E2 Business & Professional ENTREPRENEUR ® Tapping In from page 41 Optimist. Pessimist. Enthusiast. „-______ .,--:-------- _____-.„___:„.._ _ ------.---„---- 1 ,_==....._.„ -----,_--.,--- __ - -. - _.............„_ ‘ . _ -.- .. _. , ._, R eporters tend to narrowly focus on two groups of investors: those who see the glass half full, and those who see it half empty. But investing is never that simple. Global markets comprise endlessly repeating cycles of ups and downs over any extended period, during which there is opportunity for money to be made, or at a minimum preserved. An essential element of success is appropriate asset allocation. Financial advisors are very good at preaching it, but few have the resources and attention span to practice it. An exception is Greenleaf Trust. With billions in assets and the distinction of being one of Michigan's first trust-only banks, we have the extensive human and financial capital to competently manage the complexities of wealth from one generation to the next. It's far from easy, but because of our broad, long-term perspective and unique, client-centric team approach, the proverbial glass is neither half full nor half empty: it's 100% opportunity. so ® GREENLEAF TRUST ® Financial Security from Generation to Generation 34977 WOODWARD AVENUE, SUITE 200 BIRMINGHAM, MI 48009 WWW.GREENLEAFTRUST.COM 2.48.530.6200 877.530.0555 1573540 42 November 11 2010 liquidity, and our exchange locations make it an easy, comfortable, efficient, transparent experience,' he said. "Unfortunately, some gold sellers are unlicensed, with an atmosphere that makes gold buying an uncomfortable transaction for customers!' Gold Finances Improvements Expanding on the Gold Exchange, Mark Tapper said, "It's a fascinating business. Several well-known people in the Jewish community have brought in gold coins to finance vacation trips and special projects. One person got $25,000 to remodel her northern Michigan home; another got $10,000 to install a swimming pool." "If people have gold assets that they haven't used in years, they might as well cash them in now',' said Howard Tapper, displaying a small pouch from a customer containing miscellaneous pieces of gold worth $3,400 and a charm bracelet worth $500. "Some people inherit gold pieces that they really don't like!' Tapper's sells the more valuable gold pieces to specialists in pre-owned jew- elry who repair them. It also sells gold with diamonds to diamond dealers or sells to refineries which melt down the items. Besides the gold buying, the new Somerset store also offers the same customer services as the other two stores, such as custom design, jewelry and watch repairs, and a pioneering cash refund policy. The flagship West Bloomfield store, with 16,000 square feet, has three full-time custom design- ers and four rear rooms, staffed by five people, where jewelry is made or refur- bished — including a $20,000 laser machine. "Another off-shoot of the recent eco- nomic situation is that many customers are refurbishing old jewelry instead of buying new items',' said Howard Tapper. In a way, the success of the Tapper brothers fulfills their father's dream of having his own business. Morris Tapper, a clothing salesman, died at 43, before his plan could be realised. Howard Tapper had a similar dream and vision after working for others for 10 years, following his graduation from Wayne State University. Back Room To Sales Floor Howard had been introduced to the jew- elry world at the age of 15 while working in the stockroom of the E.L. Rice Co. in Detroit. Asked to help out on the sales floor during a particularly busy day, he sold a gold watch in his first hour. Marla Tapper Young, Steve Tapper and Mark Tapper at the Troy store Howard sold his car and borrowed money from family members to raise the capital required to open his first store, with 1,000 square feet, on Northwestern Highway in Southfield. With Susan always at his side, he later was joined by Steve, an Eastern Michigan University graduate and for- mer teacher. The store was expanded and renovated several times, increasing to 6,000 square feet, but in the early 1990s, changes in demographic trends prompted the Tappers to move to West Bloomfield. "Now, its great to have Marla and Mark in the business with us',' said Howard Tapper. "They're well educated, have a real interest in the business and provide a fresh, young perspective and innovative ideas that you would expect from a new generation." Tapper's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry has received countless awards and hon- ors over 33 years; the firm's charitable work in the community is widely rec- ognized, including an annual coat drive, and fundraising for breast cancer, Kids Kicking Cancer, HIV/AIDS prevention programs and other philanthropies and community involvement. The family has a strong Jewish heritage. Howard Tapper belongs to Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield and Steve is a member of Temple Israel in West Bloomfield. Their stores are closed both days of Rosh Hashanah and on Yom Kippur, sticking to their commitment even when one of the holidays falls on a Saturday — as Yom Kippur did this year — their busi- est day of the week, usually yielding about 100 complete transactions. H