Why the Word ONLY?
I continue to be amazed and irritated by how the mainstram media looks for the worst possible way to present any situation. This headline; “Isle Economy Grew Only 0.7 Percent Last Year” in today’s Honolulu Advertiser would invoke a completely different emotion if it were to be without the word “Only.” To listen to many people, “ANY” increase in 2008 over 2007 would be seen as good news. After all, 2007 was a banner year.
At one point the article reads, “The last time growth was lower was 10 years ago, when the economy was coming out of the economic doldrums that afflicted Hawai’i during the 1990s.” Now tell me, is that good or bad? I for one choose to like the idea that we may be heading in the same direction as we were when “coming out of economic doldrums.”

Besides that, I continue to find and highlight businesses that are not only doing good, but even better than ever before. To see one such company, just CLICK RIGHT HERE!

Diamond Head
The sun setting behind Diamond Head made for a great backdrop for the Chinese New Year.

Michael Zhang
Michael Zhang was the perfect host as friends and family gathered at his home to enjoy food, wine and each other’s company.  Michael is the owner of Blue Hawaii Surf and Blue Hawaii Lifestyle, both long time Success Dynamics clients.

Loco Boutique
Even longer clients that showed up were Michael Fieman and Hisae of Loco Boutique.

More Old (long time) Friends
Then there was David Erdman of Pac Rim Marketing and Tao Miller, founder of Body and Soul, and Japanese retail consultant extraordinaire.

And the Food!
As the socializing was just getting underway the food began arriving.

Rock Garden Tour
Michael’s brother, Snap Jun, fresh in from China gave Masae and I a tour of the Zhang Rock Garden.

Chinese Good Luck Rocks
Unique rocks from China lined the stairway down to the waterfall. Along the way we saw extremely special rocks in the most unusual shapes. Each one had a story behind it that I cannot share with you because I couldn’t understand the language, but the beauty spoke for them.

It’s a Party
Inside there was food and more food as people gathered in the various rooms and out on the lanai. Mahalo to Michael and the entire Zhang family for a memorable evening.

78 Degrees and Sunny
80 plus small specialty retailers from all over the country checked in to the Westin Maui Hotel this week as a reward for their 2008 sales increases over 2007. The thing they have in common is they all sell Brighton merchandise. They were treated to a week of dining, socializing, learning and playing; with all expenses paid by Brighton. How many vendors do you know that do something like this for their customers?

Pam Chambers and I Arrive
Pam and I have been honored to speak at numerous Brighton functions in the past 6 years. We arrived at the same time Sunday evening and were greeted by the Brighton Welcoming Committee, and given lei along with a bag of “goodies.”

Evening Arrival Reception
The fun started with a reception at the Aloha Pavilion by the beach. As usual, no expense was sparred when setting out the food and drink.

Day 1
The following morning a lavish breakfast buffet was set out for all to enjoy. Everything you can think of that makes a great breakfast was there, along with excited people.

Opening Session
Brighton founder and owner Jerry Kohl kicked things off with his “Shame on You” message aimed at the big retailers who were advertising shameless discounts in an attempt to make their holiday numbers, and placing an added burden on small retailers that want to maintain their integrity and hard earned profits.

Jerry Knows Numbers
There’s no one any better at numbers than Jerry Kohl, and he was able to display facts that showed how Brighton fared the difficult holiday season better than the giants, while maintaining the integrity of the Brighton brand and refusing to play the “discount game.” 

Classes
Pam and I then met with the store owners twice. The goal was, “Finish by noon and then go to the beach.” My message was on “Success in Challenging Times.” Pam talked about what she looks for and expects as a customer. We were both thrilled with the attention and interest of the attendees.

Closing Session
After the morning information meetings, and before heading to the beach, Laura Young outlined company campaign plans for 2009 starting on Inauguration Day.

Dinner Sign Ups
Everyone was invited to sign up for dinners the following evenings at 1st class restaurants including Lahaina Grill, Longhi’s, Roy’s, Leilani’s, Merriman’s, Hula Grill and Tropica at the Westin. Pam and I hosted the 1st night groups at Leilani’s in Whalers Village and Tropica at The Westin.

Lunch with Jerry and Terri
Jerry and Terri Kohl then took those of us available and sill hungry to lunch at Hula Grill, where whales could be seen a few hundred yards away.

Tough Decisions!
There were so many great meals to choose from and whales to watch at the same time. Terri made it easy for me; she knew the menu and my tastes. This seaside meal was quite a treat, especially for those from the colder states, which was just about everyone except for Pam and me.

Work It Off!!!
By now I was reaching my food limit, so with dinner at Leilani’s coming up tonight, I decided to hit the gym at The Westin. It offers a pretty relaxing “work out” while watching TV and looking down at the pool and out to the ocean.

My Table of Stars
I hosted this great group at Leilani’s on the Beach. In addition to a fabulous dinner, we had a lively discussion about how these small stores in Texas dealt with the last two hurricanes. I was really impressed with the grit and generosity these people showed during those tough times.
All of this was on Day 1.

Closing Session
After a second day of food, fun, classes and information, Laura assembled everyone for a review session. Ideas were exchanged and commitments expressed. The enthusiasm was heartwarming.
Following are some more of the photos that I took at different meals and meetings. Enjoy the sights, and for any of you that were there who want more photos than this, just send me a note and I will zip up a folder full and send them to you.

BIG Mahalo!
Aloha and Mahalo to Jerry Kohl and Laura Young for providing this memorable experience.

The “Famous One”
A while back I was honored to sign a copy of Retail Selling Made Easy for my friend Wally “Famous” Amos at his Kailua Chip and Cookie store.

Wally and Christine Amos
I was honored again recently when Wally invited Masae and me to attend the grand opening of his all new Chip and Cookie store at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki.

The Famous Wood from Hawaii
One of the things Hawaii is known for is Koa wood, which grows almost exclusively on the Big Island of Hawaii. Success Dynamics client Hawaiian Accessories is famous for making unique souvenirs and gift items from this rich, hard, red wood.

Holiday Shopping In Hawaii
A film crew showed up at the Hawaiian Accessories store in the Outrigger Hotel last week to shoot a spot on famous places to shop for holiday gifts in Hawaii. They had just left Chip annd Cookie. Click RIGHT HERE to see the interviws with Wally “Famous” Amos and Patty Sherman, Hawaiian Accessories sales manager.

On Call
Star salesperson Sheri Layosa was asked to be there as well; at 7 AM. She was there, but they ran out of time before getting to her, so I promised that I would show her here anyway.

A True Shining Star
Sheri may have missed the video shoot, but she didn’t miss tying for the most Star Days on the Hawaiian Accessories Morning Report with 18 Star Days out of 20 days worked. Now that’s consistency. Here she is being congratulated by Hawaiian Accessories owner Curtis Wilmington and me.

“Don’t Buy Today!”
Jerry and Terri Kohl, the owners of Brighton Collectibles paid an impromptu surprise visit to their new Ala Moana store enroute to Maui today.
While there we walked around the mall looking at the various sale signs in the windows. As we walked past this sign in Nieman Marcus, which said, “Pre-Sale in Progress”, Jerry asked me, “What’s a Pre Sale?” and he laughed when I commented, “I don’t know.” It was as if they were saying, “Don’t Buy Today!”

The Man’s In Town
Terri was here a month or so ago, but this was Jerry’s first visit to the new store. He was very impressed and as you might imagine, the salespeople were thrilled to meet him and pose with both of them for this photo.

The Place To Be on Maui
Lahaina Grill continues to be the restaurant of choice for distinquished diners on Maui.

Good Food - Good Wine - Good Company
I was honored to dine with Jurg Munch, the owner of Lahaina Grill and Howard Ka’ai, who manages the Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor. Jurg treated us to a bottle of Domaine Serene Evanstad Reserve which is rated by the Wall Street Journal as the #1 Pinot Noir.

Clean and Efficient
After dinner Jurg took me on a behind the scenes tour of the kitchen and supply areas. I commented to Jurg that even Chef Gordon Ramsay, the star of Kitchen Nightmares wouldn’t be able to find a single flaw here.

Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor
The Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor is also owned by Jurg Munch. We started the Morning Report at Lahaina Ice Cream Parlor this month and fine tuned it over this great meal at Lahaina Grill. Mahalo Jurg and Howard.

Busy, but…
I stopped in at the new Ala Moana Brighton Collectibles today and found them to be busy as usual. I normally won’t interupt that, but today I was a real customer, not just an observer.

She Just Had To Have It, but…
You see, while in the store a few days ago one of “Jerry’s Angels” showed Masae this new bag and she loved it. She didn’t want to use up what she had left of her “Brighton credits,” so she passed. But, she hasn’t stopped talking about it. So today I chose to buy her one of those “No Special Occassion Gifts.”

Ring It Up
Store manager DeAnne Imamura agreed to help me with the “surprise” by taking my ctedit card, ringing it up, and then holding it in the store until Masae sees this Blog post and then goes to get it.
You see, I am trying to condition her to pay close attention to this Blog. We’ll see how long it takes.

Best Restaurant on Maui
When dining on Maui, my Restaurant of choice is the Lahaina Grill in the historic Lahaina Inn,  just off of Front St. in Lahaina.

Celebrity Treatment
I can always count on the “Celebrity Treatment”, especially when Owner Jurg Munch is around. When Bill and Mary Ellen Jelen were on Maui last year we dined there, and Jurg gladly posed with the Jelen’s.

The Celebrity Table
Last night Terri Kohl, co-owner of Brighton Collectibles treated me and her friend Carolyn Clarke to dinner at Lahaina Grill. Jurg was off at a birthday bash (his own), but we were ushered to the “Celebrity Table”. I had coffee with Jurg this morning and he explained to me that this is the table where Oprah Winfrey sits when there; thus the title Celebrity Table.

Mirror Man
At the end of our meal we were treated to a complimentary desert dish. I snapped this delicious desert photo of Terri and Carolyn with my iPhone and e-mailed it off to Jerry Kohl saying, “Wish you were here.” I’m getting pretty good at catching myself in the mirror while photograhing others; acidentally of course.

Breakfast at Longhi’s
It was exciting to have Terri Kohl (left), wife and partner of Brighton founder and CEO of Brighton Collectibles, Jerry Kohl visit Oahu to see the new Brighton Collectibles store at Ala Moana Shopping Center. En route from the airport to the store Terri dropped in for breakfast with me, Eddie and Patty Sherman. Eddie, the perpetual interviewer, ia always looking for a “story”, and he had a million questions for Terri. He was fascinated by the Brighton story and along the way it came out that Patty had sold Brighton products many years ago when working for Donny Borsack at El Portal when they were at Ala Moana. 

Eddie Gets New Brighton Belt
Eddie Sherman has had an illustrious career as a columnist, and loves asking people questions. When he learned that Brighton makes and sells men’s belts, his eyes popped and he showed Terri his well worn belt. That led to a trip straight to the Brighton store where Eddie was like a “kid in a candy store” where visiting Newport Beach, CA store manager, Linda helped him pick out a new belt. I think it’s safe to say that he was thrilled with it.

In Good Company
I was pleased to pose between Terri and Ala Moana store manager DeAnne Imamura.

Patty Too
While Eddie was picking out his belt, Terri helped Patty find a few things for herself. Belief in your product is the strongest attribute that you can have in selling, and no one has that more than Terri Kohl. My wife’s closet is a testiment to that fact.

More Food
Next we were treated to a wonderful lunch at Nieman Marcus by Terri. After lunch I ushered Terri to the airport where she flew off to Maui. A “Brighton Day” is always a bright day. 

At Last!
It took a long time and a lot of work to finally open the first Brighton Collectilbles store on Oahu. The Grand Opening ceremonies were held on Wednesday 10-9-08 at 9 AM.

But First…
The night before the opening Brighton treated the hard working staff to a deluxe dinner at 3660 On The Rise Restaurant in Honolulu. Robin Boyd was on hand from California to greet the staff and offer us all some Brighton history. She told us all about Jerry and Terri Kohl’s humble beginings 30 years ago selling men’s belts, and how it has led to the opening of this store along with Birmingham, Alabama in the morning, and five more before Thanksgiving.

Welcome Honolulu
Then the next morning Nikki and Chris rolled out the welcome mat, and the excitement started.

Blessed Event
I got a chance to pose with the Kahuna, Robin, store manager DeAnne Imamura and District Manager Nikki Wride prior to the blessing.

Hawaiian Kahuna
A Hawaiian minister is called a Kahuna, and one of the things they do is bless business openings to get a little divine help in getting the energy moving in the right direction.

Ribbon Cutting
DeAnne and Nikki then cut the ribbon and officially opened the store to the public.

Me First
I had told Jerry many months ago that I would be honored to be the first customer at this new store. Robin, one of “Jerry’s Angels” was right there to help me with my selection, take my card, get my signature and put me into the system.

Let the Shopping Begin
Customers began shopping immediatelly. They were very excited with the store and merchandise.

Robin Jumps Right In
Robin was mixing with customers and actually found one from her home town in Marina Del Rey, California.

Original Artwork
The ceiling in the store is a hand painted mural, as are the walls in the powder room. The entire store is a piece of art.

Pam Chambers
It was great to see Pam Chambers at the opening. She and I have shared many presentations at Brighton functions in Hawaii and on the mainland.
I headed out the door with my first purchase, put it in my car and headed off to have coffee with Pam and then to Morton’s for another event. Watch for that here tomorrow.

UPDATED PHOTO 10-10-08:

I visited the store the following evening and found it to be a “beacon” of light in the mall.