About JJ Jax

 

Q & A with Jenny

What is your background?

I was in business and finance for 15 years.

How long have you been in business?

Since September 4th, 1995!

What do you attribute to your business' success?

Loving what I do, the people I work with and customers that we serve. We also feel a strong sense of duty to the community and the world around us.. We enjoy fundraising for worthy causes. We try to be more than just a gift shop!

How did you get into this field?

My mother, Janice Jackson, asked me to join her in opening a gift shop in 1995. It had been a dream of ours for a long time. She called me and said, "I've bought a building! Let's open a gift shop!" And of course, I said yes! Sadly she passed away in September 1999. My father, Harold Jackson, made it possible for me to keep the shop. My mother is still with me every day. We got our name JJ Jax from mother's name, Janice Jackson and my name Jennifer Jaye Jackson. My other daddy, John Poteet, had always called me JJ Jax, so there you go!

How is your business unique/different than similar ones in your field?

There are many wonderful gift shops in town and we all specialize in different things. We have several exclusive lines -- we are a Brighton heart store -- a designation given to only five percent of Brighton retailers nationwide. We are the exclusive dealer in Cookeville for Pandora Jewelry, Christopher Radko ornaments, Snow village houses and carry many, many other unique lines. We carry home accessories, fragrance lines for home and body and baby gifts. We also added a clothing boutique room about two years ago. We strive to provide excellent customer service including a birthday club, quarterly newsletters and monthly fun events and promotions. I also believe that our fundraising makes us a little bit different. This community is so generous and has made a difference in a lot of lives through JJ Jax as the vessel.

What is demand for your business like in the area?

We are very thankful that business has been great even during the downturn in the economy, especially since we do not carry any one thing that a person has to have! Thank goodness we carry a lot of things that people, women in particular, want!

What do you enjoy about your business the most?

I enjoy my staff and the interaction with my customers. I also love going to market to find fun new things! It has been a tremendous pleasure to be a partner in business with Brighton. The owners, Jerry Kohl and his wife Terry are remarkable people that really care about others.

What do you least enjoy about your business?

Paying bills, and paper work, paper work and paper work!

How has the area responded to your business?

The community has responded to JJ Jax in such wonderful ways. Business is strong.

The community has also helped us raise over $28,000 over the past three years for water wells in Kenya, Africa, Childhood Diabetes, Street Children Ministry in South Africa and multiple food banks here in our area. We are so blessed to still be here after 15 years. Thank you to the community for keeping us here and giving us an opportunity to serve you! It's our great pleasure!

Excerpted from Sep 2010 Herald-Citizen article

 

Store Tour

 

 

About Brighton

The Brighton line is our largest brand, and we absolutely love working with them! Brighton is owned by Jerry and Terry Kohl, high school hearts and still in love! They sold leather "hippy" jewelry after school and eventually bought a small belt company - Leegin Leather. They began making belts, then handbags, then wallets, jewelry, eyewear, footwear and the rest is history. Jerry and Terry are remarkable people who give back in so many ways.

The company is a delight to work with. A customer can feel so good about purchasing products for so many reasons:

• The look!
• The quality
• They stand behind their products
• They are good employers
• They are so giving

 

Product Lines:

• Brighton
• Pandora
• Department 56
• Christopher Radko Ornaments
• Byer's Choice Carolers
• Virgins, Saints and Angel Jewelry
• John Medeiros Jewelry
• Aromatique Decorative Fraagrance
• Niven Morgan Frangrances
• Tirimani Frangrance by Shelley Kyle
• Spartina Handbags and Accessories
• Home accessories and serving pieces
• Clothing by: Muse, Donna Morgan, Suzi Chin, RYU, Lauren Vidal, Joy Joy, Svetlana, Parkhurst, Anna Scott, Metric, Adore,
  And many more!
• Baby clothing and gifts
• Caspari paper products
• Monogram acrylic bar ware and serving pieces
• Seasonal wreaths and decorations
• Photo frames and wedding gifts