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Weber Grows Business In Down Economy
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Michele Weber is a financial advisor and operates the Oakdale office of Edward Jones. - photo by Photo By Dawn M. Henley

Michele Weber began her career with Edward Jones in Southern California in 2003 and moved to Oakdale with her family in 2006. She is the sole financial advisor in the Oakdale branch office and works with one full time staff member, Marian Partenheimer, plus two part time support staffers. Additionally, Weber said that there is an “army” of support from Edward Jones such as analysts, compliance people, and more.

Despite the down economy, Weber reported that business grew at her branch by more than 20 percent last year, mostly from referrals and people changing from other firms.

“Folks are having to manage through a tight economy,” she said. “Our reputation has allowed us to grow and be successful and help more people.”

Weber said that by nature she’s a skeptic of markets and corporate reports and she believes that quality serves her clients well.

“Having face time with your financial advisor during these times is critically important,” she added, noting that while clients schedule appointments, sometimes they’ll also drop by her office.

She said she tries to be supportive and serve in a consultative role for anyone who walks in the door.

Weber obtained her master’s degree and Ph.D. from UC Riverside and noted that her dissertation was on how small towns survive in the global economy. Prior to her employment with Edward Jones, she was a professor and did research, and also worked in international development, living in various countries in Central America. She returned to the states and going into personal finance seemed like a natural fit for her.

“I’ve always been very good with people and very good with numbers,” Weber said, adding that over the last six years she’s built a solid reputation with her clients.

She reported that she has a varied clientele from those with significant assets, as well as those who are single heads of households.

“It’s rewarding to help successful clients achieve their goals for retirement,” Weber said. “It’s also rewarding to help clients through a problem period or crisis. My work is always challenging, always rewarding, always changing.”

She noted that while she is an ambitious career woman, she said it’s important that everything is done with the utmost integrity.

“I enjoy finding ways to be supportive of the economy of the town in general,” she said. “…I’m much more comfortable here with farmers, ranchers, retirees, teachers…than in Southern California… It’s a different mentality.”

Weber reported that she’s from a small town in New York and her husband is from a small town in Idaho, so they enjoy the rhythm of Oakdale and the surrounding area. She said she likes small town living and being part of the community and noted that she sometimes runs into clients at the grocery store.

Coming from Southern California, she said her hobbies have helped people get over her “city slicker” image – she enjoys gardening, canning, and cooking, and also camps and kayaks with her family.

Weber recently received recognition from Edward Jones in a top 25 percent national ranking for exemplary client service, as well as the firm’s Sr. Founders Award for exceptional achievement in building client relationships, and also the company’s exclusive Century Award for outstanding performance.

Eclectic Empty Nest Under New Ownership
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Shelley Leadem, new owner of The Empty Nest, invites everyone to come in and see all the wonderful treasures currently waiting to be discovered in the eclectic shop of repurposed and restored items. - photo by PHOTO BY KIM VAN METER

Shelley Leadem is no stranger to the business world, having been in real estate for 20 years in her native Hollister, but the new owner of The Empty Nest admits that working in retail is a whole new world.

Leadem and her husband relocated to Oakdale three years ago due to a job change and quickly fell in love with the small town.

“My husband got a job in Modesto and we relocated to Oakdale because it reminded us of Hollister with its small-town environment. We love Oakdale. Absolutely love it. It’s close enough to big shopping if we need to and so centrally located, it’s awesome. Plus I love the community. They’ve all been so wonderful since opening.”

Leadem reopened the shop on May 1 and has been working to keep the same feel as the previous owners had with the eclectic shop, as well as adding her own personal flair. One of the projects she’s undertaken is transforming the upstairs area to hold classes and birthday parties in a room that has a ‘50s retro look.

“I used to be a shopper here. I always knew I could get a nice gift and have it wrapped and walk out having spent $10 to 15,” Leadem said. “I want to continue to offer that same kind of value to my customers.”

For those new to the scene, The Empty Nest offers repurposed items that have been restored and renewed from their original purpose. For example, an antique coffee pot that has been restored can start a new life as a unique flowerpot.

“We have repurposed furniture; old furniture that has been redone and restored. We have the old flavor with a new spin on it,” Leadem said. “I just absolutely love my products. I love homes and decorating. How great is this? I get to shop for a living.”

Leadem also has vendors offering their wares for sale in the shop and she’s open to seeing new items if they fit within the sphere of what she offers. If she likes what she sees and the price is right, she purchases the item, as she doesn’t offer consignment.

“I’m open to looking at items from people but I must be able to offer good prices to the customers. The Empty Nest has a reputation for offering affordable prices,” Leadem said.

Prior to her career in real estate, Leadem was in manufacturing as a production control manager. She admits that experience has come in handy as she manages her own inventory.

“With retail, cash flow is key. Managing and understanding inventory is also important,” Leadem said. “I’m very aware of my inventory. We have one-of-a-kind things. Trying to figure out what the clientele is really interested in is the challenge. I’m trying to get a good feel of what the community is after. There’s a sharper learning curve than I thought there’d be, but I’m up to the challenge.”

As a woman in charge of her own business, she offers the following advice to women interested in following in her footsteps to entrepreneurship:

“Pursue your dreams and do something you really love. If you love what you’re doing it doesn’t matter how hard it is. Get as educated as you can. Get a business plan and just go for it,” she said.

The Empty Nest is at 116 North Third Ave. in Oakdale.

For more information, call 209-847-9300.