Q: Please, tell us a little bit about your family.
My wife Weihua and I share a blended family with 4 kids. Our oldest daughter Amy is 30 years old, and lives in New York City, head of DEI in a Hospital. Luke, 25 years old, getting married this October, lives in Nashville. He is a professional guitar player, Eddie (22) just graduated from University of Illinois with an engineering degree, working at Texas Instruments in San Jose California, Isabel (20) is a Junior at American University in Washington DC.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I am a graduate gemologist, so I know diamonds and stones. I started my career in my family business in 1982 at Calumet, IL, which is called James & Sons because of my father. I worked there till 2006, left the family business and went to work as a consultant working with jewelry firms and retailers. Then when a gold boom hit in 2008 I went back to a jewelry business. In 2010 I opened my first Sterling & Knight Jewelry & Pawn in Villa Park. I have five stores, Hinsdale, Villa Park, Bolingbrook, Joliet, Yorkville, soon to be 6. What I love about my job today is that I can really help people
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
York Tavern in Oak Brook.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
Moved to Hinsdale in 2006, and 2011 I opened up my Hinsdale store.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Brad Malone, he is a management consultant, he helped me a lot.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I promised to my wife that I would take her to all of the Grand-slams tennis events. So, our dream is to go to Australia.
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
The Chosen
Q: What advice would you give to people?
I gave this advice to my employees is to “Set goals in your life” because if you have something to amin for , most likely to make it.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
Sailing across the Atlantic , from the Caribbean to the Mediterranean.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Talking Heads
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Vivek Ramaswamy, would be nice to get to know him and we would go to Fuller House.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
I love the Uniquely Thursdays
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
My goal is to have 10 stores, and a vacation home somewhere warm…
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
British Virgin Islands
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
I like the fall October, Christmas my favorite holiday
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My wife
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My wife and my children
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
Ocean breeze, and a steak on the grill .
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Cozy, restful, happy
