Tell us about your business.
Gerard McCabe Jewellers was started in 1986 by Gerard and Pauline McCabe and is now owned and run by myself (Jess) and my brother Justin McCabe. We retail fine contemporary jewellery and antiques, designing jewellery in house as well as curating exceptional pieces from around the world. We also work with our clients to create bespoke jewellery and specialise in complex jewellery restoration and repairs.
Our family has been retailing in Adelaide since 1978. Starting as Tailors shortly after arriving from Ireland in 1878, within 3 generations, the family trade had evolved to jewellery manufacturing, export and retail operations. During the depression, the opportunity to make money trading gold and sovereigns was a catalyst for this change. From 1932 onwards, in each generation, one or more McCabes have joined the family jewellery trade, across various businesses. Justin and I are proud to be custodians of this legacy, 6 generations in the making.
At Gerard McCabe, it is our privilege to share in our customers’ stories and milestones. We strive to produce and curate jewels of significance that will be treasured mementos. Based in Adelaide, we have 2 boutiques and a small store inside the South Australian Museum shop, along with an international audience through our online store. We are excited for the world to discover our unique blend of old and new, exquisite jewellery offering.
What has been your greatest success?
As a family, we were incredibly honoured to be inducted into the FBA Hall of Fame in 2021. It acknowledged the 10 plus years we had spent planning for succession and upskilling for the future. We then transitioned ownership of Gerard McCabe Jewellers in 2022. As siblings, we had all grown up in and around the business, developing a love for jewellery and a curiosity for history and the natural world. Now to be able to steer the business into its next phase is an honour for Justin and I, and even more so, to have the support of our two siblings who are not involved in the business directly.
What do you value about FBA?
We joined FBA in 2009. Dad and Mum had always run the business with a long term vision that they would pass it on to the next generation one day. Dad wanted to learn more about how that had worked in other businesses and FBA seemed a natural fit. He went with Justin to a National conference in Darwin in 2009 and they were awed by the stories that were shared. From then on we became members.
We all value the connections we have made through FBA - particularly through the forum group program and conferences, and the openness in this community. What stands out is the willingness of all FBA members to share their stories, successes and challenges and the opportunity FBA gives us to to learn from each other.
What advice would you give to other family businesses?
It is never too early to start talking about succession, and upskilling the next generation to understand how the business is run and be able to manage the business in the future. The conversation doesn’t have to be about the finer details of business ownership transfer at the start; it can simply begin with working towards a shared vision of where you want to take your business.
We had fantastic support from several advisors that we worked with over the years and would highly recommend seeking external expertise where needed to facilitate the process and some of the more difficult conversations that will inevitably arise during the transition process.
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