Matt and Stacy Lang, Lang Jewelers
1. Tell us about your business; and what is your business philosophy?
Stacy: Lang Jewelers started out small, in our laundry room, providing excellent personal service to our customers. Over the past 20 years we have grown into the full service store we are today. We value the relationships we have built in this time and enjoy continuing to build new ones. When we opened the store in Tioga, we wanted to share our feeling of a family owned business and welcome everyone, including dogs. We don’t want anyone to feel they couldn’t shop in our store. We carry jewelry for all occasions, with price points to match. We believe these relationships we build are the foundation to our business.
Matt: We are a 1st generation, family-owned retail jewelry store. We sell fine jewelry as well as fashion jewelry. We also have complete in-house services including, custom-designed pieces, jewelry repair, watch repair and appraisals. The work is done on-premise by myself, my wife, and our employees.
Our business philosophy is customer service is our number one goal while treating our customers like family and to remain honest with the highest level of integrity.
2. Why are you passionate about your commitment to United Way’s Community Investment Fund?
Matt: I feel that giving back to the community is very important especially since the community has been so good to me. The United Way has been a great way to do that since 1957.
Stacy: We are fortunate to live in a very giving community. However there are so many people in need. With The United Way, our dollars go directly into the Community Investment Fund and stay local. This isn’t money just to sponsor an event. And matching (three to one) funds really make the giving more impactful.
3. What is something interesting or surprising that most people don’t know about you?
Stacy: I grew up in Athens, GA and was raised as a Dawg. I moved to Gainesville when I was 18 and never looked back. Go Gators!
Matt: I love horses and hope to own a ranch one day. I’ve been called a dyed-in-the-wool cowboy.
4. What would your older self tell your younger self?
Matt: Try to do something every day to make someone else’s life better. By doing this your life will improve daily as well. Also, life isn’t fair, quit expecting it to be.
Stacy: Don’t be afraid to follow your dreams.
5. Favorite quote?
Stacy: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference." –Robert Frost
Matt: "There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing." –Aristotle
Small businesses play a critical role in maintaining a thriving local economy. They are no less important to the success of United Way, as we endeavor to improve lives through our work in education, income, and health. Our Small Business Partners are an important, growing family of donors, who are vital to helping us meet the needs of our community.
To learn more about how you and your business can support United Way, contact Chris Wells at cwells@unitedwayncfl.org or (352) 316-0666.