The Sam’s Club #8116 reopening celebration, hosted by Jeff Wellesley, store manager & Christine Johnson, co-store manager, featured the introduction of the management and marketing teams, the presentation of flags by the USO, a ribbon cutting with representatives from the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and City of Jacksonville, and congratulatory speeches by Jacksonville Jaguar player, Donovin Darius & two-time US Olympic Trial Qualifier track star, Almon Gunter.
In the midst of this reopening, there was more being celebrated than renovations and successful growth.
According to an outside company who compared 80 household items, not only is Sam’s Club#8116 a community partner, but it also has the lowest prices in town.
Through philanthropic and small business development efforts, Jeff Wellesley & Christine Johnson provided a platform for stories to be told with an underlying theme: a leader develops other leaders by giving them the tools to formulate a blueprint for success.
Recognizing the Contributions of Employees
Sam’s Club#8116 has been opened since June 30, 1987. Since then, there have been several employees who have given years of service.
They were recognized during the reopening celebration. Jeff Wellesley made sure everyone was present, asking other associates to find people and bring them to the stage. One of the men from the auto repair department, humbly approached the stage, taking a break from ensuring his customers’ cars received star quality service. Their fellow colleagues gave the red carpet treatment to the recognized employees by aiming their smartphones like the paparazzi and snapping photos to cement the occasion in their store’s history.
At the end of the festivities, Wellesley and Johnson led his employees in their store cheer.
Jeff Wellesley, a modern day Nehemiah, does not fail to acknowledge those who have helped to build the local store into a brand that is a pillar in its community. He realizes that leaders and brands do not become great on their own; they require the different talents of people who set the businesses apart from the rest with their dedication and service.
This part of the program shows that great leaders must create a corporate culture that fosters morale and values work well done. In leadership, one realizes that every person is a part of the team and is significant in the daily operations of the business.
Nugget of Corporate Wisdom: Leaders develop key connections within the community and the workplace.
Helping Small Businesses Reach the Next Pinnacle on the Corporate Ladder
Dressed in a royal red chef’s jacket, Katrina of Jerome Brown’s BBQ addressed the crowd by telling the story behind the restaurant’s partnership with Sam’s Club. She recounted how Wellesley was the only store manager who offered her the opportunity to sell Jerome Brown’s BBQ line of sauces in his store, after the Dunn Ave. Sam’s Club had turned her down. Wellesley went above and beyond with a more hands-on approach by giving guidance about preparation, space and issue.
Now all of the area Sam’s Club stores have the barbecue sauces on their shelves.
With the financial contribution of Sam’s Club, the owners of the family-run restaurant were able to attend a supplier minority training at a New Hampshire college. This workshop allowed them to learn about the challenges in retail marketing and strategies to grow their business. Thanks to this training, Jerome Brown’s BBQ applied the information to develop a plan to open a manufacturing company that will bring 56 new jobs to the Jacksonville area.
Katrina also mentioned another development that will bring more tourism and economic revenue to the local community: Jerome Brown’s BBQ plans to hold Jacksonville’s 1st BBQ Cook-off during Labor Day weekend.
As her father took the stage and expressed his admiration of how his daughter came back from Clark University to take the business to new levels, Katrina looked up at her father in a priceless moment of the passing down of a legacy.
This part of the program shows that great leaders identify opportunities to develop other small businesses as a way of strengthening the economic climate and corporate culture of a city.
Nugget of Corporate Wisdom: Leaders realize that partnerships promote progress.
Funding the Missions of Local NonProfits
Wellesley presented donations of $1,000 each to USO, Pine Castle, & The D.I.P. Foundation. Sam’s Club also gave $7,388 to the Children’s Miracle Network. Again, the common sentiment of Wellesley graciously giving opportunities to others was a part of everyone’s acceptance speech. Pine Castle mentioned how Sam’s Club is one of the many businesses that offer jobs to its clientele of adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Children’s Miracle Network’s Director Kerri Clark explained how the store’s philanthropic efforts have helped Wolfson Children’s Hospital open up a library for its patients.
This part of the program shows how great leaders recognize their responsibility in supporting the community and addressing important health and social issues.
Nugget of Corporate Wisdom: Leaders who invest in their communities become agents of change.
Not only do Jeff Wellesley and Christine Johnson exhibit the characteristics of great leadership and the nuggets of corporate wisdom, but the speakers and the recipients of awards and donations also exemplify them as well in their service to the community.
Make sure you stop by Sam’s Club#8116 and see the renovations and features, which include convertible registers that can change from regular to self-checkout and the pharmacy’s new monthly health screenings. Customers can get their cholesterol and blood pressure checked, beginning July 12th.
Sam’s Club #8116 is located on 10690 Beach Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32246 (904) 928-0017.