2010 Award Recipient

A downtown Worthington merchant who successfully carved a niche in a luxury market during an economic downturn received the Chamber’s annual Small Business Person of the Year Award at a luncheon in his honor on Thursday, May 27, at the Worthington Inn. 

Joe Davis, co-owner of Worthington Jewelers, is the 24th recipient of the annual award, created in 1987 to demonstrate support for small businesses and recognize successful Chamber members who are growing and bettering the Worthington community.

Developing strong relationships with customers and others in the community has become a priority for Joe, who has been an avid supporter of the Chamber, as well as the Olde Worthington Business Association and Leadership Worthington. He has been a frequent donor of handmade jewelry items to fundraisers for schools, PTAs and community events, and he enjoys being known as an advocate for “buy local” initiatives.

Joe grew up in Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland and graduated from Galion High School. After studying architecture and fine art at the University of Cincinnati and The Ohio State University, he opened his first business in 1998 in the Short North and sold it two years later. He opened Worthington Jewelers in 2000 with a business partner, Bob Capace. Worthington Jewelers recently purchased the 100-year-old brick building where their business is housed at 692 High St.

Joe notes that changing economic conditions over the past few years required a drastic change in how his company did business. “We re-evaluated every service and process in our business and changed our focus to making the product we sell, almost exclusively. This allowed me to use more than 90 percent of my inventory on an annual basis with very little carrying cost,” he said.

By changing focus to hand-crafted pieces, Joe said he created a more direct interaction with customers that allowed him to make a better and less expensive product than mass-produced alternatives ordered from suppliers. Keeping production in Worthington also supports our local economy.

Building personal relationships with customers led to other milestones in Joe’s life, as well. “I met my wife, Paget, in our store when her mother brought her in and introduced us,” he relates. Two years ago the couple adopted a son, Liam, who is often seen accompanying Joe and Paget at community events.

Small business persons from the Chamber are nominated for this award each year by fellow Chamber members, employees, customers, past honorees and others who are aware of their exemplary business practices. Nominations are accepted year-round, and judging is performed each spring by a committee of past honorees.

Judges consider nominees’ solutions to business problems; reputation for personal integrity and fair business practices; financial strength and profitability; creativity, innovation/improvement or quality customer service; and community involvement.

To nominate a small business person for the award, e-mail Kathryn Paugh at Kathryn@worthingtonchamber.org.

Past honorees include: Dwight Moody (1987), Moody’s Paper Store; Steve Potter (1988), Potter Builders, Inc.; Tom Hull, D.D.S. (1989), Dental Practice; Joe Mezera (1990), The Mezera Co.; Bob Vosler (1991), Vosler Co., CPAs; Raean Foust (1992), American Traditions; Richard Hunter (1993), Potter Lumber & Supply Co.; George Norris, D.V.M. (1994), Animal Hospital of Worthington; Phil Giessler (1995), Cam Taylor Co. Ltd. Realtors; Charles Claibourne, D.D.S. (1996), Dental Practice; Steve Schnulo, O.D. (1997), Albright & Schnulo; Matt Anderson (1998), Anderson’s FrameDesign; Kathryn Paugh (1999), KRP Communications; Gloria Yonadi (2000), Kerbler’s Restaurant; Nicki Budin (2001), Curio Cabinet & Christmas Village; William Dawson (2002), NexTech Materials Ltd.; Darla King (2003), King Business Interiors; Charlotte VanSteyn (2004), RE/MAX Premier Choice; Bryan Myers (2005), B&C Blacktop Sealing; Mike Beck (2006), Think Painting; Bill Alsnauer (2007), State Farm Insurance; Tom Hastings (2008), CSC; and Bill Owens (2009), Owens Construction.