Name:
Fernando

In what part of town do you live?
We live in a neighborhood right by Schenley park, called West Miami.

How long have you lived in Miami?
My whole life born and raised here.

What keeps you busy during the week?
The kids and work. I’m the store manager at Mayor’s Jewelers in Dadeland.

How did you get into jewelry?
It started a long time ago when I worked at Montblanc. My father was always big into pens. One day during lunch, we saw that Montblanc was opening up a store in Dadeland. I took a part-time job with them since I already knew all the product because of my father’s thorough mechanical engineering personality where he would dissect everything. I got into the luxury world and fell in love with it.

What was your first role at Mayors?
Sales associate

What about your skillset led you to become manager?
I always knew I wanted to lead people. But, I did not ever want to lead people in a way that your classic manager does by scolding and screaming. I wanted to become a leader with a different approach.

Where did that philosophy come from?
I learned that from from a regional rep at Mont Blanc. She was very quick to show me that you could come in there and say, ‘oh my gosh, this display’s horrible. Who did this?’ Or you could come in and ask who put together and ask why they put ‘the pen with the watch.’ Then you can show them how to incorporate what they did with the standard of the company. She was teaching you and showing you at the same time. I was impressed and inspired.

What about the luxury market do you enjoy?
The clients. When I was in the tech industry, the clients were a little bit of a rougher crowd. In the luxury industry, don’t get me wrong, they can also be a rough client but, there’s a common knowledge that you’re just trying to get a better product and a better experience. I think that’s what I gravitate towards.

What surprises you about jewelry?
The classic saying don’t judge a book by its cover. When I was a sales associate, a young guy came in, from the University of Miami, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Everybody ignored him, except me. Lo and behold he’s spent half a million dollars in jewelry and watches in the span of a year and a half.

What do you enjoy selling the most?
Watches. I enjoy the technical aspects of watches. I think they’re pretty amazing pieces. I find a perpetual calendar to be extremely impressive.

What else do you enjoy doing outside of work?
My hobby is collecting silver or gold or platinum bullion coins. I love old money, like a dollar bill from the 1930s or 1920s. The1899 Black Eagle $1 bill is probably in my opinion, one of the most beautiful dollar bills you’ll see out there.

Where do you buy bullion?
Miami Gold Coin on 136th and US1

How did you discover LNB Grovestand?
My wife found you on Instagram.

What do you pick up when you come by?
The rainbow smoothie and the turmeric bagels and whatever you guys have. We like the star fruit.

What’s the experience like when you come?
It’s fast, easy and friendly. That would be the three adjectives I would use. It’s a simple way to pay, and the things are right in front of you, so you can get to choose immediately what you want and it’s never a hassle. It’s a pleasure.

What other restaurants or businesses do you go to often that you might recommend?
Dragonfly is one of our favorites. They started in Gainesville, and then they got so big that they moved to Orlando and then finally moved to Miami. Also, Houston’s and Capital Grille are just classic good staple restaurants.

Where would you go for a special occasion?
Capital Grille or Joe’s Stone Crabs.

What do you think is Miami’s best kept secret?
It’s not in Miami, but our getaway is in Palm Beach. I know our last president, made it a lot more popular and famous, but prior to him, it was a very secluded area. In my opinion, it’s the prettiest beach in South Florida. And it’s just an hour and a half drive away.

What for you is a worthy splurge?
If a genie popped out and said, I can pick whatever watch I wanted, I guess it would be a Patek Phillipe, solid rose gold travel time with a blue dial. It’s a piece that holds its value.

Is there a pitch about your role at Mayors or something else you would like to share?
Whatever you need, if it comes to jewelry or watches, I can help in any way possible.