Oliver Smith tells an amusing story of his early career when his work-life balance was very much tilted towards enjoying life with the inconvenience of somehow needing to pay for it.
His first job out of college was in an Atlantic City casino with a side hustle selling gold chains.
He then moved to the West Coast to work with his sister because he loved sailing and surfing.
It soon got serious with a corporate gifting business that could make a killing during conference season but little in between, so he moved to Arizona — “great weather, beautiful skies, a plethora of golf courses,” he notes — to open a proper store in Scottsdale.
By the time Oliver’s daughter Elizabeth Smith joined the family business, Oliver Smith Jeweler had boutiques in Scottsdale and Aspen, Colorado, and they set about expanding with a Panerai boutique in the upmarket ski resort.
Last year was the 40th anniversary year for Oliver Smith, and they worked with Parmigiani Fleurier to make a unique timepiece that their collector customers could buy.
“I was hands on with the design of the watch. It gave us an opportunity to share our story with multiple news outlets, and it was a fun way to celebrate this accomplishment,” Oliver recalls.
This year, the business will complete two store remodels that will add space to the Scottsdale flagship and the Aspen Oliver Smith Jeweler boutique.
“The goal is to create a better shopping experience for our Signature Pre-owned Timepiece collection,” Oliver says.
Father and daughter are in slightly different phases of their lives when it comes to relaxing outside the business. Elizabeth just bought herself a new Ford Bronco, which she loves to take off-road.
Oliver says you will find him on the ski slopes in Aspen, a bike trail, hiking or on the golf course.
