Michael Hill Manager Moving On After Almost 30 Years
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Sonya Chalmers has been involved in many special celebrations in people’s lives, but after 28 years with Michael Hill Jeweller, she decided it was time for a new challenge.
The Invercargill manager will have her last day at the new store in Invercargill Central on Saturday, and admits she will be sad to miss her favourite time of year.
Christmas was such a huge occasion for the nationwide chain store, and she said nothing beats the adrenaline rush of Christmas Eve, and the buzz that customers create.
Her journey with Michael Hill started back in 1994 on Queenstown’s Steamer Wharf where a one-off high end store ‘Michael & Co’ was opened, catering for the tourist market.
Then she moved to the Riccarton branch of Michael Hill Jeweller, and it was during this period she got engaged to her husband Deane – so they relocated to Dunedin, and she managed that store for eight years.
Her and Deane then made the big move south to Invercargill when she was on maternity leave, to be closer to family, with their new baby boy. Sonya returned to work 18 years ago and has been manager of Michael Hill Jeweller ever since.
She’s made some amazing friendships along the way, and built up her team to love the job as much as she does.
“I love helping people create their own success and climb the ladder. Some have gone on to become managers themselves.”
She has also been to some amazing conferences that have taken her all over the world – Macau, Las Vegas, New Caledonia and Fiji, just to name a few.
“That side of it has been lovely. There are so many experiences I have had that I probably wouldn’t have done otherwise.”
Sonya is looking forward to her next chapter, and with the skills she has gained from Michael Hill, is looking forward to a new challenge and trying something new.
She knows the door to Michael Hill Jeweller will always remain open, but it was time for some personal growth, and now was as good a time as ever.
“It’s like having a baby. There is never a good time,” she joked.